TopBilled Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I have a series of 'In character' threads, and I was surprised to see that I hadn't made one yet for the great character actor Charles Winninger. TCM is airing a daytime tribute in Winninger's honor. Last night I had looked at a disc of 'George Murphy' films I recorded. One of those was LITTLE NELLIE KELLY, where Winninger plays Judy Garland's pop. It is not airing this morning, but watching it was a good warm-up for today's slate of films featuring Winninger: GOD'S GIFT TO WOMEN NIGHT NURSE THE GO-GETTER NOTHING SACRED BABES IN ARMS MY LIFE WITH CAROLINE BELLE OF THE YUKON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primosprimos Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I have a series of 'In character' threads, and I was surprised to see that I hadn't made one yet for the great character actor Charles Winninger. TCM is airing a daytime tribute in Winninger's honor. Last night I had looked at a disc of 'George Murphy' films I recorded. One of those was LITTLE NELLIE KELLY, where Winninger plays Judy Garland's pop. It is not airing this morning, but watching it was a good warm-up for today's slate of films featuring Winninger: GOD'S GIFT TO WOMEN NIGHT NURSE THE GO-GETTER NOTHING SACRED BABES IN ARMS MY LIFE WITH CAROLINE BELLE OF THE YUKON Good solid actor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Faiola Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Winninger's chief claim to fame is originating the role of Cap'n Andy in Ziegfeld's SHOW BOAT. Thankfully, Carl Laemmle included him in the 1936 film version, ensuring that Winninger's performance of a lifetime will live forever. Charlie hosted a radio variety series based on the character (CAPTAIN HENRY'S SHOWBOAT) and continued to play Cap'n Andy on stage for many years. I have never seen another actor come anywhere near Winninger's three-dimensional characterization. The thought of Ralph Dumke doing it in the 1945 revival gives me shivers. And John McMartin on Broadway a few years back was just dull as could be. I would like to have seen Billy House out of curiosity. Joe E. Brown played the role for years (it seems he alternated with HARVEY every other season) and he probably came closest to giving the role everything it called for. I'm wondering if there is any film or tape of Donald O'Connor from his 1980's turn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primosprimos Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Winninger's chief claim to fame is originating the role of Cap'n Andy in Ziegfeld's SHOW BOAT. Thankfully, Carl Laemmle included him in the 1936 film version, ensuring that Winninger's performance of a lifetime will live forever. Charlie hosted a radio variety series based on the character (CAPTAIN HENRY'S SHOWBOAT) and continued to play Cap'n Andy on stage for many years. I have never seen another actor come anywhere near Winninger's three-dimensional characterization. The thought of Ralph Dumke doing it in the 1945 revival gives me shivers. And John McMartin on Broadway a few years back was just dull as could be. I would like to have seen Billy House out of curiosity. Joe E. Brown played the role for years (it seems he alternated with HARVEY every other season) and he probably came closest to giving the role everything it called for. I'm wondering if there is any film or tape of Donald O'Connor from his 1980's turn. Here's another guy who could do evil, I betcha, like Gene Lockhart. It's those fade into the background character actors you have to watch. Occasionally they astound you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Here's another guy who could do evil, I betcha, like Gene Lockhart. It's those fade into the background character actors you have to watch. Occasionally they astound you. That's true. Maybe I'm going off the great chemistry Winninger has with Garland in LITTLE NELLIE KELLY, but I feel he would have made a good Wizard of Oz too. Not trying to take away from Frank Morgan's outstanding work, but I can see Winninger doing just as a good a job as Professor Marvel and the Wizard. It's exactly this type of character actor the part calls for-- a man who can work interesting quirks into the role and still play it legitimately (not at all cartoonish). I hope more people come to develop a greater appreciation of Winninger's skill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primosprimos Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 That's true. Maybe I'm going off the great chemistry Winninger has with Garland in LITTLE NELLIE KELLY, but I feel he would have made a good Wizard of Oz too. Not trying to take away from Frank Morgan's outstanding work, but I can see Winninger doing just as a good a job as Professor Marvel and the Wizard. It's exactly this type of character actor the part calls for-- a man who can work interesting quirks into the role and still play it legitimately (not at all cartoonish). I hope more people come to develop a greater appreciation of Winninger's skill. No doubt if Winninger had gotten the part, he would be the iconic Wizard. Temple, on the other hand, could never be Dorothy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 No doubt if Winninger had gotten the part, he would be the iconic Wizard. Temple, on the other hand, could never be Dorothy. Yes, I think Temple would have been a hit (with audiences of the time) but not someone who would have made it the enduring classic it is with Judy. Yeah, I think Winninger would have been the iconic Wizard. If you watch his silly, whimsical Granfeathers character in SUNDAY DINNER FOR A SOLDIER, you can see what kind of perfect Wizard of Oz he would have made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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