Lana Turner Filmography
Lana Turner (1921–1995) appeared in over 55 films during her four-decades career, 1937-1980.
Discovered in 1937 at age 16, she signed a contract with Warner but soon transferred to MGM. The studio’s co-founder, Louis B. Mayer, helped further her career by casting her in several youth-oriented comedies and musicals, including Dancing Co-Ed (1939) and Ziegfeld Girl (1941), the latter of which was a commercial success and helped establish her as one of the studio’s leading performers.
Turner subsequently co-starred with Clark Gable in the drama Somewhere I’ll Find You (1943), the first of 4 films she would make with him.
Turner’s role as a femme fatale in the film noir The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) advanced her career significantly and established her as dramatic actress. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times deeming it “the role of her career.”
Turner frequently appeared on radio programs throughout the 1940s, including Suspense and The Orson Welles Almanac. In 1952, she co-starred in the drama The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) opposite Kirk Douglas, playing alcoholic actress.
Turner made her final film with Gable in the drama Betrayed (1954).
After the critical and commercial failure of Diane (1956), MGM opted not to renew Turner’s contract. At the time, her films with the studio had collectively earned over $50 million.
In 1957, she took a leading role portraying Constance MacKenzie in Peyton Place, an adaptation of the Grace Metalious novel of the same name. The film was a major box office success, and Turner earned her first and only Best Actress Oscar nomination.
In 1959, she accepted the lead role in Douglas Sirk’s remake of Imitation of Life, a drama in which she portrayed a struggling stage actress, which was another commercial success at the box office.
Turner’s final lead role was in 1966’s Madame X, for which she earned David di Donatello award for Best Actress.
She spent the majority of the 1970s in semiretirement, appearing in touring stage plays, such as Forty Carats and Bell, Book and Candle.
In 1982, she was cast in recurring guest role on the TV soap opera “Falcon Crest.”
She made her final film in the comedy-horror “Witches’ Brew” in 1980, age 59; she died in 1979; age 74.
Films (by Year)
Cora (Postman Always Rings Twice) Nora (Latin Lovers) Lora (Imitation of Life)
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Year Title Role(s) Director(s) Studio Ref.
1937: 3
They Won’t Forget, Mary Clay Mervyn LeRoy Warner
Topper Nightclub Patron[a] Norman Z. MacLeod, MGM
The Great Garrick Mademoiselle Auber James Whale, Warner
1938: 6
The Adventures of Marco Polo, Nazama’s Maid, Archie Mayo, J. Ford, UA
Love Finds Andy Hardy, Cynthia Potter George B. Seitz MGM
The Chaser Miss Rutherford[b] Edwin L. Marin, MGM
Four’s a Crowd Passerby[c] Michael Curtiz Warner
Rich Man, Poor Girl Helen Thayer Reinhold Schünzel, MGM
Dramatic School Mado Robert B. Sinclair, MGM
1939: 3
Calling Dr. Kildare, Rosalie Jewett Harold S. Bucquet, MGM
These Glamour Girls Jane Thomas S. Sylvan Simon, MGM
Dancing Co-Ed Patty Marlow S. Sylvan Simon, MGM
1940: 2
Two Girls on Broadway Patricia ‘Pat’ Mahoney S. Sylvan Simon, MGM
We Who Are Young Marjorie White Brooks Harold S. Bucquet, MGM
1941: 3
Ziegfeld Girl, Sheila Regan Robert Z. Leonard, MGM
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Bea Emery Victor Fleming, MGM
Honky Tonk, Elizabeth Cotton Jack Conway, MGM
1942: 2
Johnny Eager Lisbeth Bard Mervyn LeRoy MGM
Somewhere I’ll Find You Paula Lane Wesley Ruggles, MGM
1943: 3
The Youngest Profession Herself[d] Edward Buzzell MGM
Slightly Dangerous Peggy Evans /Carol Burden [eWesley Ruggles, Buster Keaton (uncredited), MGM
Du Barry Was a Lady, Herself[f] Roy Del Ruth, MGM
1944: 1
Marriage Is a Private Affair, Theo Scofield West Robert Z. Leonard, MGM
1945: 2
Keep Your Powder Dry Valerie ‘Val’ Parks Edward Buzzell, MGM
Week-End at the Waldorf Bunny Smith Robert Z. Leonard, MGM
1946: 2
The Postman Always Rings Twice, Cora Smith, Tay Garnet, MGM
Green Dolphin Street Marianne Patourel, Victor Saville, MGM
