You are so right jonathan Aguirre! Today's actresses have nothing on Gail Russell. She was such a beautiful girl and a very good actress. I long for all her films to be released on DVD. It is hard to believe that she died 53 years ago today. Sad.
Back then, no rehabs, no help for her. And alcoholism, especially in women, was taboo. Such a talented, beautiful woman. Thank you for giving her dignity.
I saw it too-last night! I thought it looked like Gail Russell but didn't figure her for a Disney film. It was her final role after years of struggle with the dreaded bottle. She had a unique beauty and should have soared higher in her career.
I heard she was a very spiritual person. I noticed she always wore the same little gold cross, even in her films. I can't help but wonder, where all her family and friends were, in the later years of her life. She apparently spent her time as a recluse, drinking vodka. And, virtually none of her co-stars showed up at her funeral. And even her gravestone, (which I have visited), is just one of thousands, a little slab, at Valhalla cemetery in Los Angeles,
+lanes58 One who did stand by Gail until the end was John Wayne. Although he usually had to help her hidden in the background to prevent scandal and gossip. Wayne had grown very attached to Gail, (and she to him) during filming "Angel and the Badman" in 1946. Although Gail initially had a big crush on Wayne, his feelings for her were fatherly, although he did love her dearly, as he told a biographer many years later before he died. I think it would have been much too painful for Wayne to attend Gail's funeral, especially since she had passed away so young and unexpectedly. From experiences in my own family, I know that often an alcoholic can conceal the fact that they are drinking very heavily and destructively from even close family members who do care about them. Alcoholics get to the point they can function reasonably effectively even with constant drinking. In the bustle of life, jobs and time schedules, the drinking gets hidden until it is sometimes too late.
Gail Russell defines the term "hauntingly beautiful." Her eyes were almost otherworldly. It's hard to look at the later photos that show sadness and disillusionment.
MERCI...Très bel hommage à une de mes actrices favorites. J'avais déjà cherché en vain sur le site...Beaucoup de "Tribute to.." mais pas encore pour la belle et talentueuse Gail et ce n'est pas un gars du sud ouest du Nevada qui s'y est collé mais un du sud-ouest de chez nous... Pour les curieux, on trouve sur le dvd de "7 hommes à abattre" , en bonus, un petit documentaire sur Gail Russell
Beautiful tribute to Hollywood's most tragic star, but why Dean Martin singing "That's Amore"? Far more appropriate would have been someone singing "Stella By Starlight," the tune Victor Young composed for Gail's movie "The Uninvited". That haunting melody would have been more fitting.
The music doesn't fit her dreamy soulful image. But the pictures were stunning. Whew! Her with John Wayne...when she looked at him...she really loooooked. What a beautiful girl. ( Makes me think of Annabella Sciorra. )
+Theresa Brown Gail developed a big crush on John Wayne during filming of "Angel and the Badman" in 1946 and it really shows in her eyes; I think Gail's crush is what makes that movie so special and sweet. Realistically, "Angel...." was the first John Wayne Production; Wayne had paid a good sum to Paramount to borrow Gail, and had been warned of her drinking. So he had to watch her like a hawk to ensure no alcohol, and ended up spending a lot of time with her, making sure she ate well and was properly taken care of. Plus Gail's shyness prevented her from socializing easily, so Wayne would take her on picnics, touring around Sedona, Az etc. Easy to see that Gail's crush developed because of all the positive attention. Wayne was just protecting his investment. But in fairness to Wayne, he did get genuinely attached to Gail, and came to love her dearly although in a fatherly way. And for the rest of her life, Wayne was in the background helping her any way he could. Gail's drinking problem made it almost impossible for her to get movie or TV roles. The few she did get in the late 50's, early 60's I suspect were because of John Wayne in the background.
Certainly a very attractive woman and no doubt a fine actress. Apparently extremely shy and with little preparatory acting experience, she was introduced to alcohol as a calming agent. Once it becomes obvious that someone is having a problem with booze or any other addiction, why can't a friend or colleague or the Studio's themselves step in and help them kick-it ? You hear so many of these stories of talented people under great pressure succumbing to these problems but very few success stories of folks who overcame them. That people who in their artistic and professional lives portray the range of human emotions from cowardice to heroism have no-one to assist them in their own real lives is truly tragic.
Nice tribute to Gail Russell with some lovely photos,although I would have preferred "Stella By Starlight" rather than the Dean Martin Italian songs. Gail Russell is a long forgotten star today,and a much underrated actress. If you would like to know more of "Hollywood's Tragic CinderellaGirl", Ingram Sparks.com has just published my biography of Gail Russell,"Fallen Star",and it is now available on Amazon.com,Ebay,Ebooks,and Barnes and Noble Booksellers.
Lanes58 don't forget Diana Lynn. She befriended Gail right from the start of both their careers in"Henry Aldrich gets Glamour."I believe Diana was a true life-time friend to Gail. Both Diana and Jimmy Lydon attended Gail's funeral. I am aware of two biographies written about Gail. Both are worth your time&money. The first is "Gail Russell a biography of an Actress" by K.C. Motsinger. The second is "Fallen Star A Biography of Gail Russell" by Steven Glenn Ochoa. I have both and find them to be complimentary to each other.
merci pour ce superbe hommage a mon actrice préféré. je pensais etre le seul a la trouver incroyablement belleet touchante avec un des regards les plus beau et melancolique que je connaisse. si vous saviez ou me procurer le maximum de renseignement sur elle comme des livres biographies..etc cela serai fantastique et pouvez vous me dire ou avez vous trouvé les photos de gail avec sa famille merci encore c'est genial.
