path40a Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 I've now seen him in quite a few "B" films I've watched (& reviewed) on TCM. Though his "Father Knows Best" TV series was before I was born, and "Marcus Welby" TV series aired when I was too young to watch it, thanks to our favorite channel I've been able to enjoy quite of few of his movie performances. The first one I can recall "discovering" was Mortal Storm (1940) or Three Comrades (1938), which both have a lot of other great stars in them and can hardly be called "B" pictures. However, subsequently I've had the pleasure of viewing him in mostly happy go lucky or otherwise positive roles in such films as: Vagabond Lady (1935), Married Before Breakfast (1937), and Miracles for Sale (1939). I've also enjoyed him in the (non-B?) H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941), Journey for Margaret (1942), and Crossfire (1947). Anyone else like Robert Young? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brackenhe Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Oh yes. Dr. Welby. Yes I love him. I was a little kid when Father Knows Best was on but saw it in syndication. But I was in High School during the Welby run and never missed that show. (It didn't hurt that James Brolin was the hunky, motorcycle driving, younger Dr. that worked with Dr. Welby.) But I really didn't discover his movie work until TCM. I love all those movies you named plus there was one with Susan Hayward called They Won't Believe Me. He was definitely, at least, a good supporting player. I could list a bunch of movies I think he's especially good in---Northwest Passage, The Bride Wore Red, The Enchanted Cottage (a great one), The Shining Hour, oh my goodness there are so many. Yes, I'm a fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeanddaisy666 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Oh yes, very much. I was going to say I love Robert Young, but I'm trying to tone down my superlatives. I have the 'loves' flying all over this board. Can't help it. Robert Young in a movie would usually guarantee that I was going to enjoy it. He played villains soooo well. And not over the top, loud villains, either. Smooth villains in a none too cheap suit with a good haircut. Crossfire and They Won't Believe Me are two of my favorites. Like Fred McMurray, he made a transition to television that introduced him to an entirely new generation. However, those not familiar with their movies should make it a point to view both actors. Their talent was bigger than the little screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I like him too, not a lot, but he's definitely watchable, and always adds something to a film. I enjoyed him in "Three Comrades," as well as "Lady Be Good," also starring Ann Sothern and Eleanor Powell. He was also very good in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet," one of his first movies. His part was small, but he played alongside Helen Hayes. The only funny thing is the amount of makeup he has on! If you ever get to see this movie, pay attention to this, but actually, you can't help but notice! It's rather funny, but he's still good in the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainablue1 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Wow, I totally loved The Enchanted Cottage, but from all the movies I see listed here I haven't seen, obviously I am missing out on a great deal.You have inspired me to check more of his movies out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Robert Young, so well remembered for his bland and kindly, sunny roles, once explained to an interviewer that he was an introvert in an extroverted profession. Quite troubled throughout his life by depression and alcoholism, he could play an upright citizen as well as a character with dark flowers growing in his soul. He was exceptionally good when given half a chance with a decently written part. He could play with considerable skill a man who sought security in apparent external success while a strong current of discontentment flowed just beneath the surface. In "Three Comrades", "The Mortal Storm" and especially in the odd, noirish "They Won't Believe Me" he played limited men who weren't just trapped by the times they lived in, but were also hemmed in by their own psyche. In these films, he went from phlegmatic good nature to exhibiting flashes of desperate anger in an instant. This aspect of his screen persona could be quite startling to a viewer, especially if one were most familiar with Young through "Father Knows Best". On the other hand his comedic playing in such lightweight trifles as "Claudia", "Claudia and David" and "Sitting Pretty" continue to give pleasure. It probably just looks easy to play opposite a radiant Dorothy Maguire or a skilled actor such as Clifton Webb. Whenever they lobbed a line his way, he sent it back with a nice spin. That's not easy. Perhaps Robert Young may have enjoyed the creative expression that he received from his darker roles, but his lighter moments revealed his talent as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeanddaisy666 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 shainabluegirl, you're in for a treat. I can watch They Won't Believe Me over and over. He was also quite good in Secret Agent. Did you see Married Before Breakfast, which was just shown Monday the 