Deborah Kerr her long-time friend Robert Mitchum; a mama's girl in "Separate Tables" (1958) opposite David Niven; and a governess in both "The Chalk Garden" (1964) and "The Innocents" (1961) where she plays a governess tormented by apparitions. She also portrayed an earthy Australian sheep-herder's wife in "The Sundowners" (1960) and appeared as lustful and beautiful screen enchantresses in both "Beloved Infidel" (1959) and "Bonjour Tristesse" (1958). Among her most famous roles were Anna Leonowens in the film version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The King and I" (1956); and opposite Cary Grant as his shipboard romantic interest Terry McKay in
The Great Sinner starring Albert Basserman. Eventually, MGM bought the rights to the short novel, and for its adaptation, the screenwriters also used elements of Dostoyevsky's life and his other novel "Crime and Punishment". In April 1948, Gregory Peck was cast in the lead role. At the time it was announced, it was revealed Deborah Kerr was scheduled to star opposite him. However, in late May 1948, Lana Turner was cast as Peck's leading lady, with production set to start in September the same year. However, a week later, in June, it was revealed that Ava Gardner was cast in the female lead.