Maureen O'Hara O'Hara beat Lauren Bacall to the role as she was busy with other engagements. Though the film was critically acclaimed, Crowther of "The New York Times" felt that the characters of O'Hara and the daughter could have been made "more humorous and spirited than they are". The following year, O'Hara appeared in the CBS television film, "Mrs. Miniver", but despite some critics approving her performance, most thought that the remake was ill-timed and that she could not top Greer Garson's performance in the 1942 Oscar-winning film. In 1961, O'Hara portrayed Kit Tilden in the western "The Deadly Companions", Sam Peckinpah's
SS Empire Miniver joined the ill-fated Convoy SC-7, bound for Newport, for her return journey. The convoy had only a single escort to start with, the sloop . The convoy was located by a wolfpack of U-boats from 16 October, and they quickly overwhelmed the convoy, sinking many of the ships. "Empire Miniver" was torpedoed and sunk by at 22:06 on 18 October, while some west by south of Barra Head. Out of a total complement of 38, three crew members were lost. The master and 34 crew members were picked up by and were landed at Greenock on 20 October. Including "Empire