Today is the anniversary of the death of my all-time favorite character actress: Thelma Ritter. On February 5, 1969, Ritter died at the age of 66 in Queens Hospital after suffering a heart attack a week earlier.
The actress was already 45 years old when she made her first film. When director George Seaton went to New York to film the classic "Miracle on 34th Street," he called Ritter, a family friend, and asked her to take a tiny part as the exhausted mother of a little boy in line at Macy's to meet Santa. Ritter ends up fighting with the bearded old man when he promises the boy new skates for Christmas. Her second film role, in Joseph Mankiewicz's "A Letter to Three Wives" was also brief and uncredited and also made a huge impact. Mankiewicz thought of Ritter the following year and cast her as Birdie, the veteran theatre actress who works for Bette Davis' Margo Channing in the near-perfect "All About Eve." I say "near-perfect" because my one complaint about "All About Eve" has always been that the character of Birdie inexplicably disappears midway through the film. But when she's there, she steals just about every scene. When Anne Baxter's Eve Harrington first meets the gang in Margo's dressing room, everyone buys the sad, tragic tale of her life and her seemingly innocent idol worship of Margo. Everyone but Birdie, that is. After Eve brings the group to tears with stories of her dead soldier husband and how she found a reason to live by going to see Margo Channing's performance every night at the theatre, Ritter's Birdie breaks the spell with the following perfectly delivered line: "What a story! Everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end!"
The banter between Davis and Ritter as Margo and Birdie is perfect in every scene:
Margo Channing: You bought the new girdles a size smaller, I can feel it.
Birdie: Something maybe grew a size larger.
Margo Channing: When we get home you're going to get into one of those girdles and act for two and a half hours.
Birdie: I couldn't get into the girdle in two and a half hours.
Later, just before Ritter disappears from the film, Margo questions Birdie about her dislike of Eve.
Margo Channing: Birdie, you don't like Eve, do you?
Birdie: You looking for an answer or an argument?
Margo Channing: An answer.
Birdie: No.
Margo Channing: Why not?
Birdie: Now you want an argument.
Thelma Ritter didn't write that brilliant dialogue, of course, but she delivered every line she was given with such expertise and comic timing that she always left you wanting more, more, more! Ritter got a much deserved Academy Award nomination for "All About Eve" and five other supporting actress nominations in her career. She never won the award but she was highly respected in Hollywood. Alfred Hitchcock recognized her talents and cast her as Jimmy Stewart's physical therapist in "Rear Window." In addition to helping him with his broken leg, Ritter's Stella freely dispenses advice to Stewart's Jeff, particularly about his gorgeous girlfriend Lisa played by Grace Kelly. Again, every line that comes out of Ritter's mouth is a gem.
Stella: When two people love each other, they come together—WHAM!—like two taxis on Broadway.
Jeff: She wants me to marry her.
Stella: That's normal.
Jeff: I don't want to.
Stella: That's abnormal.
Hitchcock hired Ritter again in 1956 to play the lead in an episode from his spooky TV anthology, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." I saw her episode, called "The Baby Sitter," just last week and loved every minute of it. When I logged onto the Internet Movie Database to read up on the rest of the cast, I was shocked to find a recent comment from a registered user of the site that described the episode as follows: "Over-acting ridiculously as always, Thelma Ritter is a thoroughly classless mess and ruins any potential this one may have had. I did watch it to the end, though, so I must be some sort of masochist." Flabbergasted by this commenter's review, I went through the laborious process of registering on IMDb just so I could respond.
"What? Thelma Ritter is a 'thoroughly classless mess?' As far as I'm concerned, Ritter lifts every film or TV show she's in, including this one which I just watched. Her comic timing, delivery, and poignancy can't be beat. I find her believable in every scene here. I think the previous commenter is objecting more to the script than the performance. As far as Ritter goes, I think she is one of the most underrated actresses of our time."
Oh well, I hope my passion came through at least! If only I could muster up the same level of enthusiasm for the candidates in today's Super Tuesday Presidential Primary. On second thought, I hereby declare Barack Obama the Thelma Ritter of the 2008 campaign: inspiring, amazingly talented, and able to deliver every line with perfect precision. I name Hillary Clinton the Anne Baxter of the campaign: articulate, skilled, and worthy, but exhibiting opportunistic and ruthless tendencies. And while I'm on my "All About Eve" bender, I'll declare John McCain the George Sanders of the race. Like Sanders' character Addison DeWitt, McCain knows how to turn a phrase for maximum effect and can skillfully appeal to the masses, but it's important that we all take a long look at his overall goals and self-serving agenda. Okay, now I've really lost it (and I may have to nominate this post as my gayest one of the new year)!
