'Quiet' woman Maureen is still a star attraction
LEGEND: Above, Maureen O'Hara at Foynes Museum. Top right, as Kate in 'The Quiet Man'
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BARRY DUGGAN
HOLLYWOOD legend Maureen O'Hara this weekend recalled her favourite productions and most admired actors, as she took the starring role at the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the first transatlantic passenger flight between Ireland and North America.
Ms O'Hara, 87, was the star attraction at the Foynes International Flying Boat Festival which this weekend remembers the flight of the 'Clipper III' from Newfoundland to the Limerick port on July 6, 1937.
The renowned actress's late husband, Charles Blair, flew the last flying boat out of Foynes in 1945. Ms O'Hara recalled her flights across the globe in flying boats and said it was a memorable experience every time.
"I've flown all over the world in flying boats. It is wonderful. The take-off on water is very exciting. When you are up in the air, it is the same as being in any wonderful flying machine."
Ms O'Hara said the death of her third husband and experienced pilot, Charles in 1979 "came too soon".
"It is right to look back at history and reflect upon the men who pioneered new vistas in aviation to bring us where we are today. Like my husband, Captain Charles Blair, they all had a great passion for better aviation and never considered the dangers, counted time or lacked commitment," said Ms O'Hara.
Born in Ranelagh, Dublin, in 1920, her career as an actress began in 1939 when she starred in Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn.
She made her last film, Only the Lonely, in 1991.
"I made 63 films and five with John Wayne. He was some actor and a good friend," Ms O'Hara said.
"I have quite a few favourite films - The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Charles Laughton whose mother was from Co Cork. And, of course, The Quiet Man and Sentimental Journey which was a very sad story.
"The film about Santa Claus, Miracle on 34th Street, I especially liked and another wonderful one with the Duke (John Wayne) in which we both fell into the mud, McLintock. In leading men, she had a number of preferred actors.
"Well, there are a lot of them. John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Tyrone Power, Brian Keane and John Candy, with whom I made the last movie. John was Canadian-Irish and he was coming to Ireland to play golf after the film but God took him," said Ms O'Hara.
"I wouldn't name any of the modern actors or actresses as my favourites. It would be unfair on them as I don't really see that many movies so I can't compare because I don't see all of their roles," she said.
The Vintage Lady, was due to re-enact the 1937 transatlantic flight of the 'Clipper III', at Foynes this weekend, but its journey had to be postponed because of technical difficulties.
