Like old movies? | Suite101.com

Posted by
Linda J Bottjer
Nov 13, 2006

Anyone else addicted to old movies? I'm not talking movies of the last 25 years; I'm talking the Golden Age of Hollywood. When it came to actresses'lives that read like a movie plot - Ava Gardner's ranks near the top.

Poor girl from a southern tobacco farm family rises to shine during the 40's and 50's in MGM Studio's galaxy of stars. Ms Garner was not only a stunning North Carolina beauty, but also a diva with attitude! Her salty language and refusal to wear shoes made even the toughest studio heads, like Louis B Mayer, take notice. And this was the guy who deliberately had his desk on a riser so he could look down at everyone.

Although she claimed to have little talent - Gardner starred with many of Hollywood's A-list male stars including Clark Gable, Gregory Peck, Tyrone Power and Humphrey Bogart. Her personal life too, involved some of the biggest names of the era. Within 16 years she had married and divorced Mickey Rooney, bandleader Artie Shaw and "Old Blue Eyes" himself...Frank Sinatra. She also found time to date such moguls as Howard Hughes. Having trouble remembering her? In 2004's "The Aviator"- Kate Beckinsale portrayed Gardner.

Despite her success in movies like "Mogambo", "Show Boat", "The Barefoot Contessa" and "Night of the Iguana" - Gardner never forgot North Carolina and they never forgot her.

In Smithfield, near her birthplace of Brogden, local fans began gathering her movie memorabilia early in her career. Their devotion, and items continued to grow until the Ava Gardner Museum was dedicated.

Less than 40 minutes southeast of Raleigh, anyone who remembers Ava or loves old movies is encouraged to stop by. Publicity stills, scripts, letter, movie posters and gifts from fans allows Ava's legacy to live on. Treat yourself to an hour or two of pure escapism next time you're in the Piedmont area.

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