Jeanne Crain: Classic Movie Goddess of the month Part 3

Here are my favorite Jeanne Crain films, or her essential must see films. Either way, I recommend them strongly.

HOME IN INDIANA (1944) This is Jeanne's first credited movie role and she is terrific as Char Bruce, a tomboyish young girl who loves horses and and young troubled boy. A picturesque film with solid co-stars in Walter Brennan, Charlotte Greenwood, and June Haver. Crain was a fresh faced 18 year old when cast in this film.

STATE FAIR (1945) Another homespun family film with Jeanne now as the leading lady. While this may not be my favorite of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, State Fair is still a really good movie with Jeanne showing signs she is about to become a breakout star.

LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1946) Classic 40's melodrama that is mainly remembered for the unforgettable performance of Gene Tierney as the woman who does just about anything to keep her marriage intact. But Jeanne Crain gives a solid performance as Gene's younger sister. Grand Hollywood stuff.

APARTMENT FOR PEGGY (1948) A very underrated film which has Jeanne as a young mother to be who helps a old man (Edmund Gwenn) get over his suicidal tendencies. A very different kind of film which tackled the very serious issue of suicide. Jeanne gave one of her best performances ever. Co-starring William Holden as her husband.

A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (1949) Great drama focusing on three women who must deal with the fact that one of their husband has ran off with another woman and the details are left in a letter addressed to all three. Jeanne shares billing with Ann Sothern and Linda Darnell and they all give terrific performances.

PINKY (1949) Terrific film with three amazing performances by the three women: Jeanne, Ethel Barrymore and Ethel Waters. In this drama, Jeanne plays Pinky, a light skinned black woman, who returns to her grandmother's house in the South after graduating from a Northern nursing school. She was able to pass as a white woman and had to problems up north. But once back home, she has to deal with racism all over again. All three women were nominated for Oscars for their performances: Jeanne with a Best Actress and the two Ethels each received Best Supporting Actress nods. None of them won, but the fact they were all nominated shows how good a film this is.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (1950)  based on the real-life story of the Gilbreth family, follows them from Providence, Rhode Island, to Montclair, New Jersey, and details the amusing anecdotes found in large families. Co-starring Clifton Webb, Myrna Loy and Edgar Buchanan. Charming movie.