Linda Darnell (Because Of You)

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A tribute to the gorgeous actress with dark beauty, Linda Darnell (1923-1965), who played innocent virginal heriones in her early career and then sultry, sophisticated and sometimes seductive femme fatales in her later films. Born Monetta Darnell in Texas, Linda was the child of a stage mother who pushed her into beauty pagents before she was even a teenager. Signed by 20th Century Fox at the age of 14, she began with a featured role in "Elsa Maxwell's Hotel For Women" in 1939 and soon found herself cast opposite such actors as John Payne in "Stardust" (1940) in a role that was specifically written for Linda based on her own rise to fame, and Tyrone Power in "Daytime Wife" (1939), "Brigham Young" and "The Mark Of Zorro" (both 1940) and "Blood And Sand" (1941). Her roles became more complex in the mid-40s, with such siren-like roles in "Summer Storm" (1945), "Hangover Square", "My Darling Clementine" and "Fallen Angel" (all 1946), and later as a 17th-century British courtesan in "Forever Amber' (1947). Her career began to falter later in the decade, although "A Letter To Three Wives" (1949) and "No Way Out" (1950) are often considered her best performances. Three failed marriages, a long-running but unfufilled affair with writer-producer-director Joesph L. Mankiewicz, a drinking problem as well as family tension took their toll on the actress and she attemted suicide in the 50s. Darnell turned to stage and nightclub work to pay the bills after her film career came to a halt.. The actress had just made a comeback in the low budget western "Black Spurs" (1965) when she tragically expired after injuries she sustained in a housefire while visting friends in Illinois. Linda was plagued by a phobia of fire all her life, which came tragically true. Eerie too, how in many of her films her characters were within close proximity of flames or when a fire was part of plots, such as "Anna And The King Of Siam" (1946). Her adopted daughter Lola called Linda "One of most courageous people I've ever known." Linda had gone back into the burning house mistakenly believing that her friend's teenage daughter was still trapped inside, despite her paralyzing fear of fire. Darnell is not as well-remembered as some of her contemporaries but to me she certainly was on par with them in talent and her beauty was breathtaking. Fellow Fox contract player Gene Tierney (certainly no Plain Jane herself) described Linda as having "the face of a Sistine Madonna". I used Tony Bennett's "Because Of You" in this tribute. Enjoy!

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[pereznuix]

I Love Linda Darnell !great vdeo.

[SHRINA17]

Great job as always. Linda was such an incredibly talented and beautiful lady. What a horrible way to die. Life can certainly be unfair.....RIP Ms. DARNELL.

[scarafawcette]

What an underrated beauty and talent.

[AyesThatsme]

so beautiful

[hatepbj94]

Great video!!!

Linda Darnell was so beautiful!!! So far I've only seen her in 1 movie (The Mark of Zorro); but I'm planning to change that REAL soon. Thanks again!!!

[elchoya100]

she was such a natural beauty no stars today come close to the female movie stars of the 40s shes up there with gene teirney .paulette goddard. hedy lamarr and rita hayworth .shes one of a kind

[chkjns]

This was Tony Bennett's FIRST hit song, Billboard #1 late 1951 into 1952! I've made 111 playlists for every year since 1900 & added this to 1951's list. They play 2-4 hours each, it's the next best thing to being there! Thanks for a great musical tribute here! Got to meet TB for a few seconds after a concert 6 weeks before he turned 80 !!!

[jg0582]

Je donnerais tous l'or du monde pour qu'elle soit parmi nous, et avec moi !

Linda Darnell Sublimissime Pour Toujours !

[lana1939]

r Linda Darnell! I love her movies .She was so great especially in Zorro as a kid. La Bella Linda! Linda and Tyrone forever!!!!

[Taharah007]

@Gitfidlpickr And God bless YOU for being there for her...

[Corrie121]

Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute to a beautiful and talented Actress. She really was a great Star. Thank you too, for your notes. Much appreciated.

[nancyfloressantos]

Actually I don't know Linda Darnell. I love the song you uploaded with this video. Thanks for having it shared.