Martha Hyer
Very early in her career, the lovely Martha Hyer was known as “Universal’s answer to Grace Kelly.” Fortunately it didn’t taker her long to step out of Grace Kelly’s shadow and cast her very own shadow. She was such a beautiful, talented, and engaging actress, she truly deserves to be better known and celebrated today.
Those of us who live, sleep, eat, and breathe old movies certainly know and adore her, but the average person would have trouble naming two of her films…. and this makes me nuts! She was extraordinary and her filmography is filled with wonderful performances and endless entertainment.
I think, as is the case with many stars, her films simply aren’t shown on television often enough. Doesn’t it seem sometimes that the same ones are shown again and again. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE seeing Casablanca, Mildred Pierce, and Singin’ in the Rain – they’re classics and for a great reason BUT if more films (and a greater variety) were shown, more would have a chance to BECOME classics and more stars would have a chance to become household names.
Okay. Rant over.
I love Martha Hyer in everything I’ve seen her in (and am very anxious to see all of her films), but my favorite films are Sabrina and The Sons of Katie Elder. Her performance as Mary in the latter is my favorite performance – there’s just something about her presence in this great Western that I’m very drawn to.
You can find The Sons of Katie Elder on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.