Career Katina Paxinou

paxinou in whom bell tolls trailer.

paxinou made debut @ municipal theatre of piraeus in 1920 in operatic version of maurice maeterlinck s sister beatrice, score dimitri mitropoulos. first appeared in play in 1928, member of marika kotopouli s troupe, in athens production of henry bataille s naked woman. in 1931, joined aimilios veakis troupe along alexis minotis, translated , appeared in first of eugene o neill s plays staged in greece, desire under elms. appeared in anton chekhov s uncle vanya , august strindberg s father.

in 1932, paxinou among actors inaugurated re-founded national theatre of greece, worked until 1940. during stay in national theatre, distinguished herself on greek stage starring in major plays, such sophocles electra, henrik ibsen s ghosts , william shakespeare s hamlet, performed in london, frankfurt , berlin.

when world war ii broke out, paxinou performing in london. unable return greece, emigrated united states, had earlier appeared in 1931, performing clytemnestra in modern greek version of electra.

paxinou (left) in brecht s mother courage , children, pantheon theatre, athens, 1971/72 (pff s archive).

she selected play role of pilar in film whom bell tolls (1943), won oscar , golden globe award best supporting actress - motion picture. made 1 british film, uncle silas (1947), features jean simmons in main female role and, worked in italy 20th century fox, played mother of tyrone power s character in prince of foxes (1949). after film, paxinou worked hollywood studio once more, again play gypsy woman, time in religious epic, miracle (1959).

in 1950, paxinou resumed stage career. in native greece, formed royal theatre of athens alexis minotis, principal director , husband since 1940.

paxinou made several appearances on broadway stage , television well. played lead in ibsen s hedda gabler 12 performances @ new york city s longacre theatre, opening on june 28, 1942. played principal role in first production in english of federico garcia lorca s house of bernarda alba, @ anta playhouse in new york in 1951, , bbc television production of lorca s blood wedding (bodas de sangre), broadcast on june 2, 1959.