1957: Another Iconic Year for Deborah Kerr
Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 8:29PM by Camila Henriques
The mid 50s were Deborah Kerr's time. She followed up the huge hit The King and I (1956) with two leading roles the following year in Heaven Knows Mr Allison and An Affair to Remember.
1957 brought Oscar nomination number four to Deborah Kerr. It happened for her turn as a nun in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. She lost to Joanne Woodward’s intricate work in The Three Faces of Eve. She would applaud, sitting in the Academy audience as a gracious nominees, twice more until the Academy gave her an honorary award in 1994 (presented by Glenn Close, who has since then inherited the forever bridesmaid mantle, *le sigh*). But, for me, it was another movie she did in '57 that truly cemented her as a Hollywood icon.
Leo McCarey’s An Affair to Remember put Kerr in the same frame as Cary Grant. It wasn’t a first time partnership for them, as they had worked together in 1953’s Dream Wife...
It wasn’t even an original venture for the director, who had helmed a previous version of the story, Love Affair - a classic itself, the movie starred Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer and garnered six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. While the 1957 version received less attention in its day, it has become its own movie, thanks to the talented redhead.
Kerr plays Terry McKay, a nightclub singer who gets swept away by Grant’s Nick Ferrante, a notorious womanizer. Their whole courtship happens while they’re committed to other people, who thankfully aren’t antagonized by the circumstances we see in the picture. At the end of the day, it’s all about Terry and Nick: their infatuation with each other, their (mostly hers) resistance to go all in, their plan to finally be together and the tricks life plays on them.
In that sense, I see the film as a testament to Kerr’s power as an actress. Her onscreen charisma shines through every frame and it’s easy to understand her effect on Nick, mostly because she’s having that same effect on us as well. Our first sight of her, wrapped up in that bright orange coat, is a warning: you won’t be able to take your eyes off of Terry McKay. Then, she charms every living being in that visit to Nick’s grandma, capping off with that sentimental rendition of the title song “An Affair to Remember” (where the actress was famously dubbed by Marni Nixon). And, finally, it is Kerr’s transition to a resigned star crossed lover that has the audience on the edge of its seat, practically begging her to tell Nick what really happened. In all truthfulness, she needn’t say a word. Her face does all the work. It’s angst at its best.
Deborah Kerr had a long string of iconic roles in her career - from From Here to Eternity to The Innocents and everything in between - and while An Affair… is far from her most demanding part, it deserves its place as an iconic stage where the Scottish actress really connected with her audience. One look at her, and we know that maybe Terry won’t walk again (as she wishes), but she will allow herself to be happy.
more on 1957
Ruby Dee in Edge of the City
Harriet Andersson in Smiles of a Summer Night
Get ready for the Smackdown
Reader Comments (18)
I can't say I love the totality of this film, although if they had cut out those kids singing I'd be a lot closer!, but she's terrific in the picture.
But you can say that about every movie she appeared in even those that were less than estimable, and like all great stars her filmography has her share of those. Speaking of which her first pairing with Cary-Dream Wife-is one of those disasters.
When is the last voting day?
I think I’ve mentioned this bit of trivia before, but there’s an Oscar curse shared by the three actresses who have played Terry McKay. Irene Dunne, Deborah Kerr, and Annette Bening have combined for 15 nominations and 0 competitive wins.
Deborah Kerr probably would have won an Oscar had she made a better choice in 1969. That year she reunited on screen with her From Here to Eternity costar Burt Lancaster in The Gypsy Moths. The 48 year old actress agreed to appear nude in a shadowed love scene with Lancaster. The result was that Kerr chose to leave features for stage and television work.
In 1971 Joseph Losey began filming his adaptation of The Go Between. He cast Deborah Kerr in the plumb part of Mrs. Maudsley. Kerr soon withdrew and the part went to Margaret Leighton. The film went on to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Leighton was celebrated in the role meant for Kerr. Leighton won Supporting Actress at BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar. The Oscar went to first time nominee Cloris Leachman. It is not difficult to see a career Oscar being awarded to Kerr instead.
I wouldn't give her the win in '57 (Team Lana) but am partial to her in '53. Would be fine with a KING AND I victory too!
For me she comes close in 1949 - but I'd stick with deHavilland, and 1953 - but my vote goes to Caron. 1960 is the year she should have won in a walk. I don't really get her performance in Heaven Knows Mr Allison, but 1958 is the only year she didn't deserve her nomination. But that's more than balanced by her non-nominations for tremendous performances in 1947 and 1961.
Love Kerr but her oscar run in now way represents her best film acting moments. Not getting nominated The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, Tea and Sympathy & The Innocents is criminal to me. The work she does in those far surpasses the films she got oscar nominations for.
Peggy -- for the smackdown? July 5th
She was an accomplished actress before she came to America. Unfortunately her talent was not realized until she appeared in from here to eternity
A great actress, and she was robbed not being nominated for "The Innocents". This is going to be a really interesting smackdown, you are helping me get through this difficult time.
I agree that her most interesting works (Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, The Innocents and An Affair) were not Academy’s cup of tea...still pity that a such astonishing actress never received a competitive Oscar, despite Six noms. I could say the same for Close and Bening but perhaps there are still some chances
I agree with LadyEdith. Looking forward to the Smackdowns, every Claudio piece and the promise of Seasons of Bette is all that is getting me through some days. Proof writers and artist are important in their own way, even lifesavers somewhat. Doing the Lord's work you are. xo
@Mirko Interesting that Close handed Kerr her honary oscar. I think about it from time to time and that Kerr granted Close the losing streak.
@Eoin I guess when Close wins her inevitable competitive Oscar it will be twice as satisfying. Or Amy Adams could hand her an Honorary lol.
Close wins a competitive, but there is still a slim chance that Bening has to settle for the Honorary. Quick Annette, get another nomination before the Academy membership is too hip for you and Warren.
I’m a big Kerr fan. As a kid It was this and The King and I, but as an adult you see things like The Night of the Iguana, The Innocents, The Sundowners and all her work with Powell and Pressburger and you just see a game actress who was willing to try to transcend the narrow box MGM had her in for many years. I’m a Woodward guy in ‘57, but Kerr would be have a great option too (such an odd
She’s always an actress I’ve found has incredible chemistry with her make costars. If she needs to be saucy and posh for Grant, or womanly and sensual for Mitchum, she can do it.
@eoin thank U for the reply. Actually the answer above is from another Mirko. It’s a Mirko’s world apparently 😅
@Mirko You're welcome, an imitator seems like a form of flattery in these comment sections. At least yours has good taste and surprisingly wise words. :)
I'm a huge Kerr stan!! Yes her best works r Black Narcissus (a relative young Hollywood newcomer, so they probably wanna make her wait for a couple o yrs) n The Innocents (overlook entirely by The Academy due to its horror genre)
Her closest chance is probably 1960 for her 6th n final nom, n most pundits put her n Liz Taylor (her 4th consecutive nom) neck to neck for the win, until Liz's infamous close shave o death tt sealed Kerr's Oscar fate!
She is also probably the runner-up in 1949, 1956 n 1957 races (1953 IS arguable, w many oso predicts Caron as the runner up) Sad tt she is the perpetual bridesmaid!