A Birthday Tribute to Marsha Hunt

The lovely and talented Marsha Hunt celebrates her 95th birthday today. Marsha was born in Chicago on October 17, 1917.

I've loved Marsha Hunt since I was very young and fell in love with classic films via the magic of MGM. My favorite MGM films included PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1940), in which Marsha played the painfully off-key but funny Mary; the beautiful WWII homefront film THE HUMAN COMEDY (1943); and one of Margaret O'Brien's best films, LOST ANGEL (1943), pictured at the left.

In the years since, I've sought out many more Marsha Hunt films and loved her in all of them, with I'LL WAIT FOR YOU (1941) and THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA (1942) being particular favorites.

Pictured at the right: Marsha with Katharine Alexander and James Craig in THE HUMAN COMEDY (1943).

Thanks to the Noir City festivals in Hollywood, I've had the privilege of meeting Marsha Hunt and hearing her speak about her career. I've been blessed to meet a surprisingly large number of actors over the years, but it's hard for me to put into words how special it was having the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with her for a few minutes last year. I had the chance to tell her how much I enjoy THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA, which she shared was also one of her personal favorites, and she also related how difficult it was for her to sing off-key in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, as her parents were musicians!

Marsha with Eddie Muller and Alan Rode in April 2011:

This year she gave a talk in between screenings of KID GLOVE KILLER (1942) and MARY RYAN, DETECTIVE (1949) and shared that she had first visited the theater we were in when she was a child on vacation. She dreamed then of being in the movies, and was amazed that we were there decades later to discuss her career. More of her stories are recounted in my post on MARY RYAN.

At the right: Marsha, third from left, with Maureen O'Sullivan, Greer Garson, and Mary Boland in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1940). If anyone in our family happens across this film on Turner Classic Movies, it stays on the TV until it's finished, regardless of the fact that we own the DVD and can watch it at any time!

Marsha has also written an amazing glossy-paged coffee table book, THE WAY WE WORE: STYLES OF THE 1930S AND '40S AND OUR WORLD SINCE THEN. It examines fashions of the '30s and '40s as seen from a huge collection of her film and publicity stills. It's a must for anyone who loves MGM films in general and Marsha Hunt in particular.

A documentary, MARSHA HUNT'S SWEET ADVERSITY, is in the works.

The thing I will always remember most about this beautiful, elegant lady is how she radiates grace, happiness, and serenity. When I met her last year, Marsha clasped my hand, looked into my eyes, and said, "I've had a wonderful life!"

Marsha Hunt films reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: EASY LIVING (1937) (bit part; also reviewed here), ANNAPOLIS SALUTE (1937), THESE GLAMOUR GIRLS (1939), IRENE (1940), FLIGHT COMMAND (1940), I'LL WAIT FOR YOU (1941), KID GLOVE KILLER (1942), THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA (1942), SEVEN SWEETHEARTS (1942), BRIDE BY MISTAKE (1944), A LETTER FOR EVIE (1946), MARY RYAN, DETECTIVE (1949), THE HAPPY TIME (1952), and BOMBERS B-52 (1957).

2013 Update: An additional review: THE INSIDE STORY (1947), which includes an account of Marsha's personal appearance at a UCLA screening of the film.

2014 Update: Here's a review of RAW DEAL (1948), a wonderful Anthony Mann film which I saw at UCLA this year. I also reviewed the DVD release of IRENE (1940) this year.

2015 Update: Here's a review of the DVD release of KID GLOVE KILLER (1942).

2016 Update: I reviewed TAKE ONE FALSE STEP (1949) after seeing it at the Noir City Film Festival, and later in the year I reviewed UNHOLY PARTNERS (1941) and WINTER CARNIVAL (1939).

Related post: Happy Halloween in 2014, featuring Marsha Hunt.

Please also visit my tribute to Marsha Hunt at ClassicFlix.

October 17, 2016 Update: Here's a post celebrating Marsha Hunt's 99th birthday!

2017 Update: Here are reviews of THE ACCUSING FINGER (1936), PILOT #5 (1943), LOST ANGEL (1943), MUSIC FOR MILLIONS (1944), and DESERT GOLD (1936).

October 17, 2017 Update: Happy Centennial Birthday, Marsha Hunt!

2018 Update: Here's a review of THE VALLEY OF DECISION (1945), as well as a review of the DVD release of ANNAPOLIS SALUTE (1937). I was also fortunate to see her in person at a eptember 2018 screening of her first film, THE VIRGINIA JUDGE (1935).

2019 Update: Happy Birthday, Marsha Hunt!

2020 Update: Here's a review of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1940).

September 2022 Update: Farewell to Marsha Hunt.