Guest Author - Rain Battle
On September 17th, 1931, Anna Maria Louise Italiano was born in the Bronx, New York. As a middle child, no one knew little Anne would someday become a Hollywood legend, earning the Tony award, the Oscar, and an Emmy, among others. This actress starred in over fifty movies, has directing and writing credits to her name, and was married to another Hollywood great, Mel Brooks. We knew her as Anne Bancroft. She died on June 6th, 2005, of uterine cancer.
Early Works
Like most new actresses, she started out in forgetable films. In the early 1950's, she acted in a few movies that recieved mediocre reviews and earned her little fame. Her "big break" came in 1958, when she tried theatre and was rewarded for her effort in "Two for the See-Saw" with her first Tony award. Just the next year, she starred as Anne Sullivan in "The Miracle Worker" which earned her a second Tony award and others. Now recognized as an amazing talent, when Bancroft returned to Hollywood in 1962, she again starred as Anne Sullivan in a film version of the play.
Over the next 30 years, Bancroft starred in a wide variety of films: some comedies, several dramas, and a few memorable roles in Romantic Films. She married comedic actor Mel Brooks at a town hall in 1964, and had one son named Max in 1972. She vascillated easily between movies, theatre, and television, and is one of few actresses to earn awards in each genre. Earning much praise and many fans, she was even awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are two roles I loved her most in and also happen to be Hollywood classics.
"The Graduate" and "Torch Song Trilogy"
In "The Graduate," Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) is a recent college graduate (hence the title) and clueless as to what to do with his life. He know what he doesn't want to do; as a track star and perfect student, he is tired of being seen as the perfect son by his parents and their friends. He's even dating Elaine, the daughter of his father's boss. As passive revenge, when Benjamin finds himself propositioned by the boss's wife, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), he gradually enters into an affair with her. The manipulative older woman confuses Ben and soon he finds himself even more lost than before.
Directed by Mike Nichols ("Closer"), "The Graduate" is one of those Hollywood gems people tell you that you "have to" see. And rightly so - it is a great movie, a good story, and Anne Bancroft is just wonderful as sneaky, seemingly confident Mrs. Robinson.
In "Torch Song Trilogy," Harvey Fierstien is Arnold, an openly gay man who is proud of his life and career as a drag queen, but unable to find true love. Just as he finally meets Mr. Right, he loses him and tries to contend with his loneliness and insecurities. Anne Bancroft is "Ma," Arnold's narrow minded Jewish mother who has never accepted his lifestyle and doesn't understand the pain of his loss. Bancroft was perfect in her role as the insensitive mother who is afraid of what she doesn't understand, trying hard to love her son, but also trying hard to change him.
I was first introduced to Anne Bancroft many years ago when my mother and I watched "The Miracle Worker" on video. I was fascinated with the story of Helen Keller and greatly admired the woman who taught her and forever changed her life. I thought Anne Bancroft was just amazing and I've loved her ever since. She was truly one of the greats and her works will be lauded and appreciated for years to come - certainly by me.
Great Quote: "Life is here only to be lived so that we can, through life, earn the right to death, which to me is paradise. Whatever it is that will bring me the reward of paradise, I'll do the best I can." - Anne Bancroft
