This story/book was based on the real story of Gene Tierney who contracted German Measles when pregnant from a fan and had a severely handicapped daughter. Hollywood made her pose with her daughter and husband Oleg Cassini and didn't mention that the baby was so handicapped. It was really sad and she never got over it.
Her daughter was institutionalized for life. She died in 2010. The main difference, of course, is that Gene handled the tragedy like a lady. When the fan told her what she'd done she just froze, then silently walked away. She wrote in her autobiography that "From that moment on I never cared about being anyone's favorite actress."
I loved seeing Angela Lansbury as 'Miss Marple'. Although Joan Hickson is generally considered the definitive 'Marple', I think Lansbury did an admirable and enjoyable rendition of the sleuth.
The marvellous Angela Lansbury , of film , stage and latterly, television. I noticed that she did not mention that the plot of the “The Mirror Cracked” was eased on the true story of the actress Gene Tierney . Agatha Christie took up this horrific true story of how Gene Tierney , in the early stages of pregnancy , was “ rushed “ and hugged by an obsessed fan whom wilfully broke out of ordered quarantine and infected Miss. Tierney with German Measles. Tierney’s little baby was born severely disabled . Of course the rest of the tale/story is pure Christie, at her best , in my opinion?
I never could quite figure out why The Mirror Crack'd didn't work. Good story, good director, great cast... why didn't it work? It should have. But it doesn't.
I think it's because the director and writer absolutely bungled it. The book is a page turner, and it was based on a real life incident that happened to the actress Gene Tierney, of "Laura" fame.
I actually thought it did work extremely well. Guy Hamilton I think did a wonderful job in capturing the English village life and a typical Christie atmosphere. Angela Lansbury was a bit too young to play this part in age but she fitted the part very well. In my books she's up there as a Jane Marple. I heard there was another film planned with her but was cancelled.
I liked it but didn't love it. Miss Lansbury is a chameleon and as she said was always a character actress. The others were "stars" and it's difficult to distinguish the character from the "star persona". James and Edward Fox are wonderful actors that can inhabit any part.
Lansbury could have made a good Miss Marlple, but the script was lame and the casting of the likes of Hudson and Taylor did not add the glamour that was evident in Murder on the Orient Express. There have been several Miss Marples and the one that I like best is Jean Dixon. Fortunately Lansbury was offered Jessica Fletcher and while they were basically a showcase for her they were entertaining.
Just watched the film last night on Talking Pictures. Great cast but the picture is hammy as anything. Whoever did Angela's makeup was terrible. They made her look like a ghoul rather than an elderly lady in this. Fortunately Dame Angela has done much better stuff. I think I'll stick with the Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple's for now.
Margaret Rutherford definitely made Miss Marple a lively entertaining older lady. In stark contrast the other Marple's (and not to be mean) were yes sweet and endearing but bores.
Sorry to disagree with Ms. Lansbury about never watching anyone else's portrayal of a role, but if she wasn't channeling Margaret Rutherford, I don't know what else she was doing.
@@Smartychase it certainly couldn't hurt! I've stolen plenty from all kinds of performers but she stated that she never watched any and I find that hard to believe based on her performance.
@@michaelisennock8391 I think what she probsbly meant was watch in preparation for a role. I think its safe to assume she would have watched some of the roles as part of her general movie watching. Some actors study every previous version of a role as part of their prep to decide how they want to play their version
Always a pleasure to see, and listen, Angela Lansbury.
Love Angela Lansbury! She the best actor ever!
This story/book was based on the real story of Gene Tierney who contracted German Measles when pregnant from a fan and had a severely handicapped daughter. Hollywood made her pose with her daughter and husband Oleg Cassini and didn't mention that the baby was so handicapped. It was really sad and she never got over it.
Her daughter was institutionalized for life. She died in 2010. The main difference, of course, is that Gene handled the tragedy like a lady. When the fan told her what she'd done she just froze, then silently walked away. She wrote in her autobiography that "From that moment on I never cared about being anyone's favorite actress."
She was a female Marine, who deliberately broke quarantine, to visit her at a bar that she was performing at.
I ve Just finished rewatching this masterpiece and your wonderful interpretation. Thank You from verona
Congratulations !
Happy Saint James s day !
