“Can Bonita Save Her?”
“She was the woman that so many women in Hollywood wanted to be”- Paulette Goddard
Bonita’s career was slowly moving, yet, she was a household name. Her time in the 1940’s would be involving “saving” people’s careers. One of those people were Deanna Durbin (1921–2013)
Bonita’s kind nature, made her people’s first and last calls. It’s amazing when you read about how much she put people first.
“Bonita would talk with Deanna for hours, because Bonita was not only a good listener, but she also had just what to say to make sure you were not publicized badly,” Gloria Jean said. But Bonita’s charm and kindness, led her to be the woman who would keep Deanna’s horrendous first marriage out of the spotlight. She was not entirely responsible, but she helped for sure.
Bonita’s quick thinking, helped her understand what makes a good marriage, a good marriage. Bonita was not yet married, and yet, she did everything she could to save Deanna from ruining her career and her life.
Bonita’s other career she was saving was Judy Garland’s. Bonita had met Judy in the early 30’s and they remained friends up until Judy’s death in 1969.
According to Gloria Jean, in 1941, Bonita was invited to Deanna’s wedding, but confided in Helen Parrish (1923–1959), that she found Deanna’s new hubby a bit “strange.”
“Bonita had a great judge of character. She was like a dog, she could sniff out the bad people right away! Even if they didn’t show their true colors right away, she would eventually see them, and she was usually right!” Gloria Jean said. Bonita’s view of Deanna’s first husband, Vaughn, was always on pins and needles. She was polite, but in the back of her mind, she was praying that nothing would happen. Deanna’s first marriage was horrendous, and Bonita knew it. The thing she offered Deanna was a way to get out of this marriage. Though Bonita was not a firm believer in divorce, she was however, a firm believer in a happy and stable marriage. She knew that Deanna’s marriage was not working. She tried to be there for her friend, but even Deanna had walls that she put up, even with Bonita.
“Even Bonita, the sweetest woman, had her issues with Deanna. It’s not that she didn’t like her, she just didn’t understand why there was this wall that Deanna put up, when she really needed Bonita’s help,” Gloria said.
Bonita’s personality sometimes rubbed people the wrong way. Bonita’s kindness, would sometimes come across as “fake.”
“One thing Bonita Granville wasn’t, was fake. What you saw, is what you got, except when she played brats, she wasn’t that at all. But, when you saw her care for others, that’s how she actually was. She was a good friend to all who knew her,” Gloria Jean said.
When it came to Judy Garland, Bonita was a constant support.
Bonita and Judy never worked together, but they were incredibly close. According to Jackie Cooper, he said:
“Bonita’s heart warmed up and Judy caught it.” The two met in 1936 and Bonita’s personality shined. Judy needed all the friends she could. Bonita sadly didn’t understand the pill situation, but she understood that Judy just wanted to be loved and be accepted among the other stars. Bonita’s beauty, Judy seemed envious about. Bonita assured her that wasn’t necessary.
“She was told she wasn’t beautiful, but that was the opposite of true, she was beautiful,” Bonita later said of her friend, Judy. Judy Garland confided in Bonita about her abortion. Instead of judging her and telling her that she was wrong, she held her friend. Judy had wanted to keep the baby, but due to the studio and her mother, and her husband, David Rose, they made her get one. Bonita’s empathy kicked in. What if that were her? Jackie Cooper and her weren’t having sex, due to Bonita’s mother’s religious beliefs (marriage first, then child rearing). Bonita’s heart was breaking for Judy. Judy told her how much she wanted a child.
As far as Helen Parrish went, Bonita was the one who picked her up on Mulholland Drive after Forest Tucker, left her there without any explanation. Bonita’s gentle nature, comforted her friend and tried to give her all the love she needed.
Bonita was busy saving other people, and yet when it came to saving herself, she did her best to.
“She turned to God a lot, and she believed in a higher power. She really believed that if you were a good person, you’d get into heaven, but please do not take her kindness for weakness,” Gloria Jean added.
Bonita was not weak, but she knew how to take her “projects” and turn them into something good.
“Could she really have saved the world? Yes, she could have. She had that power too,” Gloria said. It’s amazing when you try to read about Bonita, but you never hear these “Behind the Scenes” stories. They have been resurfaced so people can see what really went on with the actresses of that time.
Bonita’s quick thinking made her a good friend to many people, and these people remembered her kindess, and did not take it as weakness.-
Rare Beauty: Bonita Granville
By Kate Arndt
