Elizabeth Threatt was an American model and actress who starred in only one film in her entire career: The Big Sky (1952), a Western directed by Howard Hawks. In the film, she played Teal Eye, a Native American princess who falls in love with one of the white traders who are escorting her back to her tribe. Threatt’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. However, after this promising debut, Threatt mysteriously disappeared from the Hollywood scene and never acted again. What happened to her and how did she die?
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Early Life and Modeling Career
Elizabeth Coyote Threatt was born on April 12, 1926, in Kershaw, South Carolina. She was of Cherokee descent from her father’s side, William Threatt, who worked for the US army. Her mother was Bessie Pearl Furr, a homemaker. Threatt had a difficult childhood, as her parents divorced when she was young and she was raised by her grandmother. She attended a boarding school for Native American children, where she faced discrimination and abuse.
Threatt moved to New York City when she was 18, hoping to pursue a career in modeling. She was successful in landing several assignments for magazines and advertisements, thanks to her exotic beauty and slender figure. She also appeared in some Broadway shows as a chorus girl. She changed her name to Elizabeth Coyet, dropping the last letter of her surname to make it sound more French.
The Big Sky and Hollywood Stardom
Threatt’s big break came when she was spotted by Howard Hawks, one of the most influential directors in Hollywood history. Hawks was looking for a Native American actress to play the female lead in his upcoming film, The Big Sky, based on the novel by A.B. Guthrie Jr. The film was set in the early 19th century and followed the adventures of two fur traders, Jim Deakins (Kirk Douglas) and Boone Caudill (Dewey Martin), who join an expedition to trade with the Blackfoot Indians. Along the way, they encounter Teal Eye (Threatt), the daughter of a Blackfoot chief who has been kidnapped by another tribe. Deakins and Caudill rescue her and decide to take her back to her people, hoping to secure a favorable trade deal. However, both men fall in love with her, creating a romantic triangle.
Hawks was impressed by Threatt’s natural beauty and grace, and thought she would be perfect for the role of Teal Eye. He offered her a contract with RKO Pictures, the studio that produced the film, and gave her intensive training in acting, riding, and speaking the Blackfoot language. Threatt had no previous acting experience, but she learned quickly and delivered a convincing performance. She also had a good chemistry with Douglas and Martin, both of whom were established stars at the time.
The Big Sky was released in August 1952 and received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film was praised for its realistic depiction of the frontier life and its stunning cinematography by Russell Harlan. Threatt’s portrayal of Teal Eye was singled out as one of the highlights of the film. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Female, along with Julie Harris, Rita Gam, Colette Marchand, and Pier Angeli. She lost to Harris, who won for The Member of the Wedding.
Threatt seemed to have a bright future ahead of her in Hollywood. She received several offers from other studios and directors who wanted to work with her. She was considered for roles in films such as Shane (1953), Apache (1954), Broken Lance (1954), The Last Hunt (1956), and The Searchers (1956). However, she turned down all of them, saying that she did not enjoy acting or being in the spotlight.
Retirement from Acting and Later Years
Threatt decided to retire from acting after The Big Sky and returned to South Carolina. She married John DeContandes, a Greek-American businessman who owned several textile mills in the region. They had two children together: John Jr. and Elizabeth Ann. Threatt lived a quiet life as a wife and mother, avoiding any contact with the media or her former colleagues in Hollywood.
Threatt’s fans never forgot her or her performance in The Big Sky. The film became a cult classic among Western enthusiasts and cinephiles, and Threatt’s image as Teal Eye remained iconic. Many people wondered why she left such a promising career so abruptly and what became of her.
In 1988, journalist Tom Shales tracked down Threatt at her home in Concord, North Carolina. He interviewed her for The Washington Post, hoping to shed some light on her mysterious disappearance from the film industry. Threatt told him that she had no regrets about quitting acting, and that she was happy with her life. She said that she did not like Hollywood, and that she found it “full of fakes”. She also said that she did not watch her own film, and that she did not care about fame or money. She said that she preferred to be “just plain Elizabeth”.
Threatt died on November 22, 1993, at the age of 67. The cause of her death was not publicly disclosed, but according to Wikipedia, it was “old age”. She was buried at the Carolina Memorial Park in Concord, next to her husband, who had died in 1989.
Legacy and Influence
Elizabeth Threatt remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Hollywood history. She is remembered as a one-film wonder who captivated audiences with her beauty and talent, but who chose to walk away from it all. She is admired by many for her courage and independence, but also pitied by some for her wasted potential and isolation.
Threatt’s influence can be seen in other actresses who played Native American roles in Western films, such as Debra Paget in Broken Arrow (1950), Jean Peters in Apache (1954), Natalie Wood in The Searchers (1956), Audrey Hepburn in The Unforgiven (1960), and Linda Darnell in Two Flags West (1950). Threatt’s role as Teal Eye also inspired the character of Pocahontas in the 1995 Disney animated film of the same name.
Threatt’s fans continue to celebrate her legacy and keep her memory alive. There are several websites and blogs dedicated to her, as well as fan clubs and forums. There are also petitions to have her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and to have The Big Sky restored and released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Elizabeth Threatt was a unique and unforgettable star who left a lasting impression on the world of cinema. She was a woman who followed her own path and lived by her own rules. She was a true original who will never be forgotten.
