That's too bad that you feel you have to typecast an actor. If you can't get beyond that, then how do you accept other actors who break out of their norm?

Oh well. If it ruins it for you, sorry. I think it's the best role he ever had. He played it to the hilt and then some.

I think Fred works in this film. He's enough of an average Joe to be a credible innocent but he has just enough of a smarmy (or maybe desperate) side to give in to Stanwyck's charms. He's not the obvious type for such a film but I think that's part of what makes it so good.

If the film was made in 1950, they would of worked. However, it's such a good movie I could care less who got the role.

Lancaster or Holden? Lancaster hadn't even begun his film career in 1944, and Holden at that time would have been too young for the role.

I'm in agreement here. Fred just doesn't quite put it over. Babs and Eddie are excellent and for my money carry most of the weight of the film.
The opening with him staggering into the elevator in hunched pain, then uttering some noir-esque dashell hammett slang/jargon just feels wrong. Borderline hard boiled detective stuff just doesn't seem to flow out of him very well.
Truly a stinker in The Caine Mutiny for sure, but here I just have the feeling like he knew he wasn't right for it but did his best.
I see Robert Montgomery in this role. Attractive enough to go after Stanwyck but with believable sinister-ness behind those eyes.
I don't think Holden would work either although if we're talking about completely casting in the opposite direction; what about James Stewart?
Uber common man fodder but if he could pull some evil up from somewhere that would make it even more amazing to watch.
Corrupting a good man via the femme fatale greed.
Just a thought- Good thread though.

Edited by: billy_b on Feb 19, 2010 3:01 PM

I think this is one of those examples where casting against type works even better than if they'd gone with a more traditional lead.

His character in THE APARTMENT was no angel, either.

Yes, Fred seems miscast....but I think it works well....Fred is the everyman who sells insurance...is successful but what really is fulfilling or exciting about it? Perfect kind of guy for Babs Stanwyck to catch up in her web of lust and promise....Lancaster or Holden might have been good, but both might have been too good looking to be a mere insurance salesman...I believe Holden was tapped for this but was too busy with other roles...the late forties through the mid fifties was a busy and productive time for Holden. I particularly love Edward G. Robinson in his role....absolutely fabulous character actor.