Ruth Gordon's Unique and Defiant Journey to Oscar

[@delaxjinkxrpdrfan9102]

Ruth is an icon and should've been nominated again for Harold & Maude. However Rosemary's Baby deserved so many more nominations (esp Mia Farrow)

[@KosOrSomeSayKosmo]

The fact that she wasn't at least nominated shows the Academy's disregard for the horror genre, which makes no sense (Mia Farrow, too). Sci-fi as well, which explains why Sigourney Weaver didn't win for Aliens.

[@jeremywilliams3965]

@@KosOrSomeSayKosmo Sigourney Weaver did get nominated for Aliens lol

[@KosOrSomeSayKosmo]

@@jeremywilliams3965 whoops, I meant didn't win, thanks!

[@GabyGibson]

I agree. Horror is now considered Oscar-worthy! I mean, look at Get Out and Us

[@fieryhellkitten]

@@GabyGibson I disagree. Toni Collette should have been nominated for Hereditary. She was amazing.

[@jacobrobson8920]

She should have got an Oscar nomination for Harold and Maude!

[@janetmiller175]

Absolutely, my favorite movie of all time.

[@thecinematicmind]

Unanimously agree

[@delaxjinkxrpdrfan9102]

it's a performance that deserved so much more love at the time because now its a classic

[@jaygrey1212]

@@janetmiller175 It's in my top 10 favorite movie list. It's been known to make me tear up. Touching and uplifting underneath the genuinely funny black comedy. :)

[@melindalayden1693]

Spoilers. . . . . . . . The reveal of her tattoo as a survivor of the Holocaust only makes the character's joie de vivre that much more understandable. It's one of the very best characters put to film and I LOVE that it gets well-deserved acknowledgement here.

[@alejandraacosta3739]

I appreciate how it is never framed as if these actresses were competing against each other. You always manage to tell a story.

[@BlackDoveNYC]

I liked that she thoroughly and succinctly delved into each actress’ career and put it in context for that point in time.

[@eamonndeane587]

@@BlackDoveNYC That's why this channel is so GOOD...

[@do9138]

This is the best channel on KZbin. I love it so much that I joined Patreon for this channel alone.

[@do9138]

@@BlackDoveNYC It's so educational on so many topics while being highly entertaining. We learn about each nominee, but we also learn about the history of cinema and of our culture. I've watched every video at least 3 times already, and there is so much to learn that I know I will go on watching them over and over.

[@lamoneal]

Years ago, I worked after school in an art gallery in midtown Manhattan. One day after delivering a package, I happened to walk by a tiny well-dressed elderly woman. I did a sudden double take as I realized I was looking at Ruth Gordon. I gawked, she smiled and gave me a wink, and kept right on walking. She made my day.

[@carolewhitrock3979]

Wonderful. Occasionally I’d see actors on the NY street. They’d flash a smile. But a wink !!!

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

She was adorable🙂

[@VeeLondon1449]

I’m obsessed with Ruth Gordon. Best Oscar speech of all time “I can't tell you how encouragin' a thing like this is..” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched her episode of Columbo - Try and Catch Me, as she plays mystery writer Abigail Mitchell. She was really brilliant.

[@daffyphack]

That is a great episode.

[@eamonndeane587]

@@daffyphack My second Favourite after Forgotten Lady...

[@Desibeatnik]

I love her as the sheriff in Voyage of the Rock Aliens

[@alicetulllyhall1]

Ruth Gordon's Oscar speech was genius!!

[@haintedhouse2990]

she is soo good in Rosemary's Baby - when she first meets Rosemary she asks "oh are you preg-a-nant?"

[@MADHAUSMARKALLAN]

I met Ruth Gordon Back in November 1984 backstage at Whoopi Goldbergs first Broadway show. Mike Nichols was there, and Ruth Gordon with their wearing a pink raincoat with pink galoshes, and a pink rain hat. This wonderful video about her reminded me of exactly how memorable she really was. It was just a passing “How do you do?” but she was great! I was already a fan at 22 and it was such a treat to meet her and on the Eve Whoopi signing on to do “the color purple”

[@darrylreilly3915]

"“It pays to stay alive; you never know what’s going to happen” is among the numerous quotable nuggets from Ruth Gordon’s three delightful memoirs. She’s long been one of my favorite people, so this brilliant and inspired video essay was enthralling. Check out “Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice?” where she battles Geraldine Page!

