10 Greatest Films of Maureen O’Hara
Maureen O’Hara died, today, 24 October, 2015. She was a true legend of the silver screen, certainly meriting a memorial post on this blog. This is really more of a favorites post than a greatest films post because no research is being done to produce this post. There are many, many of her films that I have not seen. The best I can do, today, is talk about the great films I have seen, that provide a good broad sample of her work.
Maureen was born Maureen FitzSimons in Ireland, in 1920. Her mother was an opera singer. Maureen was therefore attracted to the stage at an early age. As a teenager, she enrolled in the Abbey Theatre School, in Dublin.
After two small roles in 1938, her first major role came in Alfred Hitchcock’s Jamaica Inn, in 1939. She had been recommended for the film by Charles Laughton. Laughton also got her a contract at RKO and requested she play Esmeralda in his next film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Soon after that she starred in How Green is My Valley. That film won five Oscars, garnering her the attention that cemented her as a star.
Maureen never was nominated for an Oscar, but in 2014, she was awarded an honorary lifetime achievement Academy Award.
10. Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) — A paint by numbers story of a family vacation gone awry, but when the parents are Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O’Hara, it becomes special.
“That’s a fine way to get a date for your daughter, paying him $5.” — Peggy Hobbs
9. The Black Swan (1942) — A swashbuckling adventure, one of the original Pirates of the Caribbean with Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara.
“Now put your shirt on. You look much too naked for a decent English gentleman.” — Captain Morgan
8. McLintock! (1963) — A wonderful western comedy with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara as squabbling spouses also dealing with a coming of age daughter (Stefanie Powers) and upset Indians.
“Are you going to stand there with that stupid look on your face while the hired help insults your wife?” — Katherine McLintock
7. The Parent Trap (1961) — This is Hayley Mills’ film, as she plays identical twins that meet for the first time and plot to reunite their divorced parents (Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith).
“Oh yes! Don’t say anything about that dear, sweet, precious Vicky! That plus-faced child bride and her electric hips!” — Margaret McKendrick
6. Only the Lonely (1991) — Director Chris Colombus updates the classic Marty, with John Candy, Maureen O’Hara, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Quinn. It’s been awhile since I saw this film. I can’t think of the title without Roy Orbison singing inside my head.
“I’m not feeling anything of yours.” — Rose Muldoon
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) — Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and a nine year old Natalie Wood star in this story of a man claiming to be Santa Claus, a cynical mother, and a little girl that needs Santa to be real.
“I was wrong when I told you that, Susie. You must believe in Mr. Kringle and keep right on doing it. You must have faith in him.” — Doris Walker
4. Rio Grande (1950) — The first of the five films that O’Hara did with John Wayne. Their chemistry is so good here, that it was a foregone conclusion they would work together again. In this one, directed by John Ford, Wayne is a cavalry officer overly dedicated to his job, to the chagrin of his wife, played by O’Hara.
“Ramrod, wreckage and ruin, still the same Kirby York.” — Kathleen York
3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) — Without doubt the best adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. O’Hara plays the lovely Esmeralda and Charles Laughton gives one of his best performances as Quasimodo.
“I keep thinking and thinking How I came here to soften the king heart towards my people until my silly heart betrayed me for that I deserve to die.” — Esmeralda
2. The Quiet Man (1952) — Ford steps away from the western to visit his homeland, bringing along longtime collaborators John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Ward Bond. Wayne plays a boxer from Philadelphia. In his last fight, he inadvertently killed the other man. He’s come to Ireland to escape his past and start over. He meets O’Hara and falls in love.
“It’s a bold one you are! Who gave you leave to be kissin’ me?” — Mary Kate Danaher
1. How Green Was My Valley (1941) — An archetypical Ford story of man against an unstoppable force. Based on Richard Llewellyn’s novel, this is the half century story of a Welsh family facing the industrial revolution.
“Look now, you are king in the chapel. But I will be queen in my own kitchen.” — Angharad
Other films considered for this list include: The Long Gray Line, Our Man in Havana, Sinbad the Sailor, Lady Godiva of Coventry, and Jamaica Inn. What would make your list?
