I was thinking about Billy Barty a few days ago, so I looked up his filmography. His first film was Mickey's Eleven. Of course, I thought...an early version of the story of Ocean's Eleven, as the first thing through my mind. Maybe there was an early version and when Frank Sinatra got the script, he didn't like the name Mickey. WRONG!
Mickey's Eleven was a silent film made in 1927 starring a seven year old Mickey Rooney. It was his 5th film, and he made a total of 322 films and TV appearances. I counted 63 films in the Mickey McGuire series listed on IMDb. Mickey's Eleven was not about a gang of children robbing all the casinos in Las Vegas, but little Mickey was in a football game in the short film. I will have to look for that one. Amazon and Netflix don't list any DVDs in this series. Come to think of it, there weren't many casinos in Las Vegas in 1927!
Billy Barty lived from 1924 to 2000 and appeared in 172 roles. He made 36 of the Mickey McGuire series, so I guess short actors stuck together! Barty was tapped whenever they needed a baby or child to act in a movie, rather than just look cute.
His part in Gold Diggers of 1933 shows what I mean. He was nine years old in Gold Diggers, but he was dressed as a baby in a carriage who jumped out and evaded the police on roller skates. He was 11 years old when he played a little baby in The Bride of Frankenstein in 1935.
His face had a permanent grimace. His size (3' 9") and face made him perfect to play later roles as a kind of misfit in society who could was befriended by the hero of a movie or TV show. In the fifties and sixties, you had to show viewing kids that just because someone looks strange they are not necessarily bad.
On TV he was a regular on "The Spike Jones Show" and appeared in several episodes of "Peter Gunn." His sinister acting ability also showed in "Thriller" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour."
In 1978 he was a bible salesman in the comedy/mystery Foul Play with Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. He needed to come across as a possible villain to Hawn, but he turned out to be innocent. The scene in the hospital with Goldie trying to apologize to Billy is a classic.
His career included many children's films, detective stories and fantasies, along with some musicals. Despite his short stature, he was a tall bit actor.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
More Charles Lane
Since I mentioned him yesterday, I started looking at his history in acting. Charles Lane lived for 102 years, from 1905 to 2007. He was an actor in film and later TV, for 75 of those years.
He started in 1931 acting in films as a desk clerk, salesman or reporter. Usual fair for a new actor getting extra work or bit parts at $35 a day. His face allowed him to create his dour character.
Here is a quote from IMDb written by Gary Brumburgh that sums it up. "Glimpsing even a bent smile from this unending sourpuss was extremely rare, unless one perhaps caught him in a moment of insidious glee after carrying out one of his many nefarious schemes. Certainly not a man's man on film or TV by any stretch, Lane was a character's character." The full biography page can be seen here.
Lane was in four Busby Berkeley films, and TEN Frank Capra films, including some of the best...Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, You Can't Take it with You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, It's a Wonderful Life, and State of the Union.
He must have acted with every big name in the movies, including four films with Jimmy Stewart, and many times with his good friend Lucille Ball. He was also in three Blondie films with Penny Singleton. Two are included in the set in the insert link at left.
I think he has made himself well known to baby boomers like me and even a younger crowd because of all of his television work. It would be difficult to turn on a TV in the fifties and sixties and not see him on a sitcom somewhere!
And he kept on working. In the seventies he was a regular on "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Bewitched" and "Soap." And he appeared on other TV hits that decade, "The Rookies," "Rhoda" and "Maude." In the eighties he was seen on Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War", and on "St. Elsewhere" and "LA Law." He worked into the eighties and even into this millennium, but he slowed down a bit after he hit 90!
According to his bio page on IMDb he was a wonderful man in real life, and he remained married to his only wife, Ruth Covell, from 1931 until she died in 2002. He was a class act all his life.
He started in 1931 acting in films as a desk clerk, salesman or reporter. Usual fair for a new actor getting extra work or bit parts at $35 a day. His face allowed him to create his dour character.
Here is a quote from IMDb written by Gary Brumburgh that sums it up. "Glimpsing even a bent smile from this unending sourpuss was extremely rare, unless one perhaps caught him in a moment of insidious glee after carrying out one of his many nefarious schemes. Certainly not a man's man on film or TV by any stretch, Lane was a character's character." The full biography page can be seen here.
