Story behind the photo

[webmaster]

This is a topic where you can post a photo and ask what the story behind it is, or ask some other question about it.



What went wrong during the shooting of the above scene in "Calamity Jane"?

(If you know the answer, hang on and see if other people can answer first.)

[Theodomus]

I know, I know... I think...

[BabeWilliams]

Well, I have no idea..

[Theodomus]

Behind her back a modern light can be seen?

[webmaster]

Behind her back a modern light can be seen?

No. Something to do with Doris. No more clues.

[Dianne]

Is it something about the contraption suspending her in the air....it was too tight and she couldn't breath?

[Theodomus]

Did the rope break?

Did she break another rib?

[webmaster]

Diane is right. (Do you want to fill in the details, Diane? I'm getting tired... )

[suzie]

great idea bryan,what with this topic and all... Yes diane please tell us ,we want to know what was wrong with this picture

[Laurie]

Diana is right, the rope was too tight and she could not breath during the filming. However, no one could hear her screaming to let her loose because of all of the shooting of guns going off. She nearly died waiting to be pulled down.

[Barb_DDD]

I've always wondered about that scene. It looks so painful, but I didn't know something went wrong.
Barb

[Laurie]

I know I always have a hard time watching it, because they left her up there so long. I thought it was so mean, but now that I know the real truth, it really was painful for her.

[Debbi Austen]

That's horrible! I never heard about that before.

[John M]

Of course, what we see in the finished film is not the same harness. They redid it with an adjusted harness after they realized what happened.

[webmaster]

A slightly easier one - again if you know, hold your fire for a short while:



What's going on here - and what happened to Doris during the filming of this scene?

[Dianne]

Ok, I'm not certain, but isn't she in excruciating pain from when she hemorrhaged from a tumor while filming Julie? She had to have an immediate emergency surgery. If I'm wrong, oh well. If I'm right, I'm sorry to spoil the game so early on for anyone else.

[webmaster]

Wrong film and wrong answer, I'm afraid, Diane!

Oh good - I thought it would be too easy.

[Dianne]

Is it Midnight Lace? She was trying to act the part of fear and thought about all of the abuse from Al Jorden. Specifically, when she was pregnant and he threw her against the wall. She became so hysterical that she literally fainted on the spot. If this isn't it I give up.

[suzie]

Yep diane I think you got it, that was my answer as well..Doris scared the whole set on that one.
This is the scene that finally made marty see that these roles were just to much for her nerves.
Doris vowed to never take on a role such as that ever again,I dont blame her Id much rather kiss
rock and cary and jimmy garner and rod taylor myself lol

[webmaster]

Not all at once I hope - this is a family website (well, some parts).

This is strange, I replied to this an hour ago but I doesn't seem to be here. Maybe there's a ghost in the machine - or a little baby hacker got left behind.

[webmaster]

I'll Try again:

This film was chosen by Ross Hunter, the producer of her hit comedy, “Pillow Talk.” Playing the role in the film had a great effect on her physically. As the expert she is, she tried to develop a mental image of the woman she was playing and the part became very real to her. She said, “I became that woman to the best of my ability.”

“To create the fear which the character I played had to project, I re-created the fear in myself which I had once felt in my own life. I relived it. It was painful and upsetting.” In one particular point in the emotional climax of the film, Doris has a very dramatic scene on a descending staircase. She says, “I wasn’t acting hysterical, I was hysterical, so at the end of the scene I collapsed in a real faint.” Production of the film had to be suspended for a few days.

Working with Rex Harrison was a great experience. She said Rex was a “darling, witty man…with a light sense of humor (that) helped keep my sanity balance throughout the rough part of the picture.”

She did love the marvelous wardrobe provided by Irene whom Doris describes as “one of my dearest friends” and “one of the most talented designers in Hollywood.” The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design." - Derald Hendry

http://www.dorisday.net/midnight_lace.html

I'll look for another one but if anyone wants to chip in, feel free.

[webmaster]

What's going on here and why is Doris looking fed-up?

[BabeWilliams]

This is a guess, and it's probably really wrong... but..

I see Doris, Marty, and some balloons. Did Marty throw Doris a surprize birthday party, when she really didn't want one??? idk

[webmaster]

Good that you spotted Marty - it is something to do with him, but not what you say, I'm afraid, Megan.

[howard]

I'm pretty sure the photo was taken at a SHARE benefit. Each year, this charity has a fund raising benefit, and it is attended by many major stars of the day. DD just looks plain bored to me!