The Films of Gene Tierney Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rings on Her Fingers

When disillusioned salesgirl (Tierney) joins a pair of swindlers (Spring Byington and Laird Cregar) things get a bit complicated. It's not all smooth sailing when their latest "patsy" (Henry Fonda) isn't who he appears to be. Toss a little romance into the mix for a perfect "screwball comedy".

On December 7, 1941 while filming on Catalina Island an assistant brought the news of bombing Pearl Harbor. The cast and crew immediately boarded boats and returned to mainland California. Filming had to continue under mandatory nighttime blackouts and threat of invasion. The film, was released in March 1942, was just what the Country needed during a dark time.

Answer: Laura

A detective (Dana Andrews) becomes obsessed with the supposed victim of a brutal Park Avenue murder (Tierney). He spends hours in her apartment under the eye of her fiercely loyal and protective maid (Dorothy Adams), as well as her hauntingly beautiful portrait, pouring over her letters, diary and even listening to her music. His suspects include her dubious fiancé, (Vincent Price), possessive friend/mentor (Clifton Webb) and her sinister wealthy aunt (Judith Anderson). None of whom are above tampering with evidence or presenting their own version of the truth. When Laura suddenly returns from a stay in the country the victim's true identity is discovered--with Laura, herself becoming a suspect.

Filming got off to a rough start. Conflicts between studio exec Darryl Zanuck and director Rouben Mamoulian led to Mamoulian being replaced by Otto Preminger. Although Tierney wasn't the first choice for the role of Laura, Tierney's elegant and enigmatic portrayal provided the essence of film noir--mystery, crime, moral conflict and, of course, a femme fatale!

Answer: The Razor's Edge

Through W. Somerset Maugham's narration and interaction we meet the main characters. Isobel Bradley (Tierney) is engaged to Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power) who recently returned from World War I. Sophie MacDonald (Ann Baxter), Isobel and Larry's childhood friend waits for the arrival of her working class boyfriend. Isobel's mother, Louisa (Lucile Watson) and her Uncle Elliot Templeton (Clifton Webb), who controls the family's purse strings, disapprove of the engagement. They would prefer her marriage to the more suitable Gray Maturin (John Howard Payne) the son of a wealthy stockbroker. Larry's lack of ambition and desire "to loaf" irritates Templeton. Larry tries to explain that his outlook changed in battle when he saw his best friend sacrifice his own life to save Larry's. He feels he has been given a second chance. Isobel agrees to postpone the wedding and Larry embarks on journey, both physical and emotional. When Isobel visits him in Paris she rejects the idea of living a simple life without status and wealth, breaks off the engagement, returns to Chicago and marries Gray. Sophie's life spirals downward because of deep personal loss. Larry's search continues as he travels the world. After experiencing an epiphany in India he returns to Paris and rejoins the circle of friends, whose lives have also changed during his search for knowledge.

Released in 1946, Zanuck was pleased to sign Tierney for leading lady, as he anticipated her winning Best Actress for "Leave Her to Heaven" and hoped her Academy Award status would ensure the film's success. Unfortunately she lost to Joan Crawford.

Answer: The Ghost and Mrs Muir

Lucy Muir (Tierney), a young London widow decides to leave her deceased husband's family and move to a seaside village with her daughter Anna (Natalie Wood) and maid Martha (Edna Best). Against the wishes of her domineering in-laws she rents Gull Cottage, rumored to be haunted by its former owner Captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison). Gregg, who usually scares off potential renters, takes a shine to Lucy and lets her stay. When Lucy faces financial ruin Gregg comes up with a plan for her to "ghostwrite" his memoirs. A "spirited" relationship soon develops.

Norma Shearer was originally considered for the part of Lucy. However Tierney's portrayal of the ethereal Laura Hunt in the film "Laura" made her the better choice. Although the appearance of the English seaside village may have been convincing the exterior shots were filmed on location in Palos Verdes, CA. The start of filming was delayed because Tierney had broken her ankle. Luckily her period costume skirts (designed by her husband at the time, Oleg Cassini), hid the cast. The film was released in 1947.

Answer: The Mating Season

When a "down on her luck" mother (Thelma Ritter) unexpectedly arrives at the home of her newlywed son (John Lund) and his former socialite wife (Tierney) she is mistaken for a cook. She convinces her son that by keeping up the pretense as "hired help" she would be able to stay without causing friction with his new wife. Unfortunately (Tierney's) jet-setting, snobby mother (Miriam Hopkins) comes to visit and takes an instant dislike to her new son-in-law and the cook, as well. A disastrous dinner party with condescending influential guests further complicates Val and Maggie's domestic bliss.

Released in 1951, Tierney was absolutely perfect as a starry-eyed newlywed.