My grandparents lived with in the grounds of the great house, as did my father, and his 2 sisters. So this film has much meaning to to me
I loved seeing Angela Lansbury as 'Miss Marple'. Although Joan Hickson is generally considered the definitive 'Marple', I think Lansbury did an admirable and enjoyable rendition of the sleuth.
We can love and appreciate both.
Jessica Fletcher was basically just an American version of Mrs. Marple.
I've wondered if "The Mirror Crack'd" (1980) was the germination for "Murder, She Wrote", just four years later in '84?
@@goodowner5000 I heard it gave them the idea.
The marvellous Angela Lansbury , of film , stage and latterly, television. I noticed that she did not mention that the plot of the “The Mirror Cracked” was eased on the true story of the actress Gene Tierney . Agatha Christie took up this horrific true story of how Gene Tierney , in the early stages of pregnancy , was “ rushed “ and hugged by an obsessed fan whom wilfully broke out of ordered quarantine and infected Miss. Tierney with German Measles. Tierney’s little baby was born severely disabled . Of course the rest of the tale/story is pure Christie, at her best , in my opinion?
She looks pretty darn good for 95,96.
RIP Angela Lansbury
I never could quite figure out why The Mirror Crack'd didn't work. Good story, good director, great cast... why didn't it work? It should have. But it doesn't.
I think it's because the director and writer absolutely bungled it. The book is a page turner, and it was based on a real life incident that happened to the actress Gene Tierney, of "Laura" fame.
I actually thought it did work extremely well. Guy Hamilton I think did a wonderful job in capturing the English village life and a typical Christie atmosphere. Angela Lansbury was a bit too young to play this part in age but she fitted the part very well. In my books she's up there as a Jane Marple. I heard there was another film planned with her but was cancelled.
That realization Marina has when Heather blurts out her secret was wonderfully done compared to the later adaptations.
I liked it but didn't love it. Miss Lansbury is a chameleon and as she said was always a character actress. The others were "stars" and it's difficult to distinguish the character from the "star persona". James and Edward Fox are wonderful actors that can inhabit any part.
Rest in Peace Ms Lansbury
Most of the actresses and actors have passed away. Kim Novack is still with us but not sure about Miss Chaplin.
Geraldine is alive as of nov/2023.
Such an elegant intelligent woman.
Lansbury could have made a good Miss Marlple, but the script was lame and the casting of the likes of Hudson and Taylor did not add the glamour that was evident in Murder on the Orient Express. There have been several Miss Marples and the one that I like best is Jean Dixon. Fortunately Lansbury was offered Jessica Fletcher and while they were basically a showcase for her they were entertaining.
Jean Dixon? Or do you mean Joan Hickson? She’s my favourite Marple :)
Just watched the film last night on Talking Pictures. Great cast but the picture is hammy as anything. Whoever did Angela's makeup was terrible. They made her look like a ghoul rather than an elderly lady in this. Fortunately Dame Angela has done much better stuff. I think I'll stick with the Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple's for now.
When I was young I loved Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple but when I saw the brilliance of Joan Hickson's Miss Marples I couldn't watch her again.
Hickson is the definitive Marple and her version of this story is very well done indeed.
Margaret Rutherford definitely made Miss Marple a lively entertaining older lady. In stark contrast the other Marple's (and not to be mean) were yes sweet and endearing but bores.
I didn't like Angela Lansbury's makeup either!
Rutherford was just a comic version of Marple and I could not understand why they thought they could put ger in such silly situations.
Sorry to disagree with Ms. Lansbury about never watching anyone else's portrayal of a role, but if she wasn't channeling Margaret Rutherford, I don't know what else she was doing.
So do you find watching others portrayal of a role you are going to play or have played helps you ?
@@Smartychase it certainly couldn't hurt! I've stolen plenty from all kinds of performers but she stated that she never watched any and I find that hard to believe based on her performance.
@@michaelisennock8391 I think what she probsbly meant was watch in preparation for a role. I think its safe to assume she would have watched some of the roles as part of her general movie watching. Some actors study every previous version of a role as part of their prep to decide how they want to play their version
Agatha Christie hated Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple she perfered Joan hickson
@@007beck9 Joan Hickson not Joan Sims.