Seventy years in the past, the Hollywood studio system was in gradual decline, with fixed reshuffling in company suites and lowered attendance spurred by the rise of tv. By the 1955–56 season, the variety of US households with tv entry had risen to 71 %, up from simply 9 % a mere 5 years earlier.
As soon as the world’s greatest moviemaker, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was weakened by company warfare and on the point of collapse. Shortly after Joseph Vogel grew to become the studio’s third president in simply two years, a Time journal article summed up the state of affairs as “A Gunfight on the M-G-M Corral.”
Early in 1956, Arthur B. Krim and Robert Benjamin took full possession of United Artists after buying Mary Pickford’s U.A. curiosity for $3 million. In July, two of the three Warner Brothers stepped apart after Harry and Albert bought their inventory in Warner Bros., leaving Jack L. Warner as president.
On the constructive aspect, Cecil B. de Mille’s “The Ten Commandments,” which might be the director’s final movie, opened in cinemas on Oct. 5. Regardless of its then-astronomical value of $13 million, it went on to turn into one of the vital profitable and standard movies ever, now rating at No. 8 on the listing of all-time biggest moneymakers (when adjusted for inflation). In the meantime, Elvis Presley’s first movie, “Love Me Tender,” a Civil Battle–period romance, opened on Nov. 15 and made again its $1 million manufacturing value on its opening weekend.
With that, listed here are another cinematic firsts and lasts, with a give attention to feminine filmmakers, for 1956:
The comeback of Ingrid Bergman: After being exiled for nearly seven years, cinema icon returned to Hollywood to make “Anastasia” (1956); she had been banished for having an affair with director Roberto Rossellini and for having their little one. She gained her second Finest Actress Oscar for this function as an amnesia sufferer who tries to cross herself off because the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia.
One and finished: Bergman bested Nancy Kelly, nominated in the identical yr for “The Unhealthy Seed” (1956), and who had gained a Finest Actress Tony for her function within the Broadway manufacturing. “The Unhealthy Seed” additionally served as Kelly’s final theatrical movie, and solely Oscar nomination; although her movie profession stretched again to the silent period, when she was a toddler actress, she made solely TV motion pictures and collection, and targeting Broadway afterward.
Additionally receiving an Oscar nomination, within the supporting actress class, was Eileen Heckart, as Hortense Daigle, the distraught mom of Claude, a sufferer in “The Unhealthy Seed.” The yr 1956 additionally marked Heckart’s display debut, with roles in 4 movies: “Miracle within the Rain,” “Any person Up There Likes Me,” “The Unhealthy Seed,” and “Bus Cease.”
One other “Unhealthy Seed” footnote: Though stage actress Joan Croydon, because the headmistress Miss Fern, made just a few tv appearances, “The Unhealthy Seed” was her solely movie function.
Swan tune for Grace Kelly: Hollywood’s princess, who claimed her crown when she gained the Finest Actress Oscar for “The Nation Lady” the yr earlier than, grew to become royalty for actual when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco on April 18, 1956. MGM organized to have her penultimate movie, “The Swan,” with its art-imitates-life storyline, launched on April 18. Her final movie, “Excessive Society,” a musical adaptation of “The Philadelphia Story,” starring Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, got here out in July.
Regardless of makes an attempt to lure her again to Hollywood, Kelly by no means made one other movie. Coincidentally, she grew to become the primary actress to look on a USPS postage stamp, collectively issued by the USA and Monaco on March 24, 1993.
The ripening of two tomatoes: Two skills got here recent off the vine in 1956: Brigitte Bardot and Jayne Mansfield.
Shot in September and rushed into theaters in time for Christmas, writer-director Frank Tashlin’s “The Lady Can’t Assist It” cemented the sexpot standing of Jayne Mansfield, a classically educated violinist who spoke 5 languages. (Her daughter, Mariska Hargitay, star of the long-running collection “Legislation and Order SUV,” explores the star’s advanced legacy in her 2025 documentary “My Mother Jayne.”)
Though Brigitte Bardot, the so-called Princess of Pout, had small roles in a number of earlier movies, “And God Created Girl” (1956) reworked her into a global film star and intercourse image. Shot in Saint Tropez in spring 1956 by her then-husband, cinematic flesh peddler Roger Vadim, “And God Created Girl” introduced in $12 million (practically $145 million in 2026) on a $300,000 price range. Bardot, who died on Dec. 28, 2025, at age 91, tarnished her legacy over time together with her right-wing views; a tribute to her at this yr’s César Awards (the French Oscars) on Feb. 26 was booed.
Goodbye, Norma Jean: Talking of sirens, Norma Jeane Mortenson legally modified her title to Marilyn Monroe on Feb. 23.
