NorbertFronczak

Yes they did but it I think it depended upon which studio they worked for or even which director. Example: John Ford had virtually his own "stock company" when making films. Just look at his westerns and some of the other genres that he worked in and you'll see almost the exact same people in supporting roles and "bit" parts every time. That certainly was steady work. And at WB, especially in the gangster pix, you keep seeing the same people appear in almost type casted roles, especially those who were playing cops or bankers or some identifiable roles. Case in point is Irving Bacon who is reportedly to have appeared in more films than anyone and that includes those of the "start" status. If I remember correctly he appeared in over 400 films over a 30 or 40 year period and just as a "bit"/character player. Character and "bit" players usually found work easier because they were much more versatile in playing roles. That, and they were cheaper in salaries: although not always the case. Hattie McDaniel always played a black maid and when criticized by the NAACP for playing such roles she told them, "I could either get paid $100 a month as a real maid or $750 a week playing one in the movies!"

A "marathon" is fine if you can afford to sit there in front of the tube all day and night or if you have a way of recording what you'll miss while you're out of the house or asleep. But for the rest of us, it's no good. I know that I'll be missing at least 50% of what I want to see during one of those marathons and then it'll take probably at least another year or so before these films are programmed again: i.e. "Bride of Frankenstein" hasn't been programmed for over three years. I would strongly suggest a "12" hour or better yet "8" hour type marathon on weekend nights beginning on Friday nights. This would make the films shown available to many more people who otherwise would miss enjoying them. I would also suggest that these "marathons" could cover and genre of films ranging from Hal Roach comedies to Rock Hudson or anyone at all. This way everyone gets to see their favorites at the most convenient times and days. BTW, thanks very much for finally getting around to showing the two reelers from the Roach Studios! They are some of film history's real treasures!!! Edited by: NorbertFronczak on Jan 7, 2011 3:09 PM

TCM does a great job of brining so many films to TV that either have never been seen before or very rarely. One thing that I do miss, though, and that's the 'ol Universal horror films of the 30's and 40's. The usual crowd made up of Dracula, the Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster, the Creature From the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy. Here's a radical idea for the holiday programming schedule. Instead of the usual Christmas theme films that we all know by heart, how about a couple of days of "Christmas With the Monsters" concept? A survey of all the horror/sci fi films from the 30's, 40's and 50's and not just the pics made at Universal. These haven't been on TCM for several years now and I think that it's about time to "bring them back to life!" Thanks for your consideration! Edited by: NorbertFronczak on Dec 12, 2010 2:11 PM