Hellen's performance - The Miracle Worker (1962) Discussion

[–] weepups2-1 20 years ago

Patty Duke was wonderful as Helen.I know nothing about acting but it has got to be so hard to play someone who is deaf and blind and make it so convincing.I think she is a terrific actress anyway.

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[–] chconnol 20 years ago

Duke's autobiography "Call Me Anna" gives a very detailed insight (no pun intended) into how she prepared for the role. Her managers (not the greatest people) actually blind folded her in preparation for it, amongst other things.

The near tragedy is that she almost didn't get the movie role because she was getting too old for it.

The film is one of those films where the it is unthinkable that anyone else could've or should've played the part. Duke performed in a tepid TV movie remake that was no where near as effective.

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[–] TimmyAnn 20 years ago

>> Duke performed in a tepid TV movie

But in the role of Anne, not Helen, just in case anyone eading this is confused.

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Oh, you can't do that with a ping pong ball!!

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Amry0217 18 years ago

In her book Patty Duke remarks on how she got her eyes to focus on nothing, so anything closer up was a blur and that in some scenes, she had to scrunch down so as to look like a 6-year old though she was about 13? when they filmed it (she was small for her age) and that in other scenes, her legs were suspiciously long. Maybe when she was rolling on the lawn fighting with the sheets.
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He lifts me clear to the sky - You know he taught me to fly

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

Patty Duke turns in an amazing performance in this film that deservedley earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Duke completely throws herself into what must have been an emotionally draining role for a teenager, especially after doing eight shows a week on Broadway for over a year. It must have been hard to leave Helen on the set after filming wrapped for the day and it still amazes me that Duke completed the film with any of her mental facilities still in tact.

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[–] marvelass 18 years ago

Actually, she suffers from bipolar. In fact, many attribute her extraordinary acting talent as a child to her disorder.

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[–] shadisp 18 years ago

Interesting! Can you give us the source?

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[–] simplypm2004 18 years ago

Half of the planet is bipolar, and the half that isn't, just didn't wake up yet.

(PRN) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id-bFpYQzXE

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[–] Molly-31 18 years ago

Yes, and it's more than clear the extreme abuse she suffered as a child is what caused it. Even if manic-depression is biochemical, she was under so much stress it could have caused her biochemistry to go haywire.

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[–] libby2130 10 years ago

I read somewhere, that Patty duke said she was abused by her handlers, and, the role of helen keller was good because it allowed her to release all the pent up anger and emotion of her situation..

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[–] InherentlyYours 10 years ago

'In fact, many attribute her extraordinary acting talent as a child to her disorder.'
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she wasn't manic-depressive (bipolar) as a child. The abuse allegations are sketchy. I read the book; she was not physically abused, only that she was controlled.

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