Pauline Collins

Pauline Collins has not stopped working since the 1970s. The lady is everywhere. Sadly, her work is most often on display in the U.K. Because of that her fame has not spread as far and as wide as many of her contemporaries. Today, U.S. citizens will most often catch Ms. Collins on Brit TV imports such as Doctor Who as Queen Victoria, or on Merlin, as Alice or even starring in a Woody Allen vehicle.

Still, there is one bit of work that American audiences will always recognize Ms. Collins for: Shirley Valentine.

Shirley Valentine is a coming of age story. The fact that the heroine is 43 years old and feels that she is way too old to come of age never stops the movie. Once she realizes that her duties as a wife and mother are over she sets out, against the wishes of her husband and children, to find herself once more during a holiday in Greece.

The movie is peppered throughout with Shirley's small acts of kindness. Shirley also displays a classy though fairly shy demeanor that is tempered only by the pragmatism that comes with experience and with age.

As a holiday in Greece turns into a way of life in Greece, Shirley learns that having yourself for company -and enjoying it- beats out being surrounded by people who profess to love you so long as you meet all the conditions they have in store for you.

Originally Shirley Valentine was produced as a one woman show for the stage. Having transferred the role from stage to screen, Ms. Collins never disappoints. Though the film offers a large cast of characters, Ms. Collins never wavers in making the audience believe they are the only one in the room. In fact, she makes certain to bring the audience in on her little joke as she slowly pretends to  "loop di loop." (That's Shirley-speak for bonkers!)

On stage Shirley's imaginary friend is "wall." In the movie "wall" becomes the audience. When Shirley makes you believe you are her imaginary friend, a real relationship is struck between Shirley and the individual members of her audience. When this happens you cannot help but care for the character since you now have an actual emotional investment in seeing her grow.

Though there are many both hilarious ("well you can tickle my tits till Tuesday") and tender moments throughout the film, one of my favorite scenes is a quiet conversation between Shirley and an old school chum played by none other than Ms. Joanna Lumley. Not to give too much away, Ms. Lumley's character is hardly an "air hostess." The scene slowly moves from awkward silence, to hilarity and then slowly turns back in a moving and sad new direction. Both ladies discover they had both secretly envied the other. Had they known their true feelings it is quite possible they would not have spent the intervening years alone, each wondering what became of her own youth.

Shirley Valentine garnered Ms. Collins an Oscar nomination. For good reason too. It would be impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. But, it would also be incredibly difficult to cast that role with an actress that did not have Ms. Collin's skills in the emotional toolkit department. To put it bluntly, the lady has some serious acting chops.

When I was picking a picture to send her I could not stop myself and chose this one from Shirley Valentine. In her case I also sent another picture. I included one of her as Alice in Merlin.

Both pictures are framed. One overlooks the house from the mantle on the fireplace, and the other keeps watch over me at work. Whenever I look at either picture I am always reminded to never stop dreaming.

Because of Shirley Valentine and because of Ms. Collin's flawless contributions over the years, both will always be great favorites for little boys growing up in Grover's Corners.