Lane was in four Busby Berkeley films, and TEN Frank Capra films, including some of the best...Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, You Can't Take it with You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, It's a Wonderful Life, and State of the Union.
He must have acted with every big name in the movies, including four films with Jimmy Stewart, and many times with his good friend Lucille Ball. He was also in three Blondie films with Penny Singleton. Two are included in the set in the insert link at left.
I think he has made himself well known to baby boomers like me and even a younger crowd because of all of his television work. It would be difficult to turn on a TV in the fifties and sixties and not see him on a sitcom somewhere!
And he kept on working. In the seventies he was a regular on "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Bewitched" and "Soap." And he appeared on other TV hits that decade, "The Rookies," "Rhoda" and "Maude." In the eighties he was seen on Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War", and on "St. Elsewhere" and "LA Law." He worked into the eighties and even into this millennium, but he slowed down a bit after he hit 90!
According to his bio page on IMDb he was a wonderful man in real life, and he remained married to his only wife, Ruth Covell, from 1931 until she died in 2002. He was a class act all his life.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Busby Berkeley
Bit Actor Busby Berkeley was in three films. Of course, they were really cameo roles for him, since he was also the choreographer for those films, Palmy Days (1931), Gold Diggers of 1933, and Footlight Parade (1933).
Gold Diggers of 1933 is one of the best of the Berkeley films. He didn't direct, but he was the choreographer. I own the five DVD set of Berkeley films shown at left, with that one and other great movies.
A young Ginger Rogers has a good supporting part, in her 18th film. She and Ruby Keeler bring a lot of beauty to this film, and Dick Powell's voice is wonderful in the Dubin and Warren tunes that I think are timeless. But who else was in it?
At the very bottom of the list on IMDb sits Tammany Young. The next year he was in It's a Gift with W. C. Fields as his store clerk Emmett, playing with Baby Leroy. He died in 1936, but he started working in films in 1914 and had 126 roles.
Jane Wyman can be seen in her third movie role as one of the gold diggers. This was 7 years before she married Ronald Reagan. He was her third husband and she was only 33 when they married.
Sometimes I see a name and I need to write it down for further research. This movie has a bit actor named Fred "Snowflake" Toones, who lived from 1906 to 1962 and appeared in 209 movies. There has to be a story to his life. It turns out he was in Way Out West in 1937 with Laurel and Hardy, his only film with the great comedy team.
Last, I can't skip Charles Lane and Billy Barty. Both had long careers as bit actors. Take a look at Lane's filmography here.
Busby Berkeley did his best to make the great depression a little brighter.
Gold Diggers of 1933 is one of the best of the Berkeley films. He didn't direct, but he was the choreographer. I own the five DVD set of Berkeley films shown at left, with that one and other great movies.
A young Ginger Rogers has a good supporting part, in her 18th film. She and Ruby Keeler bring a lot of beauty to this film, and Dick Powell's voice is wonderful in the Dubin and Warren tunes that I think are timeless. But who else was in it?
At the very bottom of the list on IMDb sits Tammany Young. The next year he was in It's a Gift with W. C. Fields as his store clerk Emmett, playing with Baby Leroy. He died in 1936, but he started working in films in 1914 and had 126 roles.
Jane Wyman can be seen in her third movie role as one of the gold diggers. This was 7 years before she married Ronald Reagan. He was her third husband and she was only 33 when they married.
Sometimes I see a name and I need to write it down for further research. This movie has a bit actor named Fred "Snowflake" Toones, who lived from 1906 to 1962 and appeared in 209 movies. There has to be a story to his life. It turns out he was in Way Out West in 1937 with Laurel and Hardy, his only film with the great comedy team.
Last, I can't skip Charles Lane and Billy Barty. Both had long careers as bit actors. Take a look at Lane's filmography here.
Busby Berkeley did his best to make the great depression a little brighter.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sheldon Leonard
There was a bit actor named Sheldon Leonard back in the forties who really became an important man in TV. He was born in NY in 1907, and that NY accent and his gruff, good looks and wavy hair, made him a perfect choice to play a gangster or heavy.
