Out of the Shadows: The Films of Gene Tierney

‘She has a very strong inner aura, and her eyes and face can convey emotions, much stronger at times than words ever would. She had that skill, which is really unique.’
– Cari Beauchamp, film historian

After her Broadway debut in 1938, Gene Tierney quickly made her way to Hollywood, signing with Twentieth Century Fox, where she made most of her films. The 1940s, which is the focus of our programme, was her decade. Through her various performances, including her standout roles in Laura and Leave Her to Heaven, she embodied elegance and grace; she was often enigmatic, with a tinge of melancholy or fragility, but always ethereally beautiful. Although often overshadowed by being named ‘the most beautiful woman in movie history,’ and by a life beset by a series of personal tragedies, Tierney’s on-screen presence remains mesmerising. This season showcases some of the many unforgettable performances that made her one of the most striking Hollywood stars of the 1940s.

Aga Baranowska, season programmer