[@NotYourAverageWife]

I really loved "Whatever Happened To Aunt Alice"!! Extremely under-rated movie!!

[@orlandodiola7076]

Yes Aunt Alice was a riot. Love that movie with another legend Geraldine Page

[@joser1853]

Honestly, as someone that dealt with constant rejection and people telling me I wouldn't have the business I own now with 20+ employees... I love stories like this. She never gave up. It's remarkable.

[@ttm1795]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@KingoftheJuice18]

Your videos are consistently top-notch: impeccably researched, thoroughly insightful, and wonderfully entertaining.

[@FrankRivera81]

And the writing. It manages to be authoritative, humorous, and affectionate.

[@AkaMagenta]

AGREED!

[@do9138]

This is one of my favorite channels on KZbin. I'm an English professor with a passion for classic films. I appreciate the level of research, and I certainly appreciate the thought and work it takes to make discussions interesting and entertaining as well as informative. In addition, I teach a course in horror lit, and the channel often notes that the genre deserves more recognition than it receives. Obviously, I am of like mind.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

@@do9138 Thanks for commenting! What a blessing to be able to teach what you love. Personally, I can't abide the horror genre, but I have a good friend who loves it....I hope BKR continues for many years to come.

[@do9138]

@@KingoftheJuice18 I love this channel. I have watched every video two or three times. I have learned so much about actors that I have always admired.

[@madego59]

I'm so happy you mentioned Mia Farrow's snub for "Rosemary's Baby" - she really anchored that movie beautifully. Thanks for throwing that in. I remember after she was also ignored for her remarkable work in "Broadway Danny Rose" thinking, "Well, here we go again...".

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

She is the heart of everything we, as an audience, go through in Rosemary's Baby. That's a tough thing to perform - having full knowledge during filming, while keeping us all on her naíve and increasingly terrified journey. That's art in subtlety.

[@VeeLondon1449]

Id love you to do a breakdown on Barbara Stanwyck and her career. One of my first loves. Just a brilliant unique actress.

[@milesbrad9975]

Double Indemnity was one of the finest examples for character acting, and a definite game changer performance for women in Hollywood

[@dreamprieto328]

Greta Garbo right after too.

[@WellingtonOliveira_well_author]

"And for those who didn't vote for me... Please, excuse me" HER OSCAR SPEECH IS LIFE GOALS! 😂😎

[@JulianSteve]

She’s blunt and funny🤣‼️

[@bo2720]

I do think she deserved an Oscar for Rosemarys Baby. It was a "simple role" that she made so dynamic all by herself. She was funny, irritating, charming, chilling, compassionate, cold, and a genuine scene stealer in every moment she's on screen. She reminds me so much of Thelma Ritter. A powerhouse actress that doesnt even have to really try, a good performance comes naturally to them.

[@helenl3193]

Just because they make it look effortless doesn't mean they aren't putting the work in. I think it's like a Swan on a lake - all we see is this still, graceful bird gliding across the water, but underneath its legs are going like crazy to keep it moving! I hope this doesn't seem argumentative/rude, I just think it does them a disservice to suggest they didn't work hard at their craft. Yes, they had incredible talent, but they also worked at refining it and knew how to hone those skills.

[@springsogourne]

Yes! She reminds me so much of Thelma Ritter! When Thelma was on screen, she dominated the scene. As did Ruth in Rosemary’s Baby

[@maggiekarabel123]

The movie is so close to the source material and I swear, it was written for her. The woman in the novel IS Ruth Gordon. Just the most brilliant casting.

[@do9138]

Thelma Ritter never got the recognition she deserved.

[@sabrinagrant8003]

Thank you for highlighting “Ruth Gordon” I always thought she was one of the greats. That reporter was right, sometimes you just have to survive, the rest will eventually see how great you are.

