Many Happy Returns Maureen!

One of my all time favourite films, a perfect cast, a beautiful location with a lovely story directed by one of the greatest film makers ever born. "Will you be steppin' into the parlour? The house may belong to my brother, but what's in the parlour belongs to me."

Mary Kate Danaher.

The only woman I have seen put the fear of God into Victor McLaglen or Sergeant Major Timothy Quincannon or 'The Arsonist of Georgia'. "To my only rival, the United States Cavalry."

Mrs. Kathleen York.

Yes, I was in love with Hayley Mills, both of them and what a lovely mother they had, just like mine. It should have been a match made in heaven. "Don't you take that tone with me Mitch. I lambed you once!"

Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick.

Ah, ooh, yuck! That mud pit scene, that is when you can tell the men from the boys, if you know what I mean? "Are you going to stand there with that stupid look on your face while the hired help insults your wife?"

Katherine Gilhooley McLintock.

Also known as 'At Sword's Point' this version of the famous Musketeers legend would have had Dumas spinning in his mausoleum. Maureen was an inspiration to 'Tom Boys' all over the world. "I'm no lady when I fight!"

Claire (daughter of Athos).

A classic cast with a timeless story of 'Beauty and the Bellringer' and what about the finale? 'King Kong' without the aeroplanes and accompanied by tubular bells! "I never realized until now how ugly I am, because you're so beautiful... Im not a man not a beast! I'm about as shapeless as the man in the Moon. I'm deaf you know but you can speak to me by signs."

Esmeralda the Gypsy.

The wonderful Christmas story that made stars of the deserving Edmund Gwenn and the delightful Natalie Wood and heroes of the U.S. Mail Service. "Susan, I speak French, but that doesn't make me Joan of Arc."

Mrs Doris Walker.

As the most beautiful girl in the valley this role was practice for 'The Quiet Man' for Maureen. The first of five John Ford feature films that starred the lovely Maureen. "Look now, you are king in the chapel. But I will be queen in my own kitchen."

Miss Angharad Morgan.

Based upon the true story of Frank Wilbur "Spig" Wead (24 October 1895 – 15 November 1947) this was the last John Ford film that Maureen worked in. "Spig you got two daughters and they have lived in seven different houses and seven seven states and seven different years back and forth across the country and out of it too. Well, I'm just not going to move them anymore."

Mrs. Min Wead.

Based on a Graham Greene novel this 'spy spoof' was an excellent example of British humour at its best. Filmed in Cuba just after the Revolution, Maureen reputedly met Che Guevara in a bar and after some time found out that he was part Irish. "I know, he beats his prisoners, but he never touches me."

Beatrice Severn.

Young Maureen in her first starring role plays the niece of the landlord of a 'English Pub with character', actually lots of characters, all directed by Mr. Hitchcock. "That place - Jamaica Inn. It's got a bad name. It's not healthy, that's why. There's queer things goes on there."

Mary - Joss Merlyn's Neice.

'Big Jake' gets recalled to sort out the kidnappers of his Grandson who also killed his friends in the taking. Will technology triumph or the tough guy? The Matriarch knows best. "This is going to be a very harsh and unpleasant business, and will take an equally harsh and unpleasant person to see to it."

Mrs. Martha McCandles.

John Candy has two women in his life, his mother and his lover and of course there is friction. Ah the course of true love never runs smooth. After a twenty year break, Maureen still had that certain something. "You're built like a thirteen year old boy."

Mrs. Rose Muldoon.

In Maureen's second film with James Stewart Maureen is much happier as the widow on a mission, backed up by Juliet Mills as her daughter. Watch out for Brian Keith as he and Maureen used to get on so well in previous productions. "Now really, Mr. Burnett, you have a predisposition to violence of which I heartily disapprove."

Mrs. Martha Price.

It may have been Sam Peckingpah's debut as a feature film director but it was just another walk in the desert for Maureen and Brian Keith. "It's strange - I feel I know you better than any man I've ever known, yet I hardly know you at all."

Kit Tilden.

Henry Morgan is looking to Captain Jaimie to help him clear the Caribbean of pirate scum in this swashbuckler that stirred Saturday mornings at the Odeon for a whole generation. Maureen did not need weapons with those glaring eyes and sharp tongue. "Unfortunately, I have no pistols."

Lady Margaret Denby.

The first film that Maureen made with James Stewart and it shows as JS makes to steal all the scenes in this comedy about family issues. However he does not get it all his own way as the wife is a seasoned professional who has won scenes from the best in the business. "That's a fine way to get a date for your daughter, paying him $5."

Mrs. Margaret 'Peggy' Hobbs.

Whilst Maureen was a little caustic about her scenes with Jeff Chandler in her memoirs, overall this was a reasonable 'pot-boiler' Western about taming the Indians. The plot may have had holes but the cut to the battles saved the day. "You will follow the Chain of Command or I'll have busted so low you'll be able to walk upright under tables."

Elaine Corwin.

Another scintillating saga for Saturday morning cinema with Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. doing the swashbuckling, Anthony Quinn as the glowering villain and Maureen as the arabic cheesecake. "However you got in here get out quickly. Leave at once or I shall make Pirouze call the guards."

Shireen.

Miss O'Hara gets to use a Bullwhip in this Western where nothing is quite what it seems. Maureen, who has been a bad girl today then? "Sorry, ma'am. Back in Louisiana, when we meet any pretty ladies, we make love to them, we kiss them, spank 'em on occasion... but we never go around shootin' 'em."

Katie Howard.

Once again Anthony Quinn is the villain in this routine yet well paced swashbuckler where Errol Flynn is the aging hero, sweeping the seas of bad guys and girls. Maureen as usual is excellent as the curvey cut-throat with a soft spot for sporting sailors. "Should you fail, you'll look back on flogger Flower's lashing as a pleasant afternoon's pastime."

Prudence 'Spitfire' Stevens.