1947: 1
Cass Timberlane Virginia Marshland George Sidney, MGM
1948: 2
Homecoming Lt. Jane ‘Snapshot’ McCall Mervyn LeRoy MGM
The Three Musketeers, Milady de Winter George Sidney, MGM
1950: 1
A Life of Her Own, Lily Brannel James George Cukor, MGM
1951: 2
Mr. Imperium Fredda Barlo Don Hartman MGM
The Merry Widow Crystal Radek Curtis Bernhardt, MGM
1952: 1
The Bad and the Beautiful, Georgia Lorrison, Minnelli, MGM
1953: 1
Latin Lovers, Nora Taylor, Mervyn LeRoy, MGM
1954: 2
Flame and the Flesh Madeline Richard Brooks, MGM
Betrayed, Carla Van Oven Gottfried Reinhardt, MGM
1955: 3
The Prodigal Samarra, Richard Thorpe MGM
The Sea Chase Elsa Keller, John Farrow. Warner
The Rains of Ranchipur Lady Edwina Esketh Jean Negulesco, Fox
1956: 1
Diane, Diane de Poitiers, David Miller, MGM
1957: 1
Peyton Place Constance MacKenzie, Mark Robson, Fox
1958: 2
The Lady Takes a Flyer, Maggie Colby Jack Arnold Universal
Another Time, Another Place, Sara Scott Lewis Allen, Paramount
1959: 1
Imitation of Life, Lora Meredith, Douglas Sirk, Universal
1960: 1
Portrait in Black, Sheila Cabot Michael Gordon, Universal
1961: 2
By Love Possessed Marjorie Penrose, John Sturges, UA
Bachelor in Paradise Rosemary Howard Jack Arnold, MGM
1962: 1
Who’s Got the Action? Melanie Flood Daniel Mann, Paramount
1965: 1
Love Has Many Faces Kit Jordan Alexander Singer, Columbia
1966: 1
Madame X, Holly Parker, David Lowell Rich, Universal
1969: 1
The Big Cube, Adriana Roman Tito Davison, Warner
1974: 1
Persecution Carrie Masters, Don Chaffey, Fanfare Films
1976: 1
Bittersweet Love, Claire, David Miller, AVCO Embassy
1980: 1
Witches’ Brew, Vivian Cross, Herbert L. Strock, Richard Schorr, UA
1994
That’s Entertainment III, Herself, Bud Friedgen, Michael J. Sheridan, MGM
Unrealized projects
Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref.
1940 Our Dancing Daughters Unknown Remake of 1928 film; never made [38]
1940 The Uniform Unknown Set to star opposite Clark Gable; Turner was replaced with Rosalind Russell, and the film was released as They Met in Bombay[39] [40]
1947 Bedeviled Unknown Unfinished; Turner dropped out to appear in The Three Musketeers [41]
1949 Samson and Delilah Delilah Role went to Hedy Lamarr [42]
1959 Streets of Montmartre Suzanne Valadon Set to star with Louis Jourdan; never made
Television
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Herself | Episode: “1.10” | [45] |
| 1969–70 | Harold Robbins’ The Survivors | Tracy Carlyle Hastings | 15 episodes | [46] |
| 1971 | The Last of the Powerseekers | Television film | [47] | |
| 1982–83 | Falcon Crest | Jacqueline Perrault | 6 episodes | [48] |
| 1985 | The Love Boat | Elizabeth Raleigh | Episode: “Caribbean Cruise: Call Me Grandma/A Gentleman of Discretion/The Perfect Divorce/Letting Go” | [37] |
Radio
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| Air date | Program | Episode | Role(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 1941 | Lux Radio Theatre | They Drive by Night | Lana Carlsen | Guest-starring with Lucille Ball[49] | [50] |
| January 19, 1942 | Philip Morris Playhouse | The Devil and Miss Jones | Mary Jones | Co-starring with Lionel Barrymore | [51] |
| July 5, 1944 | The Orson Welles Almanac | The Mercury Wonder Show | Herself | Guest-starring with Susan Hayward | [8] |
| June 19, 1944 | The Orson Welles Almanac | Fifth War Loan Drive | [52] | ||
| May 3, 1945 | Suspense | Fear Paints a Picture | Julia | [7] | |
| April 11, 1946 | Lux Radio Theatre | Honky Tonk | Elizabeth Cotton | Co-starring with John Hodiak | [53] |
| June 17, 1946 | Screen Guild Theater | Marriage Is a Private Affair | Theo Scofield West | Co-starring with John Hodiak | [54] |
| August 14, 1946 | Academy Award Theater | Vivacious Lady | Francey | [53] | |
| April 13, 1948 | The Bob Hope Show | Herself | Skit performed with Bob Hope | [55] | |
| September 19, 1949 | Lux Radio Theatre | Green Dolphin Street | Marianne Patourel | [56] |
Stage
| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Forty Carats | Ann Stanley | Touring performance | [18] |
| 1975 | The Pleasure of His Company | Jessica Anne Poole | Single performance; Arlington Park Theater, Chicago | [57] |
