tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146092214213444763.post2397039539211971909..comments2023-06-16T06:51:34.769-04:00Comments on Bit Part Actors: Skippy a.k.a. AstaBit Part Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190704883240544188noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146092214213444763.post-59141664990446226862011-03-14T12:55:57.054-04:002011-03-14T12:55:57.054-04:00Thanks for the compliment and the insight from Edn...Thanks for the compliment and the insight from Edna May. One always wants to believe that stars like Crosby and Bergman are the wonderful people they portray on screen. It is not always the case. Movies should be as much fun to make as they are to watch! Chances are they are more fun to make for the Bit Players than they are for the big stars, who have reputations riding on their performance.Bit Part Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06190704883240544188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146092214213444763.post-38587510045737613862011-03-14T03:04:30.321-04:002011-03-14T03:04:30.321-04:00Not sure I'm your most regular reader, Allen, ...Not sure I'm your most regular reader, Allen, but possibly your most regular commenter...& I really appreciate that you put your spotlight on the often overlooked - supporting players. Without them, the stars would never shine so bright...<br /><br />My very own interviewee, Edna May Wonacott (Ann Newton of "Shadow of a Doubt") had a bit part in "The Bells of St. Mary's" and had nothing but good things to say about the atmosphere on that set and her co-stars Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.<br /><br />As I understand it, "An Affair to Remember" was McCarey's almost shot-by-shot remake of his own earlier film "Love Affair" w/Boyer and Dunne. Can't resist Cary Grant, so the later version is my preference...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146092214213444763.post-91166812257363021102011-03-13T19:38:06.196-04:002011-03-13T19:38:06.196-04:00Thanks, Eve. I think you are my most regular read...Thanks, Eve. I think you are my most regular reader! <br /><br />Leo McCarey is one of my favorite writers and directors. He worked with Laurel and Hardy in more than 40 films, including most of my favorite shorts. Big Business, Blotto, Perfect Day, Below Zero, Hog Wild, Brats...I could go on. <br /><br />McCarey did go on. After The Awful Truth, he wrote and directed Going My Way (1944), The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), and An Affair to Remember (1957). You can't beat that!!Bit Part Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06190704883240544188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146092214213444763.post-30632997799204938212011-03-13T19:09:09.667-04:002011-03-13T19:09:09.667-04:00"The Awful Truth" is my very favorite sc..."The Awful Truth" is my very favorite screwball...and Skippy as Mr. Smith is a brilliant touch by director McCarey...the scene where Cary Grant visits Mr. Smith (as part of the custody arrangement) is a gem - Grant is serenading the dog at the piano and at a certain point turns to him and says, "take it!" - Mr. Smith begins barking energetically. Love it.<br />And Skippy's Asta character added even more charm to the saga of Nick & Nora Charles.<br />Thanks for putting Skippy/Asta in the spotlight, Allen, I've always adored him.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.com