6th? Sounds like an example of his talent at comedy. moirafinney20, excellent description of Young. Like sooo many actors who acted, he was on the other side of the 'star', and did a consummate job of taking the lines lobbed at him and delivering them back. I had forgotten about his personal problems. You're correct, his character in Father Knows Best was presumably light years away from his true personality, and yet look how he personnified the father everyone wished they had. The more I read here about the wonderful supporting and character actors who toiled during My Golden Era, the more respect I gain for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicsfan1119 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Yes, I like him, and I like him very much! Those who are equally interested in his better films will also want to see "The Canterville Ghost" (1944), and "Northwest Passage" (1940), both available here on TCM for viewing from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicsfan1119 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Yes, I like him, and I like him very much! For those here who also like him, be sure to see "The Canterville Ghost" (1944), and "Northwest Passage" (1940). TCM has them in their library and shows them from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicsfan1119 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Sorry for the double post! This site continues to play wicked games with me every now and then! ;)ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
path40a Posted March 12, 2005 Author Share Posted March 12, 2005 Glad to know y'all like him too. BTW, he was married to the same woman for 61 years, until her death, and received no recognition for his contributions to the movies. However, he was nominated and did receive Emmy's for his work on the two aforementioned television series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainablue1 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Wow, my list of " must see" movies grows longer and longer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeanddaisy666 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 and received no recognition for his contributions to the movies. Is that right, path? Criminal, just criminal. I think the same Academy that can spend $14.35 (or whatever the heck it costs) on the little statue and award it to the likes of Tom Cruise should have picked a year, say 1970, and given EVERY SINGLE actor, who was still living and had acted in a movie through the year 1950, one of those gall danged statues. Every single one. Whether it was Frank McHugh, Robert Young, Parkyakarkus, EVERY ONE. Okay, so the year is 2005. Are there ANY actors still alive who fit the category? Does the Academy read this site? Well, it's too late for this year. But all the actors who qualify for the aforementioned get an honorary award for me. Because I think it's terrible that Robert Young wasn't recognized for his movie work. Was Fred McMurray? Ack. Criminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 Thanks for all the tips here. I've always liked Robert Young, but haven't seen many of his films, only "The Kid from Spain", "Northwest Passage", "Sitting Pretty", "Canterville Ghost", "Secret Agent", "The Secret of The Incas" and "That Forsyte Woman". Now, thanks to TCM I saw him in the entertaining "The Shining Hour" and the great "The Enchanted Cottage" opposite Dorothy McGuire, a gem! And I have taped others "waiting in line": "H.M. Pulham Esq.", "Three Comrades", "The Mortal Storm", "The Wet Parade" and "Strange Interlude". There was always a certain "reliability" about him, I did not know about his hard life. Great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchellleisen Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 Any mention of Robert Young, necessarily brings to mind for me those other films to boob tube leading men: Robert Montgomery and Fred MacMurray. And Robert Young always ends up the third guy on that match. I liked anything Montgomery and HATED anything MacMurray, the hatred stemming from his superb Lt Keefer in The Caine Mutiny. Young didn't bring enough salt to the table in any of his films I've seen. Wretchedly flimsy of me, I know. I do like the 61 years of keeping his head together though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredrandyp Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 I only liked young in father knows best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loliteblue Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 loved Robert young in the following movies: sitting pretty Canterville ghost A journey for Margaret "my favorite" Enchanted Cottage They won't believe me **Mortal Storm hated him as the villian yuck!.... Marcus M.D. my favorite doctor show on t.v. growing up. lolite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Just noticed my misspelling of the great Dorothy McGuire's name in my earlier post--so sorry! She was a talented actress who played beautifully opposite Robert Young in "The Enchanted Cottage", "Claudia" and "Claudia and David". I could rhapsodize longer about her work as well as Young's. She was exceptionally good in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and "A Summer Place" as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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