A loving and revealing documentary about an extraordinary woman, this shows Ms. Hunt to be, among other things, a good actress, a fierce advocate of human rights, and a survivor of Hollywood's golden age with amazing recall. Generous with film clips and interviews of other survivors we're pleased to meet (Norman Corwin, Norman Lloyd, Walter Bernstein, Margaret O'Brien), it chronicles how she was blacklisted and not only survived it, but was motivated to become a force for good, in so many ways, notably as a hardworking UN functionary. It's also a sweet love story: After a brief first marriage (and they stayed civil and even worked with each other later), she met a perfect mate, the screenwriter Robert Presnell, and really did live happily ever after. She's such a force of nature that we're kind of left wondering what aspects of her we're not seeing, but what we do see is lovely and impressive and inspiring. Really, after watching this, you may be motivated to go out and volunteer for something.
12 Reviews
Viva Marsha!
theognis-8082112 December 2020
Hollywood's Loss was Activism's Gain
malgraf17 July 2019
After watching this wonderful documentary on the life of Golden Age film actress Marsha Hunt...I suspect that she would have left the Hollywood life and become an activist anyway. For those who don't know, Marsha Hunt was a very successful working film actress who by her 30's had worked in over 50 films and at almost every studio including the Tiffany of film studios, MGM. Unfortunately, the 1950's and its anti-communism sentiments took over the country and due to no fault of her own she was put on a blacklist. Go watch the film to get the whole fascinating story. One thing I must add that the film did not, was that I suspect that Marsha would have become an activist regardless of whether she was black listed or not. Marsha seems extremely intelligent and does not seem like someone who would have remained an actress anyway but I am sure she would like to have been the one to make that choice.
Inspiring Story of a Life Well-Lived
tardis43200212 July 2018
If you're a fan of TCM, you might know Marsha Hunt as a lovely, charming, and very talented young actress of the '30's and '40's (Pride and Prejudice, The Human Comedy, Cry Havoc), and you may well wonder why she never quite attained the "household name" status of some of her contemporaries. This engrossing documentary shows how she never left the movie business, but the movie business shamefully left her. (Like me, you may never again think quite as highly of Humphrey Bogart and John Huston.)
Fortunately, in some ways, the movies' loss was the world's gain, as she turned her attentions to many serious causes - hunger, homelessness, promoting greater understanding and cooperation in the world through the United Nations - while continuing to work as an actress on the stage. Eleanor Roosevelt became a friend and mentor over the years, and the documentary has comments from many well-known admirers attesting to Marsha's eloquence and persuasiveness on behalf of good causes.
The screening we saw was attended by Miss Hunt herself, 100 years young, and still recalling a trip she made with Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor to meet FDR in 1937 on behalf of what would become the March of Dimes. Living history.
This film should be essential viewing for anyone interested in Golden Age Hollywood and equally important as inspiration to lead a deeply fulfilling life.
This is one not to miss!
laureenharlow33327 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Sweet Adversity is an incredible documentary and both my husband and I were glued to it. We had recently moved and once our TV was plugged in this was the first thing we decided to watch and it did not disappoint. Not only does this documentary touch on the historical blacklisting of a Hollywood actress, but with the life and ripple effects that forced Marsha Hunt to make decisions that so obviously changed her life forever in ways I don't think she could have imagined. Via Marsha's own words, and those close to her, a life story that is almost unbelievable unfolded before my eyes. This documentary is told in a clear and compelling way so as to make the viewer feel that they may have traveled Marsha's life path with her as an unseen observer. The film clips and interviews blended beautifully to help me understand the intricacies of events that unfolded during her lifetime. The journey begins with her early life, where her parents' actions helped form and build a character that most of us wish we had, but few of us actually achieve. Not only did I learn how beautiful Marsh is on the outside, but I discovered an inner beauty, a talent, creativity, warmth and truth of character. The years presented during the blacklisting, where Marsha should have been angry and/or searching for some way to keep her career on its meteoric rise, showed a graceful strength where she stood true to her beliefs and to the truth itself. I almost cried for her myself when friends and peers caved to the pressures in order to maintain their careers. They followed the easiest course of action, sacrificing their honor, which then in turn left Marsha hanging by herself with nothing but the truth. Most of us would like to believe we would be Marsha in these situations, but I'm not so sure that faced with the same decisions whether many would be able to stand as true and tall as she did. The most amazing thing was that she went through this difficult period with such grace. Unbelievable! As the documentary moves past those years and Marsha had to decide what to do with her life the story just enhanced what you already had come to discover, which was that Marsha was able to think beyond herself and her own life, even with the loss of her husband, to become such a force for positive change to people around the world. Even though Marsha was so wronged with the horrendous blacklisting it did lead her on a humanitarian path to such wonderful causes like working with the U.N. So, in some bizarre way even though it was a horrible thing for Marsha to go through, her pain and suffering brought about positive changes that benefited so many by forcing her onto a different life path.
I thank Roger Memos for bringing this amazing persons story to life in such a clear and compelling way. I highly recommend this documentary to people of all types. It has great historical meaning, especially in today's climate of discontent, there was information presented that I never knew and on top of it all it was truly heartwarming. Thank you again.
What an illuminating documentary!
