In the 1971 film “Carnal Knowledge,” directed by Mike Nichols, Ann-Margret portrays Bobbie, an actress treated badly by men but still longing for a simple family life. The role was a dramatic departure for the actress known for comedic skills and her singing and dancing in movies like “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
In one of Ann-Margret’s most notable and iconic roles, she revealed her less glamorous side and battled some of the darkest themes of her career.
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Here are five quotes about one of Ann-Margret’s most iconic roles.
1. “Bobbie, the character in ‘Carnal Knowledge,' has been around, been used and abused, and although she's not very bright, she has an instinctive intelligence about men.” -
Roger Ebert, in an interview with Ann-Margret upon the film’s release
2. “All of the things about Ann-Margret that made her wrong for so many roles made her right for this one. She really does project carnal knowledge.”
- Roger Ebert, in a feature written around the time the film was released
Roger Ebert contrasted Ann-Margret’s inherent sensuality with the more chaste characters she’d played previously, saying that her years in Hollywood had matured her and made her ready for a more serious role.
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3. “Well, I remember reading the script and knowing that I had to do it and thinking about the place I'd need to get to in order to do that part right, which was reaching way, way down. It was quite an experience. I actually had nightmares." -
Ann-Margret, in an interview with fellow actor George Hamilton for Interview magazine
4. “The performances are almost spectacularly right...Ann-Margret, as ‘the girl in the airline commercial,’ a performance that attains a perfect balance between the character's desperation, her aggressiveness, and her surprising simplicity.” --
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times, reviewing “Carnal Knowledge” upon its 1971 release
5. “But ‘Carnal Knowledge’ was so important for me and such a big leap into the unknown. But I was so happy that I did it. That I finally did it.'' -
Ann-Margret in an interview with the Hartford Courant, conducted during her stint in the national tour of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
In the interview, she revealed that she knew she could contribute to the dramatic piece, even though she’d previously been considered a comedic/song-and-dance actress. She credited taking the role of Bobbie as helping her branch out into new creative territory.
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