Eugene O'Neill and Lizzie

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:29 pm

I've never seen the actual play, but I had occasion to watch 'Mourning Becomes Electra' with Katharine Hepburn at 3am the other morning. The movie version reminded me of every rampant rumor about the case.

The lead character of the movie is Lavinia, called Vinnie (compare with Lizzie). There are even supporting characters named Joseph Borden and Mrs. Borden. There's incest, there's poison, there's murder, adultery, illegitimacy, sexual jealousy, you name it--no axe.

While I know Eugene O'Neill had many ties to Southern New England, I was especially curious about a Lizzie connection when I learned that Eugene's father, James starred in the movie version of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' which also featured Nance O'Neill.

James O'Neill played the role of Edmund Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, at least 6000 times on stage, but I could not find any information whether Nance ever worked with him on stage as well. But again, it's made me curious.

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:17 am

While the movie version had Josiah Borden and Mrs. Borden, several stage productions changed the name from Mrs. Borden to Emma Borden. Jocelyn Brando once played "Emma".

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:43 pm

Yes, I was fascinated to have spotted that direct use of the name "Borden" a few years ago when I watched the rather odd film version with Roz Russell. The wife of Mr. Borden is, in fact, listed as "Emma" in many published versions of the play. Gene probably thought "Lizzie" would be going too far!

Also, the mythical/historic murder of Agamemnon, which is the event that the plays (there are three; they are a trilogy) are based on, was accomplished with an axe; as Victoria Lincoln reminds us of ladies with axes, "The Greeks had Clytemnestra; we have Lizzie."

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:10 pm

I somehow imagine Eugene hanging around the set watching his father in the filming of "The Count of Monte Cristo." He meets Nance, and they strike up a conversation.

"Did I ever tell you I knew Lizzie Borden?" asks Nance. "Lizzie was normal, but that sister Emma was a prig!"

Lizzie's nemesis was Edwin H. Porter. One of the directors of the film was Edwin S. Porter. If you do enough research of this era, it begins to seem like everyone is related to everyone else. Instead of Six Degrees of Separation, there seem to be about three.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:42 am

Yes, I remember when Edwin S. Porter was providing a confusion of names.

Lizzie was 3 degrees separate from Jack the Ripper* and 1 degree separate from HHHolmes and 2 degrees separate from the Leopold & Loeb case. (Her visit to the Chicago Columbian Expostion is what ties her to the latter 2 cases).

*Nance to Hickman, Hickman to Irving, Irving to Sickert.

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:23 pm

Don't forget. There is a lady involved with movie making in Hollywood who's name is Lizzie Borden. I'll bet she get's razzed.

-1bigsteve (o:

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 7:32 am

She makes porno movies and she picked the name Lizzie Borden herself (her original name was Linda Borden). So, if she gets 'razzed', it's because of her her own doing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Borden_(filmmaker)

Tracy...

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:57 pm

Yeah I bet she does get razed because she was the one who picked the name lol!!

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:24 pm

Porno films?

First she hacks up her parents and now she is into porno flicks! I alway's knew that Borden girl would end up being no good. But would any body listen to me? Of course not. Porno flicks, I mean really!

-1bigsteve (o:

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:41 pm

Porno films?

First she hacks up her parents and now she is into porno flicks! I alway's knew that Borden girl would end up being no good. But would any body listen to me? Of course not. Porno flicks, I mean really!

-1bigsteve (o:

Yes Steve...you are the one who mentioned her, remember ?

Don't forget. There is a lady involved with movie making in Hollywood who's name is Lizzie Borden. I'll bet she get's razzed.

-1bigsteve (o:

Tracy...

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:43 pm

Who me?

I wonder if she uses hatchets in her films? I guess she would have to be very careful so nothing get's chopped off... Ohhhh

-1bigsteve (o:

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:47 pm

Mon Dieu @ calling a "porno queen" an actress.

But then of course most women are called upon to do some some serious performing at times....

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:58 pm

There's quite a few Lizzie Bordens.

There Lizzy Borden the porno star.

Lizzie Borden the movie director, screenwriter, editor, camera operator, etc.

The Lizzy Borden band, heavy metal music I think but I'm not a fan of that type of music

and last but not least Lizzie Borden and The Axes, I believe an all-girl band from New England

The last one has a web site at: http://www.elizabethborden.com/ Turn down your sound before going there.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:24 pm

Who me?

I wonder if she uses hatchets in her films? I guess she would have to be very careful so nothing get's chopped off... Ohhhh

-1bigsteve (o:

I was thinking this was going to be a serious discussion, but it seems to have gone to a different level...

Excellent info Harry. Thank you.

Tracy...