AlsExGal12 December 2020
I have to admit, I had no idea who Marsha Hunt was, and I have seen many of the films that she was in. It's not that she made a bad impression on me, just that she left no lasting impression in the films themselves. After finding out what a heart and a brain she has, I want to rewatch her films and see what I've been missing.
I've heard stories about the blacklists many times. Usually not in great detail. But this documentary really struck me. How ironic that the US would hardly be finished fighting fascism in Europe and then turn around and have the government and the film industry that it cowed behave like fascists in regards to actors and writers in their employ. They were literally blacklisting people because they had gone to Communist meetings in the 1930s. Versus what? Think what a great success capitalism was in 1935 as people were starving in the streets? And all Marsha Hunt really ever did was openly disagree with this behavior of her government, which is her right.
I guess what made this documentary be a such a standout was that so much of this story is being told by Marsha herself, not out of bitterness but as a cautionary tale. She's had the good fortune to live to be 103 as I am writing this.
She also goes into great detail about her trip around the world in 1955 and how what she saw on this trip caused her to work for the United Nations for many years. It is truly an inspiring story. And somehow Eddie Muller and film noir ends up part of the story too. Highly recommended.
I've heard stories about the blacklists many times. Usually not in great detail. But this documentary really struck me. How ironic that the US would hardly be finished fighting fascism in Europe and then turn around and have the government and the film industry that it cowed behave like fascists in regards to actors and writers in their employ. They were literally blacklisting people because they had gone to Communist meetings in the 1930s. Versus what? Think what a great success capitalism was in 1935 as people were starving in the streets? And all Marsha Hunt really ever did was openly disagree with this behavior of her government, which is her right.
I guess what made this documentary be a such a standout was that so much of this story is being told by Marsha herself, not out of bitterness but as a cautionary tale. She's had the good fortune to live to be 103 as I am writing this.
She also goes into great detail about her trip around the world in 1955 and how what she saw on this trip caused her to work for the United Nations for many years. It is truly an inspiring story. And somehow Eddie Muller and film noir ends up part of the story too. Highly recommended.
The Classy Effervescence And Enduring Legacy of Marsha Hunt
steve-belgard-117 July 2019
Just watched this marvelous documentary about actress and activistt Marsha Hunt.
If you enjoy Hollywood history, coupled with an unbridled display of activism and just plain unadulterated ballsy-ness, you'll fall in love with the ageless Ms. Hunt.
With a memory better than most people I know, the spry 101 year old (who turns 102 in a few months) reminisces about her life, entertainment career and activism. She talks fondly of her parents, going to Hollywood and becoming a leading lady in her first film, taking on the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC, a real "witch hunt"), being blacklisted (but refusing to back down), and opening housing for the homeless.
Just about everything in this Roger C. Memos' production rings true today and sometimes it was hard not to bite my lip with the realization that we're still going through most of this.
But in the end, there's the beautiful Marsha, Marsha, Marsha...who continues to fight for meaningful and righteous causes.
Long live this tough yet soulful lady.
If you enjoy Hollywood history, coupled with an unbridled display of activism and just plain unadulterated ballsy-ness, you'll fall in love with the ageless Ms. Hunt.
With a memory better than most people I know, the spry 101 year old (who turns 102 in a few months) reminisces about her life, entertainment career and activism. She talks fondly of her parents, going to Hollywood and becoming a leading lady in her first film, taking on the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC, a real "witch hunt"), being blacklisted (but refusing to back down), and opening housing for the homeless.
Just about everything in this Roger C. Memos' production rings true today and sometimes it was hard not to bite my lip with the realization that we're still going through most of this.
But in the end, there's the beautiful Marsha, Marsha, Marsha...who continues to fight for meaningful and righteous causes.
Long live this tough yet soulful lady.
Must-see documentary
sccates18 April 2021
I knew little of Marsha Hunt other than the few films I had seen her in - then I was informed of this fascinating documentary and I became aware of what a truly admirable trailblazer she was. The really wonderful thing is that Marsha is still with us and was very much a part of working with Roger C. Memos and his crew o f telling her story. My admiration of this lovely lady is boundless and I think this film is both informative and extremely compelling viewing. Talk about MUST-SEE -- this is definitely in that category!
Fascinating history!
garrettgla8 July 2019
marsha hunt's sweet adversity
mossgrymk28 December 2020
Good documentary that would have been better had its subject been less insistent that it not focus on the blacklist which, with apologies to Ms. Hunt's solid acting career and admirable social activism, is the only sensible reason to learn about her life. When it does deal with those horrible events of the late 40s and early 50s, though, this work is riveting with the anecdote, previously unknown to me, about the debasement of John Huston alone worth the price of admission. As a previous reviewer wrote I will have a harder time watching this first rate director and second rate human being's work from here on out. Give it a B. PS...Glad to know Ms. Hunt's still kicking. Wonder if she and Norman Lloyd ever get together?
Simply Perfect Film
shehutto18 April 2021
This is a engaging and interesting history of Hollywood and beautiful memoir of the spectacular Marsha Hunt.
I love historical films and was riveted from start to finish!
I've already suggested this documentary to my friends and readers of my blog.
It's a simply perfect film!
I love historical films and was riveted from start to finish!
I've already suggested this documentary to my friends and readers of my blog.
It's a simply perfect film!
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