Her lips were trembling. It seemed that she was about to cry, and this ideal image of an ice princess would be crossed out at once. But Grace managed to pull herself together. Holding the figurine in her hands, she suddenly smiled broadly. And everything immediately fell into place: here she is, Hitchcock's irreproachable favorite! A platinum blonde with a gentle look, the daughter of a millionaire, who was courted by stars, businessmen and even one shah, knew how to reincarnate on the screen. She received her Oscar because she played an ordinary village girl with amazing accuracy.
Jack Kelly knew how to get out of the bottom: the Irish mason went to his goal with the tenacity of a real fighter. He started as an ordinary worker, and then created his own construction company. He also had a sports hardening - while rowing, he managed to get the gold of the Olympic Games three times. With such a character, success is guaranteed! In the 1930s, Jack already had solid capital in his hands, and he even ran for mayor of Philadelphia.
As his wife, he took a recognized beauty, model Margaret Mayer, who instantly changed the role of a sought-after fashion model and athlete to the role of a housewife. A strict Catholic, she zealously followed the upbringing of her children. Married to Jack Kelly, she had three daughters and a son. And Grace was not at all considered a universal favorite.
The fact is that she was ranked among the category of ... losers. John, the only boy in this family, quickly proved himself to be a wonderful athlete (he later went to the Olympic Games five times and never returned without a medal - he has three golds, a silver and a bronze in his collection), Lisanne and Margaret also showed promise, and the fragile graceful Grace was too weak for sports.
She was sent to study at St. Brigid's School, and then to Ravenhill Catholic Academy. It was at that time that she first appeared on the stage - she played the main role in the play "Don't Feed the Animals", and, together with her mother, demonstrated fashionable clothes at charity bazaars. But Mrs. Kelly did not consider this "work" a serious occupation. As well as the acting debut of her daughter. “An actress is practically a street woman,” Jack Kelly repeated.
They had plenty of everything - money, useful acquaintances ... Grace was advised to continue her studies in order to fit the role of a girl from a good family. At an expensive college or prestigious university, there was a chance to get to know representatives of famous American families better. And there it’s not far from marriage ... But Grace was “limping” in mathematics, and they didn’t take her. True, this moment did not upset the girl at all. She had already decided for herself which path she would choose.
Dad, I want to be an actress,” Grace said, “please don’t mind. I'm going to New York.
The father set two conditions: first, she would live in a hotel that was intended only for women. Secondly, if it turns out that her talent is modest and success is not expected, she will return home. It was 1948, Grace was nineteen, there was still a chance to correct the mistake of youth. The Kelly family, releasing their daughter, was in full confidence that their girl would soon be burned on the lights of the ramp ...
At the Barbizon, a women's hotel in Manhattan, Grace experienced an intoxicating taste of freedom. Later, spiteful critics will find neighbors' memories that this sweet girl from a strict Catholic family could leave her room topless. That she danced to the sound of the ukulele and sang loudly. But she also worked hard: she entered the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, starred in commercials (her father again frowned disapprovingly, because his daughter became the face of mosquito repellent), worked on diction and voice. It turned out that she speaks too quietly for the stage. She also needed to learn how to handle the microphone.
She was greatly helped by her uncle, her father's brother. It was George Edward, the Pulitzer Laureate, who supported Grace's pursuit of an acting career. He carefully selected all the proposals for the roles, and always chose the best ones. Soon Miss Kelly made her debut on Broadway, and then played in the film adaptation of the novel by Sinclair Lewis. Only a year has passed, and Theater World magazine wrote about the daughter of a former bricklayer that she is "the most promising actress."
Theatrical productions, in which Grace played, were accepted by the audience with a bang. It is not surprising that in 1951 she was invited to act in films. The film "Fourteen hours" brought the girl the first real glory. "I've got a fan club," she wrote home, "and it's so funny!" In-Philadelphia, they already-understood that-Grace would not-return back. She will not become a power matron. Father was even more worried - a star girl is always an object of close attention! Will it be possible to marry her later?
"A gray game," Hitchcock mockingly said when he saw how Grace played in the film High Noon. He cared. The picture received four Oscars, and although Miss Kelly clearly did not overdo it, she won the sympathy of the viewer. Restrained, chilly, with an amazing gentle look, she fascinated those who saw her ... And Grace took note of the criticism, and immediately took up acting with a vengeance. She can learn! Let them not see in her only a well-mannered elegant lady! If necessary, she will be able to be direct and eccentric, like a country girl!
She was given $850 a week and signed a contract with her to star in Taxi. And then there was the legendary "Mogambo", where Grace's partner was Clark Gable himself. It was said that she looked at him with such admiration that it could be mistaken for falling in love. She really always liked older men - in 1954, Grace was seriously carried away by Oleg Cassini, the son of a Russian diplomat. There was a sixteen year difference between them, but the Kelly family was outraged for another reason - divorced! The Catholic Church has always frowned upon such things. At Mr. Kelly's urging, the engagement was broken off.
That 1954 became special for her in every way - the film “Rear Window” was released, where Grace played the role of a brilliant socialite. Hitchcock personally selected outfits for the actress, and resolutely rejected everything that did not look spectacular enough. Subsequently, this image - a luxurious woman who knows her own worth, attractive and at the same time icy, stuck to her so firmly that many could hardly separate him from the real Grace ...
And yet she proved that she can change! When The Country Girl came out, the critics were ready to carry Grace in their arms. She played the wife of an alcoholic so convincingly that she received an Oscar. At the presentation, she appeared in a pale green dress, which made the actress's skin seem almost transparent. And she was so worried that she almost burst into tears. Now she has become a star of the first magnitude, and the path that opens before her beckoned with great opportunities.
In that wonderful year, Grace did not yet think that she would soon leave the cinema forever. And her radiant smile will turn into an ice princess mask.
PS The name of Grace's father is John, but the home name sounded different - Jack
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