Former child actress Lori Martin died April 4 at age 62. Ms. Martin played the daughter of Gregory Peck and Polly Bergan in the classic thriller "Cape Fear." Director J. Lee Thompson wanted Hayley Mills to play the part, and admitted that he gave Ms. Martin a hard time during the film's production. Ms. Martin was perfect as the young target of Robert Mitchum's murderous and lustful assault. The movie scarred the crap out of me when I saw it at age 10. It remains far superior to the Scorsese remake. When acting opposite such heavyweights as Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergan, Telly Savalas, Martin Balsam and Jack Kruschen it would be very easy for a young actress to become lost in the scenery. Ms. Martin more than holds her own in the classic film. Her scenes with Mitchum are especially disturbing. I made sure both of my daughters saw this film when they were young to help re-enforce my messages about not talking to strangers.
7 comments:
Thank you for posting this dedication to Lori Martin. I was going to post something on her death at a site, but had not seen any confirmation of her death except Wikipedia and the mini obituary at the Madera Star online paper. I didn't want to accept that this lovely, hardworking lady had gone, but I guess we have to accept it now. I'd hoped it was a mistaken publishing.
You're a real sport, Rusty, for bringing some closure to this, since there was no cause of death listed, no grave mentioned, etc., and people are very sad at the news of this American West Star's passing. Thanks, again. Gene
HI Gene. Here is the link to her newspaper obituary. It was published under her real name, not her stage name.
http://www.sierrastar.com/2010/04/15/51978/dawn-breitenbucher.html
I have set up a site on findagrave.com under the non famous names for Lori Martin. I have also dedicated an official site to her on my own film website with the blessing of her son.
I can confirm that Dawn (Lori) did die as a result of a bipolar disorder of which she sadly suffered since the death of her husband in 1999. I have added this to the IMDB site for her fans to see. malcolmjames@london.com
Malcolm
I should havve said that Lori Martin's official website with the blessing of her son is at www.filmnoirliveshere.ning.com
I have also put a tribute site on Findagrave under non famous as they did not consider her famous anymore sadly.
Lori Martin now has her own Official Site at. www.lorimartinliveshere.ning.com
Funny, I just ran across this while blogging at another site. I had such a crush on her when I was a young teen and watched her every week in "National Velvet" on TV. Sad, very sad.
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