Peggy Ann Garner and Richard Hayes Sitting in a Tree…

Posted by medusamorlock on February 22, 2007

Talented ex-child star Peggy Ann Garner and popular crooner Richard Herbert Hayes were wed on this day, February 22nd, in 1951. The pair met on the set of Peggy’s sitcom Two Girls Named Smith and their professional relationship turned into love for the show business couple. It was the first marriage for both, and a promising union of two appealing young performers with talent to spare.

Peggy Ann Garner was a show biz veteran, in the movies since the age of six, spurred on by an ambitious stage mother whose controlling zeal would later prompt Peggy Ann to legally petition to sever the professional strings between them. A soulful child with a quiet, earnest quality, Peggy Ann won a special juvenile Oscar in 1946 for her outstanding work the previous year, including roles in movies like Nob Hill and Junior Miss, but most of all for her amazing performance in the screen adaptation of the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, directed by Elia Kazan, in only his second movie credit. The movie also brought a Best Supporting Actor Oscar to James Dunn in his role as the alcoholic but sympathetic father. Dorothy McGuire starred in this classic 20th Century Fox film that some have said contains the best child screen performance ever — from Peggy Ann — and it would be hard to argue with her natural artistry.

Perhaps it was the depth of her performances which kept her from filling her Peggy Ann Garner and Richard Hayes Wed resume with typical cutesy kid roles; she had a rather selective Hollywood movie career as a child, making less than two dozen titles in a little over ten years, then segueing into the Golden Age of TV in a steady string of appearances in the many dramatic anthologies which provided early TV audiences the chance to see both establish stars and up-and-coming performers in a wide variety of roles. She studied at the famed NYC Actors' Studio, too, and made many stage appearances during the decade.

After the era of the anthology was over, she continued on into guest roles on popular series of the '60s such as Combat and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and even made a visit to the pop culture sensation Batman. Later in life she also worked in the real world in high-end real estate and automobile sales — a gal's got to make a living, you know — and unfortunately died in her early fifties from pancreatic cancer. In addition to Richard Hayes, Peggy Ann was married to intense actor Albert Salmi, whom she had met during a stage appearance, and once more in the mid-sixties.

Richard Hayes' resume is interesting, also. After hitting in big with several song successes, Hayes dabbled in TV during the '50s and also made a career as a game show host during the '60s, emceeing the daytime entries Supermarket Sweep and Name That Tune. For an entertaining look at his recording career, most of it for Mercury Records, check out this terrific website. Be sure to check out the photo gallery and Hayes’ record album cover with him in a shot glass sitting on an ice cube…wonderful! And his rendition of “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die” (which in the small world file is one of the songs that I linked to for my blog about Frankie Laine a couple of weeks ago) is terrific. Definitely watch the clip!

Richard Hayes is happily retired now after his singing, acting and broadcasting career, and fortunately Peggy Ann Garner lives on for us in her movies.

May I also recommend that everybody watch The Best Years of Our Lives tonight on TCM? It's one of those classics that has, I think, an authentic vein running through it, something that captures the mood of a nation like a moving time capsule. There are no performances in it that aren't special and touching, and every performer — even eye candy like Virginia Mayo — manages a nuanced touch that makes the movie still ring true more than sixty years later. Special shout outs to Fredric March, the always charming but here almost daringly adult Teresa Wright, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Gladys George and Roman Bohnen as Andrews' parents (in several heartbreaking — though that's not quite the right word — scenes), and the cool cat Hoagy Carmichael. Of course Harold Russell is also amazing, not just for what he could physically do after the injury that cost him his hands, but for a real acting performance that's much more than just documentary. Plus the movie has an wonderful musical score by Hugo Friedhofer. The movie won seven Academy Awards, and it's not one of those times you'll wonder "what were they thinking?" This one is a keeper.

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24 Responses Peggy Ann Garner and Richard Hayes Sitting in a Tree…

Posted By R. Meadow : February 25, 2007 10:59 am

This isn't in response to Peggy Ann Garner but a comment on "The Best Years of Our Lives" which also features Virginia Mayo in a supporting role and is one of the best things she's ever done. As a bored newlywed who barely got to know her husband before he was shipped to war, she's callow, manipulative and perfect as the woman Dana Andrews (her husband) now encounters upon his return home. And Steve Cochran as her new boyfriend is made for her. They make a flashy, sleazy pair and would have been good together in a remake of "The Postman Always Rings Twice."

