Judith Anderson: Australian Star, First Lady of the American Stage

by Desley Deacon

Everyone knows Mrs Danvers as a byword for menace in Hitchcock's Rebecca and as a poster girl for lesbians in the movies. But only dedicated fans know her brilliant creator. This book tells Judith Anderson's life story for the first time. It recovers her career as one of the great stars of stage and television and an important character actress in film. Born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1897, brought up by a determined single mother, she parlayed her rich, velvety voice and ability to give reality to strong emotional roles into stardom on Broadway in the 1920s. Not a conventional beauty, she was alluring, with her beautiful body, perfect dress sense, and striking, volatile personality. After playing glamorous roles, she was recognised as a Leading Lady of the American Stage under the direction of Guthrie McClintic in Hamlet and co-starring with Laurence Olivier and Maurice Evans in Macbeth. Her reputation as a great actress was confirmed by her landmark performance in 1947 in the ancient Greek Medea, adapted for her by her friend, poet Robinson Jeffers. In a long career, she appeared in Medea again in 1982 at the age of 85, playing the Nurse to fellow-Australian Zoe Caldwell's Medea. Ambitious and driven, Anderson toured extensively, made numerous highly praised appearances on television, and, after her unforgettable role as Mrs Danvers, was a sought-after character actress in film, playing her last role as Vulcan High Priestess in Star Trek III at the age of 87. She won many awards and was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1960 and Companion of the Order of Australia just before her death in 1992. She had a stormy private life and two short marriages, which, she remarked, were 'much too long.'

Genres: Biography

512 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Creolecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

... Like many of my generation, my first introduction to her was as the terrifying Mrs Danvers in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1939 (no I wasn’t alive then!) Rebecca. But, Judith Anderson had been around a long time before that. Born in Adelaide in 1897, she (as Francee Anderson) went to the USA in 1918, and this is where she both established her career and made her home for the rest of her life. It wasn’t easy – is an actor’s life ever? – but eventually Anderson began to get roles. Deacon chronicles the trajectory of her career meticulously, from these early days to her final performances when she was in her eighties. It was a long, and distinguished career which, while centred on the stage, also included film, television, radio and the college speaking circuit. Anderson, unlike some actors, was not averse to working in forms – like television, like, even, television soaps – scorned by others. Regarding this latter, Anderson is quoted as saying “there is no indignity in earning $5,000 per week”. No, indeed, particularly when you never knew where your next pay check was coming from, and when you were providing significant support to other family members.

Various themes run through this story of Anderson’s life. For my full review, please see my blog: https://whisperinggums.com/2020/08/19...

[Alistair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Anderson's name is probably now largely forgotten, especially in her native Australia. In this splendid first-ever biography of her, Desley Deacon redresses this collective cultural amnesia. Born in Adelaide in 1897, she left for the U.S. as suitable theatrical roles started drying up (plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose). After years of treading the boards in America Anderson began to make her mark on the stage from the mid 1920s - principally via her Gertrude to Gielgud's Hamlet. And her interpretation of Medea in the 40s cemented her place as the first lady of the American theatre.
Even though dismissive of film, two of her performances have preserved her name; her iconic role of the malevolent Mrs. Danvers in Hitchcock's Rebecca (1940), and the elegantly cold-hearted Ann Treadwell in Otto Preminger's Laura (1944). If you're interested in early Australian, or 20th century American theatre this impeccably researched book is definitely recommended.

[sina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i absolutely love this book. i‘m glad it focused on other things than just her portrayal of mrs. danvers which introduced me to her. i really enjoyed reading about her career on the stage and how much she loved it. i wish more people would read this book, because it’s beautifully written. another thing i loved were the excerpts from her diary, memoirs and letters.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story. I thought I knew all the famous Australian actors but I'd never heard of Judith Anderson until I found this book. I had no idea. I would have loved to see her on stage but I will have to satisfy myself with getting hold of some of her movies.