Hollywood lost two screen legends this weekend with the passing of Peter O’Toole (age 81) and Joan Fontaine (age 96). Luckily, many of their most memorable screen performances are now available on DVD -- including those in the films highlighted below. Enjoy! Click on the titles to determine availability in the library’s catalog.
Irish-born O’Toole is best known for his iconic performance as Lawrence of Arabia in the epic, Oscar-winning film of the same name, but the handsome and charismatic actor enjoyed a stellar career that encompassed both stage and screen. O’Toole racked up eight Oscar nominations for best actor during his astonishing 50+ year film career, the last one coming in 2006 for the film Venus -- three years after he was awarded an honorary Oscar acknowledging his lifetime contribution to film.
The story of T.E. Lawrence, the heroic and troubled man who organized the Arab nations to fight the Turks in World War I and then, having reached a pinnacle of power in Mideast politics, retired to postwar military obscurity.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) O’Toole and Omar Shariff star in the story of T.E. Lawrence, the heroic and troubled man who organized the Arab nations to fight the Turks in World War I and then, having reached a pinnacle of power in Mideast politics, retired to postwar military obscurity. The film's seven Oscars included the win as Best Picture.
My Favorite Year (1982) O'Toole gives a knock-out performance as Alan Swann, a booze-loving former matinee idol who is forced into making a live appearance on a variety show to appease the IRS. Mark Linn-Baker plays the fledgling writer for the show who must keep Swann on the sober and narrow.
Venus (2006) O'Toole leads a powerful cast to deliver a charming and poignant portrayal of Maurice, an aging veteran actor who becomes absolutely taken with Jessie – the grandniece of his closest friend. When Maurice tries to soften the petulant and provincial young girl with the benefit of his wisdom and London culture, their give-and-take surprises both of them as they discover what they don’t know about themselves.
Joan Fontaine is perhaps best remembered for her roles in two Alfred Hitchcock classics from the 1940’s. Her memorable role as the haunted, second Mrs. de Winter in Hitchcock’s 1940 film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's bestselling gothic novel Rebecca catapulted the young actress to stardom. The recipient of three Academy Award nominations for best actress over the span of her career, it was her portrayal of the shy, young wife who suspects her husband of plotting to kill her in Suspicion that brought the star a well-deserved Oscar. The younger sister of actress Olivia de Havilland -- Fontaine adopted her mother's maiden name early in her career to differentiate herself from her equally-talented sibling.
Rebecca (1940) A naive young woman marries a rich widower and settles in his English manor home, only to find herself haunted by memories of his beautiful first wife. Laurence Olivier and Judith Anderson also star in Alfred Hitchcock's Oscar-winning best picture.
Suspicion (1941) Well-to-do wallflower Lina McLaidlaw is in love -- and perhaps in danger as well. She suspects that Johnnie Aysgarth, the playboy who swept into her life and married her, is a murderer and that she may be his next victim. Cary Grant also stars in this classic Hitchcock psychological thriller.
Well-to-do wallflower Lina McLaidlaw is in love, perhaps in danger. She suspects that Johnnie Aysgarth, the playboy who swept into her life and married her, is a murderer and that she may be his next victim.
Well-to-do wallflower Lina McLaidlaw is in love, perhaps in danger. She suspects that Johnnie Aysgarth, the playboy who swept into her life and married her, is a murderer and that she may be his next victim.
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