I can't think of a single Thelma Ritter performance I didn't love, even when I despised the movie. She was great in films like "The Mating Season," "Daddy Long Legs," and "The Proud and the Profane;" she added priceless comedy bits to two Doris Day movies, "Pillow Talk" and "Move Over, Darling;" and she managed to hold her own beautifully with co-stars Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift in Arthur Miller's "The Misfits." Ritter received her final Oscar nomination in 1962 as Burt Lancaster's mother in "The Birdman of Alcatraz."
Though passed over by the Motion Picture Academy, Thelma Ritter won a Best Actress Tony Award in 1958 for "New Girl in Town" (in a rare tie with her co-star Gwen Verdon) and an Emmy Award for the original TV version of Paddy Chayefsky's "The Catered Affair." Following her death, Chayefsky wrote a poignant tribute to the actress in the New York Times:
I did one show with Thelma Ritter, a television play called "The Catered Affair," an unfocused piece in which the first act was farce and the second was character-comedy, and the third was abruptly drama. There aren't a dozen actresses who could make one piece out of all that; Miss Ritter, of course, did. The fact is, she was never properly publicly recognized as an actress. She was blessed—or cursed—with a tough urban wit and a voice to match so she got all the gravelly Tenth Avenue parts. But anyone who saw her as Burt Lancaster's rigidly obsessed mother in "Birdman of Alcatraz" got an idea of what this woman could do.In my show, she was enormous, not the sort of epithet usually pinned on Miss Ritter, who was known particularly for the astringency of her performance. Her acting emotion had first to filter through that urban crust of hers before it exhibited itself externally. Her power as an actress was consequently one of depth. Even her sketchiest roles had this substance of human embattlement. Given a role with implications like Linda Darnell's beer-swigging mother in "A Letter to Three Wives" or Marthy in "New Girl in Town," she revealed to her audience the tragedy of the human condition, which is the definition of great acting. She was a supreme comedian and a kind and gentle woman who was esteemed by everyone who ever worked with her.
In the end, that has to be, I suppose, the final tribute to an artist. She had become archetypical in her own profession; for many years now, there has been a wide range of women roles described by casting directors as "a Thelma Ritter type." She was a character actress, which means only that they don't write many starring parts for middle-aged women. The point is, she was a great character actress, the best we had, and she was not expendable.
Kill the people.
Sigh.
There never was before, nor never again will be the likes of Thelma Ritter.
"Classless," indeed.
Posted by: communicatrix | February 05, 2008 at 05:12 PM
One of my favorite lines from "ALL ABOUT EVE"...The Bloodhounds line....! She was FABULOUS in everything she was ever in....! It is amazing that she was passed over so very many times by The Academy....!
A lovely tribute, Danny....!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | February 06, 2008 at 12:09 AM
I agree whole-heartedly with your post. She deserved better recognition then what she received. Has anybody ever put her name forward for a lifetime achievment award? Her body of work most definately deserves an oscar.
Posted by: The Alchemist | February 06, 2008 at 08:47 AM
She should have won for Pick-up on South Street. What an exit!
I loved her in The Misfits. I always thought Gable, Monroe and Clift's characters could have avoided that entire mess of a third act that their triangle went through if only they had observed and actually listened to Ritter's character just before she disappeared.
Thank you for this.
Posted by: JS | February 07, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Who couldn't love Thelma "that bed looks like a dead animal act" Ritter? Interestingly, I just read that Mario Cantone is to play the part based on her character from "Eve" in the City Center concert version of "Applause" with Christine Ebersole in the Margo Channing role.
Posted by: Mark | February 08, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Danny, I'm beginning to think we must have been separated at birth!
As a kid watching the late show with my mom (who learned to speak English mostly from US television) I was introduced to a whole world of talent. And Thelma Ritter was perhaps one who shone brightest for me.
I didn't know what a character actress was, but I did recognize a knock-out performance. And Ritter never failed to deliver.
She had this amazingly believable quality in everything she did. She seemed at the same time, world weary, but strong, full of wisdom, yet able to be surprised. And all, seemingly, without effort.
She gave me the impression of the "everyperson." Someone with whom I could immediatly identify. Someone's whose motivation I understood because I saw a bit of me in her characters.
It's amazing that she started in her 40's. And it's sad that she died so young really. But if there is a silver lining to this it's that we have a wonderful archive of her work, and it's a testament to her, and her talent, that we CD's refer to her when looking for a certain type.