Answer: Never Let Me Go

American journalist, Sutherland (Clark Gable) assigned to Moscow, falls in love and marries prima balerina, Marya (Tierney). While honeymooning they meet Christopher Wellington St. John Denny (Richard Haydn) who is married to Marya's friend Svetlana Mikhailovna (Anna Valentina). Denny's plans to take his wife back to England are thwarted and he's expelled from Russia and his wife's visa is denied. In the wake of the Cold War Sutherland is sent back to America. Marya is detained at the airport and Sutherland must leave without her. Determined to reunite with their wives, Sutherland and Denny devise a daring plan to get Marya and Svetlana out of Russia.

Tierney stated in her autobiography that Russian ballerina Natalie Leslie doubled for her in the long shots. But the role still required extensive ballet lessons for her. The film released in 1953 was banned in India because of its perceived "anticommunist" theme.

Answer: Whirlpool

An unorthodox therapist (Jose Ferrer) witnesses Ann Sutton (Tierney), the wife of renowned psychoanalyst Dr. Bill Sutton (Richard Conte), being held for shoplifting. After convincing the manager not to press charges he offers to treat her "illness". When a patient of Dr. Sutton's, Theresa Randolph (Barbara O'Neil) warns Ann about Korvo's dubious methods she is found dead. Ann can't account for her whereabouts and is arrested for Theresa's murder. Evidence that could clear Ann of the murder charge goes missing. With time running out Bill Sutton is desperate to prove his wife's innocence. Even while under Ferrer's hypnosis Gene Tierney managed to remain her sophisticated self!

The film, released in 1949, marked the return of Tierney to the screen after a seven year absence following the birth of her second child.

Answer: Belle Starr

Belle and Ed Shirley (Gene Tierney, John Shepperd) are brother and sister who own a Missouri plantation. When Ed, who fought for the Confederacy returns from war he finds his sister defiant and committed to the "Southern Cause". She even rejects her former beau Major Thomas Crail (Dana Andrews) and voices her support for renegade Sam Starr (Randolph Scott), one of the outlaws Crail has been sent to capture. After hiding in Belle's bedroom he manages to elude capture. Crail is obliged to arrest Ed and burn the mansion. After Starr's successful prison escape Belle joins his band of renegades believing him to be committed to restoring the South. When Belle and Starr marry she too is branded an outlaw. Eventually Belle realizes Starr's motives are far from noble and sadly result in innocent lives being lost.

Released in 1941, this was Tierney's fourth movie and she was still relatively new to Hollywood. During filming she developed stress related angioedema causing both eyes to swell and close. Scenes had to be shot around her. Randolph Scott, who was loaned to Fox studio, waived a portion of his contractual payments thus keeping production costs down. His kindness enabled Tierney to keep the role and possibly saved her career!

Answer: Black Widow

Broadway producer Peter Denver (Van Heflin) attends party given by his overbearing star Carlotta Marin (Ginger Rogers) and her husband Brian Mullen (Reginald Gardiner). He meets a young aspiring writer Nancy "Nanny" Ordway. To escape the party he asks Nanny to go to dinner and assures her his intentions are purely platonic. When he tells his wife Iris (Gene Tierney) of the encounter she laughingly (and correctly) predicts he will soon be helping the fledgling author. Peter allows her to use his apartment during the day, while he's out, for her writing. One day Peter and Iris arrive home to discover Nanny's body hanging in their bedroom. Through flashbacks Nanny's questionable character comes to light. Detective Bruce (George Raft) questions Peter about their relationship and her death is ruled murder not suicide. Further revelations paint a picture of a determined and calculating woman with a few people who may have wanted her dead!

Tierney revealed in her autobiography that during the filming she was suffering from emotional problems. She was distracted by the circumstances that led to her daughter being institutionalized. As a result her portrayal of Iris was smooth and serene, sometimes even appearing aloof. Ironically it worked for the character. The film was released in 1954.

Answer: Leave Her to Heaven

Writer Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) takes up residence in a lakeside lodge called "Back of the Moon". He meets the beautiful Ellen Berent (Tierney) her mother Margaret (Mary Philips) and her adopted sister Ruth (Jeanne Crain). After Ellen and Richard marry, her possessive and jealous nature becomes evident. When Richard's teenage brother Danny (Darryl Hickman), who is recovering from polio, comes to live with them, outwardly Ellen appears welcoming but she soon becomes frustrated by his presence. She resents the time Richard spends writing and is angered when Margaret and Ruth come to visit. Richard is concerned by his wife's behavior. One day Ellen takes Danny on his daily swim in the lake. She urges him on while in a rowboat behind him. When he suffers a cramp and becomes exhausted she ignores his cries for help. The cold and calculating demeanor that Tierney portrayed (even while donning sunglasses) as Danny drowns was truly Oscar worthy. At first Richard believes Ellen's claim that it was a tragic accident. Ellen's continued jealousy and erratic behavior along with Richard's depression over Danny's death lead to more tragedy.

"Leave Her to Heaven" released in 1945, was named one of the year's ten best films by "Film Daily". For her role as Ellen, Tierney received her only Oscar nomination, but lost to Joan Crawford for "Mildred Pierce". Tierney's performance is considered one of the best in Hollywood history.