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 Adventures of Quentin Durward of female stars were mentioned as possibles to appear opposite Taylor, including Deborah Kerr, Elizabeth Taylor, Ann Blyth and Grace Kelly. For a time, Robert Taylor's busy schedule saw Stewart Granger emerge as a contender to replace him but Taylor ended up playing the part. Grace Kelly turned down the film and Kay Kendall was given the part. Bosley Crowther gave the film a poor review in "The New York Times", writing, "it lacks for excitement when ... the intrigues of France's Louis XI and the Duke of Burgundy are placed upon the screen in such lengthy and ponderous complexity