Barbara Stanwyck – Enduring Legend

February 10, 2019

Barbara Stanwyck is an enduring legend. Stanwyck has such an extensive and varied resume I’m sure I can’t do it just here. I will attempt just the highlights. Until I started my great film adventure I knew Stanwyck primarily as Victoria Barkley on “The Big Valley” (1965) TV show. However, there is so much more than that.

Stanwyck was born in 1907 in Brooklyn, New York. I’m seeing a trend. At the age of 17 got a job in a chorus line making $40 a week. Her first role was that year in Broadway Nights (1927) being cast as a Fan Dancer. Basically nude with a big feather. In 1928, she moved to Hollywood.

She was an active actress for almost 60 years. It is reported that she was always professional and very easy to work with. That’s a formula for work success that more people should strive for today.

Stanwyck was in a lot of westerns such as Union Pacific (1939) and The Violent Men (1955). She took on dramas such as Forbidden (1932) and Stella Dallas (1937). In the comedy genera, Stanwyck was known for The Lady Eve (1941) with Henry Fonda. She starred in a couple of Film Noir classics that are near the top of any top ten list on the subject. The first is Double Indemnity (1944) with Fred MacMurray. The second is The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946). This is a very interesting and complex story and everyone should add it to their list.

When Stanwyck died in 1990, she had performed in 93 movies.