Another film that was talked about was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, starring Daniel Craig (b. 1968) and Rooney Mara (b. 1985). Mara only has 16 titles to her name, so she may still be a Bit Actor. Titles being what they are, this title reminded me of The Boy with Green Hair (1948). I don't know why.
The boy who had that green hair was played by veteran child actor, Dean Stockwell (b. 1936). Stockwell started on film working with Greer Garson, Gregory Peck and Lionel Barrymore in The Valley of Decision (1945). and next up was Anchors Aweigh (1945) starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelley.
In 1947 he appears as Nick Jr. in the final Nick and Nora film, Song of the Thin Man. By 1950 he was receiving star billing in some movies...at age 14...including the title role in Kim, also starring Errol Flynn (1909 - 1959). In 1951 he was in Cattle Drive starring Joel McCrea (1905 - 1990).
And then...nothing. Until he shows up on television in 1956 at age 20. He works on TV in many teleplays and some series', while making a few more films. He co-stars in Compulsion (1959) with Orson Welles (1915 - 1985).
 |
| Dean Stockwell |
He eventually came back to acting and entered the medical field as Dr. Rudy Devereux on "Dr. Kildare." There are good roles and some really bad roles in Stockwell's future. One particularly bad film was The Werewolf of Washington (1973) which only rated a 3.7 on IMDb.
Dean continued to work hard. He has a total of 193 titles listed on IMDb. But his choices, or perhaps the projects that are offered to him, are not always A titles. You can find him in Paris Texas (1984), The Legend of Billie Jean (1985), and the TV movie "The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues."
Not all was bleak, and there were some better titles. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Married to the Mob (1988), plus a strong role on "Quantum Leap" helped him considerably. In 1997 he appears in Air Force One with Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman and Glenn Close, and also in The Rainmaker with Matt Damon and Danny DeVito. Not bad, but maybe not great. At least he's in very good company, and it is obvious that he is recognized as being able to turn in a credible performance.
Dean Stockwell may still show up in new work. His last listed film is The Deal (2007) starring Penelope Ann Miller (b. 1964), and he is in a few television roles up to 2009 including "Battlestar Galactica." Stockwell has a long and varied career, and against all odds, he was able to transform from a child star, to a reliable Bit Actor.
I recently watched the Margaret O'Brien version of "The Secret Garden" again. Dean Stockwell has one of the major roles in it and as I watched I was reminded of what a fine child actor he was. In a league of his own. I've read that he was very intense about his craft in those days, so it doesn't surprise that he may eventually have traveled far off the beaten path...
ReplyDeleteSeems to me he had a career renaissance in the '80s - "Married to the Mob" and "Blue Velvet" were particularly notable - and I remember that he even turned up on "Miami Vice," a series that provided career boosts to new and veteran actors alike.
I'm a big admirer of Dean Stockwell's and have been thinking of blogging about him myself since watching "The Secret Garden."
Yes, he has one of those names that you know, but he sort of fades into the movie. He is rather nondescript since he grew up, so he doesn't stand out. Signs of a good Bit Actor.
ReplyDeleteI've long enjoyed his supporting actor work, but had no idea he'd been a child actor - thank you for the mini-bio!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. And his curly hair made him in demand, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteBP,
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was a cute and talented actor. I most remember him from After the Thin Man.
It's sad that actors were reduced to B films then the occasional bad horror film like Werewolf but I can't begrudge anyone from taking work where they can.
I really enjoyed The Rainmaker but sadly I don't remember him from that. I'll have to have another quick look.
Thanks for remembering these stars who are often forgotten.
Page
Allen, I recently saw THE GREEN YEARS for the first time and it reminded me what a good child actor Dean Stockwell was. He and Charles Coburn play off each marvelously in that film. Glad you mentioned THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR, a thought-provoking film that doesn't get played very often these days.
ReplyDeleteWHY WASN'T DEAN STOCKWELL CREDITED OR UNCREDITED FOR THE PART OF THE SCIENTIST KNOWN AS "SILVANO" IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RON HOWARD MOVIE "ANGELS AND DEMONS" (2009)? HE APPEARD A FEW SHORT TIMES STARTING AT AROUND 5 MINUTES INTO THE MOVIE FIRST APPEARED ON THE COMPUTER MONITOR SPEAKING TO VITTORIA AND FINISHING AFTER SHE FINDS HIM WITH HIS EYE CUT OUT AT ABOUT 9 MINUTES.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea, Steve. I have seen the movie, but don't remember it that well. If he was in it, there was something in his contract, I am sure, about how he was or was not credited. It's all about the contract.
DeletePerhaps you should watch The Holiday (2006), a romcom starring Cameron Diaz. Dustin Hoffman appears in a cameo as a customer in a video rental shop. He was passing by, saw the movie being made by a director he knew, and appeared as a favor. Maybe it was something like that.
Dean Stocwell was one of the best children's movie actors, his performance in Down to the Sea in Ships (1949), is heartbreaking. One of my favorite movies is The Happy Years (1950), where he is brilliant. I also enjoy him in The Secret Garden and Anchors Aweigh. Dean also had excellent performances in Sons and Lovers (1960), in Compulsion and in Long Day's Journey Into Night. You forgot to say that Dean was nominated for best supporting actor in Married to the Mob.
ReplyDelete