Posted By Medusa : February 25, 2007 3:38 pm

I agree! Virginia is an amazing two-timer in the movie but you really feel for her because she was really only in love with Dana Andrews' uniform. And a woman in her circumstance needed to go for the dough, too. Hard to fault her hard-hearted attitude, and she is terrific in the role. She makes such a great foil for Teresa Wright.Both she and Cochran have a coarseness that really works for the movie. It makes you feel even more for Dana who does have the odds stacked against him — poor upbringing, and now an ailing marriage — and makes his attempts to get back on his feet even more appealing. I love that whole part of the movie with his story, and Virginia is wonderful! Thanks for adding your take on it! :-)

Posted By ALPHONSE dATTOLO : August 29, 2007 1:45 pm

I FIRST ENCOUNTERED RICHARD HAYES ON THAT SHORT LIVED LONG FORGOTTEN TV SHOW THE BABY GAME WHICH APPEARED IN 1967 AND DISAPPEARED THE SAME YEAR. I CANNOT RECALL THE FORMAT OF THE SHOW BUT I REMEMBER RICHARD HAYES. HE WAS SO LUCKY TO BE MARRIED TO THE ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER WHO IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY FAVORITE ACTRESS. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHY THEY DIVORCED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. HE HAD AN ANGEL FOR A WIFE IN PEGGY ANN!

Posted By ALPHONSE dATTOLO : November 3, 2007 7:59 pm

PEGGY ANN GARNER IS THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHO EVER LIVED. I AM HER BIGGEST FAN AND HER UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE IN A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! LITTLE PEGGY ANN IS GONE BUT SHE WILL WILL LIVE IN MY HEART FOREVER!!!!!!

Posted By ALPHONSE dATTOLO : November 11, 2007 6:59 pm

A MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENE IN A TREE GROWS IN BROOOKLYN IS WHEN THE ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER IS CARING FOR HER PREGNANT MOTHER. HER MOTHER DEMANDS PEGGY'S ATTENTION AND THE LITTLE ANGEL SAYS " YES MAMA" 15 TIMES. A MOST RESPECTFUL DAUGHTER. PEGGY ANN WAS AN ANGEL ON EARTH AND I AM SURE THAT SHE IS AND FOREVER WILL BE AN ANGEL IN HEAVEN. GOD BLESS MY ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER!

Posted By ALPHONSE dATTOLO : November 17, 2007 2:52 pm

PEGGY ANN LIVES ON!!!THROUGH HER MOVIES AND MY PRAISE THE ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER WILL NEVER DIE. WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT HER SINCE OCTOBER 16,1984 BUT SHE WILL ALWAYS LIVE THROUGH A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN AND ME! MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP HER!!!!!!!

Posted By Medusa : November 19, 2007 10:04 am

You are right, Alphonse, Peggy Ann Garner was a lovely performer and will be long remembered.Thanks for your comments.

Posted By ALPHONSE DATTOLO : December 2, 2007 3:57 pm

PEGGY ANN GARNER WILL ALWAYS BE IMMORTAL BUT A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN MAKES HER THE SAINT OF HOLLYWOOD. IT IS TOO BAD THAT SHE HAD A HARD LIFE BUT ALL THE JOY AND HAPPINESS SHE GAVE HER PUBLIC THROUGH HER PERFORMANCES ON THE SILVER SCREEN MAKE HER AN ANGEL TO ALL WHO LOVE HER. PEGGY ANN IS WITH THE DEAR LORD BUT SHE WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND PRAYERS! PEGGY ANN GARNER – AN ANGEL INDEED!!!!!!!

Posted By ALPHONSE DATTOLO : December 29, 2007 1:10 pm

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE LONG FORGOTTEN MOVIE JUNIOR MISS. PEGGY ANN GARNER WAS PERFECT IN THIS MOVIE LIKE SHE WAS IN ALL OF HER MOVIES. WHY ISN'T A BOX SET OF HER MOVIES PRODUCED? SHE WAS ONE OF, IF NOT THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHO EVER LIVED AND WE SHOULD TRY TO KEEP HER MEMORY ALIVE. I RECOMMEND READING HER BIOGRAPHY PLAIN BEAUTIFUL. IT WILL YOU MAKE LOVE PEGGY ANN EVEN MORE. GOD BLESS YOU,PEGGY ANN YOU HAVE BEEN GONE SINCE OCTOBER 16,1984 BUT I SHALL KEEP YOU ALIVE BY SHOWING YOU THE LOVE AND RESPECT I SHALL ALWAYS HAVE FOR YOU,MY ANGEL!

