Dorothy McGuire Overview:

Legendary actress, Dorothy McGuire, was born Dorothy Hackett McGuire on Jun 14, 1916 in Omaha, NE. McGuire appeared in over 50 TV and film roles. Her best known films include A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945), The Enchanted Cottage (1945), The Spiral Staircase (1945), Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Old Yeller (1957), A Summer Place (1959), Swiss Family Robinson (1960), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960), Summer Magic (1963) and The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). McGuire died at the age of 85 on Sep 13, 2001 in Santa Monica, CA and was cremated and her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

MINI BIO:

Dorothy McGuire appeared in many gentle, often downtrodden, roles and was skillful at manipulating her audience's emotions. She made fewer films as a star than most people think, and moved too swiftly (in 1956) into 'mother' roles, her film career lasting only a few more years. She is the mother of actress Topo Swope.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although McGuire was nominated for one Oscar, she never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1947Best ActressGentleman's Agreement (1947)KathyNominated
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She was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.

BlogHub Articles:

Gary Cooper and charm us with their “Friendly Persuasion”

By Stephen Reginald on Dec 9, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

Gary Cooper and charm us with their “Friendly Persuasion” Friendly Persuasion (1956) is an American drama directed by William Wyler and starring Gary Cooper and . Others in the cast include Anthony Perkins (in his second film) and Marjorie Main. The sc... Read full article


descends "The Spiral Staircase"

By Stephen Reginald on Nov 18, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

descends "The Spiral Staircase" The Spiral Staircase (1946) is a psychological suspense film directed by Robert Siodmak starring , George Brent, and Ethel Barrymore. Dore Schary produced the film; the screenplay was by Mel Dinelli, the music by Roy Webb, and the c... Read full article


Classic Movie Legend Tribute:

By minooallen on Jun 14, 2012 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, , born today, June, 14, 1916! The virtue of humility; that’s what comes to mind when I think of . Her charm did not derive from her looks, though if you think she’s ugly I can’t help but question your taste. Her ... Read full article


By Art on Jun 14, 2012 From Classic Cinema Gold

Dorothy Hackett McGuire was born June 14, 1916 in Omaha, Nebraska. McQuire began her acting career on the stage at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Eventually reaching Broadway, she first appeared as an understudy to Martha Scott in “Our Town”, and subsequently starred in the domestic come... Read full article


Happy Birthday

By monty on Jun 14, 2010 From Noir and Chick Flicks

(1916-2001) Happy Birthday to Photos My favorite McGuire films are: Claudia (1943) A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) Till The End Of Time (1946) Three Coins in the Fountain (1954) Old Yeller (1957) Swiss Family Robinson (1960)... Read full article


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Dorothy McGuire Quotes:

The Dark Hermit - Satan: A long climb, wasn't it? A long hard climb... You know, some people think the whole of life should be like that, hm... "An easy life is a sinful life". Not so, my friend... A man's life can be as easy as he wishes to make it. And it can be easy, my friend. If one knows the way to power and glory in this world.


[Reflecting on their island paradise]
Mother: It's wonderful for today, but what about tomorrow?


Kathy Lacey: Oh, Dave, we couldn't get married without you. What happened?
Dave Goldman: Nothing. That's just it. I can't abandon my family forever, and I can't find a house or an apartment. If it was just me, I'd sleep on the subway, but I've got Carol and the kids. I've got to go back. I'm licked.
Phil Green: But that means your job, your whole future.
Dave Goldman: I'll live. I've done it before.
Kathy Lacey: But, Dave, that's terrible.


read more quotes from Dorothy McGuire...



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Best Actress Oscar 1947





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Dorothy McGuire on the
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Dorothy McGuire Facts
Starred with 2 members of the Mills family in 2 different Disney films. She played John Mills' wife in Swiss Family Robinson in 1960 and Hayley Mills' mother in Summer Magic in 1963.

In April of 2002, Dorothy's family was hurt and disappointed after Dorothy's name was unwittingly omitted by the Motion Picture Academy from the "In Memoriam" tribute of the March 2002 telecast. The demure, classy Dorothy, who had died within the calendar year and was nominated once for an Oscar for Gentleman's Agreement (1947), was one of those talented stars who avoided the sensationalism of stardom. The Academy explained that it was NOT an oversight or a slight, but that they have room only for 15-20 names in a single tribute. However, left unexplained was why they managed to include lesser film personalities such as Aaliyah.

Died just 11 days after Troy Donahue, who played her son in A Summer Place (1959).

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