Of course, everyone remembers him as Nick the bartender in It's a Wonderful Life (1946). He played the gangster type when George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) was in his fantasy sequence of never being born, and he was kindly as Mr. Martini's employee in the rest of the film.
He made a half dozen films, more or less, each year during the forties. His characters were named Pretty Willie, Chink, Tito, Slip, Monk, Silky, Chuck, Smacksie, Mickey, Ace, Lucky, Blackie, Trigger, Swifty, and of course, Nick. Get the picture? The great thing was that he could play the gangster straight or with humor.
In 1955 he played Harry, the Horse in Guys and Dolls. That was a good roll in a great movie, but by then he had found television. He appeared in a few more films and did some voice overs, until 1992. What he did well was producing and directing.
Just look at this list as producer:
If he had just worked with Danny Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner and Andy Griffith, he could have called his life fulfilled. Sheldon left us in 1997 but his legacy will live on.
Of course, everyone remembers him as Nick the bartender in It's a Wonderful Life (1946). He played the gangster type when George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) was in his fantasy sequence of never being born, and he was kindly as Mr. Martini's employee in the rest of the film.
He made a half dozen films, more or less, each year during the forties. His characters were named Pretty Willie, Chink, Tito, Slip, Monk, Silky, Chuck, Smacksie, Mickey, Ace, Lucky, Blackie, Trigger, Swifty, and of course, Nick. Get the picture? The great thing was that he could play the gangster straight or with humor.
In 1955 he played Harry, the Horse in Guys and Dolls. That was a good roll in a great movie, but by then he had found television. He appeared in a few more films and did some voice overs, until 1992. What he did well was producing and directing.
Just look at this list as producer:
- The Danny Thomas Show
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- The Andy Griffith Show
- Gomer Pyle, USMC
- I Spy
If he had just worked with Danny Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner and Andy Griffith, he could have called his life fulfilled. Sheldon left us in 1997 but his legacy will live on.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Laura
Last night was a quiet night so I decided to watch Laura from 1944. It is a fairly quiet movie, and as detective mysteries go, it is one of the best. Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney earned their pay for this one. And the supporting roles with Clifton Webb and Vincent Price were perfect as well.
When I looked at the filmography of Clifton Webb, I was surprised to see so few films. He is very well known, so each must have contributed to his reputation. I remember him well from Cheaper by the Dozen in 1950 and Stars and Stripes Forever in 1952. I want to look for Mister Scoutmaster from 1953, simply because I used to be one.
Webb lived from 1889 to 1966 and made only 27 films. Laura was his first sound feature film, and he made one 10-minute sound short film in 1930. Before that he appeared in small roles in five silent films from 1917 to 1925.
Vinney Price appears miscast for his role as a playboy, but his demeanor worked extremely well, I thought. What a mess his life was, always trying to hold on to his appearance of being wealthy, but he was really sponging off others. I can see why the details of his story to the detective were always suspect in the movie. In his mind, the truth could be flexible to meet his needs.
There were at least 37 uncredited players in Laura. My favorite was Bessie, Laura's maid, played by Dorothy Adams (1900 - 1988). She had a great accent for a maid in New York. She played in four episodes of "Dragnet" on TV and she would fit in there very well. Adams was a character actress making a good living in 146 roles, none of them important, from 1931 until 1975. Why do we remember Clifton Webb and not Dorothy Adams?
Lane Chandler (1899 - 1972) was another character actor who made hundreds of films. He was one of the detectives in Laura. You will recognize him as a sheriff or a marshal or a cowboy in a lot of movie and TV roles, including "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Maverick" and "Cheyenne."
What you remember most about Laura is the song, which was written for the movie. I, of course, in my warped way, remember best the version of Laura recorded by Spike Jones and his City Slickers!
When I looked at the filmography of Clifton Webb, I was surprised to see so few films. He is very well known, so each must have contributed to his reputation. I remember him well from Cheaper by the Dozen in 1950 and Stars and Stripes Forever in 1952. I want to look for Mister Scoutmaster from 1953, simply because I used to be one.
