Wholesome, reserved leading lady of the 1940s and 50s with a soft, lovely speaking voice, later a respected character actress. A highly gifted and sensitive performer, McGuire was memorable as the immature young wife "Claudia" (1943), in a reprisal of her successful Broadway role; as the mother in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1945); the mute servant in Robert Siodmak's classic Gothic thriller, "The Spiral Staircase" (1946), and the liberal fiancee of a crusading journalist who must confront her own muted anti-Semitism in "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947). By the mid-50s, McGuire was still a prominently billed star but gradually began playing roles as mothers to younger stars; she was as splendid as ever in films including "Friendly Persuasion" (1956) and "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" (1960). McGuire's daughter, by photographer husband John Swope, is actress Topo Swope.