But we also know when we list "Thelma Ritter Type" in breakdown's we'll be lucky if we can get someone with just a shadow of her talent. Because, really, there just won't ever be another Thelma Ritter!
Posted by: Dave | February 10, 2008 at 09:14 PM
What a thoroughly enjoyable read about one of THE best character actresses- evah!
Posted by: RR | February 12, 2008 at 02:38 AM
In the early 1950's I used to ride my bike from Richmond Hill in Queens NY over to Forest Hills to play basketball. One day as we were sitting around after a game a womans voice called out "Hey Red how about running down to the store for me." That was the one and only Thelma Ritter, a wonderful person and a great actress.
Posted by: Joe | February 12, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I absolutely adore your tribute to the celluloid perfection that is Thelma Ritter, described so deftly by you and the myriad commenters who offered up their own love for Miss R. She's memorable in every movie you've mentioned, but my favorite role of hers may just be in 1963's A New Kind of Love, an otherwise campy yet deliciously voyeuristic fluff of a film starring real-life husband and wife Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Ritter is, as usual, the brazen, world-weary, loveless secretary pining for the boss's affections, and she zings a few unforgettable and expertly-timed lines - when asked about her perfume as she dresses suggestively for a single-gal's night on the town, for instance, she replies, "It's called 'My Sin'. I hope it's a prediction." How can you not love such sass coming from this woman who looks like the prototype for gin-drinking great-aunts worldwide?
Bottom line: Your movie knowledge astounds me, and your writing enthralls me. What a perfect combination.
Posted by: Hillary | February 13, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Wow... my favorite of your posts so far! Did I miss the mention of "Pick Up On South Street"? her performance in that brings tears to my eyes everytime I think about it.
Don't worry about gayest blog. I'll beat you everytime.
your fiend,
mr. jones
Posted by: your fiend, mr. jones | February 14, 2008 at 09:47 AM
At the lunch table at work we used to quiz each other about whom we'd choose to play ourselves in the movie of our lives. It didn't matter if the actor were still alive or not. My choice for me was immediate and unchanging-Thelma Ritter. What a presence she had and what a happy surprise to come across your tribute and to learn that there are folks who love her as much as I do.
Posted by: susan | February 24, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Being a Thelma Ritter fan as all of you are, I wrote a song
for her to be used in my nonproduced show, You Can't
Live in L.A, Without a Car. The song is called "I Wouldn't
Mind Being Thelma Ritter" and you can see it on You Tube
under that title or possibly, my name. It is sung by a non-
professional in a home production, but you'll get the idea.
Posted by: Allan Provost | May 29, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Arrived at this post via Google!
What a delight! I love Thelma Ritter, too!
I can't imagine anyone daring to think she was "classless." I should be so lucky to have a friend who could deliver lines about my life the way Ritter could.
Speaking of the IMDB, I was reading comments for an apparently dreadful film, "Boeing, Boeing," the only virtue of which is the one-time teaming of Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis. I was reading the comments because Ritter was in it. Post after post, people who had seen it said the only person who gave a great performance and delivered any comedic moments in this comedy was, who else, Thelma Ritter! I know I would like to see that film— I would wade though anything, just to see her create a few wonderful moments out of an otherwise lousy film.
*DAYDREAM* She should have had an anthology series on TV, i.e. Alcoa presents, The Thelma Ritter Hour, so she could have played a different character in a different situation every week. If she swirled through a set of elegant double-doors at the beginning of each episode, like Loretta Young did, no telling WHAT line she would have uttered!. But nobody would have flipped the channel!
In my opinion, Eve Arden was a "Thelma-Ritter-type," it's just that she started doing it in the 1930s, before anybody knew what to call it!
Posted by: NCeddie | June 18, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Thelma Ritter is one of the all time great character actresses. period. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no sense of humor!!!!!
Posted by: SHEdEVIL | July 11, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Thelma Ritter is one of the all time great character actresses. period. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no sense of humor!!!!!
Posted by: SHEdEVIL | July 11, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I LOVE Thelma! I wish they would release on DVD Model and the Marriage Broker! She is so great in that as in all things. When you can hold your own in a scene with anyone inc. the likes of Bette Davis then you are really something. Which she was.