Posted By Peggy Anne. : March 23, 2008 2:34 pm

wow. just wow you are like frigen obsessed is this normal? is it? honestly. i know im an angel i mean come on yall come nah im just burnin up the spot.. but im not an angel of hollywood no one knows who i am except you.. so good luck coolie and rock on.love,yours truley.. PEGGY ANN GARNERP.S THERE ARE MANY TREES THAT GROW IN BROOKLYN IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : July 5, 2008 11:56 pm

IF WE COULD ONLY FIND THE LOST TAPES OF TWO GIRLS NAMED SMITH, MY LITTLE ANGEL WILL GET EVEN MORE RESPECT THAN SHE ALREADY HAS RECEIVED.PEGGY ANN DIED WHEN SHE WAS ONLY 52 YWARS OLD BUT LITTLE FRANCIE WILL LIVE FOREVER. GOD BLESS MY PEGGY ANN!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : July 24, 2008 8:36 pm

MY PEGGY ANN LIVES ON. ALL OF HER MOVIES WERE GREAT. PLEASE VIEW THEM. PEGGY ANN IS MY LITTLE ANGEL!! GOD BLESS HER ALWAYS!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : August 3, 2008 1:11 pm

IT IS A REAL PLEASURE TO SEE MY PEGGY ANN IN HER MOVIES AFTER TREE. YOU CAN STILL SEE HER ACTING GENIUS WHEN YOU WATCH HER. MY PEGGY ANN-SIMPLY THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!

MAY GOD BLESS HER ALWAYS!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : August 13, 2008 8:51 pm

IT SEEMS THAT MY ANGEL PEGGY ANN HAS GROWN VERY POPULAR THIS PAST YEAR. I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DISCOVERING HER AND MANY OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE REDISCOVERING HER.

WHY NOT? SHE IS THE BEST ACTRESS HWO EVER LIVED! CHECK OUT HER MOVIES NOB HILL, BLACK WIDOW, THE CAT AND THE BIG CAT. DON’T FORGET JUNIOR MISS AND OF COURSE THE IMMORTAL A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN! PEGGY ANN IS GONE BUT SHE WILL NEVER DIE THROUGH HER MOVIES. THANK GOD FOR THAT! REST WELL, MY ANGEL! AND MAY THE DEAR LORD ALWAYS BLESS AND KEEP YOU!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : January 7, 2009 12:35 am

PEGGY ANN GARNER CONTINUES TO BE THE GREATEST ACTRESS IN THE WRLD. IT IS TOO BAD THAT SHE HAD SUCH A SAD LIFE BUT I AM SURE THAT MY LITTLE ANGEL IS ENJOYING THE PARADISE OF HEAVEN. ONLY AN ANGEL LIKE MY PEGGY ANN COULD PLAY THE PART OF FRANCIE NOLAN IN A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. GOD BLESS YOU MY ANGEL!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : February 12, 2009 12:29 am

MY PEGGY ANN-SIMPLY THE GREATEST!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : February 15, 2009 3:54 pm

MY PEGGY ANN WAS ON TCM ON FEBRUARY 8TH IN THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER PRODUCED -A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. DO NOT DIE UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THIS CLASSIC. I AM THE #1 PEGGY ANN GARNER FAN IN THE WORLD.

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : April 26, 2009 1:47 pm

MY PEGGY ANN GARNER IS THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHO EVER LIVED! HER LONG LOST MOVIES ARE ONCE AGAIN COMING TO LIFE INCLUDING THE LOVEABLE CHEAT. GOD BLESS MY LITTLE ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : June 7, 2009 1:22 pm

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE TCM SHOW ALL OF PEGGY ANN GARNER’S MOVIES AND PUBLISH A BOX SET OF THESE MOVIES. IT WILL SELL.MY ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER IS THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHO EVER LIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : July 12, 2009 12:26 pm

PEGGY ANN GARNER=THE GREATEST ACTRESS WHOEVER LIVED! END OF DISCUSSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted By Rita Dempsey : July 12, 2009 1:25 pm

came on this site to find my favorite movie A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Could not belive it is not listed for sale. Talk about great movies that are not being offered. I don’t understand.

Posted By #1PeggyAnnFan : July 31, 2009 11:08 pm

ACTUALLY ALPHONSE, I LIKE TO CONSIDER MYSELF PEGGY’S NUMBER 1 FAN. I LOVE ALL HER WORK. SOME MAY SAY I ALMOST WORSHIP HER. I PROBABLY KNOW 3X AS MUCH AS YOU ABOUT HER. MY AUNT KNEW HER PERSONALLY AND TOLD ME STORIES THAT YOU WILL/COULD NEVER KNOW. SORRY ALPHONSE BUT PLEASE DO NOT GO SAYING THAT YOU ARE THE #1 FAN WHEN YOU CLEARLY ARE NOT.

Posted By Alphonse Dattolo : August 24, 2009 8:19 pm

I AM INDEED THE #1 FAN OF PEGGY ANN GARNER. I OWN EVERY MOVIE AND TELEVISION SHOW IN WHICH PEGGY ANN EVER APPEARED. I ALSO KNOW MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT PEGGY ANN’S PERSONAL LIFE. I TRULY WORSHIP HER. THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT MY ANGEL PEGGY ANN GARNER IS NOT IN MY THOUGHTS.

Posted By Geri : December 13, 2010 1:01 pm

Where can I purchase a VHS tape or DVD of the movies Junior Miss and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I would just love to have these in my collection.

Thank you.

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