It's A Wonderful Life - A Tribute to Gloria Grahame

Gloria Grahame, born Gloria Hallward, November 28, 1923, died of cancer October 5, 1981, age 57. Remembered mostly for her edgy roles of the film noir period, I recall her particularly for The Big Heat with Glenn Ford and Man On A Tightrope with Fredric March, both from 1953. It's A Wonderful Life was only her third credited role. But even in this movie in which everybody was the boy or girl next door, Gloria as Violet was edgy and the non-mainstream girl in town. Those traits that we see in a Donna Reed, Jane Powell or a June Allyson did not seem to exist in the roles that Gloria portrayed. And yet in this early career role it is nice to watch her in such an uplifting and positive movie.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• It's A Wonderful Life
• 1946 movies
• Christmas movie
• Gloria Grahame
• tribute
• film noir
• Seneca Falls
• Bedford Falls
• Frank Capra
• 1946
• James Stewart
• Donna Reed
• Lionel Barrymore

[lizzyvance]

She is so underrated. A great actress and beautiful.

[gloriousgrahame]

fabulous tribute to a wonderful actress - PS the 65th anniversary set has both versions - b/w & color !

[tallpaul521]

Just saw her the other night on TCM "In A Lonely Place"--gorgeous and a great talent.

[irishmixmusic09]

I'm doing "Its a wonderful life" for my school musical and I'm going for Violet. YAY!

[FlaxenHairedBeauty]

Love Gloria! She defiantly deserves more credit!

P.S.~How did you ever find Its a Wonderful Life in color?! :)