Redheads in Film?

[tedg]

I'm involved in a multifacted research project, the easy part of which involves discovering redhead female roles in film. Can anyone help with this?

Best, Ted

[pmw]

Odd, but interesting. How about Julianne Moore and Molly Ringwald for starters? Kind of curious to hear more about what youre doing...

[tedg]

I am past the beginning stage of a large project to design a next generation user interface for a class of practical knowledge representation problems.

A key strategy is the use of film abstractions that have evolved. These are supposed to be more natural for the average person.

We are focusing on three areas. The two most important are tough, but we know to go aboutthe work.

The third is less revolutionary, but involves a screen avatar. We think a redhead woman carries certain characteristics. For this, we need help on who and where these appear in just as a matter of scale. We cannot afford to watch all films just for the redhead piece. That's why I asked.

The response has been underwhelming here, I'm afraid.

Best, Ted

[pmw]

Well, underwhleming...ok...here are some more. hope this helps:

Shirley Maclain
Julia Roberts
Bette Midler
Susan Hayward
Franka Potente
Julianne Moore
Rita Hayworth
Katharine Hepburn
Nicole Kidman
Molly Ringwald
Susan Sarandon

[tedg]

Thanks. I have those.

What I really need help with is the per film stuff and non-blockbusters. For instance, Amanda Plummer in "Fisher King", Moreau in "Queen of the Damned," Alyson Hannigan in "Pie," Cate Blanchett in "Bandits. I've been taking notes, but far fewer than I need.

Best, Ted

[Ilker81x]

Anybody ever see "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral?" The 1955 film with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster...probably one of the worst historical accounts of the famous gunfight and the circumstances behind it, but still a good movie on its own. The female lead, Rhonda Fleming, one of the greatest classic film actresses I've ever seen, and one of the most beautiful redheads too.

[anniedoa]

i'm so shocked no one mentioned the redhead in last tango in paris!!!! what the heck was her name??? i loved her. i loved that movie. only a redhead could have been cast next to marlon in that movie. no blonde or brunette would have been able to pull that off. i'm sure the director knew the part had to have a redheaded female. i'm having a laugh thinking about what the casting call could have looked like!!!!! wow.

[Johann]

Maria from "Last Tango" is a good one...

How about Meg Ryan in "THE DOORS"? There's a redhead with fire to match..

[Ilker81x]

Meg Ryan isn't a redhead. I took it to mean we were talking about natural redheads, in which case Meg Ryan doesn't count.

Is that not the case? Are we just talking about anybody with red hair in a movie? Then how about Milla Jovovich in "The Fifth Element"? Sure, it's Orange-ish, but if we're not talking about natural redheads, then I say we should include those that weren't completely red either.

[dave durbin]

Ummmm, Ann-Margret anyone? The only woman who's been called the female Elvis? The woman who wore a hot pink ruffled top with matching Capri pants and gyrated in a teen club in Bye Bye Birdie! (A great cult visual I might add!) The woman who challenged Elvis in a dance-off to C'mon Everybody in Viva Las Vegas! The woman who rode motorcycles with Steve McQueen while shooting The Cincinatti Kid! The woman who bedded Jack Nicholson in Carnal Knowledge and received an Oscar nomination for her work! The woman who writhed around in white soap suds, baked beans, and melted dark chocolate while straddling a phallic-looking silk pillow in The Who's Tommy! (Another Oscar nod I might add and eat your f****** heart out Madonna!) The woman who gave a great dramatic performance alongside Anthony Hopkins in the forgotten suspense thriller Magic! The woman who did a mean duet with Tina Turner on Proud Mary for a television special back in the seventies! The wildest, most exciting, dynamic redhead of all time in my book!

[Ilker81x]

Kudos dave on Ann Margaret. Good call!

[sansho]

She's already been mentioned , but top award must go to Rita Hayworth- immortalised in Gilda. Some never forgave Orson Welles (her one-time hubby) for shearing offf and bleaching her flowing locks in Lady from Shanghai- though she was still beautiful in that, too.

[rocketrogerhood]

Lucille Ball

[Johann]

Rita Hayworth. Totally forgot about her. (I've slapped myself)

She gets my vote as the greatest redhead in the history of film. Gilda is a film that must be seen over and over. You will fall in complete love with Gilda. (the character and the film) I particularly love the scene in the casino after hours when she is strumming a guitar singing "Put the blame on Mame".


My favorite line?: Gilda to Johnny Farrell (her former flame)

"Oh I'm sorry, "Johnny" is such a hard name to remember. And so easy to forget..."


Orson, you lucky dog. How did you let her get away?

[stevetseitz]

Doesn't Sissy Spacek have reddish hair?

[Ilker81x]

I think Sissy Spacek is a strawberry blonde, but I could be wrong. I haven't seen her in that many movies...

[oscar jubis]

Ms. Spacek was definitely a redhead for her first starring role in Terrence Malick's Badlands opposite Martin Sheen, who annoys her by asking if they call her "red". Ms. Spacek has been married to Jack Fisk, Bandlands' art director, for almost 30 years. Spacek, Sheen and Malick's eye for visual composition more than make up for the inconsistent script.

[stevetseitz]

If I remember correctly Spacek was also a redhead in "Prime Cut" a very good hard-boiled Lee marvin picture if you can find it.