[@larrydirtybird]

I’m so glad you are delving into the supporting category and that you started with Ruth Gordon, who won for the year I was born, and who was a talented, enduring and resourceful badass extraordinaire. You said what I’ve always thought: She won for an non horror movie performance in a horror movie. In my opinion, she is one of the actors who won for a comedic role. And I love how you called her Minnie a Satanic Dolly! So perfect and true. I’ve never thought of it that way. I wish I could have seen her Dolly Levi. Thanks for this wonderful tribute to a great woman.

[@outinsider]

Ruth Gordon is amazing! I liked her normal approach to her character in Rosemary's Baby. It made the reveals more potent.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The whole bit about talented actors who are “discovered” and become a star after many years is so commonplace. For example, in Mainstream Hindi Cinema, we had Neena Gupta who worked in some credible roles across media but got her break much later, Lilette Dubey who was a Stage Icon but made her film debut in her 40s and Boman Irani who started his film much later in life.

[@helenl3193]

It happens in the music industry too. Pulp were billed as an 'overnight success', despite having been touring for 15 years and releasing an earlier album. I'm sure there's plenty of other examples, I think the news/print media just like the concept/template, and it's aspirational so sells well, so they apply it wherever they can. Why let the truth get in the way of a good story?

[@AshtonGarland]

I fell in love with Ruth Gordon after seeing Harold and Maude. I’m so glad this video was made, she deserves so much more recognition.

[@natasagajic1061]

"... more than anything else, she has survived. She was too short to be an actress, but she acted anyway. She was not pretty enough to be in the movies, but she was in films anyway." Darn... as someone with severe inferiority complex in some aspects of myself, this hits so close to home that I have teared up and almost cried. I have never heard about Ruth Gordon before, but, from this video at least, she seems like such an inspirational person. Thank you for this video 💖😭

[@rubytuesdayphoenix]

I don't have a lot of goals in life, but one I do have is to be as Ruth Gordon (or Thelma Ritter)-like as possible when I reach retirement age. What a fabulous woman!

[@carolewhitrock3979]

Ruth Gordon’s career is a gift to us. Your editing and commentary flow are a pleasure. 🎯 You’ve connected many elusive dots. What a panoramic body of work to explore. I’ll view this many times. 📌 It’s a “must share”.

[@painteasy]

when you talked about horror usually getting snubbed at the oscars the first thing that came to mind was Kathy Bates' amazing performance in Misery (And also one of the funniest oscar speeches in a while, "and apologize to the ankles..."). Would love to see a video about that year's best actress category.

[@becauseimafan]

Ooh, I'd love to see that! Seconded!! 😁

[@maggiekarabel123]

Agreed!

[@do9138]

Bates is phenomenal in everything she does. She is as funny in Fried Green Tomatoes as she is chilling in Misery.

[@themroyalbabies9538]

She has done everything! She even had her hagsploitation moment in "What ever happened to aunt Alice?" starring opposite Geraldine Page

[@JC-yy8iv]

Those hagsploitation titles are like Mad Libs

[@derrionbrown3923]

Again! A gift we didn’t know we needed. I love Ruth Gordon.

[@damianop100]

I love Ruth Gordon. Her performances in Rosemary's Baby and Harold and Maude are some of my favorites. She's a little wacky and crazy in a very lovable way. I adore her.

[@pepperman42]

My first cognitive awareness of Ruth Gordon was in Rosemary's Baby which I first saw in the summer of 1980 at a local theatre. I was captivated by Ruth's performance and henceforth was gladdened whenever I would catch her in another film role. She was so unique as an actress and in my opinion, undervalued in the film industry. Thank you for highlighting her career here. I'll have to do a search for her other performances on my available streaming services.

[@celialovett5880]

Harold and Maude is one of my all time favorite films and Ruth Gordon herself is a legend of artistry in all it's aspects!

[@sstavsky]

Excellent presentation. One reason Farrow wasn't nominated for "Rosemary's Baby" was because Universal rush-released "Isadora" (which they subsequently withdrew, recut and re-released as "The Loves of Isadora") to get a nomination for Vanessa Redgrave. I think that Redgrave bumped Farrow from the list.