| 1978 | Divorce Me, Darling | Amelia Conway | Performances at Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago[58] | [59] |
| 1976–78 | Bell, Book and Candle | Gillian Holroyd | Touring performance; co-starring with Patrick Horgan[19] | [60] |
| 1980–82 | Murder Among Friends | Angela Forrester | Touring performance[61] | [62] |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Category | Year | Nominated work(s) | Outcome | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | 1958 | Peyton Place | Nominated | [14] |
| David di Donatello | Best Foreign Actress | 1966 | Madame X | Won | [17] |
| Donostia Awards | Lifetime Achievement | 1994 | – | Won | [63] |
| Laurel Awards | Top Female Dramatic Performance | 1958 | Peyton Place | 4th place | [64] |
| Top Female Star | 1959 | – | 9th place | [65] | |
| 1960 | – | 13th place | [66] | ||
| 1961 | – | 9th place | [66] | ||
| Best Actress | 1966 | Madame X | 5th place | [66] | |
| Medalla Sitges | Best Actress | 1975 | Persecution | Won | [67] |
Sources
- Barton, Ruth (2010). Hedy Lamarr: The Most Beautiful Woman in Film. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-813-12604-3.
- Basinger, Jeanine (1976). Lana Turner. Pyramid Publications. ISBN 978-0-515-04194-1.
- Billips, Connie J.; Pierce, Arthur (1995). Lux Presents Hollywood: A Show-by-Show History of the Lux Radio Theatre and the Lux Video Theatre, 1934–1957. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-899-50938-9.
- Clements, Cynthia; Weber, Sandra (1996). George Burns and Gracie Allen: A Bio-Bibliography. Vol. 72. New York: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-26883-0.
- Fischer, Lucy (ed). (1991). Imitation of Life. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-1644-7.
- Grams, Martin (2000). Radio Drama: A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932–1962. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-40051-5.
- Greene, Heather (2018). Bell, Book and Camera: A Critical History of Witches in American Film and Television. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-63206-3.
- Heyer, Paul (2005). The Medium and the Magician: Orson Welles, the Radio Years, 1934–1952. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-742-53797-2.
- Jordan, Jessica Hope (2009). The Sex Goddess in American Film, 1930–1965: Jean Harlow, Mae West, Lana Turner, and Jayne Mansfield. Cambria Press. ISBN 978-1-60497-663-2.
- Kashner, Sam; MacNair, Jennifer (2002). The Bad & the Beautiful: Hollywood in the Fifties. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-32436-5.
- Langer, Carole (dir.) (2001). Lana Turner … a Daughter’s Memoir (Documentary). Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
- McKay, James (2012). The Films of Victor Mature. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-44970-5.
- Morella, Joe; Epstein, Edward Z. (1971). Lana: The Public and Private Lives of Miss Turner. New York: Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-0226-6.
- O’Neil, Thomas (2003). Movie Awards: The Ultimate, Unofficial Guide to the Oscars, Golden Globes, Critics, Guild & Indie Honors. New York: Perigee Book. ISBN 978-0-399-52922-1.
- Parish, James Robert (1978). The Hollywood Beauties. New York: Arlington House. ISBN 978-0-87000-412-4.
- Pitts, Michael R. (2015). RKO Radio Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1929–1956. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-476-61683-4.
- Shearer, Stephen Michael (2010). Beautiful: The Life of Hedy Lamarr. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-429-90820-7.
- Valentino, Lou (1976). The Films of Lana Turner. Seacaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-0553-4.
- Wayne, Jane Ellen (2003). The Golden Girls of MGM: Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly and Others. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers. ISBN 0-7867-1303-8.
External links
[edit]
- Lana Turner filmography at IMDb
- Lana Turner filmography Archived 2018-08-26 at the Wayback Machine at the American Film Institute
- Lana Turner filmography Archived 2018-08-26 at the Wayback Machine at AllMovie
