Tallulah Bankhead : If there was a movie on her life…..

If there was a movie on her life…..

Why isn't there a movie or a documentary on this woman's life??? She was incredible!

If there was to be a movie on her life who do you think should play the great Tallulah?? I have no idea who I would pick that could live up to the great Tallulah! Who's your choice?

(note: her life has been made into a stage play but never been done on the screen. On the stage she has been played by Helen Gallagher and Kathleen Turner)




"All I wanted was just what everybody else wants, you know, to be loved."

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Jungle_Red -- as always great posts and great thought-provoking questions. I admire your interest in classic cinema and actors and actresses of Hollywood's golden era, and I would certainly encourage you to keep that thirst for knowledge of this fascinating period of American history alive.

Now, who could play Tallulah....hmmmmm....there's the look, the voice, the whole approach to life that all have to be captured adequately, credibly and flawlessly in front of the camera.

Drew Barrymore comes to mind, as does Mariska Hargitay. While both have wonderful voices, neither possesses that throaty (a/k/a "purring lesbian") sound (i.e., Tallulah, Suzanne Pleshette in The Birds, Candice Bergen sometimes, a few others), but I'm sure with a little work they could do it.

The challenge also lies in spanning all of Tallulah's life, so for mature or older Tallulah actors, I suggest my personal favorite, Susan Sarandon, and/or Katherine Helmond.


"I'll come and make love to you at five o'clock. If I'm late, start without me."

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

The only person I can think of that would have the guts to take Tallulah's character -- and be able to pull it off -- would be Cate Blanchett.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

what about kate moenning?


Rose: Ned was sort of the town idiot.
Sophia: When, on your days off?


Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Scarlett Johannson

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Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

I think Kathleen Turner would be fantastic in a film about Tallulah. I saw her in the stage play entitled Tallulah! and she was incredible. She's amazing on stage and is the only actress I can think of who has the talent/guts to play such a larger-than-life character like Tallulah.

"Slow curtain, the end."

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Patricia. Clarkson.

End of thread.

I want to be alone... ~Garbo~

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

No. I think Patricia would be perfect for Marlene Dietrich.

"Slow curtain, the end."

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Didn't I recently read that Clarkson is going to be in a Tallulah biopic? The casting is perfect.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

there really needs to be a movie on her, her life is unbelieveable. I don't really know who I would say would be good for the part, but someone who is talented and knows her inside and out.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Clarkson would make an awesome Tallulah! She has the looks and the acting chops.

Cate Blanchett would be my second choice.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Not sure Clarkson is sexy enough

Spoilers!


Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Good answer, good answer! I could totally see that. I love Patricia Clarkson.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

I agree, Kathleen Turner would be great playing Tullulah. She has already played her on staage, and from what I hear, she was amazing.

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Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

I think Demi Moore would do a very good Tallulah. She does a not bad husky voice and southern too. If not I second Cate Blanchett as an alternative choice.

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Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

by - cookiela2001 on Fri Jan 30 2009 11:37:26

I think Moore has been good in IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK and MORTAL THOUGHTS, but she's an erratic actress. And she seems far too naturally pretty to play Bankhead, who aged fast and was more about relying on style.

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Actually, Tallulah Bankhead was much more prettier than Demi Moore at the height of her beauty. She was really gorgeous and so many of the stars who were used to seeing beautiful women all the time called her one of the most beautiful women around. I do however agree that her beauty faded quite quickly. But I am sure that make-up can take care of that if they use Demi. Does anyone know if Demi Moore named her daughter Tallulah after Tallulah Bankhead?

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

Does anyone know about a play titled "Looped" with Valerie Harper playing Tallulah Bankhead? Its about a true story with her taking 8 hours to say one line for a movie lol. I think it was her last film. Heres a news clip about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TFLsZQcKSk

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

I just saw "Looped" last night and I really enjoyed it... Valerie Harper captured the Bankhead personality, and the play turned out to have an interesting story revolving around her and the film editor trying to get her to finish the one line. The audience was in stitches at Harper's delivery of so many authentic Tallulah lines, and gave her a standing ovation.

Re: If there was a movie on her life…..

In the early '70's in Washington D.C. I saw a one-woman show on Tallulah written and performed by Eugenia Rawls. It was an intimate portrait drawn from Ms.Rawls' experience in playing Tallulah's daughter in "The Little Foxes" (according to her, Tallulah had said she looked enough like her to be her real daughter), as well as from her personal relationship with the actress. Ms. Rawls' husband was Tallulah's attorney and the family was very close to her all her life--I want to say Tallulah was godmother to Ms. Rawls' children. It was an extraordinary performance, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it.
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