Ann Blyth Remains the Queen of the Nile

Ann Blyth remains a legendary actress

Ann Blyth was a versatile actress who appeared to live a long and blessed life. She was married to James McNulty for 54 years from 1953 until his death in 2007, and they had five children. Blyth, who died on June 24 at 99 is beloved by The Twilight Zone fans for her role in the 1964 Season 5 episode 23, The Queen of the Nile.

Lee Phillips portrayed syndicated columnist Jordan Herrick who visits Hollywood movie legend Pamela Morris (Blyth) at her home for an interview. He wonders about the secret to her seemingly eternal beauty and is stunned to learn she is really Cleopatra who lived thousands of years earlier.

One of the most stunning revelations from Queen of the Nile is that the woman who claims to be Pamela's mother Viola Draper ( Celia Lovesky) is really her daughter. Morris retains her youth by using a beetle to suck the life out of men and increase her own longevity. After killing Herrick another unsuspecting victim comes calling.

Cleopatra The Queen of the Nile

Blyth began her screen career in 1944 as a teenager in Chip Off The Old Block. She was cast "against type" the following year as Veda Pierce, the scheming, ungrateful daughter of Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford)) in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce, and received an Academy Award nomination.

Her final movie appearance was The Helen Morgan Story in 1967. Her last television role was in an episode of Murder She Wrote in 1985.

Elizabeth Taylor portrayed the Queen of the Nile in the 1961 film Cleopatra but historians now say ancient Egyptians were people of color. Still, fans reacting to Blyth's death say that she will always be the Queen of the Nile in their eyes.

Ann Blythe began as a child actor

The actress was born Anne Marie Blythe on August 16, 1927 and dropped the E from her last name and later from her first name professionally. She was strong and outspoken about her Catholic faith.

She debuted on Broadway at age 5 and her career took off from that point. Twilight Zone viewers may recall that the scene where Jordan Herrick turns to dust was reminiscent of the Season 1 episode Long Live Walter Jamison where the title character turns to dust.

Blyth was one of the last remaining actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She avoided the off-screen scandals and troubled personal life that plagued many of her Hollywood peers. There were never rumors of adultery, alcohol or drugs or flings with co-stars.

Ann Blyth led a scandal free life and career

If she had any issues with costars or bad behavior on the set it must have been minor and kept under wraps. She was known for her disciplined professionalism and devotion to her family.

The actress had a squeaky clean image and successfully by avoided the drama often associated with the film industry. A long marriage to one man, and a successful scandal-free career is not the norm for Hollywood but o occasion it did happen.

The Twilight Zone fans love her

After retiring the actress occasionally made special guest appearances at film festivals, like the TCM Film Festival where she introduced screenings of her own classic movies.

Ann Blyth conveyed beauty, character, charm, talent, class and gracefulness. These are the qualities once admired in Hollywood stars and why The Twilight Zone fans continue to hold the actress in high regard. Episodes of the classic television program air on MeTV and other networks. The series can be streamed on demand on Tubi, Paramount+ and Pluto.