Kim Stanley

I just rewatched Seance on a Wet Afternoon, the brilliant psychological thriller by Brian Forbes - a true master of that genre - and I was struck again by the understated brilliance of Richard Attenborough and particularly, Kim Stanley's incredibly taut performance. I've been fascinated by her ever since first seeing the film in high school, but outside of Seance, Frances and the fleeting glimpses of her Bus Stop performance in the Rick McKay documentary, it's difficult for those of us who came too late to see her really understand what she was like as a performer.

So, were any of you lucky enough to see her live? And I've heard mixed things about her recent biography, Female Brando. Recommended?

Updated On: 8/4/10 at 03:11 AM

I'm too young to have seen Kim Stanley on stage, but I have seen a considerable amount of her film and TV work. Her acting guru was Lee Strasberg whose approach to "the Method" is now considered by most to be quite passe.

Stanley is the very avatar of Strasberg's method in good and bad ways. Concentrated, emotional and deeply powerful but also tic-y and self-hypnotized...she doesn't really seem to be acting with anyone else in the room. Anyone interested in acting should check out the very entertaining SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON and also her performance Paddy Chayevsky's THE GODDESS and as Jessica Lange's mom in FRANCES.

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Really?

Were you a no-necked monster??????

Three words
OMG!

Wow! Color me impressed!

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I remember her...She was also in "Troop Beverly Hills" and this video for the Wrinkles Dogs called "Wrinkles in need of Cuddles"...which I got because I loved my Wrinkles dogs.

But...while watching her say that line in your "Cat", I didn't like it as much the little girl who said it to Elizabeth Taylor!

I yoo am abit too young to have been around to see Kim Stanley on the stage. But years ago I read an article about her and I could not wait to see "The Goddess"- I was probably 14 at the time, and it was on tv very late, or rather, very early. I was so afraid my parents would catch me up on a school night. But seeing that film and that performance, I knew I had witnessed one of the finest perfomances captured on film. I couldn't forget it and I read everything I could about her- and I guess I've seen everything she did that is available on tape. If you want to see something interesting, go to the Internet Movie Database, and watch the episode of "The Night Gallery" that she did- titled "A Fear of Spiders" in the 1970's- here's the link:

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1982726937/

To me, her finest moment in "The Goddess" is this one, from YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVFnF7pokpI

I have just recently read "Female Brando"- I found it very interesting- I would recommend it. I only wish more of her friends, co-workers, acquaintances, ex-husbands, etc. had been alive to have been interviewed.

Stanley's Emmy winning performance in A Cardinal Act of Mercy can be seen on "the tube". She plays an accomplished lawyer who shoots dope and she is mesmerizing. More rare Stanley is coming soon - same bat-time, same bat-channel.

Updated On: 8/5/10 at 07:36 AM

Kim Stanley performed in The House of Bernarda Alba, The Chase, Picnic, The Traveling Lady, Bus Stop, A Clearing in the Woods, A Touch of the Poet, Cheri, A Far Country, Natural Affection, and The Three Sisters.

Updated On: 8/5/10 at 07:53 AM

I did have the very good fortune to see Stanley in the Actors Studio Three Sisters. She had the ability to transfix an audience, even though she was facing upstage and rather non-chalantly turning the pages of a book the character was reading. By doing nothing, she outshone everyone else on stage -- which included Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, Barbara Baxley, et. al. I'll never forget her bemused comment in the 3rd Act after Natasha (the Baxley role) has stormed across the stage, working herself up into a furore. Stanley's quiet comment was "Did she start the fire?" and it spoke mountains. Her life must have been a real mess but she was transcendent on stage. I feel priveleged to have had the opportunity to have seen her and pray that her spirit is finally at rest.

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I'm glad that "A Cardinal Act of Mercy" is back on youtube. It was taken down for a while. It's something everyone who wants to see great acting should watch. Thanks for mentioning it, Logan2.

Great. I will have to look out for them. Good to know that copies of them are out there.

I saw her in Touch of the Poet, A Far Country and The Three Sisters. She had a great sense of exhuberance about her, very passionate. When I remember the Three Sisters production, I think of her in tandem with Geraldine Page (Olga) and Shirley Knight (Irina). The three of them worked beutifully together.