A rose blooms: Italian sensation Anna Magnani took on her first English-language portrayal in a Hollywood movie: “The Rose Tattoo” (1955). Tennessee Williams had written the function of Serafina together with her in thoughts, however she declined the half on Broadway, fearful over her lack of fluency in English. Magnani’s movie efficiency was extensively acclaimed, and he or she gained the 1956 Oscar for Finest Actress, changing into the primary Italian to win an Academy Award for appearing.
A pathfinder: Magnani paved the best way for fellow Italians similar to Sophia Loren, who, for her American movie debut, selected “A Boy on a Dolphin,” which was shot in 1956 however launched in April 1957. It was the preliminary manufacturing of Loren’s four-picture take care of twentieth Century Fox.
Extra Debuts
Different actresses, starting from future stars to supporting skills, made their movie debuts in 1956, together with:
Cicely Tyson: The longer term Oscar nominee (for “Sounder,” 1972) made her movie debut within the indie film “Carib Gold” as Dottie, a member of a bunch of shrimpers trying to find treasure.
Diana Sands: This actress, who costarred within the film model of “A Raisin within the Solar,” additionally made her characteristic movie debut in “Carib Gold.”
Angie Dickinson: After a collection of supporting roles on TV,the long run “Police Girl” superior her movie profession together with her first credited roles within the 1956 Westerns “Hidden Weapons,” “Pressure at Desk Rock,” and “Gun the Man Down.”
Carroll Baker: Following a string of uncredited elements, she scored her leading-role debut in “Child Doll,” for which she earned an Academy Award nomination for Finest Actress.
Patty McCormack: Reprising her Broadway function because the murderous Rhoda Penmark within the movie model of “The Unhealthy Seed” (1956), she acquired a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, marking one of many first occasions {that a} little one had been nominated for an precise Academy Award. Earlier than the Fifties, little one and teenage stars similar to Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and Margaret O’Brien acquired honorary juvenile Oscars.
Many years later, McCormack returned to the franchise, performing in a 2018 TV model and its 2022 sequel, “Unhealthy Seed Returns,” because the killer little one’s psychiatrist.
Births of 1956
Joan Allen: (Born Aug. 20) A founding member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, she is a three-time Oscar nominee: Finest Actress for “The Contender” (2000), and Supporting Actress for “The Crucible” (1996) and “Nixon” (1995).
Adam Arkin: (Born Aug. 19) An actor-director-producer and the son of Alan Arkin, Adam is greatest identified for his roles on the collection “Chicago Hope” and “Northern Publicity,” and the Coen Brothers’ “A Critical Man” (2009).
Steven Bauer: (Born Dec. 3) The Cuban-American actor-producer gained a SAG award for greatest efficiency by the forged of a theatrical movement image for “Visitors” (2000).
Michael Biehn: (Born July 31): The action-movie stalwart stays greatest referred to as Kyle Reese in “The Terminator” franchise.
Danny Boyle: (Born Oct. 20) The British filmmaker gained a Finest Director Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008), together with DGA, BAFTA, and Golden Globe honors for a similar title.
Kim Cattrall: (Born Aug. 21) The longer term “Intercourse and the Metropolis” costar had early roles in Otto Preminger’s “Rosebud” (1975) and “Tribute” (1980).
Leslie Cheung: (Born Sept. 12) A local of Hong Kong, the actor made his breakthrough in John Woo’s “A Higher Tomorrow” (1986). He died in 2003.
Bryan Cranston: (Born March 7): A seven-time Emmy winner for the collection “Breaking Unhealthy” (which he additionally produced), he acquired a Finest Actor Oscar nomination as blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in “Trumbo” (2015).
Geena Davis: (Born Jan. 21) The “Thelma & Louise” costar (and Finest Actress Oscar nominee for this movie) gained a Finest Supporting Actress Oscar for “The Unintentional Vacationer” (1987) and gained the 2020 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award Oscar.
Bo Derek: (Born Nov. 20) American actress greatest identified for her breakout function as Dudley Moore’s object of want in “10” (1979).
Carrie Fisher: (Born Oct. 21) Daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, she launched the function of Princess Leia within the “Star Wars” (1977) unique trilogy, wrote best-selling novels, acclaimed screenplays, and was a script physician. She died in 2016.
Andy Garcia: (Born April 12) The Cuban-American actor-director-producer acquired a supporting actor nomination for “The Godfather, Half III” (1990) and has gained two ALMAs, for greatest supporting actor in “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and the 2006 Anthony Quinn Achievement Award in Movement Footage.
