Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Actress Patricia Medina Dies at 92

British actress Patricia Medina, the widow of Joseph Cotten, has passed away at the age of 92.

Medina was married to Cotten from 1960 until his death in 1994. She had previously been married to actor Richard Greene from 1941 to 1951.

Her first film was in 1937, and she had over 90 credits spread over four decades. She was a staple of '50s adventure films, appearing opposite Louis Hayward in several titles, including FORTUNES OF CAPTAIN BLOOD (1950). Other movies in this vein included THE MAGIC CARPET (1951), ALADDIN AND HIS LAMP (1952), SIREN OF BAGDAD (1953), and DRUMS OF TAHITI (1954).

She had a small role in the Gene Kelly version of THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1948); starred opposite Donald O'Connor in FRANCIS (1950); costarred with Alan Ladd and James Mason in BOTANY BAY (1953); and starred with Glenn Ford and Diana Lynn in PLUNDER OF THE SUN (1953). In 1955 she starred in the Orson Welles film MR. ARKADIN (1955).

A year ago I reviewed her film DESPERATE SEARCH (1952), which also starred Howard Keel and Jane Greer. It was just released on DVD-R by the Warner Archive.

Medina is also remembered by Disney fans for appearing as Margarita in a few episodes of the ZORRO TV series.

Patricia Medina's autobiography, LAID BACK IN HOLLYWOOD: REMEMBERING is an entertaining read.

Update: Here are reviews of THE SECRET HEART (1946) (also here), THE BEGINNING OR THE END (1947) (also here), MOSS ROSE (1947), FRANCIS (1950), SANGAREE (1953), and STRANGER AT MY DOOR (1956).

7 Comments:

Blogger Matthew Coniam said...

Such sad news. As a boy, I fell in love with her Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, and was surprised when I later became serious about movies to find that she wasn't a bigger star, the name having always remained with me.

11:48 PM  
Blogger DKoren said...

Aw, sad. I loved her in Plunder of the Sun. Such an entertaining movie!

8:19 AM  
Blogger barrylane said...

Another beautiful person, past.

3:55 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thank you all very much for your comments. She was indeed a lovely lady.

I'm particularly interested in seeing her in PLUNDER OF THE SUN and BOTANY BAY...

Best wishes,
Laura

2:19 PM  
Blogger grandoldmovies said...

Medina was a lovely woman, who looked smashing in Technicolor. I particularly enjoyed seeing her 2 Captain Blood films with Louis Hayward.

7:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stunningly beautiful.

1:54 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

She was truly lovely, wasn't she?

Grand Old Movies, I need to see those films she made with Louis Hayward! I have them in my collection. So many movies, so little time...!

Best wishes,
Laura

11:47 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Newer›  ‹Older