THE GREATEST – In the opinion of “Life” magazine, the four greatest actresses of Hollywood’s golden age (‘30s to the ‘50s) are Greta Garbo (Swedish), Marlene Dietrich (German), and two Americans, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn.
Many other movie mags and historian agree.
“The Oxford History of World Cinema” writes:
GARBO – A legendary recluse, she retreated into inviolable privacy – confirmed in her status as the greatest of the movie stars, because the most unattainable. The woman and the myth has become indissolubly merged.
(Her great roles include “Camille,” “Queen Christina,” “Ninotchka,” “Grand Hotel.”)
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DIETRICH – An aura of sexual fascination surrounds the star persona… Her image continues to circulate as a cinematic fetish for gay and straight fans alike.
(Memorable movies: “Blue Angel,” “A Touch of Evil,” “Judgment at Nuremberg,” “The Garden of Allah.”)
DAVIS – Davis went through hell and frequently put other people through hell, but she is enduringly popular precisely because she did not wait around for the fade out, or for some man to validate her struggle.
(Ms. Davis has two best actress awards (Oscars), “Dangerous” and “Jezebel.” She stood out in “All About Eve,” “Dark Voyage,” and “Of Human Bondage.”)
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HEPBURN – Surprisingly, “World Cinema” did not give Katharine Hepburn special feature which was accorded Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Bette Davis.
No matter, Ms. Hepburn’s four Oscars for best actress speak for themselves. Her Oscar-winning roles, “Morning Glory,” “Lion in Winter,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and “On Golden Pond.”
She’s to date the only actress to be so honored.