February 3

Peggy Ann Garner

I have to be honest and say I don't know this actor. The films I saw her in were as a child actress. I watch Daisy Kenyon. I had to go through the interactive pressbook to find her name and role. She played Roseamund, Dana Andrews daughter in the film. She was closer to her mother than father. Her role she played the good daughter, who covered for her mother when she beat the other child who was closer to her father. She was very vibrant. It is literally a dark film. In watching the documentary about the film it was talked about the photography being dark for two reasons, one being Joan Crawford having an affair with a married man, that their relationship had to be kept in the shadows and the other is to hide Joan Crawford's age, that she was too old for the role. This is too much information on the film really and it somewhat detracts from the film. I watch film for the sake of film and I don't necessarily get the subtle undertones the director and crew are going for. Based on the book Joan Crawford may have been too old as the Daisy character, but she was really good in the film. I found her very believable as Daisy struggling to decide between two men and leading a fulfilling career. In one scene Joan drives in the snow and has a car accident. It was very realistic. She managed to walk away, but it was stunning.

I managed to watch another film Blondie Brings Up Baby (my 2nd favorite Blondie film). A salesman determines that Baby Dumpling is a genius and Blondie enrolls the 5 year old in kindergarten. The 2nd day of school Baby Dumpling goes to school escorted by Daisy. Daisy gets taken by the dog catcher (unbeknownst to Baby). Baby Dumpling in despair goes looking for her the next day, missing school. While looking for Daisy he hears her barking and finds her playing with a young girl, Peggy Ann in a wheelchair. Due to an illness Peggy Ann can't walk. Peggy Ann and Baby Dumpling decide to go to find a real swing with Daisy following. The parents find the children and Peggy Ann walks several feet from the swing to the wheelchair. She walks as though she is balancing on a tight rope, arms in a U shape and tottering back and forth. Baby Dumpling pushes the wheelchair and they both say Choo-Choo.