How Ann Blyth reinvented herself

BLYTH. One of Hollywood’s most beautiful faces in the ’50s.

The first time I “encountered” the oh-so-sweet and pretty Ann Blyth, she was anything but demure. In fact, in Joan Crawford’s Oscar-winning starrer, “Mildred Pierce,” Blyth portrayed the actress’ spoiled daughter, who almost ruined her mother’s life.

In it, she stole and then shot her mother’s lover (Zachary Scott), then let her martyr-like mom take the blame for Scott’s murder!

Blyth was an icon to Filipino colegialas in the ’50s. The petite actress was Irish, Catholic and very religious. In fact, she often participated in Fr. Peyton’s religious TV program, “Family Theater.”

Blyth is likewise known for her role as the self-sacrificing elder sister of scheming Joan Evans in “Our Very Own.” Farley Granger was in love with her, but Evans soon had her “tentacles” around him. To keep her family united and peaceful, she sacrificed her love for Granger!

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She was considered one of Tinseltown’s most beautiful faces: She was No. 2 to Ava Gardner on a list of exceptionally lovely celebrities chosen by cameramen and makeup artists.

Blyth was one of MGM’s leading contract stars. But, unsatisfied with stardom, she took voice lessons, then reinvented herself as a singing and dancing actress in big musicals like “Oh, Rosemarie” and “Kismet,” with Howard Keel.

Thus, toward the end of her career, she had successfully transformed herself into a musical star!