Classical Movies: The Top Ten Actresses

Some friends and I have come to the sad realization that there is not as much appreciation for the Classics as there probably needs to be. If you don't know who Cary Grant, Doris Day, Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis are and if you've never seen or even heard of the movie Laura or Rebecca, then....hmmm. Don't beat yourself up, just tune into TCM more often or get a Netflix account and start to rent some of the greats. These legends have shaped American Cinema and their movies have been adapted into countless remakes. It is a rare sight to see a movie acted (or written) as well as they were before 1960.

It was very hard to narrow down, but I have compiled a list of the top ten actresses of the era. I highly recommend that you check out a few of their films (recommendations listed by each name).

1. Bette Davis - Now, Voyager, Dark Victory, Mr. Skeffington

Bette was known for her powerful screen presence. She commanded attention in each scene; she had eyes that could tear through anything or anyone. Though Bette starred in mainly dramatic roles, she excelled at comedy as well in The Brice Came C.O.D. Bette was nominated for eleven Oscars and won two of them.

2. Joan Crawford - Grand Hotel, Possessed (1947), Mildred Pierce, They All Kissed the Bride

Joan was the bad girl that everyone loved. She often played dark or daring roles in which her character was kind of both protagonist and antagonist. She played each role with such passion that if you've ever seen a film of hers, you are not likely to forget her. She was nominated three times for a Best Actress Oscar and won once.

3. Katharine Hepburn - The Philadelphia Story, The African Queen, Alice Adams, Bringing up Baby

The woman who could do it all. Katharine played alongside Cary Grant and Spencer Tracy in some of the funniest and best films ever made. She also played more serious characters (like Alice Adams) with perfection. Katharine was nominated for a dozen Oscars and took home four.

4. Barbara Stanwyck - The Two Mrs. Carrolls, Christmas in Connecticut, The Lady Eve, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

Barbara Stanwyck made everything look so simple. She made America fall in love with her in movies such as Christmas in Connecticut and Ball of Fire, she also outrivaled others in the business at playing a bad woman in movies such as Double Indemnity and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. Barbara Stanwyck was nominated for four Oscars in her career and was given an Honorary Award by the Academy in 1982.

5. Rosalind Russell - Fast and Loose, They Met in Bombay, My Sister Eileen

Rosalind was the lady of choice for many of the big studios in Hollywood during her time. She had a warm nature and a mere look from her could make almost anyone laugh, cry, sympathize, etc. Rosalind was nominated for four Oscars and was given the Academy's 1973 Humanitarian Award.

6. Greer Garson - Random Harvest, Pride and Prejudice (1940), Desire Me

Greer captured your attention and emotions from the moment she hit the screen until way after the movie stopped playing. She tugs heavily at your heart in movies such as Random Harvest and Goodbye, Mr. Chips. She was a beautiful red-headed, Oscar winning actress from London.

7. Olivia de Havilland - Gone With the Wind, The Strawberry Blonde, Princess O'Rourke

Olivia was the beauty that was good at everything she put her hand to. She was nominated for five Oscars in her career, and won two of them. Though she will probably be most remembered for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind, she had a very successful career as a leading actress with movies such as The Heiress and To Each His Own. Olivia is still living and heavily revered in 2009.

8. Gene Tierney - The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Leave Her to Heaven, Laura

The woman that was referred to as the most beautiful woman in movie history was also one of the most talented, with a Star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood and an Oscar Nomination to speak for her. She shined in lighter roles such as Heaven Can Wait and lit up the screen as a deeply troubled woman in Leave Her to Heaven.

9. Norma Shearer - The Women (1939), The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929)

She lit up a room with her presence and gained fans worldwide for her title roles in films such as Romeo and Juliet (1936) and Marie Antoinette (1938). Norma was nominated for six Oscars in her career and won one of them.

10. Joan Fontaine - Suspicion, Rebecca, Gunga Din

She is known for her powerful facial expressions and her beauty on screen. Joan (Olivia de Havilland's sister) was nominated for three Oscars, winning one for her role opposite Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion. Joan is still living and well remembered in 2009 and has a Star on the Walk of Fame.

The ladies that also belong on this list but couldn't fit: Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. Claudette Colbert, Myrna Loy, and Merle Oberon, I love you too!