Webb lived from 1889 to 1966 and made only 27 films. Laura was his first sound feature film, and he made one 10-minute sound short film in 1930. Before that he appeared in small roles in five silent films from 1917 to 1925.
Vinney Price appears miscast for his role as a playboy, but his demeanor worked extremely well, I thought. What a mess his life was, always trying to hold on to his appearance of being wealthy, but he was really sponging off others. I can see why the details of his story to the detective were always suspect in the movie. In his mind, the truth could be flexible to meet his needs.
There were at least 37 uncredited players in Laura. My favorite was Bessie, Laura's maid, played by Dorothy Adams (1900 - 1988). She had a great accent for a maid in New York. She played in four episodes of "Dragnet" on TV and she would fit in there very well. Adams was a character actress making a good living in 146 roles, none of them important, from 1931 until 1975. Why do we remember Clifton Webb and not Dorothy Adams?
Lane Chandler (1899 - 1972) was another character actor who made hundreds of films. He was one of the detectives in Laura. You will recognize him as a sheriff or a marshal or a cowboy in a lot of movie and TV roles, including "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Maverick" and "Cheyenne."
What you remember most about Laura is the song, which was written for the movie. I, of course, in my warped way, remember best the version of Laura recorded by Spike Jones and his City Slickers!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Pat Morita
With the release of the new Karate Kid movie this month, I was thinking about the original series with Noriyuki Pat Morita. Morita was born in 1932 and died in 2005. He started out as a stand up comic, and in 1967 he was cast in Thoroughly Modern Millie to start his acting career.
He continued always working. IMDb shows 166 roles to his credit, although looking over the list, it's not a very distinguished resume. I remember him playing on TV in "M*A*S*H" in 1972 and 1973. Just two episodes, but I remember them. He played a Korean officer, but he had a New Jersey accent. You could really see his comedy background show through.
His accent was really American, since he was born in California. He had to work on the Japanese accent for the Karate Kid movies. He was interred with his parents during the second world war. My guess is that it was that memory that inspired the story in The Next Karate Kid, with a young Hilary Swank.
He also narrated a documentary in 1997 called Beyond Barbed Wire about how we treated Japanese/Americans during the war. He appeared in another movie about Japanese.Americans in 1980 called Hito Hata: Raise the Banner. I wonder if these roles were because he wanted to tell the story, or if he just happened to be a great actor of Asian descent.
I haven't seen everything he has done, but I am not sure he was put to best use in "Sanford and Son" playing a character named Ah Chew, and I won't ask you to go out and watch all four of his Karate movies, they weren't all that good. The first one had a story, then Ralph Macchio started getting too old to play a kid. But these were his biggest hits, and he was nominated for an Oscar for the first one.
I am sure he was well respected in Hollywood as a "Bit Actor, First Class," and you can find his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He continued always working. IMDb shows 166 roles to his credit, although looking over the list, it's not a very distinguished resume. I remember him playing on TV in "M*A*S*H" in 1972 and 1973. Just two episodes, but I remember them. He played a Korean officer, but he had a New Jersey accent. You could really see his comedy background show through.
His accent was really American, since he was born in California. He had to work on the Japanese accent for the Karate Kid movies. He was interred with his parents during the second world war. My guess is that it was that memory that inspired the story in The Next Karate Kid, with a young Hilary Swank.
He also narrated a documentary in 1997 called Beyond Barbed Wire about how we treated Japanese/Americans during the war. He appeared in another movie about Japanese.Americans in 1980 called Hito Hata: Raise the Banner. I wonder if these roles were because he wanted to tell the story, or if he just happened to be a great actor of Asian descent.
I haven't seen everything he has done, but I am not sure he was put to best use in "Sanford and Son" playing a character named Ah Chew, and I won't ask you to go out and watch all four of his Karate movies, they weren't all that good. The first one had a story, then Ralph Macchio started getting too old to play a kid. But these were his biggest hits, and he was nominated for an Oscar for the first one.
I am sure he was well respected in Hollywood as a "Bit Actor, First Class," and you can find his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Winchester '73
One of my favorite westerns is Winchester '73 from 1950 starring Jimmy Stewart. (Come to think of it, I have a lot of favorite westerns.) It was a breakout role for Stewart. He wanted to do something other than the tall, fair-minded, honest bloke he usually played. He was the good guy in Winchester '73, but there was a fine line separating good and bad in this movie.
