Jean Simmons

The power of her spiritual presence

A bit part in Ceasar and Cleopatra with Vivien Leigh in 1945 brings to the attention of then Sir Laurence Olivier the actress Jean Simmons who passed away yesterday at the age of eighty. In 1948, Miss Simmons portrays a heart rending Ophelia and the most definitive one ever seen on screen. At nineteen years old, she has held her own against this titan Olivier. It is a turning point from which she will rarely look back. Her beauty is one of grace and simplicity. Her portrayals exceptional as that in "Spartacus" and "Room at the Top" with Laurence Harvey. I will always remember her outstanding bearing and elocution, for some reason her dialogues still resonate within me as in those from "Great Expectations". I will always remember Miss Simmons in "The Robe" with Richard Burton where she is at the end of the movie dressed in startlingly beautiful white and standing by her fellow protagonist as the montage sees them walk together to heaven. Miss Simmons is my Lovemark for the power of her spiritual presence and her ability to make the differentiation that simplicity in the pure form need not be simplified practice. Her every gesture and word took on powerful meanings emanating from her sublime essentiality as a thespian. This day she has departed for Upper Jerusalem and that will be her most brilliant premiere. May this good angel find peace.

Anita, Canada - 24 January 2010