[@bo2720]

I must also say that this channel is a masterpiece every time and you are criminally underrated! Much love ❤

[@hiyahandsome]

Thank you for a lovely tribute to an all time original, the great Ruth Gordon. I have all her books and reread them periodically just to give myself a boost; what a terrific writer, as her screenplays can attest. She was so inspirational and such a great star of stage and screen and tv, where she was the best talk show guest back in her heyday. I was lucky to see her give a talk at NYU in the early 1980s and by that time Ruth Gordon was a tiny little old lady who was absolutely swarmed by adoring students when she finished. She transcended generations and was far ahead of her time. She gave me an autograph which I treasure, and was an absolute firecracker, a dynamo and a brilliant woman who persevered with humor, talent and determination.

[@Sara-hhhh]

SOOOOO deserved. Her role in Rosemary’s Baby is so memorable and well done.

[@rebeccassweetmusic4632]

I didn't know that Ruth was in Inside Daisy Clover! That is my favorite Natalie Wood movie. The scene where she's dubbing for missed lines on the soundstage and gets more and more claustrophobic is my favorite scene in the whole film. Unfortunately, the only movie I watched that Ruth Gordon was in was Rosemary's Baby! I would love to see you do a video essay on Natalie Wood next!

[@robertgoyette5863]

Yes to all of this. That scene really makes the whole movie (very underrated redford performance in it too). Would love a video about NW's work in the 60s.

[@rebeccassweetmusic4632]

@@robertgoyette5863 I think her daughter had the best explanation of that scene in her mom's HBO documentary. She explained how that scene of her screaming inside the booth and how nobody outside could hear her was symbolic for her and many other women in Hollywood during that time. They felt like they were not being heard and instead were being ignored and pushed aside by powerful, cis, het, white men

[@helenl3193]

@@rebeccassweetmusic4632 sadly things haven't progressed enough in that regard. 😔

[@rebeccassweetmusic4632]

@@helenl3193 Yeah... 😔 The good thing is there are more spaces for us to speak our minds. However, we still can't get out of the patriarchal mindset. We haven't progressed enough, but at least we have gone past the days of "shut up and look pretty!"

[@Pinkladyisv]

@@robertgoyette5863 Same! I love Natalie Wood.

[@davidgrabicki3936]

My family always looks forward to these videos - you really understand how to craft an experience! We are so spoiled with these high-quality, fascinating, and entertaining videos! Thank you :)

[@Modmansf]

I agree. Your work is of the highest level and we are the better and the wiser for it.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Another astonishing video from Be Kind Rewind! I loved learning about Ruth Gordon’s life and career, including her time as a screenwriter. I also enjoyed the analysis of the Academy’s mostly pitiful history with the horror genre and how Gordon was able to overcome that stigma to take home the Supporting Actress trophy for Rosemary’s Baby. This channel is the best of the best, just pure Heaven for film and Oscar aficionados. Great work!

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

Gotta love Ruth Gordon in Rosemary's Baby. She is so memorable.

[@KammybRich7000]

Her "GET OFF MY PROPERTY" line in Every Which Way should be a meme if it already isn't one lmao

[@8gagee]

I loved her in.... Every Which Way But Loose. She is so funny with every movement of her body, her face, movements, voice, hand gestures.....love her!

[@rundbaum]

i love her oscar speech!! that was amazing. i read her autobiography (a really long time ago) & what stuck out to me was her expression of the migration she mentioned many 'midwester girls' were making to either broadway, or to hollywood, in the post flu pandemic/post war 1920s. my grandmother was a part of that. she became a 'fit dept store' model in cleveland. then returned home to realize it was all FALLONY. still, i love ruth gordon . . .

