Dorothy McGuire

Full size photo

Born: 14th June, 1916
Died: 13th September, 2001
Country: USA
Occupation: Actress
Quote: "I went right back to playing nice girls and faithful wives."

Yes, the movie going public preferred Dorothy McGuire as a "good girl", and indeed as a favourite screen mother. McGuire, who died aged 85, had a career that was surely held back by that very typecasting she once tried to escape. However she was content to give higher priority to her stage career, and travelling with her husband ( Life photographer John Swope), than to her movie one. Luckily, for classic film fans, she's left us with some memorable screen performances.

Full size poster

Starting out as a stage actress, Dorothy McGuire's Hollywood career began when producer David O. Selznick cast her in the movie version of her award winning stage role as Claudia, starring opposite Robert Young in the 1943 movie. Both later reprised their roles in a sequel, Claudia and David. Other notable co-stars were Gregory Peck in Gentleman's Agreement, (her performance as Kathy in the film garnering her a Best Actress Oscar® nomination); and Gary Cooper in Friendly Persuasion.

Dorothy McGuire will be fondly remembered by many for her roles in the late 1950's, early 60's Disney family classics Old Yeller and Swiss Family Robinson. Other notable roles as Mother were in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (her first screen appearance in that role, in 1945) and as the Virgin Mary in The Greatest Story Ever Told!

Movie Picks:

Talk Back

The Enchanted Cottage (1943) A charming fantasy romance between a badly scarred war veteran (Robert Young) and an ever so plain spinster (McGuire) who find themselves magically transformed into beautiful counterparts (McGuire playing both "parts" without the aid of a makeup transformation). Is the cottage really enchanted, or is it merely them seeing each other through the eyes of love...

• • •

The Spiral Staircase (1946) A spine chilling thriller, Dorothy McGuire giving an outstanding performance as Ethel Barrymore's mute maidservant who becomes a target for a serial killer of maimed and disabled women.

• • •

What would your Movie Pick be? Talk Back and post us a message in the forum...

[Dorothy McGuire Photo and Poster Gallery]

- Movie Cat

Talk Back