According to IMDb, Stewart would receive $200,000 for his salary, but the studio couldn't afford it. He made a deal to take a portion of the profits, and took home about $600,000. This was the first such deal after the silent era ended, and is now the way most big stars get paid.
On to the good stuff. In what truly stands out as miscasting, the small part of the Native American chief, Young Bull, was played by Rock Hudson. I'm sorry, but he doesn't look like an Indian! Nonetheless, the part could be considered a bit part in that he had little screen time, but it was important so that the story of this famous rifle could be followed.
Will Geer played Wyatt Earp in the beginning of the film at the sharpshooting contest. He said that he thought he was miscast in the role. That may be. Geer was 48 years old when the film was made, and I thought he looked older than that. The story takes place in 1876, when Wyatt Earp would have been 28 years old. But Geer played the part well. He had an air of authority about him, which I am sure Earp also possessed. Much later, Geer became Grandpa on TV in "The Waltons."
We also find Tony Curtis in a bit part. This was three years before he played Harry Houdini. And another great character actor, John Douchette (1921 - 1994), had a small part. He had about 286 roles in film and TV and he has one of those faces you never forget. He was great as General Truscott in Patton (1970), and played in four westerns with Stewart, this one, Broken Arrow the same year, Carbine Williams in 1952, and The Far Country in 1954.
I guess the weekend is the best time for a good western!
According to IMDb, Stewart would receive $200,000 for his salary, but the studio couldn't afford it. He made a deal to take a portion of the profits, and took home about $600,000. This was the first such deal after the silent era ended, and is now the way most big stars get paid.
On to the good stuff. In what truly stands out as miscasting, the small part of the Native American chief, Young Bull, was played by Rock Hudson. I'm sorry, but he doesn't look like an Indian! Nonetheless, the part could be considered a bit part in that he had little screen time, but it was important so that the story of this famous rifle could be followed.
Will Geer played Wyatt Earp in the beginning of the film at the sharpshooting contest. He said that he thought he was miscast in the role. That may be. Geer was 48 years old when the film was made, and I thought he looked older than that. The story takes place in 1876, when Wyatt Earp would have been 28 years old. But Geer played the part well. He had an air of authority about him, which I am sure Earp also possessed. Much later, Geer became Grandpa on TV in "The Waltons."
We also find Tony Curtis in a bit part. This was three years before he played Harry Houdini. And another great character actor, John Douchette (1921 - 1994), had a small part. He had about 286 roles in film and TV and he has one of those faces you never forget. He was great as General Truscott in Patton (1970), and played in four westerns with Stewart, this one, Broken Arrow the same year, Carbine Williams in 1952, and The Far Country in 1954.
I guess the weekend is the best time for a good western!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Way Out West
The 1937 film Way Out West was a story about riches being bestowed on a poor girl who worked in a saloon, and the attempt to steal it by her boss and his lady friend. Sounds serious, doesn't it? It could have been an early drama. 1937 was also the year for A Star is Born, The Good Earth, and Lost Horizon so Hollywood was making some wonderful dramas by then.
Of course, the stars of Way Out West were Laurel and Hardy, so there is not much drama here! As the tag line reads, "A Rumble Of Roars That Ends In A Laff Riot."
The boss is played by James Finlayson, the actor who first started making the frustrated "Doh" sound, usually directly into the camera. The young girl who really inherited the money was played by the wonderful Rosina Lawrence, and the lady friend who tried to help Fin steal the money was Sharon Lynn.
I have mentioned Rosina Lawrence before, as it was my considerable pleasure to know her. She became a countess when she married Juvenal P. Marchisio in 1939, a NY judge and a leader in the postwar relief efforts in Italy. After his death, she eventually married John McCabe, Stan Laurel's biographer. Her obituary in the New York Times can be seen here.
Rosina only made 30 films, preferring to be a housewife after she married. But she was a dancer and had a good career working with Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, Charley Chase, Warner Oland and others. She was one of the teachers in several Our Gang comedies, including Bored of Education in 1936 which won an Oscar.
Sharon Lynn (or sometimes Lynne) had 32 movie roles, none were big hits, but some may be worth looking for. In 1935 she was in Go Into Your Dance with Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler.
Most of the cast of Way Out West were regulars at Hal Roach, so you see them in Our Gang comedies, Charley Chase and L&H films. The Avalon Boys supplied some good music, and Chill Wills provided the low voice for Stan Laurel in his big hit, In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
The mule was played by Dinah. This was her only film.
Of course, the stars of Way Out West were Laurel and Hardy, so there is not much drama here! As the tag line reads, "A Rumble Of Roars That Ends In A Laff Riot."
The boss is played by James Finlayson, the actor who first started making the frustrated "Doh" sound, usually directly into the camera. The young girl who really inherited the money was played by the wonderful Rosina Lawrence, and the lady friend who tried to help Fin steal the money was Sharon Lynn.
I have mentioned Rosina Lawrence before, as it was my considerable pleasure to know her. She became a countess when she married Juvenal P. Marchisio in 1939, a NY judge and a leader in the postwar relief efforts in Italy. After his death, she eventually married John McCabe, Stan Laurel's biographer. Her obituary in the New York Times can be seen here.
Rosina only made 30 films, preferring to be a housewife after she married. But she was a dancer and had a good career working with Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, Charley Chase, Warner Oland and others. She was one of the teachers in several Our Gang comedies, including Bored of Education in 1936 which won an Oscar.
Sharon Lynn (or sometimes Lynne) had 32 movie roles, none were big hits, but some may be worth looking for. In 1935 she was in Go Into Your Dance with Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler.
Most of the cast of Way Out West were regulars at Hal Roach, so you see them in Our Gang comedies, Charley Chase and L&H films. The Avalon Boys supplied some good music, and Chill Wills provided the low voice for Stan Laurel in his big hit, In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
The mule was played by Dinah. This was her only film.
Friday, June 25, 2010
More Hitchcock
It has been said that Alfred Hitchcock always brought in his films on time and under budget. Also, when you look at individual frames from any Hitchcock film, each can stand alone as a still photo. Since I have a photographic background, I do watch his films to see those perfect frames that would look good hanging on the wall.
The next time you get to watch one of his films, keep an eye out to see the composition of the images. He will always try to frame a face with an interesting background, holding the face just off center. In still photos you should try to remember the "rule of thirds." Never put the main subject in the center, but put it one third from the top or bottom, and one third from the left or right. The horizon should never split a picture in half, and a flag pole or tall building should never be in the center.
The budget for any film is important. James Cameron seems to have a problem with this, having just released Avatar, the most expensive film ever made, after releasing Titanic, which previously held that distinction.
Now take a look at Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry from 1955. This is as good a movie as you can find. It is funny, suspenseful, and the story is so twisted, you don't know how it will end. Maybe that's the problem with Hitch's films...you can only be surprised the first time you see it.
Trouble had a great cast with John Forsythe, Shirley MacLaine, Edmund Gwenn and of course, Jerry Mathers. Everybody else could only be classified as bit players. And many of them went on to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on TV.
The entire cast of The Trouble with Harry is only 14 long. The rest, whom I didn't mention above, had fewer than 40 roles total, with several only acting in one to five parts. Fittingly, this was Phillip Truex's last role. He played Harry, who was dead in the entire film.
The next time you get to watch one of his films, keep an eye out to see the composition of the images. He will always try to frame a face with an interesting background, holding the face just off center. In still photos you should try to remember the "rule of thirds." Never put the main subject in the center, but put it one third from the top or bottom, and one third from the left or right. The horizon should never split a picture in half, and a flag pole or tall building should never be in the center.
The budget for any film is important. James Cameron seems to have a problem with this, having just released Avatar, the most expensive film ever made, after releasing Titanic, which previously held that distinction.
Now take a look at Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry from 1955. This is as good a movie as you can find. It is funny, suspenseful, and the story is so twisted, you don't know how it will end. Maybe that's the problem with Hitch's films...you can only be surprised the first time you see it.