[@TrangPakbaby]

My favorite scene in Rosemary is the cake scene. It’s utterly brilliant and bizarre the way she used the fork and devoured the cake like a gargoyle. That scene was (chef’s kiss)

[@slowpainful]

I know, right? The way she somehow uses her entire body to thrust that forkful of cake into her mouth is appallingly funny and so disturbing. And so crazily New York in a way.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

The genre bias isn’t just about horror too, fantasy, sci-fi, and comedy are overlooked as well. Animation isn’t a genre but medium but it’s also treated as genre and not taken often seriously. Musicals get sometimes more respect depending on decade and what kind or film it’s in question. Drama is the only consistently respected genre, thrillers so quite well on occasion as well. And if horror is popular it’s treated as thriller.

[@eamonndeane587]

It honestly amazes me that Sigourney Weaver managed to get an Oscar Nomination for Aliens since that's an Action Horror/ Science Fiction Hybrid.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

I'd be interested in seeing a vid on Helen Hayes' two Oscar wins in the same vein as the videos on Ruth and Tallulah. Hayes is another one I never really "got" but was such an important and revered actress throughout the 20th Century. It would be interesting to see an analysis as to why she never became a true "movie star" in the traditional sense, but like Gordon maintained longevity in the public eye (and also like Gordon seemed to have a universally beloved status similar to Betty White).

[@bweb6]

I clicked on this video so fast. I remember as a kid first seeing Ruth Gordon in Every Which Way But Loose, and i was just so enamoured with her and her work.

[@marvel096]

I love Ruth Gordon! Let’s go ♥️

[@fritzmasten7675]

It's just so great to have your documentaries to listen to. Thank you for making my life better.

[@chriso3780]

Her role in Every Which Way But Loose was one of the best ever:):)

[@LittleMissLounge]

When I caught The Actress on TCM I was like, "I don't know a ton about Ruth Gordon, but I have to imagine Jean Simmons was wildly miscast." This video bolsters that opinion greatly. Such a charming person. People like to say Maude was one of the first MPDGs, but I feel like she had too much of an obvious inner life for that to be the case. If she had been played by a lesser actress, maybe I'd have a different opinion.

[@thomasdonio2129]

Originally Debbie Reynolds was slated to play in it. She was actually coached by John Gielgud in the Shakearian passages which never made it into the film. Ms. Reynolds also played the role in a Lux Radio production, I believe.. Judging from some costume photos, Reynolds would have been a better fit, but Simmons was flying high at the time.

[@LittleMissLounge]

@@thomasdonio2129 Oh, interesting. Debbie likely would've been a better fit, especially with her sprightliness. I don't want to seem like I think Jean sucks or anything, I just don't think she made sense in that role.

[@TheCMLion]

I loved her. Even as a kid, I was drawn to her. She was so delightful. She was born the same year as one of my grandfathers. I never realized she was as old as she was. She had such a young spirit.

[@scottmiller6495]

Ruth Gordon was a fantastic actress and extremely talented and brilliant!!!!!

[@Gallame021]

Honestly, this might be one of my favorite of your videos, such a great breakdown of a great actress and career, I love it. I also cannot believe that I still haven't seen Harold & Maude up until now and I have to change that immediately!

[@do9138]

I love it that she always discusses all the nominees. I didn't really know much about Estelle Parsons until I saw this video. Now I admire her even more than I had.

[@Johnnybojangles664]

Talent is talent. Her turns in Clint Eastwoods 'Every which way but loose' and 'Any which way you can' are comedy gold. She steals those films.

[@PogieJoe]

Thank you for always covering these legends! I love how much research you do into each person.

[@YOUTUBEUSER00033]

I can not stress you enough on how much I love Ruth Gordon. She has the gift of scene stealing like later actresses such as Sylvia miles, shohreh aghdashloo to even Monique she has the ability to erase everyone on set and have the audience focus on her. Her character Minnie castevet in Rosemary’s baby is a gemmed crown in the world of cinema and she will always be remembered righteously so.

[@rebekahp4083]

My favorite book find of all time was from a small independent book store that was selling a 1st edition SIGNED copy of Ruth Gordon’s autobiography My Side. It was a fantastic read from a great writer and one of my most cherished possessions. Wish she got more recognition. ♥️

[@thecinematicmind]

It should get a reissue.

