MovieChat Forums > Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Discussion > A little nagging thought

A little nagging thought

posted 10 years ago by yourlastwarning
5 replies | jump to latest

This isn't a criticism as I really enjoyed the film but several times, Martha (and even once or twice, Honey), sounded exactly like Ruth Gordon to me.

I don't recall ever having that thought before with any other film I've seen, as I always felt Ruth Gordon had a very unique voice and speech pattern/delivery but, like I said, a few times they sounded just like her. I can't see it being imitation as Ruth seemed more a known commodity a few years later. Is Ruth's voice actually a specific accent that they are also using or am I confused as to how I heard them? Did anyone else hear it?

"Bemusement, my favourite form of musement"

[–] robby_ross 10 years ago

I mean, this is one of those perverse things that you notice when you truly love movies.

So while I sympathize, I always chalked this up to stagey speaking methods that were popular in the mid-20th century, along with a layer of faux booze slurring on top, resulting in Sandy Dennis and Elizabeth Taylor sounding a tad like zany grandma if they are not careful.

[–] yourlastwarning 10 years ago

Yeah, that could be it, I suppose.

This talk of Ruth Gordon, though, has got me in the mood to see some more of the zany grandma, as you put it, so I think I'll maybe check out Harold and Maude again - it's been years. Hell! Why not make a Hal Ashby week of it!?

"Bemusement, my favourite form of musement"

[–] robby_ross 10 years ago

I hope you did/do! 'Harold & Maude' is such a heartwarming film for penitent cynics, and Ruth Gordon makes it just as much as Bud Cort and Vivian Pickles do.

In fact, it never occurred to me until now that it makes an intriguing double bill with 'Who's Afraid'. Hmmmm.

[–] yourlastwarning 10 years ago

A cynic, I freely admit to, though whether the disillusioned romantic variety or clear eyed rationalist, would depend on the day, I suppose. As for penitent, not at all! I'm too comfortable being a morally judging curmudgeon, when I can be bothered to be anything, of course.

Enjoyed rewatching Harold and Maude, though. Well, everything except the second interaction with the uncle where the film went from being this odd duck, quest for love, anti authority, just be yourself, comedy, to this daffy duck, gung-ho sarcastic psychopath, staged murder scene, pure nonsense. Thankfully, it came back to itself but that scene served no purpose and could have easily been removed. IMO.

"Bemusement, my favourite form of musement"

[–] bradford-1 10 years ago

Pre-"Rosemary's Baby," shall we say, Ruth Gordon had appeared in few films, but she had been a longtime stage actress, playwright and screenwriter, (the latter two usually partnered with her then-husband, Garson Kanin). I have no way of knowing if Ms. Taylor had seen Ms. Gordon perform in plays like "The Matchmaker" or "The Three Sisters," or even if they knew each other socially.
May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?