Portraying a "seductive peasant girl who takes three men to their ruin before she herself is murdered,"[1]:82 it was a type of role she had never before played. Her last stand as an actress saw her return to the stagebefore fate forcibly put an end to her career. [1]:77 Marley was a heavy drinker and introduced Darnell to alcohol in 1944, which eventually led to an addiction and weight problems. Darnell was eager to appear on Ronald Reagan's General Electric Theater. The landowner of the New Mexico ranch refused to have Darnells ashes scattered on his land. In this video, well look at Linda Darnells rise to fame, some of her best films, and her tragic death. In 1956, she made her TV debut in an episode of 'Celebrity Playhouse'. She buried Darnells ashes at her husbands family plot at the Union Hill Cemetery, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Predictably, it was one tense setand a demanding one too. On April 10, 1965, Darnell died from burns she received in a fire at the house of her former secretary. However, she never quite reached the popularity of her contemporaries, like Lauren Bacall, Hedy Lamarr, or Lana Turner, despite a career that lasted decades and included appearing in many major motion pictures. In 1940, Darnell starred alongside Tyrone Power again in Brigham Young, a film that owed its success largely to the two being a very popular on-screen pair. Linda Darnell. She died on August 30, 1970 at age 22. To those in the know in Hollywood, Pearl was Darnells overbearing and possessive mother. Darnell shortly after her divorce from Liebmann. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. However, many audience members didnt realize that. Unfortunately, as recounted in TCM, Darnell fell victim to Hollywood's habit of neglecting its actresses who it believes no longer have the sex appeal they once had, no matter how talented they are, and in the 1950s offers started to dry up, a situation that wasn't helped by her growing alcohol abuse. First, to cinematographer J. Peverell Marley from 1944 to 1952. You know that sooner or later the studios going to let you go. Hey Friend, Before You Go.. Before traveling to Italy for a two-picture deal with Giuseppe Amato, Darnell was rushed into the production of Blackbeard the Pirate (1952), whichmuch to Darnell's distressgot far behind schedule. Darnells remains ended up staying in storage for ten years until her daughter, Lola, was old enough to decide what to do with them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Linda Darnell died on April 10, 1965 at the age of 41. of. In many of those films, she starred alongside Hollywood heartthrobs like Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. "[1]:43, Since the beginning of her career at 20th Century-Fox, Darnell had been very positive about her frequent co-star Tyrone Power. But her new lease on life was tragically cut short. Calhoun, 30, was shot to death near Lake Elsinore on Friday. Not, only that, but her coveted figure started gaining weight. She sorely underestimated her mothers thirst for vengeance. According to her siblings, Darnell enjoyed the limelight and shared her mother's dream. [3] Nevertheless, by age 15 she was signed to a contract at 20th Century-Fox and moved to a small apartment in Hollywood all alone on April5, 1939. By the mid-1960s, she had started appearing as a nightclub singer. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Before her death, Darnell had expressed a wish to have her ashes dispersed over a ranch in New Mexico. According to Turner Classic Movies(TCM), she developed a reputation early in her career for her stunning good looks. Linda Darnell was an American film actress. Linda Darnell was born Monetta Eloyse Darnell on October 16, 1923, in Dallas, Texas. Your email address will not be published. February 28, 2022, 7:19 pm, by In early 1942, Darnell filmed The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe, another film that would not do much to advance her career. [1]:75. At the encouragement of her mother, she made her first film in 1939, and appeared in supporting roles in big-budget films for 20th Century Fox throughout the 1940s. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by The Tragic Death of Linda Darnell, the Girl With the Perfect Face, The Tragic Story of the Berberovs, a Soviet Family Who Raised Lions as Their Pets at Home in the 1970s, 35 Fabulous Photos Show What Brides Looked Like in the 1960s, 30 Cool Pics That Capture Naughty Ladies of the 1950s, Mihailo Tolotos, the Greek Orthodox Monk Who Lived 82 Years Without Ever Seeing a Woman, Candid Snaps of a Group of Women Spent Time Together in a Pub in Bermondsey, on a Day Trip to Margate, ca. It also didnt help that her boss was a pesky speed bump on her path to success. It was one of the best TV shows during the Golden Age of Television in the USA. Another account states that she went back into the blazing home to get her mink coat. She explained, In pictures youre built up by everyoneeveryone says youre wonderful. When Darnell continued to reject his advances, he responded by standing in the way of her career. As one of her elocution teachers recalled, Darnell didnt stand out particularly, except that she was so sweet and considerate. The claim tore Darnells family apart, and in 1942, unable to handle the hostilities between her parents anymore, she took her younger sister and left home, never