Mel Gibson: (Born Jan. 3) The actor-director-producer gained two Oscars (greatest image and director) for “Braveheart” (1995).
Linda Hamilton: (Born Sept. 26) Finest referred to as Sarah Connor within the “Terminator” franchise.
Tom Hanks: (Born July 9) Actor-director-producer, a two-time Finest Actor Oscar winner for “Philadelphia” (1993) and “Forrest Gump” (1994), he’s additionally the recipient of the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Movie Institute.
Nicholas Hytner: (Born Could 7) The British-born director of “The Insanity of King George” (1994), he’s a BAFTA winner of the Alexander Korda Award for Finest British Movie 1995.
Nathan Lane: (Born Feb. 3) The Broadway mainstay made his film breakthrough because the voice of Timon the meerkat in Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994), adopted by Albert in “The Birdcage” (1996).
Man Maddin: (Born Feb. 28) The Canadian-born filmmaker is greatest identified for steering “The Saddest Music within the World” (2003) and “My Winnipeg” (2007).
Lesley Manville: (Born March 12) British actress identified for her work with director Mike Leigh was a supporting actress nominee for “The Phantom Thread” (1997).
Eric Roberts: (Born April 18) American actor, brother of Julia Roberts, he was a greatest supporting actor nominee for “Runaway Practice” (1985).
Mimi Rogers: (Born Jan. 27) The American actress-producer broke by way of with “Somebody to Watch Over Me” (1987).
Christoph Waltz: (Born Oct. 4) The Austrian-German actor-producer has gained two supporting actor Oscars, each for Quentin Tarantino movies: “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) and “Django Unchained” (2012).
Rita Wilson: (Born Oct. 26) Actress-producer (and second spouse of Tom Hanks), she organized a film deal for Nia Vardalos’ “My Huge Fats Greek Marriage ceremony” (2002), one of many top-grossing impartial movie hits of all time.
Deaths of 1956
Anne Crawford: (Died Oct. 17) The Scottish actress, greatest identified for MGM’s “Knights of the Spherical Desk” (1953), succumbed to leukemia at age 33.
Jehanne D’Alcy: (Died Oct. 14) Finest referred to as the mistress and eventual spouse of French cinema pioneer Georges Méliès, D’Alcy acted in Méliès’ “Le Manoir du diable” (1896), “Jeanne d’Arc” (1900), and “Le Voyage dans la lune” (1902). In Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” (2011), D’Alcy is portrayed by actress Helen McCrory.
Marie Doro: (Died Oct. 9) The American actress of the early silent movie period (“The Coronary heart of Nora Flynn,” “The White Pearl”) was identified for her magnificence and performances each on Broadway and in early cinema. Some of the standard actresses of the Edwardian period, she segued from the stage to silent movies between 1915 and 1924.
Ruth Draper (Died Dec. 30): The American actress and dramatist, thought to be the mom of the monologue, was greatest identified for “The Italian Lesson,” a day-in-the-life of a rich matron in the course of the Jazz Age.
Edith Edwards: (Died March 6) The German-born actress was identified for “The Love Pirate” (1925), produced by Germany’s UFA, with Rudolph Maté as considered one of its three cinematographers.
Marion Leonard: (Died Jan. 9) The silent movie star was identified for the Biograph Studios’ manufacturing of “In Outdated California” (1910), the primary film ever filmed in Hollywood. Leonard and Florence Auer have been the primary main girls of Biograph, working commonly for D.W. Griffith. Together with her husband, writer-director Stanner E.V. Taylor, Leonard began her personal manufacturing firm.
Katherine MacDonald: (Died June 4) An enormous field workplace attraction for First Nationwide Footage in the course of the silent period, the American star was one of many first actresses to arrange her personal manufacturing firm, Katherine MacDonald Footage (1919–1921).
Mary Mersch: (Died Feb. 26) Actress identified for “The Rainbow Path” (1918) and “Riders of the Purple Sage” (1918).
Mistinguett: (Died Jan. 5) Born as Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois, the French actress-singer was greatest identified for her time on the Moulin Rouge, the Paris cabaret based in 1889. However she made a number of motion pictures, beginning within the silent period, when she portrayed Éponine in a model of “Les Misérables” (1913).
Mary Warren: (Died Aug. 4) The silent period actress was married to fellow actor Lee Phelps, who, with 600 confirmed roles over 35 years, is amongst Hollywood’s most prolific however just about unknown supporting gamers.
Margaret Wycherly: (Died June 6) The English actress had roles on Broadway and in Hollywood, most notably as Ma Jarrett in “White Warmth” (1949), immortalized with the dying phrases of son Cody Jarrett (James Cagney): “Made it, Ma! Prime of the world!”