[@carolewhitrock3979]

I definitely will search for this. Many thanks. 🏮

[@sandeesandwich2180]

Ruth Gordon -- one of my favorites of all time! I love all the little things she adds to her performances -- like licking her finger when she is serving cake in that Rosemary's Baby clip. Those nuances that make you know exactly who the character is. She was also a staple on talk shows at the time and she was always thoroughly entertaining (as you might expect a brilliant writer to be).

[@funeralforahorse]

Omg I was *also* fascinated by that scene in Rosemarys Baby. That whole movie is filled with her strange but natural choices

[@ricksamericana749]

"Dorothy' Judy Holliday's character in "Adam's Rib" was "charged" with attempted murder, not murder. Thanks for covering one of my old Hollywood favorites.

[@nazarisreyes6037]

This has become my favorite channel and you have been guide to classic Hollywood

[@amymoore8140]

Harold and Maude is one of my all-time favorite movies! I knew nothing of her history so thank you SO much for that walk through her time! xoxo

[@margeau8225]

My goodness, you are such an EXCELLENT reviewer. Can't get over the thoroughness of your research and how clearly you present of your subject matter, often dealing with very complex historical situations, yet bringing it all together seamlessly. Thanks!

[@singlesideman]

Not having heard of Ruth Gordon is unimaginable to me. Wonderful video.

[@MundoJuanci]

The best thing about your videos is that i get to know more about classic movies and actresses, it's kinda like going to school, but for film and acting. I like that.

[@RSmith6948]

This weekend I watched Thelma Ritter in “Pickup on South Street” on Criterion. Isn’t it time for a video appreciation? Six Oscar nominations the lady had, including four consecutive!

[@garymeise673]

Thank you So much for highlighting Ruth Gordon. I truly believe my favorite actual Actresses(Actors) of all time are Ms. Gordon, Lillian Gish, and Helen Hayes. They were not Studio produced Stars...Garbo, Shearer, Crawford....but ridiculously talented performers (and with Ruth, a writer). And granted Hayes was more Broadway than film. They each were unbelievable pioneers that had nearly a century long staying power ..Wow wow....and personally, R Gordon in Harold and Maude is in my top 5 all time performances in what is a perfect movie.

[@lilMissmAlice]

What a wonderful video! Ruth was a wonderful woman, and I particularly enjoy her in "Lord Love a Duck" with Roddy McDowall. It's a smallish part in a very silly movie that's well worth the watch.

[@slc2466]

Love this film- it is far-out, but also contains some startling dramatic moments and memorable performances, particularly from Tuesday Weld and Lola Albright, who IMO were worthy of Oscar consideration, but that's another story.

[@Melissa-tw2gp]

Heck yes, I love Ruth Gordon! So excited to hunker down and watch this.

[@lastplayer7048]

Her performance in Harold and Maude absolutely changed my brain chemistry forever.

[@hildamarmolejo1568]

Love Ruth Gordon. What an amazing and fascinating person and actor.

[@nono-io5kt]

Hi Lizzy, I started watching your videos during the lock down and now am a big fan. Anytime I see a new video from you it goes right to the top of my priority list. That being said I wanted to say that this video in particular was food for my soul. I turn 50 this year and as of late have felt like I no longer have my hand on the pulse of current culture and can't participate. However after seeing this video on Ruth Gordon who up to her passing aged 88 was very hip and engaged; I have a new hero (Ruth Gordon is who I want to be when I grow up) and I have you to thank for that. So, thank you. You really help pull me out of a low spot.