to return again. In an interview during production of Hotel for Women, which lasted until June, Darnell admitted that movie making was not what she expected: "I'm learning what really hard work is. "[1]:98. [1]:131. But just as things seemed to be looking up, Darnell deceived her husband once again. [1] She was the younger sister of Undeen and the older sister of Monte Maloya and Calvin Roy, Jr.. Since Darnell was underage when she arrived in Hollywood, she was tutored on set. Incredibly, even the notoriously immoral Hollywood studios thought that Darnell was too young, and turned her away. Portrayed by stars Vivian Vance and William Frawley. Sadly, she made one huge mistake. Linda Darnell had one of the most tumultuous careers in Hollywood history. There was a huge buzz around Linda, especially since she had been described by various movie magazines as "the most physically perfect girl in Hollywood". I pleaded for something to do, but nothing happened. It was a transformative role for Darnell as, up until that point, she was mostly playing sweet and innocent characters, but "Summer Storm" saw her portray the sexy femme fatale that would typify most of the rest of her career in the 1940s. Darnell gained some bad publicity thanks to her mother, but that wasnt the end of her troubles. [1]:137 She married brewery heir Philip Liebmann in February 1954. [1]:73 In April 1943, she was put on suspension, which meant being replaced in the Technicolor musical film The Gang's All Here (1943). Turner Classic Movies states that Linda Darnell spent much of her early career acting in the less serious, more escapist films of 20th Century Studios, which they specialized in at the time. Her interests include learning different languages, trying adventurous food recipes, watching anime and dramas, and belting songs in foreign languages that she (oftentimes) doesnt understand. Died in a fire of unknown origin while visiting friends. At thirty-two, I can see tell-tale marks in the mirror, but the ravages of time no longer terrify me. Being shoved into the entertainment industry at such a young age meant that Darnell was an easy target for exploitation. She was also getting adventurous with her love life. Because her contract required her to make one film a year for the studio, she reported to the 20th Century-Fox lot in March 1952 and was cast in the film noir Night Without Sleep (1952). The only thing I knew how to do was be a movie star. At the encouragement of her mother, she made her first film in 1939, and appeared in supporting roles in big-budget films for 20th Century Fox . January 9, 2023, 4:41 pm, by Ms Dickson starred in over 20 Hollywood films, such as They Won't Forget and They Made Me a Criminal. Afterwards, she flew back to Rome to complete Angels of Darkness, in which she spoke Italian. [1]:89 Because of her success in Fallen Angel, she was cast opposite Tyrone Power in Captain from Castile in December 1945[17] on the insistence of Joseph L. But if Zanuck was a toxic figure in Darnells life, her mother Pearl still had him beat. The second collaboration proved disastrous, and the next film was never released in the United States. In a 1939 interview, she expressed her interest in starring opposite Power in Johnny Apollo (1940). She was the middle child of four siblings. Her parents marriage was not happy and she grew up shy and reserved amongst a lot of domestic turmoil. Linda just doesn't have enough to dobut looks beautiful doing it. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Hollywood actresses in the 1940s were marked by their glamour and seductiveness, which meant that Darnell fit right in, especially with her uniquely smoky voice. In 1940, just as Darnells star was rising, her mother did the unthinkable: Pearl accused her husband of having a relationship with one of his stepdaughters. CHICAGO (UPI) Actress Linda Darnell was critically burned early today when fire swept the suburban home of her ex-agent. [1]:146, Darnell was married to pilot Merle Roy Robertson from 1957 to 1963. Zorro ends after three seasons, Guy continues working in [] More, Despite The Andy Griffith Show ending in 1968, it has remained a cultural touchstone of sorts ever since. She later consented to take on the glamor role, but she refused to bleach her hair for it. She was reported "still in critical. She was 41 years old. She wasnt free of him until the mid-1950sand by then, her own marriage was past the point of no return. Just as the public lost interest in Darnell, Zanuck did too, and he stopped considering her for roles altogether. The next seven years arent going to be the same.. After going to rehab, she started to recover a little, but Robertson still had to suffer the brunt of her instability. Her next film was a Western, Two Flags West (1950). [1]:98 Darnell was certain that Forever Amber would be her ticket to stardom, and she told reporters: My first seven years in Hollywood were a series of discouraging struggles for me. Spokesmen said she suffered third degree burns over 85 to 90 per cent of her body. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. Although a well-loved figure on the 20th Century-Fox lot among the cast, crew, and lot workers, it was reported that Darnell made only one good friend in Hollywood, actress-singer Ann Miller, whom she met at a Catalina Island benefit. After acting on TV and in live theater for several years, she landed the role of the lusty mistress Sadie in a low-budget film called Black Spurs. Darnell was watching Star Dust (1940) on television, on the night of the fire. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. [1]:19 Darnell once said, "Mother really shoved me along, spotting me in one contest after another. Her agent called to tell her that her work in Black Spurs had generated offers for roles in three other movies. "[1]:55 By June 1940, shortly after completing Brigham Young, Darnell earned "a weekly salary larger than most bank officials."[14]. Ruba holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and minors in History and Global Narratives. She was assigned to a negligible role by Zanuck, which displeased Ford, who felt that she was not suitable. Darnells depression had crept up on her again, and she was falling back into old habits, drinking heavily and feeding her addiction. Darnell was found next to the burning living-room sofa and was transferred to the burn unit at Chicago's Cook County Hospital with burns over 80% of her body. Little did they know, this quiet and peaceful evening was about to see a devastating interruption. In her childhood, it was evident she would be ravishingly beautiful. So when the girl turned 14, Pearl tried to turn her into a film actress. Probably. As per TCM, Darnell, born was pushed into show business at a young age by her ambitious mother, leading to her becoming a contract player at 20th Century Studios by the time she was only 15 years old. [1]:22 The same year, she was hired as one of the hostesses at the Texas Centennial Exposition. Because of her then-husband, Philip Liebmann (grandson of Charles Liebmann of Rheingold Breweries), Darnell put her career on hiatus. On April 10, 1965, Linda Darnell died from burns she received in a house fire at the age of 41. For Darnell, this was one heck of a slippery slope. She was 41 years old. 2014-10-17 04:29:27. [1]:9394 When Hughes announced that he had no desire to marry her, Darnell returned to her husband and cancelled divorce proceedings. Nowadays, Anna venerates as the groundbreaking icon. There, Darnell fell ill and had to be quarantined for several weeks. Darnell's life came to a tragic end on April 10, 1965, as the result of burns from a fire. She started drinking heavily in 1957 and went to rehab. After 13 years, she was finally ready to spread her wings and fly. Forever Ambers production put a lot of pressure on Darnell, however. [1]:6364. [] This is one picture on which I am setting much store for the future. The women urged the young girl to jump from the second-floor window. For a while, that is. In her theater work, she wasnt outstanding, but her mother was right behind her everywhere she went.. Matters changed when she was named one of the four most beautiful women in Hollywood along with Hedy Lamarr, Ingrid Bergman, and Gene Tierney in a 1944 edition of Look. Darnell signed her contract with 20th Century Fox at the age of 15 and spent most of her career with the studio. An investigation ruled her death as accidental caused by careless smoking. Linda Darnell is one of the most recognizable faces on the silver screen in the forties. [3] According to columnist Louella O. Parsons, Darnell was "so young, so immature and so naive in her ideas" and was very loyal to her boss, Darryl F. I still dont know how to write, but i'm writing and you are reading :), 2023 BygonelyPrivacy policyTerms of ServiceContact us. A fire had started in the living room where the three had sat the night before. Before she even got a chance to turn her life around, the Girl With The Perfect Face met an end so horrificits unforgettable. On April 8, 1965, Darnell was at the home of her former secretary, Jeanne Curtis, spending the evening with Jeanne and her daughter Patty. In her theater work, she wasn't outstanding, but her mother was right behind her everywhere she went. She even went back to 20th Century Fox, which had, at that time, started venturing into television. Linda bores the thankless good girl roles. People Photos Purpose. By this time, Darnell had eloped, which caused Zanuck to be even more furious. Forever Amber did not live up to its hype, and although it became a success at the box office, most reviewers agreed that the film was a disappointment. Patty broke her leg from the fall, but she made it to safety. Im counting on my Russian girl to give me a new start.. Darnell died on April 10, 1965, from burns she received in a house fire in Glenview, Illinois, early the day before. In a later interview, Darnell commented: I was told that such a violent change of type might ruin my career, but I insisted on taking the chance. By 1942, Darnell still carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Linda Darnell was born on October 16, 1923 and died on April 10, 1965. She started modeling at the age of 13 and performed in the theaters at the age of 16. [31], Darnell died on April 10, 1965 from burns that she had received in a house fire in Glenview, Illinois early the day before. [1]:52, At first, everything was like a fairy tale coming true. The fire occurred at the house of her former secretary. Facts Verse You see, the studios knew she was underage and decided to lie for her anyway. The search for the actress to portray Amber, a beauty who uses men to make her fortune in 17th century England, was modeled on the extensive process that led to the casting of Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara. And what would her health have been?. Let us know your favorite Linda Darnell film in the comments below! She is best known for her role in Forever Amber (1947) based on a bestselling historical novel. Zanuck. Darnell was born into a big family, but her parents marriage was an unhappy one. She reached the door but the doorknob was already too hot for her to touch. Heartbreaking Facts About Ann Miller, The Star-Crossed Dancing Sensation, Catherine The Great Was a Mighty EmpressUntil Her Brutal Downfall, These Eerie Supernatural Experiences Sent A Chill Down Our Spines, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, Frances Uncrowned Queen, These People Shared The Worst Moments Of Their LivesAnd Theyre Utterly Brutal, Extravagant Facts About Josephine Baker, The Black Pearl of Paris. Darnell left the courtroom victorious. Later the same year, Mankiewicz left her to focus on his own career, and as a result, she almost took her own life. She died from asphyxiation. The early 1950s saw Darnell appear in less and less noteworthy films, but in 1952, another great shift shed been anticipating finally happened: Her contract with 20th Century Fox ended. When 20th Century-Fox offered her a part, Darnell wanted to accept, but RKO was unwilling to release her. [1]:58 A big-budget adventure film that was raved over by the critics, The Mark of Zorro was a box office sensation and did much to enhance Darnell's star status. She didnt realize until much later that Zanuck harbored an unhealthy obsession for her. Just a few years after her debut, Darnell suddenly found herself struggling to find work. Darnell was born in Dallas, Texas, as one of five children of a postal clerk. Ironically, she had been watching Star Dust (1940) on television, which was one of the films that set her career in motion, when the house caught fire. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. As it happened, Darnell got lucky and got a big break: Her first film, Hotel for Women, was a huge success, and the teenager officially became an up-and-coming actress. Linda Darnell would have been 41 years old at the time of death or 91 years old today. January 9, 2023, 4:24 pm, by But of course, Darnell was far too stubborn to take this advice to heart. She never had to plod her way through the so-called "awkward phase" of her teen years because, well, she was never awkward. While her life tragically ended too early, the death of Linda Darnell is memorialized for her contributions to the film industry with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1631 Vine Street. How old is Linda Darnell? During filming, she became very sick as a result of the heavy dieting and overexertion of her body. Liebmann, of course, found Darnells looks very attractive, and inthe end, they decided on a compromise to satisfy both parties. The only thing I knew how to do was be a movie star. I thought in a little while I'd get offers from other studios, but not many came along. After successfully accomplishing an image rehab with Summer Storm Darnell starred in all kinds of films, including westerns. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. 3. Only a real movie buff would remember her name today, but in the forties everyone knew Linda Darnell. Darnell grew up adored by Hollywood but soon learned its many dangers. She had moved to Pennsylvania and given birth to her own children and had Lindas ashes interred in the Adams family plot. Darnell took the role of Amber very seriously. April 21, 2021, 6:57 am, by Manage Settings Brimming with excitement, Darnell believed that her newly acquired freedom would allow her to build a career in Europe. This and the heavy dieting resulted in exhaustion and a serious illness in November 1946. [3] Darnell was a model by the age of 11 and was acting on the stage by the age of 13. You waltz through a role, and everywhere you hear that you are beautiful and lovely, a natural-born actress. She was willing to divorce her husband to marry him, but Hughes didnt want to take their relationship that far and rejected any of her serious advances. Wiki User. [21] Darnell replaced British actress Peggy Cummins in July 1946 at a cost of $350,000. It was the first film for which she was widely critically acclaimed. Taking a page out of her mothers book one more time, Darnell made Robertson rue the day he ever met her. Monetta Eloyse Darnell, better known by her professional name Linda Darnel was a fashion model and actress. [1]:84 The film became a great success, and with Darnell's triumph assured, she was allowed to abandon her upcoming film, Don Juan Quilligan (1945), which would have been another low point in her career. It is airing in syndication on a handful of networks and streaming services for decades now. "[1]:65 Months passed by without any work, and in August 1941 she was cast in a supporting role in the musical Rise and Shine (1941). Your email address will not be published. Her mother had big plans for Linda Darnell, however. Today Darnell is not remembered as well as many of her less-talented contemporaries, but an examination of her career reveals a gifted beauty whose steamy noir persona made her a tragic, unforgettable entry in . Born 1949 and died 2008. In truth, he was a total creep and pursued Darnell even though he knew she was underage. Shortly after the reunion, her health worsened, caused