Shelley had a personality type and kind of tacky manner that never appealed to me (other than in interviews and on television talk shows, when she was just speaking as herself, in which case she was down to earth and rather delightful); I've for the most part opted to bypass her films throughout the years.

A Place in the Sun is one that I've seen (in fact own on DVD), and that I enjoy her in very much. Shelley's performance in that is excellent. It beautifully showcases her softer and lower-key sides, and her sensitivity. She was perfect in the role of ill-fated Alice.

Agree Agree

Shelley's characters seem to leap from tacky ingénues into self-indulgent matronly "oy vey" -ers overnight, which sort of keep you channel-flipping for the rest of your fifteen-minutes of break.

True, she's good at "oy vey" -ing, but it's that wrong-side-of-the-tracks brassiness which doesn't quite warm up to entertaining you for very long.

Anyway, Shelley does a grand job in the Poseiden Adventure opposite Jack Albertson. You really believe their back-story as they tug you around by the anchor strings.

The movie itself is total horror except for its fine cast, but Shelley, Jack and the rest are so good that you somehow know that there's got to be a morning after.

I think that your description of Shelley Winters explains precisely why she always remained in the supporting-players realm and never managed to break out as a star, as her portrayals may have been real-seeming and compelling, however she (or at least the characters she portrayed), in general, lacked personal appealing-ness; there was typically that pervasive "poor relation" way about her that persistently tended to make her not the person on the screen, in her films, who charms, interests, excites, or appeals to you the most.

I agree, that Shelley is wonderful in The Poseidon Adventure; I love her in that.

Despite anything I have stated perhaps having come off sounding otherwise, I consider myself a fan of Miss Winters, as she was an excellent actress who gave a number of superb, memorable performances and who I always have appreciated the "realness" of.

Yes, and also relevant to this exact point would have to be your pointing out how interesting a no-frills conversationalist Miss Winters would come across in interviews.

Many may recall an example of this from Shelley's very popular anti-war stance on a "Tonight Show" appearance, in which she reports how poor little Beaver Cleaver was forcefully abducted, tortured and slain in Vietnam.

Well, controversy would arise around Hollywood circles, some claiming that Hollywood insiders know what fans all over the place know, with others claiming that Shelley doesn't know what she's talking, with others chiming into the discussion with torches and pitchforks, with many others offering sympathy to June, Ward, Wally and the schoolmates.

That goes to show the wide reach and impact of a Shelley Winters interview, and it may offer a bit of insight as to how future casting directors may assign her in roles of investigative rumor-mongering sleuths who may allow for little or no room for logic in their news campaigns although her characters often must run to first in line with the scoops.

Also, Miss Winters' long range tabloid headlining romance with actor Don Stroud didn't really signal much in the way of intrigue for stargazer minions--or--maybe it did, and not every last one of their fans could tell exactly any reason why.

After all, Shelley and Don did remain in the spotlight for a while and were both able to land a few plum guest roles on television series and talk shows thereafter.

Excellent and interesting points and observations you've made!