Classic Movie Legend Tribute: Angela Lansbury

Happy Birthday to Classic Movie Legend, Angela Lansbury, born on October 16, 1925!

I have a confession: I am Angela Lansbury’s biggest fan. Ok. Maybe not biggest fan, but I am in at least in the 10 percent of Lansbury fandom. It’s no secret to those around me that I adore this woman. I own multiple biographies, playbooks, and films all centered around Lansbury. I pretty much think the woman can do no wrong and my ultimate Christmas present would be to see her on Broadway while I still have the chance (you can take that as a hint). One might even say I am an Angela Fangirl of some sorts. But, you know what, if I am going to be labeled a fangirl, at least it is for someone as worthy as Angela Lansbury.

Why is she so worthy? Well, she did defeat the Nazis in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and raised a kid on her own in Beauty and the Beast. Then there is a matter of all those homicides she solved in Murder, She Wrote. And, my personal favorite, the time she used her powers of manipulation and political strategy to, in her words, create a state that “will make martial law seem like anarchy,” in The Manchurian Candidate. Obviously, Lansbury, the person, didn’t perform any of these feats, but Lansbury, the actress, did. When on screen, she is both Mrs. Potts and Mrs. Iselin. When on stage, she is both Anna Leonowens and Auntie Mame. She can play polar opposites and do it as well as any other actress, living or deceased.

But don’t just take my word for it. Just look at her record. She has been nominated for three Best Supporting Actress Oscars, eighteen Prime Time Emmys, has won six Golden Globes and an unsurpassed five Tony awards. To sum it up, Angela Lansbury is boss. And to celebrate this legend of legends (at least in my book), let’s look at her three of her most timeless roles.

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Angela Lansbury in her most recognizable role, Jessica Fletcher in the hit 80’s TV show Murder, She Wrote.