Jane Wyman - Ronald Regan's First Wife

It is hard to describe anyone's style in one or two word.  And as we are trying to think of how to describe Jane Wyman's style we think of the word composed.  Composed whether confident or timid.

 I think most people my age first saw Jane Wyman when she played Aunt Polly in Pollyanna, a story about a little girl who played the glad game - a game where she tried to find something to be happy about in every situation.

Here's a clip where she explains her Glad Game.

But Jane Wyman was a well known actress ever before that!  And here are some of our favorite films with her in them.

In Three Guys Named Mike Jane is an airline stewardess and has to choose between three guys who love her.  Who would you choose?

In the movie Magnificent Obsession 1954 She is a widow who's very philanthropic husband dies when he can't get the emergency help he needs because it was being used to save a man who up until then had lived a very selfish life.  This movie holds a secret to happiness and is well worth the watch!

In The Story of Will Rogers 1952 Jane plays the wife of Will Rogers and we get to see through her eyes the story of a man who was humble and kind of afraid to take his place in the world to use his influence for the best good.

In Lucy Gallant 1955 Jane plays a business woman who starts her own store.  She is forced with the decision between being a business owner and being a wife and a stay-at-home.

In All That Heaven Allows 1955 Jane is a widow who falls in love with a man of whom her friends and family disapprove.  She has to decide whether to choose to marry the man she loves or live her life by other people's wishes.

In Magic Town 1947 Jane plays the editor and owner of a small town newspaper and James Stewart is a man who comes to the town for good, though secretive reasons.  Romance starts from there.

In Lost Weekend 1946 Jane plays the girlfriend of a man who is an alcoholic.  We get to see the how thoroughly addictions can destroy a person's life and the lives of those who care about them.  We see the lies, the deceit, the selfishness and the desperation.  We also see that their are choices along the way and that while people are still alive there is always a chance to change.  Adult themes.  Preview first

In Miracle in the Rain 1956 Jane plays a daughter of a mother whose husband has walked out on her.  For a while Jane is living her whole life to help her mother.  Then she meets a solider and the story changes.  - there are some adult themes in this movie so definitely preview first.

Here Comes the Groom 1951 is a delightful romantic comedy starring Jane Wyman and Bing Crosby.

In The Glass Menagerie 1950 Jane plays a very shy girl who has some crippled legs who has a mom who desperately is trying to do what she can for her children.  This is the first film version of Tennessee Williams play.

Sorry no trailer

Night and Day 1946 the musical of the story of song writer Cole Porter.  It is wonderfully full of the the songs that he wrote 

Jane Wyman made many other movies and I would think that they are probably worth watching.  All the ones we've seen her in are wholesome and explore life various thoughtful ways.