Blyth wore a lovely deep, peachy-pink hued floor length flowing gown, and was a perfect guest on Saturday night in the Egyptian. Again, like in her "Word of Mouth" interstitial, she reiterated her admiration for Joan Crawford. Crawford actively participated in Blyth's screen test for Mildred Pierce which was directed by Michael Curtiz, and Blyth claimed that Crawford was helpful, gracious, and patient, and they continued to be friends through the years . Blyth also discussed how she enjoyed making the film because of the support she received from Crawford. Blyth was divine, and an excellent "Classic Hollywood" attraction. I heard several passholders remark about her guest starring role on The Twilight Zone concerning a woman who is perpetually young and beautiful. And on Saturday night, Ann Blyth was stunning, both for her beauty, her aura of kindliness, and her symbolic representation of her peers who have passed on.
And during the screening, when it came to the moment when Mildred slaps Veda for blackmailing the family of her ex-husband out of $10,000, the audience was clapping and cheering, and hooting and hollering. Veda is just a gal audiences love to hate. Osborne, I believe brought up the point that it was marvelous how Blyth was not typecast in "bad girl" parts, and went on to sing in operettas like The Student Prince. But during her flashy sequined number where she sings "Billy McCoy," you could hear some in the audience sing along with her just like we were all in Wally's nightclub when Bert and Mildred show up for "dinner."
At Thursday night's opening gala inside the Egyptian, Ann Blyth greets passholder Sam Mahin from Florida...
Check out the video gallery for a shortened version of her intro with Robert Osborne:http://filmfestival.tcm.com/about/video-gallery.php