Thanks for remembering her.
k
Posted by: kris | July 17, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I have been a big fan of Thelma Ritter since she made "The Mating Season". I am thrilled to read all these comments about her performances! Altho "Boeing Boeing" was a dumb film, Thelma Ritter made it well worth watching. Oh, was she funny! I have several letters written to me by this dear lady, which I treasure. Once, while in NYC with my family, I came "this close" to meeting her in person. Unfortunately for me, she was about to leave for Hollywood to make "The Farmer Takes a Wife", with Betty Grable. I had never seen it until just the other day. Another forgettable movie; but they even had her sing a couple of lines (she wore a red wig - but was still recognizable. I'm so happy to know there are a lot of T.R. fans out there!
Posted by: Virginia Arnold | August 15, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Thelma Ritter was the best. I knew I would be entertained in whatever role she played. I am gratified that she is still remembered by so many after all these years.
Posted by: Gloria Orlando | August 26, 2008 at 09:28 PM
As far as credits go, Thelma got the shaft in The Mating Season! She credited third, behind Gene Tierney, John Lund, and Gloria Whateverthehellherlastnameis. Isn't obvious Thelma's the main character, the protoginist, the moral center?!
Posted by: Kirk Jusko | September 28, 2008 at 12:44 PM
What a wonderful post. I'm watching Pillow Talk and had forgotten Thelma Ritter was in the film. I am always excited when I come across her films as Rear Window, The Misfits and All About Eve are three of my favorites for many reasons, one reason especially for the presence of Ms. Ritter.
This was a joy to read.
Any individual that would call Thelma Ritter "classless" is lacking the ability to understand the nuanced performance and lacks a tad bit of class themselves.
Posted by: KayJay | October 12, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Thank you much for a great article on Thelma Ritter. She was my favorite character actress too; how about a book? You would be the first.
Posted by: Lynn | November 15, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Wow! Just stumbled onto this post and couldn't believe all of the Thelma Ritter fans. She was so believeable in any role she played. She was a joy to watch - I especially enjoyed watching THAT FACE react to another actor's lines. She was such a classy lady and brought depth and insight to any role. They just don't make 'em like her anymore!
Posted by: Vicky | November 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I loved Thelma Ritter also and am proud she came from Brooklyn (my hometown). What I would like to know is which year of birth is correct - 1902 or 1905?? About half the references to Ritter on the Net indicate 1902 and the other half indicate 1905. I tried looking up Thelma Ritter or Thelma Moran in the census at www.ancestry.com, but to no avail.
Anybody know??
Thanks
Posted by: Pat Smythe | December 01, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Does anyone know if there has ever been a biography written about Thelma Ritter? If not there should be. I love her. She's one of my favorite actresses and I'd really like to know more about her.
Posted by: Daniel | December 10, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Yes, Ritter was brilliant, one of my lifelong favorites, and people who don't think so have their taste limited to their mouths. "Pillow Talk" is also a near-perfect example of its kind, and of its time and place.
"Why, Harry, yer so STONG!"
Posted by: Dan Hagen | January 15, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Yes, Ritter was brilliant, one of my lifelong favorites, and people who don't think so have their taste limited to their mouths. "Pillow Talk" is also a near-perfect example of its kind, and of its time and place.
"Why, Harry, yer so STONG!"
Posted by: Dan Hagen | January 15, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Thelma Ritter lived in Forest Hills Gardens on Greenway Terrace. I wrote an article about her that can be found at: http://www.foresthillsclub.org/cheryl.html. She was quite a gal.
Posted by: Cheryl | February 01, 2009 at 11:45 AM
To echo Kris's comment above. . . Whenever Thelma Ritter shares the screen, I've noticed that she's the one I'm watching, not Grace Kelly, not Bette Davis.
When someone says "Thelma Ritter," the first word that pops into your head probably isn't "magnetic" or "charismatic," but that's what she is.
Posted by: Jackaroodave | March 01, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Thelma owned the scene she was in like Picasso or Monet owned their canvas....one word out of her mouth and she had you in her world. I think genuine is the best way I would describe her. Genuine with a twist, and make that a double.
Posted by: barry | August 21, 2009 at 04:24 PM
JEW EAT YET?? This blog is like an oasis of civilization in the internet desert.
What Miss Coonan said about her french ventriloquist applies to you, Mr. Miller:"There wasn't nothin' he didn't know."
Posted by: Honey | September 07, 2009 at 09:56 PM
I may have mentioned it before. But if you go to YouTube and look under Thelma Ritter, you can see a song written in honor of her. Sorry, it wasn't a professionally done production, but a home show
produced by friends. But check it out, Thelma Ritter fans.
Posted by: Alaln Provost | October 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM