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A touch of grace on the screen: Grace Kelly

10 August 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
The actress who made waves on the silver screen with her serene beauty, Grace Kelly was born in Philadelphia, on November 12, 1929 into an affluent family. With two sisters and a brother, she spent her childhood in the Kelly home on the hill above East Falls, 3901 Henry Avenue. After completing her high school education in May 1947, Grace left for New York City where she was attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked as a model and TV actor.

She made her stage debut in 1949 in the Broadway production of The Father by A Strindberg. Her first film appearance was in 1951 in Fourteen Hours. The following year she played Gary Cooper's wife in the classic western High Noon and thus Grace became a phenomenon in Hollywood. In 1953 MGM signed her and gave her the second lead in Mogambo. She received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress for the role.

Grace reached the zenith of popularity when her beauty and acting skills were combined with Alfred Hitchcock's quirky direction. Dial M for Murder, an excellent thriller set in a claustrophobic London apartment, shot in 1953,

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was the beginning of the fascinating co-operation with Hitchcock, one of the best directors of that era. Kelly personified the essence of his quintessential "cool blonde" Their next movie, Rear Window was the most successful experiment of the genius director. Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont was unique and unforgettable. She was a star. However, Grace was getting tired of roles that mainly required her to look ultra-glamorous. She played the lead role in The Country Girl in 1954. The unglamorous and manic depressive role won her an Oscar.

In the spring Grace Kelly arrived at the French Riviera to play Frances Stevens, the part Hitchcock designed for her in the stylish To Catch a Thief. High Society, a musical adaptation of The Philadelphia Story, was her last movie. The song True Love, a beautiful duet with Bing Crosby, earned Platinum record.

In 1956 Grace Kelly married Prince Raineir III of Monaco, became Princess Grace of Monaco and left the film world for good. She became the best ambassador of her new country. She had three children. In 1962 Alfred Hitchcock offered her the leading role in Marnie but she had to refuse that. In 1977 she narrated a documentary, The Children of Theatre Street.

On September 13, 1982, Grace Kelly suffered a stroke while driving and was killed. In her words, "I would like to be remembered as a decent human being and a caring one."

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent