R.I.P. Marsha Hunt: Mary Bennet Actress in 1940’s Cinematic Treatment of Pride and Prejudice
Marsha Hunt as Mary Bennet
Marsha Hunt, Pride and Prejudice’s Mary Bennet in the classic 1940 film, died a few weeks ago at 104 years of age. Those of us of a certain age recall this first full feature film of Pride and Prejudice well (view a description on IMBD). This flawed (yes, FLAWED classic in my opinion – the comments in this post, including mine, are quite heated. Many readers and classic film aficionados have disagreed with my opinions) introduced the Bennets and Mr Darcy in full black and white glory in a Mr Dickens wonderland. Still, Marsha’s Miss Mary left an indelible memory in my mind – the middle child, striving to compete awkwardly but in her own way with her more noticed and beautiful sisters – struck much empathy in my heart.
The female costumes in this film were awful, for they were NOT vintage 1813, when P&P was published, but were repurposed from another studio film that dated in the Victorian era. Greer Garson’s advanced age (36) in playing Elizabeth had me snort wine out of my nose. Laurence Olivier as Mr Darcy (and the same age as his character) looked as if he fought a burr in his pants throughout the entire production. (He was unhappy with Greer, wanted Vivien Leigh to play the part, but the studios nixed this because of their scandalous love affair, which would be no more than rubbish today.)
In addition, the film’s ending was changed in a manner that defied Jane’s intentions: Lady Catherine de Bourgh was the Deux et Machina who reunited Darcy and Elizabeth in marriage. When I saw that scene, I could no longer hold in my popcorn. (This JASNA article from 1986 holds a different view from mine. It was written years before subsequent adaptations when 1800’s Regency empire fashions were accepted as romantic and accurate by contemporary audiences.)
Marsha Hunt
This P&P adaptation IMO was not a Jane Austen adaptation – it was a fantasy Hollywood re-creation. I don’t care how much Aldous Huxley was/is admired – he messed with my Jane. Marsha Hunt is still my most memorable Mary (She acted in over 60 films in her career). Whose Mary is your favorite in subsequent P&P film adaptations? Informed minds want to know!
IMBD Obituary of Marsha Hunt.
Now Available: Jane Austen: Connecting the Dots (Her Letters Explained), Edited by Harvey T. Dearden
How could any book compete with Deirdre Le Fay’s 4th edition of the Jane Austen’s Letters, I wondered? None in my opinion, for her last edition provides all the information I needed when reading Austen’s letters. YET. Harvey T. Dearden assembled a resource of her letters for people new to Austen who wanted an annotated edition that was easy to use and follow.
Let’s be honest. Le Faye’s excellent book is hard to use. While her content includes the letters, abbreviations and citations, notes, general notes, select bibliography, biographical index, topographical index, subject index, and general index – the size and arrangement of the book is awkward. I experienced a lot of back and forthing, and needed to tag the pages when reviewing the history and details of the letters. Le Faye’s research is definitive and the best in the business, but the hard book is difficult to use because its size is small (8 ¾” x 5 ½” x 2 ½ “) and incredibly thick (667 pages). One cannot keep the book open without breaking its spine and placing heavy weights on it to read it while taking notes.
Mr Dearden’s new edition introduces the letters to a newer reading audience. His annotations are simpler, his book’s contents are more straightforward, and the size of his paperback allows the book to lay flatter, while the font size s larger. In short order, Jane Austen: Connecting the Dots (Her Letters Explained) target an audience of Austen fans who are curious to know more about Austen’s personal life, thoughts, and family and friend connections in a relaxed manner.
Mr Dearden’s book is designed for Austen fans. Ms LeFaye’s book is the definitive scholarly edition of Austen’s letters. Her book is rich with scholarly information; Mr Dearden’s book is easy to handle and use.
Find Jane Austen: Connecting the Dots book by Harvey T. Dearden at Amazon UK.
For US citizens, enter the title of the book and author in Amazon US. This works best if you already subscribe to Amazon Prime.
Jane Austen's World 
She loved a really long life.
denise
And a successful career as an actress, even if it wasn’t A-list.
The book doesn’t appear in Amazon US.
Hi Lisa, Do you have an Amazon US prime account? This is what I typed in https://wordpress.com/post/janeaustensworld.com/35008 and the book choice came up.
I have totally erased this version from my memory as I thought it was so bad. My favourite Mary is in the 2005 film, just because she was pretty and did not wear glasses as in canon. Though my favourite P&P version is the 1980 one. I find the 1995 and 2005 versions unwatchable.
I also fell in love with the 1980 P&P version. Good choice. I like 1995 because it is the only adaptation that provides 6 episodes, which pays homage to the novel. The ending in 2005 was awful and embarassing, among many other egregious changes (pigs running through Longbourn? Really?)
The 1940 version of P&P was my first introduction to on-screen productions of Jane Austen’s novels. Regardless of the Hollywood influence (as opposed to the more modern pressures of sex and violence), I found the casting to be wonderful and interaction of the characters and the timing of their deliveries to be sublime and more believable than in the clothes horse costume dramas of more recent times. It reminded me of watching Jessie Norman’s portrayal of the teen Elsa in Wagner’s Tannhauser-once the initial shock wears off you become enchanted by the performance.
Yes, the performances are wonderful, but more 1939-40 Hollywood/Huxley than Austen. The many changes in the script – especially the ending – and Olivier’s wooden acting do not meet my expectations.
Age means nothing if the acting is great and you’ll notice it if it isn’t.
Sadly, I noticed my lack of response to her acting. While a great actress, Greer was no ingenue – simply the major star that Louis B Mayer, one of the most powerful tycoons in the film industry at that time, promoted. Call me a cynic, but I think a role as Mrs Gardner, not Lizzie, would have been more apropos.
Re: Jane Austen’s Letters
Another point if I may – all clarifying notes are provided on page, either embedded in the text (if not judged intrusive) or as a footnote – no need to refer to appendices.