[@katherinea.williams3044]

@Jason Mack I’m so very pleased you’re enjoying these stellar essays re: some of the best, even though some actors may not be popular. I’m in my 40’s, the parent of a son named, literally, Eastwood, who is 22 and in college and we’re quite proud. I’m glad it’s making you feel you have amazing content for your mind. I, too, feel like I’ve lost my pulse on the current culture, but after seeing what’s out there, it doesn’t bother me as much, as everything I’m seeing, I don’t believe, isn’t worth a nanosecond of my time. With exceptions, of course, like ‘Mare of Easttown’, and a select few others. Believe you me, I know what it is to be low, so I can very much empathize, perhaps that’s what drew me to your quite candid comment. Glad you’re feeling better and found someone you’d like to be ‘when you grow up’! I’d love to be Cate Blanchette or Liz Taylor. PS- I was named after Hepburn, but my parents didn’t know it was spelled with an ‘a’ instead of an ‘e’! Love & Light from Miami Shores🦚 Stay safe mate🌎🙏🏼 Meditations and Prayers for Ukraine🇺🇦

[@Xepscern]

I'm only 5 minutes in and I already love her

[@Xepscern]

OH MY GOD IT'S A PREQUEL TO THE 1950 EPISODE!!!! *dead*

[@cstephenfoster]

She also went back to the academy and told the graduating class, "Never Give Up!"

[@manthony225]

My introduction to Ruth Gordon was Every Which Way But Loose-Clint Eastwood. It was my dad's pick for family night out. She made that movie bearable. Good point on the Betty White observation!

[@mervyngreene6687]

Ruth Gordon's career is the perfect example of what a true what an artist should be.

[@r.a.r.1981]

I didn't know much about Ruth Gordon beyond "Rosemary's Baby" and "Harold and Maude", so I really enjoyed this video. Crazy to think she started her career in 1915; that photo of a young Ruth wearing Edwardian clothing made me realize just how long she had been working before she got the credit she was due. What a talented, amazing woman.

[@JoeOConnellAllNew]

My favorite Ruth Gordon moment in "Rosemary's Baby" is in the finale, when Mia Farrow drops the knife. Gordon quickly snatches it up and rubs at the floor with concern. You may have the literal son of Satan in a bonnet in the room, you may be plotting the downfall of western civilization, and a hysterical woman may have been brandishing a butcher knife at you, but.... MIND the parquet flooring, please!

[@eamonndeane587]

I wonder if that was the Inspiration for "That is MAHOGANY!" Scene in The Hunger Games where Katniss stabs a Table.

[@nickstadler1906]

As a young child in the late 70s, I instantly fell in love with her when I saw her for the first time in Every Which Way But Loose (speaking of Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke; natch). Sure, that movie is mostly popcorn trash, the fact that she was able to steal every scene she was in from an orangutan --- even in the eyes of a dumb ten-year-old boy -- says something special about her.

[@kevinhorton8617]

"Get off my porch!" ( w/ shotgun, to bikers) / "Whole fkn' box of oreo cookies!" / "Twelve ribs my ass! "

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

Great analysis, as usual -- and awesome visuals! One thing I'd disagree with is the description of Minnie Castavet as an ordinary neighbor. Gordon managed to infuse the "ordinary neighbor" with a subversive vulgarity that presages the slowly-revealed satanism. Upon first viewing, small gestures like sticking her tongue out seem quirky but they take on a more sinister heft when you watch it more than once (and who hasn't watched Rosemary's Baby more than once? haha). From the get-go, she's brilliantly and subtly revealing Minnie's vulgarity and insincerity. The LA Times review calling the movie "sleazy and slick at heart" aptly describes not only the film but every single character except Rosemary -- they're all sleazy, slick satanists, with Minnie leading that pack.

[@do9138]

True, and that is another testament to this great performance. There are some cues about Minnie's horror. But they're subtle.

[@Dennisanyone-]

If you look back on that Oscar year three out of the five acting winners were vets, Jack Albertson, Kate Hepburn and Gordon. I can’t imagine any of the runners up coming close to her (Medford probably a distant second). Her previous nominations, plus her comedic skill she injected into Rosemarys Baby put her more than over the top. She had quite the final act in her last twenty years of life. Two golden globes, an Oscar and an Emmy. Loved her in My Bodyguard too. Truly an original. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore. As talented a screenwriter as actress. Thank you Ruth for all you gave us.

[@TheNameisPlissken1981]

I remember in the late 1970s, Ruth Gordon & George Burns both had big resurgence! As a little kid, I watched them pop up in movies & TV sitcoms. They were all over and always entertaining.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Bébé Ruth Gordon is absolutely stunning btw. Conventional Beauty Standards are hindering our progress.

