Ona Munson/Una Merkel- Page 4

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 10:28am

"Belle, you're a nurse."

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 12:00pm

I love BOTH Ona and Una. They gave indelible performances, despite the handicap of "humorous" names.

Favorite Ona: GWTW--Naturally!
Favorite Una: On Borrowed Time, as Marcia Giles. A very sweet and simple performance.

TRIVIA: Did you know that Una was SERIOUSLY considered for the role of Glinda in the Wizard of Oz? She was under contract at the time to MGM, and they wanted a comedienne. They also considered Fanny Brice! Thankfully, they arrived at Billie Burke... also a comedienne but with enough stature and grace befitting Glinda the Good.

And God bless this thread for dragging up two of my favorite "unsung" character actresses.

Updated On: 4/15/06 at 12:00 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 12:35pm

Did not know of Una/Glinda.
I adore Billie.
My AndyHardy named his beloved and beautiful dog after her.
Love Billie in Dinner At Eight.

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 9:56pm

For cturtle.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 10:57pm

For those who have wondered where the expression "So-and-so doesn't know sh*t from Shinola" comes from...

[justme2]

Posted: 9/15/06 at 2:08am

Ha!

So good to see this thread resurrected.

Mmmm,, Una in "Bombshell", trading barbs with Jean Harlow. Una in "Red Headed Woman", trading Barbs with Jean Harlow...Una in "RiffRaff", tading barbs with....yes, Jean Harlow.

Glebb, have you managed to locate the Una Munson movie I mentioned on this thread yet? The one where she plays a Japanese Dragon Lady Gambling House owner with a Southern Accent? LOTS OF FUN!!!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/15/06 at 7:51am

The Shanghai Gesture, with Gene Tierney!



Ona plays the part Bette Davis wanted, known as "Mother Goddamn" in the play version and "Madame Gin Sling" in the movie version.

Updated On: 9/15/06 at 07:51 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/15/06 at 7:52am

Is this for sale on DVD?
It really is a must see.

*Trying to get Ilka into the title.

Updated On: 4/13/08 at 07:52 AM

[justme2]

Posted: 9/15/06 at 1:36pm

This movie is a riot...TCM was showing it as part of someone else's Birthday day, and I was shocked at how bizarre Ona's performance was! I kept thinking...so this is what happened to Belle Watling after the ware ended!

[cturtle]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 7:35am

goodbye, rhett.

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 9:33am

It was all about Belle's eyes.

[cturtle]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 12:28pm

oh so much in those eyes! perfectly framed by the bell earrings.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 3:02pm

For cturtle and Glebby...

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 7:19pm

Thanks best12!

"Ga-bye Rhett."

[cturtle]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 7:29pm

those are FABULOUS! she was so good in that role it makes my heart hurt.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 8:41pm

It's astounding to me sometimes how a small (seemingly insignificant) role like Belle's can speak volumes... and end up so memorable. Some sixty-odd years after it was created.

If a picture paints a thousand words (as they say)... we easily have 3,000 of them in front of us in these 3 pictures.

*raises a glass to Ona*

*and Glebby & cturtle, too*

[cturtle]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 8:56pm

CHEERS!

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/16/06 at 9:05pm

To The Cause!

[Glebb]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:57am

For the cturtle!

[cturtle]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:18pm

more GWTW trivia:

selznick shot a scene of BELLE giving water to the wounded soldiers down at the train depot. it was one of the MANY scenes he ended up cutting because they were unfaithful to the book ... and because the movie was already WAY too long.

btw ... glebb, have i told you lately you're a sweetie?

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 7:56pm

Updated On: 4/13/08 at 07:56 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:06pm

[nmartin]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:11pm

Una Merkel's first scene in The Bank Dick is priceless.
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 08:11 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:13pm

Now what brought Ilka Chase up all of a sudden?

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 8:14pm

The resurretion of this thread just put a big smile on my face.

To Ona, Una and Ilka!

*raises glass*