Trouble had a great cast with John Forsythe, Shirley MacLaine, Edmund Gwenn and of course, Jerry Mathers. Everybody else could only be classified as bit players. And many of them went on to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on TV.
- Mildred Dunnock (1901 - 1991) played over 70 parts, including BUtterfield 8 in 1960 with Elizabeth Taylor.
- Royal Dano (1922 - 1994) was a character actor who did a lot of westerns, including a bit part in Cahill US Marshal (1973) with The Duke, and a bigger part in The Outlaw Josey Wales in 1976 with Clint Eastwood.
- Mildred Natwick ( 1905 - 1994) had over 80 roles in film and on TV. Perhaps her most famous film was her last, Dangerous Liaisons in 1988 with Glenn Close.
The entire cast of The Trouble with Harry is only 14 long. The rest, whom I didn't mention above, had fewer than 40 roles total, with several only acting in one to five parts. Fittingly, this was Phillip Truex's last role. He played Harry, who was dead in the entire film.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Carl Laemmle, Jr.
Carl Laemmle Jr.'s father was the founder of Universal Pictures in 1912 and they are the oldest continuous production company in America. Universal is now owned by NBC. Carl Sr. produced hundreds of films, most in the early silent era, so they were very short.
Carl Jr. had a short but distinguished career as a producer and writer. He lived from 1908 to 1979, but only worked in movies from 1926 to 1936. It was Carl Laemmle, Jr. who is sometimes credited with talking Universal Pictures into making horror films, and they have certainly done a great job. But if you look at Carl Sr.'s list, it was he who produced the 1923 silent version of Hunchback of Notre Dame, and in 1925, Phantom of the Opera both with Lon Chaney. Perhaps they were not interested in continuing horror flicks and Carl Jr. helped them along. I'm glad he did.
1931 brought us Dracula and Frankenstein, Lugosi and Karloff. That would be all I need for a great Halloween! The next year included Murder in the Rue Morgue, The Mummy, and Destry Rides Again! (You already know I like all things Destry.)
1933 The Invisible Man
1934 The Black Cat with Karloff and Lugosi
1935 The Bride of Frankenstein
In 1936 he ended his career as producer with the musical, Show Boat. Not exactly a horror film (unless you hate musicals), but neither were most of his 143 efforts. It is the eight, classic horror films for which Carl Laemmle, Jr. will be remembered.
I know, I didn't mention any bit part players today. How about Dwight Frye who played Fritz in Frankenstein? Among his 60 film credits, he was in Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein and he had an extra part in The Son of Frankenstein (1939). He was also in The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman in 1943. It is a shame he died before Young Frankenstein was made!
If you like horror films, these should all be in your permanent collection. They spawned an entire genre that continues to today. Look for collections that include extra features.
Carl Jr. had a short but distinguished career as a producer and writer. He lived from 1908 to 1979, but only worked in movies from 1926 to 1936. It was Carl Laemmle, Jr. who is sometimes credited with talking Universal Pictures into making horror films, and they have certainly done a great job. But if you look at Carl Sr.'s list, it was he who produced the 1923 silent version of Hunchback of Notre Dame, and in 1925, Phantom of the Opera both with Lon Chaney. Perhaps they were not interested in continuing horror flicks and Carl Jr. helped them along. I'm glad he did.
1931 brought us Dracula and Frankenstein, Lugosi and Karloff. That would be all I need for a great Halloween! The next year included Murder in the Rue Morgue, The Mummy, and Destry Rides Again! (You already know I like all things Destry.)
1933 The Invisible Man
1934 The Black Cat with Karloff and Lugosi
1935 The Bride of Frankenstein
In 1936 he ended his career as producer with the musical, Show Boat. Not exactly a horror film (unless you hate musicals), but neither were most of his 143 efforts. It is the eight, classic horror films for which Carl Laemmle, Jr. will be remembered.
I know, I didn't mention any bit part players today. How about Dwight Frye who played Fritz in Frankenstein? Among his 60 film credits, he was in Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein and he had an extra part in The Son of Frankenstein (1939). He was also in The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman in 1943. It is a shame he died before Young Frankenstein was made!
If you like horror films, these should all be in your permanent collection. They spawned an entire genre that continues to today. Look for collections that include extra features.
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