[@mtngrl5859]

I love the film The Actress about her early years with Spencer Tracy as her father and Jean Simmons playing the young Ruth as she is embarking on her career. It is a charming film.

[@SSLand-rg5ow]

Love, love, love Ruth Gordan. Once saw her and her husband at the Russian Tea Room in NY city. They were lovely people.

[@crawfordiano]

This is one of your best work: precise, extremely well researched, did amazing justice to the subject, fresh and original. Kudos.

[@tomasjohn622]

thank you so much! amazing as always! I think Lynn Carlin gave the best supporting performance this year, buth Ruth absolutely deserved her award! and yeah, Mia Farrow snub is still shocking to me after all these years

[@justinepress2118]

I love you so much for this! I adore Ruth Gordon and Harold and Maude is my all time favourite film. It changed my life as a teenager in the 80s.

[@RainbowWarrior71]

I was one of those youngsters who was in awe of Ruth Gordon. I first saw her in the Eastwood films, the Rosemary's Baby and her various guest star appearances on TV. I remember when I heard Ruth Gordon was going to be on Newhart., I knew I was in for a treat and i was.

[@jacobinman7054]

Oh wow! I’ve been hoping you’d get around to making this video from the day I first found your channel! What a treat! Thank you!!!

[@heathi51]

we are so lucky to have you on youtube. succinct, detailed, informative, professional, entertaining, no annoying gags and unfunny jokes, just seriously well-made videos

[@domshaheen7356]

What a superb tribute/retrospective/review of Ms Gordon. She’s an icon and you did her proud.

[@m17434]

A British actress won the best actress Oscar in 1970, for the film Women in Love by Ken Russell (1969); Glenda Jackson. She would go on to win a second Oscar for A Touch of Class (1973). Jackson deserves a video made about her, don't you think?

[@thecinematicmind]

A two part video on Jackson would have so much to cover and it would be so satisfying.

[@notnek202]

Hell yeah

[@blackamerican40]

Maybe not for A Touch Of Glass. Ellen Burnstyn was robbed for the Exorcist.

[@DanielPerez-pw1sr]

Great addition!! Thank you for constantly creating excellent content with so much well researched introspection. I recently dove into Ruth Gordon and Rosemary’s Baby and found her performance to be very dynamic esp given her theatre background. Anywho! Keep the videos coming please. 😍

[@jasonm.8174]

This is tremendous work, thoroughly researched and buoyantly presented from a unique point of view. Top notch.

[@amr_12_]

Please do Catherine Burns next. Her performance in Last Summer is a starmaking masterclass. The best piece of acting I've ever seen!

[@cnwil4594]

A very admirable actress.

[@HelloHello-tm7uc]

Now I see why you would were tweeting about Cassavetes the other day haha! Thank you for this video! So happy to know you're taking on supporting actress categories as well!

[@anniealexander9911]

Love Ruth Gordon. I had a neighbour who I was friends with for 8 years who was so like Ruth Gordon. She was a riot

[@antoniodjordjevic9493]

Could you do a video on Lauren Bacall, her career and that infamous Oscar snub?

[@shelleynobleart]

Absolutely fascinating. I am so grateful for a writer of your quality here on KZbin.

[@YaraMay20]

Mia Farrow - Rosemary’s Baby Ellen Burstyn - The Exorcist Essie Davis - The Babadook Toni Colette - Hereditary All should have won the Best Actress Oscar in my opinion.

[@thecinematicmind]

My choice for 2021 Agathe Rousselle - Titane

[@YaraMay20]

@@thecinematicmind haven’t seen that one yet so can’t comment. But I will.

[@misfittoys5873]

Wonderful tribute to a great actress and human. I remember watching Harold and Maude as a deeply suicidal teenager and feeling an overwhelming kinship with her.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

This is the earliest I’ve been to this channel and I’m so excited to watch the latest video. I use this channel as citation now.

[@lupelupelupe]

Love this video essay! Would you ever consider doing a video on Lupe Velez and the Latina actresses of the silent/talkies era?