Susan George

This attractive, second-rank star of the 1960s has appeared in mostly inferior vehicles since the mid-70s. One of Susan George's best-known efforts remains her seductive work opposite Dustin Hoffman in Sam Peckinpah's ultra-violent "Straw Dogs" (1971), but she followed with the lurid likes of "Mandingo" (1975) and a series of undistinguished horror films that more or less damaged her career. Blonde, with a fresh, cleanly sexual aura, George was the daughter of show people and began acting at age four, including work in TV commercials and films. At age 12, she was in the London production of "The Sound of Music" (by her estimation playing nearly all of the female children's roles). George segued to playing teens and youthful roles in films, including her American debut, "The Billion Dollar Brain" (1967, although most of her scenes did not make the final cut). In 1968, under the direction of David Greene, she made her adult debut--complete with an "introducing" credit--in "The Strange Affair," nearly stealing the film as a kittenish, free-loving nymphet for whom Michael York is willing to sell his future. Her immediate follow-up films, such as "The Looking Glass War" (1969), went nowhere, and she headed to the USA to appear in "Straw Dogs." "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" (1974), in which she was racing car driver Peter Fonda's squeeze, proved somewhat memorable, but the actress then plunged into a series of awful films, which were the result of bad choices, bad career advice, or bad offers. By 1982, she was reduced to appearing in turkeys like the horror flick "The House Where Evil Dwells." Despite the presence of prestige co-stars like Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier, "The Jigsaw Man" (1984) proved a muddle.

After several high profile relationships, George married actor Simon MacCorkindale and shortly thereafter turned to producing. By the late 80s, the pair had returned to Europe where they formed Amy International through which they co-produced modestly successful efforts like "Stealing Heaven" (1988) and "That Summer of White Roses" (1989).

Filmography

Life Events

1958

Made first stage appearance "Heartbeats in a Tin Box"

1962

Early film credit, "Come Fly With Me"

1962

Appeared in the London stage production of "The Sound of Music"; by her estimation played each of the Von Trapp daughters during her run with the show

1962

Appeared on TV serial "Swallows and Amazons"

1967

First adult role in Ken Russell's "The Billion Dollar Brain"; part reduced

1968

Had title role in the controversial "Twinky"

1968

Co-starred in "The Strange Affair"; billing "introduced" her

1971

Garnered international attention as co-star of Sam Peckinpah's "Straw Dogs"

1973

US TV debut in a musical version of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (NBC)

1974

First US film, "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry"

1977

Made TV pilot "The Final Eye" (NBC), aired in 1982 as "Computerside"

1984

Starred in London stage revival of "The Country Girl"

1988

First film as executive producer, "Stealing Heaven"

1988

Last US TV appearance to date, co-starring role in the CBS miniseries "Jack the Ripper"

1989

Last feature film to date, "That Summer of White Roses"

1993

Appeared briefly in the Yorkshire TV series "Stay Lucky"; portrayed co-habitant of a houseboat; replaced by Leslie Ash

Photo Collections

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry - Pressbook

Here is the original campaign book (pressbook) for Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974). Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater.