Kim Stanley in The Goddess question

[WillParker]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 6:34pm

After watching Broadway: The Golden Age and hearing folks rave about Kim Stanley and particularly in the film The Goddess, I tracked it down (no easy feat!) and watched it. I'm curious to know what others thought of her performance in this film and why. Personally, I thought there were moments of brilliance or line readings that took my breath away, but to me, that's all they were--moments. The performance as a whole was not as captivating to me as I was led to believe it would be (the same could be said for Julie Harris' performance in the film version of Member of the Wedding). Perhaps on repeat viewings I'll feel differently--I'd just like other opinions.

Thanks!

[MusicMan]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 7:31pm

I haven't seen THE GODDESS in a bit but knowing Stanley's work from SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, THE THREE SISTERS and FRANCES, all of which I've seen recently, she always struck me as a mannered actress similar to Geraldine Page who always managed to find moments to chew up the scenery in a thrilling, larger-than-life way. Harris struck me as more naturalistic in her playing though her performance as Frankie is positively volcanic. What a tour-de-force it must have been on stage!
Both Stanley and Harris find the drama and poetry in their respective performances and deserve their reputations, IMO.

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 10:37pm

I was also a bit non-plussed by THE GODDESS when I first saw it many years ago, especially as I thought Stanley simply looked too old to be playing the role. But I must admit the performance is indelibly imprinted on my memory and I've followed her work ever since.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 10:42pm

Did you catch Patty Duke in her first feature role?

[WillParker]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 10:50pm

Yes, and didnt she nearly make me cry when she told the cat "I got promoted today"?!?!

[cliffarico]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 12:46am

If you caught Patty Duke's performance in the Goddess you see why I say that some actors/actress are born with their talent.
You could never teach that performance.
I wish Ms. Duke would come back to Broadway and show her talent once again. I recently read in an interview that she would love to come to Broadway in something like Come Back Little Sheba.
I could see it....