Mr. Movie: Shelly Duvall

Shelly Duvall was no great beauty. In fact, when someone said “Popeye” you would immediately think “Olive Oyl.” She was reluctant to play that part in the Popeye movie, having been teased with the name in school. And yet, who else would you cast?

Popeye (1980), like so many films made from comic strip characters, is just sort of okay. Robin Williams is fine as the legendary sailor, and those familiar with the comics will recognize Wimpy, Bluto, Sweet Pea and Pappy. Duvall simply IS Olive Oyl, and she does justice to the skinny heroine. The story meanders around and finally ends on Scab Island, with Popeye being saved by, of course, spinach.

Duvall’s first important role was as L.A. Joan in Robert Altman’s Nashville (1977). She went on to become a part of Altman’s stable of quality actors. This film is Altman’s brilliant snapshot of America. It is unlike anything before or since. It’s a crazy quilt of seemingly unrelated incidents, with a great ensemble cast (Keith Carradine, Henry Gibson, Karen Black, Geraldine Chaplin, Lily Tomlin), which somehow coalesce into a picture of how we were and how we are. A combination political rally and country music show is the backdrop.

Duvall had a minor role in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (1977). She is Pam, a friend of the couple. Diane Keaton is super as the title character, and Woody, as Alvy Singer,  shambles through the thing basically playing himself. As usual, Woody is a mess saved by women. The kooky clothing Keaton wore became a fad for a while. Keaton won the Best Actress Oscar and the film won three more statues including Best Picture. Allen was nominated, but alas was bested by Richard Drefuss for The Goodbye Girl.

Duvall is so very good in Altman’s Three Women (1980). She is Millie, the self-absorbed, talky center of the film. She won the Best Actress award at Cannes for her performance. The story is supposedly derived from a dream Altman had. I believe that. The film also stars Sissy Spacek and Janice Rule as the other two women. They all live in a dusty western town, and their interactions shift and change as the film progresses. It is more than a little strange; not to all tastes. but vintage Altman.

The Shining (1980) pretty much belongs to Jack Nicholson, totally scary as Jack Torrance, a sometimes writer hired as caretaker in a spooky mountain hotel. Duvall portrays Wendy, Jack’s long suffering wife. Jack slides into madness and tries to trap and murder his wife and son. Jack comes after them with an axe, shattering the door and uttering the now-famous line “Here’s Johnny!” Wendy and her son somehow escape her now murderous and crazy husband, fleeing on a snow mobile and leaving Jack to freeze.

All of the movies in this article are available to stream somewhere. Goggle the title and click on “watch movie.” All of these films are for grown-ups.