Moira Shearer 1926-2006
January 17th 1926 - January 31st 2006
It seems strange that someone who appeared in just a handful of films can seem like such a loss to the movie world, but that's the kind of indelible impression Moira Shearer left through her brief forays into film.
She was not as fond of her movie work as her work in ballet, but it was the Scots-born performer's graceful dance skills that resulted in her transfer from stage to celluloid, most notably in the critically acclaimed romance THE RED SHOES (she was known to speak unkindly of the film but went on to perform in two further films for director Michael Powell).
When looking at the films she made with Powell - THE RED SHOES, THE TALES OF HOFFMAN and the criminally misunderstood PEEPING TOM - one can't help thinking that to have been involved in any one of these films would be enough to secure an eternal spot in the heart of movie lovers everywhere. To have appeared in all three speaks volumes for the huge contribution made in such a small body of work.
I can't deny there's a special significance in watching Shearer in action due to the parochial pride I take in sharing a city of birth with her, but any claims of favouritism will evaporate from even the most hardened of cynics when viewing her debut in the classic romance. There are many reasons for the acclaim heaped upon THE RED SHOES but Shearer's poise, presence and radiant performance stand out. I could call it one of Powell's best films; I could call it one of the best romances ever; but neither does it justice - it's simply one of the greatest films ever conceived... and Moira Shearer was right at the heart of it.
It seems strange that someone who appeared in just a handful of films can seem like such a loss to the movie world, but that's the kind of indelible impression Moira Shearer left through her brief forays into film.
She was not as fond of her movie work as her work in ballet, but it was the Scots-born performer's graceful dance skills that resulted in her transfer from stage to celluloid, most notably in the critically acclaimed romance THE RED SHOES (she was known to speak unkindly of the film but went on to perform in two further films for director Michael Powell).
When looking at the films she made with Powell - THE RED SHOES, THE TALES OF HOFFMAN and the criminally misunderstood PEEPING TOM - one can't help thinking that to have been involved in any one of these films would be enough to secure an eternal spot in the heart of movie lovers everywhere. To have appeared in all three speaks volumes for the huge contribution made in such a small body of work.
I can't deny there's a special significance in watching Shearer in action due to the parochial pride I take in sharing a city of birth with her, but any claims of favouritism will evaporate from even the most hardened of cynics when viewing her debut in the classic romance. There are many reasons for the acclaim heaped upon THE RED SHOES but Shearer's poise, presence and radiant performance stand out. I could call it one of Powell's best films; I could call it one of the best romances ever; but neither does it justice - it's simply one of the greatest films ever conceived... and Moira Shearer was right at the heart of it.
posted by Alan at 9:04 pm
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