If you’ve ever seen “Dinner at Eight,” you know Marie Dressler. She played the funny role of Carlotta. I’ve always been very curious of Marie for a couple of reasons. One, she was a famous actress in her 60′s, at an age when most movie stars careers are dead. She wasn’t the prettiest, but you can’t help falling in love with her. She makes us all laugh with her facial expressions of outrage, boredom, and puzzlement. It was her ability to use her facial expressions and deliver her witty lines that made her a star. The audience loved her because Marie had the ability to play her roles which were not only funny, but human enough to gain their sympathy as well. Her human side shined through and through, and it resonated with her audience. She was truly gifted in every sense of the word.
Dressler started her acting career at the tender age of 14 in Vaudeville and Broadway. By the 1890′s she was known as a stage character and comedienne. In 1910 she was a hit in a stage hit called “Tillie’s Nightmare,” later adapted to film and Dressler stared in it, and in fact, got top billing for her role over her co-star in the movie, Charlie Chaplin. By this time Marie was middle age, but her career was on the upswing and none could be happier than she. She had hit some bumps on the road, but it never deterred her. Her determination is one we can all learn from. Although Marie made many silent movies, we know her more for her early talkies. As mentioned above the unforgettable “Dinner at Eight,” (1933) and her Best Actress Academy winning role in “Min and Bill,” (1930).
I love Marie because she didn’t let age or looks stop her from achieving her goals. If anything she joked about her looks, she once said, “I’m too homely for a prima donna and too ugly for a soubrette.” But she knew she had something greater, talent and she put her best foot forward and today, even after 76 years since her unforgettable role in “Dinner..,” she is loved by many. Many see her movies today and can’t help laughing at her expressions and witty lines. Enjoy the funny clip below from “Dinner,” truly unforgettable dialogue between Carlotta and beautiful bomb shell Jean Harlow.
2 Responses to “Why I Love Marie Dressler”
I just had to leave a comment and let you know how much I enjoyed your post on Marie. She’s a gem. I found her last August on TCM. They highlighted her movies one Monday evening. I came home from work at 5 and checked to see what was on TCM and there was Marie and I was hooked. I wish more were available on DVD. I just found your website and will take sometime catching up with all your posts. I have loved the old classics since I was young. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne are my favorites but I love anything from the 30′s and 40′s. I’ve just finished watching some Alfred Hitchcock movies – Saboteur & The Lady Vanishes. Boomtown is next. I belong to Netflex and love getting the movies from them. It’s great. Any suggestions?
Thanks Ann for dropping by! Yes, Marie was one of a kind. Like you, I LOVE classic movies. And like you, I’ve been watching them since I was a little kid.
As far as recommendations, my Lord I have so many, I don’t know where to start. I am thinking of writing a post in the near future featuring my all time favorites and why I recommend them. Look out for that post. Thanks again!