When director Stanley Donen released ‘Once More, with Feeling!’ in 1960, audiences received it as a stylish romantic comedy starring Yul Brynner and British actress Kay Kendall. On the surface, the film followed the chaotic marriage between an egotistical orchestra conductor and his outspoken wife. Behind the scenes, though, the production carried a tragedy that transformed the movie into something far more painful.
The film became the final screen appearance of Kay Kendall, one of Britain’s most admired comedic actresses of the 1950s. Kendall died at only 32 years old before the movie even reached theaters. Her death from myeloid leukemia cast a dark shadow over the production and permanently changed how audiences and critics viewed the film after its release.
Kay Kendall Had No Idea About Her Condition
It is a known fact that many terminally ill patients were not told the whole truth during the late 1950s. In the case of Kay Kendall, her doctors diagnosed her with leukemia but only revealed this information to her husband, the renowned actor Rex Harrison.
According to the advice of medical professionals, Harrison decided not to break the terrible news to his wife. Instead, he convinced Kendall that she was suffering from anemia, iron deficiency, and chronic respiratory issues.
The actress continued to work for several years, unaware of the fact that she had a serious condition. This sad reality was evident throughout the entire filming process of ‘Once More, with Feeling!’.
Related: Top 25 Romantic Comedy Movies, Ranked
Kay Kendall had no idea about her true diagnosis, but it was quite evident from the first moments of production. Not long after the filming began, Kendall had to be hospitalized because of collapsing on the set. The situation was so serious that Columbia Pictures considered replacing her to ensure the timely completion of the production.
Yul Brynner was against the idea of firing his co-star from the project. According to numerous sources, he delivered an ultimatum to the studio bosses, saying: “If she goes, I go.”
In case you missed it: How ‘Charade’ Made A Bizarre Quest For A Forgotten World War Fortune Into A Romantic Screwball Comedy
The Production Became Kay Kendall’s Farewell
In spite of the difficult situation, director Stanley Donen made some adjustments to the schedule. In order to keep the production going, some filming took place in Paris, and shots that did not require Kay Kendall’s participation were captured in London.
Even with deteriorating health conditions, Kay Kendall came back to the shooting set and finished one more week of filming. Following the completion of production, the couple traveled to Italy, where Kendall’s health condition rapidly worsened. She was rushed back to London, and Kendall passed away on September six, 1959.
When ‘Once More, with Feeling!’ hit the big screens in February 1960, viewers saw a very different movie. It became a tribute to Kay Kendall, who was one of the most respected and talented comedic actresses of the 1950s.
Today, ‘Once More, with Feeling!’ reminds us of the sad fate of one of the most prominent British actresses of that period.
You might also like to read: Why The Brutal Reality Of ’12 Angry Men’ Is Still Terrifyingly Relevant In Today’s World