by the tough production of Forever Amber (1947). Vote your favorites, and dont forget to share. [13] The film's director, Henry Hathaway, in later life had only slight memories of Darnell but recalled that "a sweeter girl never lived. When she filed for divorce from Marley in 1951, she accused her husband of cruelty, claiming he was "rude" and "critical" towards Darnell and her family. "[1]:112 In 1949, Darnell went into psychotherapy for hostile emotions that she had been building since childhood. She was trapped on the second floor of the home by heat and smoke, as the fire had started in the living room. A talented actress. OTD - April 9, 1965 - Actress Linda Darnell died after fire swept through the Carriage Hill house of her former agent, where they had been watching "Star Dust," a 1940 film she starred in, on TV. "[1]:81 Darnell was reduced to second leads and was overlooked for big-budget productions. From petty paybacks to insane acts of karma, these bitter people somehow found the most ingenious ways. Some of her standout films from this period include 1945's "Hangover Square," 1946's "Anna and the King of Siam," and 1949's "A Letter to Three Wives," for which she garnered high praise(via The New York Times). In late 1940, Fox chose her for the main role in Song of the Islands (1942), a Hawaiian musical film which eventually starred Betty Grable. But there was just one problem. Before leaving school for Hollywood, Darnell was a student at Sunset High School, which she entered in September 1937, majoring in Spanish and art. [1]:121 She was even less enthusiastic about her next film, The 13th Letter (1951), which reunited her with Preminger, and she only took the role because it was an unglamorous one. Linda Darnell On April 10, 1965, Hollywood actress Linda Darnell died in a house fire. Hot The film received only moderate attention, unlike Darnell's next film, Blood and Sand (1941), which was shot on location in Mexico and in which she was reunited with Power. But Darnells desirable youth wasnt going to last forever. She works long hours during the filming of the movie and heavy dieting that leads to exhaustion and serious illness. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. January 9, 2023, 4:20 pm, Trending Mankiewicz. It gives you a false sense of security. On top of the big age gap, Marley also introduced Darnell to bad habits that changed her for the worse. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. [1]:83 Darnell complained that the studio lacked recognition of her, which prodded Zanuck to cast her in Hangover Square (1945), wherein she played a role she personally had chosen. The character in the Chekhov film is a wild sort of she-devil, which any actress would go miles to play. Heres a newspaper clipping from the Edinburg Daily Courier, and is dated October 29, 1938. Linda's weakness for Black men was hardly a secret. Lindas body was cremated according to her wishes. She initially started modeling to earn money for the household[3] and performed mostly in beauty contests. Her parent's marriage was not happy and she grew up shy and reserved amongst a lot of domestic turmoil. Obviously, this caused issues between her and 20th Century Fox, and the studio decided to punish her by giving her exactly what she didnt want: They loaned her out to a different studio for a supporting role in a B movie. . born monetta eloyse darnell in dallas, texas, on october 16, 1921; died from injuries sustained in a house fire in glenview, illinois, on april 10, 1965; third of five children of a postal clerk; attended public schools in dallas; attended central high school in los angeles and had studio tutoring; married peverell marley (a cinematographer), on Shortly after its release, she was put on suspension for refusing a role in the film The Guy Who Came Back (1951) opposite Paul Douglas and Joan Bennett because it felt "too similar." In fact, he himself entertained multiple women whenever he could. Her talent and beauty catapult her to stardom as one of the top female movie stars at Twentieth Century Fox. [1]:147, In her later life, she dated actor Dick Paxton and had an affair with Italian director Giuseppe Amato. "Lana Turner Elopes With Stock Broker; Linda Darnell Goes Along; May Wed Also". "Linda Darnell, Just 16, Achieves Film Stardom In A Woman's Role" by Robbins Coons. Before the death of Linda Darnell, she was often described as the girl with the perfect face because of her astonishing beauty. She died at the young age of 41. Darnell refused to let Marley get away with this scot-free, so she decided to get her revenge. One of her maternal great-grandparents was Cherokee. Following a five-minute hearing, Darnell was granted a divorce and custody of Charlotte, while Marley was to pay $75 a month for child support.[28]. Not simply from a professional standpoint, but just to get up in the morning and look at herself in the mirror. No one expects to last forever in this business. [1]:19 In 1936, she entered the Dallas Little Theater and was cast in the southwestern premiere of Murder in the Cathedral. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Though she called him the "great love of her life," Mankiewicz never acknowledged the affair; he only mentioned her to his biographer as a "marvelous girl with very terrifying personal problems. Between November 1946 and March 1947, she collapsed twice on the set of the movie.