Classic Hollywood Dream Teams

Who could forget Mrs Miniver and her stoic optimism in the face of imminent danger? She alone takes down a German soldier stealing from her kitchen during the raids of WW11. The scene is, however, not one of good verses evil but of a shared need for empathy and understanding because of Garson’s tender handling of the situation.

To all her roles Garson brought a humility and deep sense of compassion along with the nurturing instincts of devoted wife and mother. Walter Pigeon was the perfect husband to Garson’s loyal housewife. He was an alpha male with wisdom, humour and enough machismo to keep everyone safe and well cared for. The perfect foil for Garson.

The scene in the air raid shelter during the London bombing is a wonderful portrayal of a marriage of hearts and minds. These two are a perfect fit. In the shelter she makes tea and knits while he smokes a pipe and reads the papers seemingly impervious to the chaos all around. Throughout the war Mrs Miniver remains stoic, steadfast and true to her family, to her community and to her country.

Mrs Miniver and The Miniver Story are their best known films together but the others were equally as good due to that incredible chemistry.

Blossoms In The Dust was a heartbreaker with Garson and Pidgeon adopting a child from an orphanage. In fact Garson ends up running the orphanage from which the child came. The film deals with survival of the fittest yet again and the ability of the human spirit to rise above adversity. Something which team Pidgeon and Garson excelled in. Then there was Mrs Parkington in which they played a couple not quite so perfect in that Pidgeon’s character was a bit of a philanderer. The film is done in flashbacks throughout the Parkington’s long and seemingly happy marriage. In the end, of course, Pidgeon’s character realises that no-one can ever measure up to his long suffering wife.

What about Garson’s Madam Curie? Now there is a great heroine. The woman who discovered that radium could treat cancer. Who better to play this role than one who always seemed to have it all together in the face of a crisis? Of course Mr Curie played by Pidgeon is her rock as always.

This kind of calm optimism is what we need from our leaders now so that we can move forward from this time of Covid with our humanity in tact. The real heroes are the ones who deal with life’s challenges on a daily basis and remember that kindness starts within the home. So just like a team Pidgeon/Garson movie, let’s keep the homefires burning and look after those around us.

By Hybiscus Bloom.

© Bourgeoise Bloomers