Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Jane Wyman was largely relegated to the roles of the dumb blonde best friend character. She didn't really have too many opportunities to prove herself as a dramatic actor until her 1948 performance in Johnny Belinda, a film about a deaf-mute young woman who goes on trial for the murder of her rapist. It was a rare film for the time, one of the few that was allowed to frankly depict issues of rape and sexual violence when most films were heavily censored as a result of the strict production codes in place in Hollywood. Johnny Belinda has more than a touch of the melodrama, not an uncommon element of postwar films, but Wyman's strong and emotionally effective performance elevates the material into something that stands the test of time. She was awarded an Academy Award for her work in the film, and her career blossomed as a result, giving her the opportunity to go on to star in films like The Glass Menagerie and Magnificent Obsession.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
