TopBilled Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Loved her in so many films, she was also a great beauty. Most definitely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 0198 of 1300 When 20th Century Fox cast Alexander Knox in the title role of WILSON, he was not a movie star and in fact while he would appear in many motion pictures, he never did quite reach the upper ranks of stardom. He had been born in Canada, worked in U.S. theatrical productions and then began making movies in England. After Fox mogul Darryl Zanuck saw him on stage in Broadway in the early 40s, Zanuck knew he'd be the perfect choice to play President Woodrow Wilson in a huge biopic the studio was planning. And Knox certainly was perfect in the part-- he earned a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. But Knox's first love, before acting, was writing. From the 1930s to the 1970s, Knox authored several bestselling adventure novels, and he also worked on film scripts. He co-wrote SISTER KENNY, in which he starred with Rosalind Russell; and he also had a hand in the screenplay for the comedy-drama THE JUDGE STEPS OUT, which paired him with Ann Sothern. He was blacklisted in the 50s and returned to England where he continued to perform in British films and other European productions. In later years, he was back in Hollywood as a highly esteemed character actor. He turned up in MGM's GORKY PARK, made in 1983, as The General. Alexander Knox present and accounted for..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Nice w 0198 of 1300 When 20th Century Fox cast Alexander Knox in the title role of WILSON, he was not a movie star and in fact while he would appear in many motion pictures, he never did quite reach the upper ranks of stardom. He had been born in Canada, worked in U.S. theatrical productions and then began making movies in England. After Fox mogul Darryl Zanuck saw him on stage in Broadway in the early 40s, Zanuck knew he'd be the perfect choice to play President Woodrow Wilson in a huge biopic the studio was planning. And Knox certainly was perfect in the part-- he earned a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. But Knox's first love, before acting, was writing. From the 1930s to the 1970s, Knox authored several bestselling adventure novels, and he also worked on film scripts. He co-wrote SISTER KENNY, in which he starred with Rosalind Russell; and he also had a hand in the screenplay for the comedy-drama THE JUDGE STEPS OUT, which paired him with Ann Sothern. He was blacklisted in the 50s and returned to England where he continued to perform in British films and other European productions. In later years, he was back in Hollywood as a highly esteemed character actor. He turned up in MGM's GORKY PARK, made in 1983, as The General. Alexander Knox present and accounted for..! Nice write-up on Knox, TB. Though he is more famous for his roles playing men of importance, my favorite of his parts onscreen is in the late 1940's film, "The Sign of the Ram". As you know, this is the film wherein Susan Peters, the actress who was paralyzed in a hunting accident, returned to play the incredibly manipulative and domineering wheelchair bound wife of Knox, who is buffaloed by her seemingly sweet ways, whilst she fractures the family unit most indubitably. The film is not unlike "Queen Bee" with Joan Crawford but more insidious being that Peters is more diabolical and undetectable in her machinations. With great performances also by Peggy Ann Garner and Phyllis Thaxter, this is a Knox role which is not as well known but very impressive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Nice write-up on Knox, TB. Though he is more famous for his roles playing men of importance, my favorite of his parts onscreen is in the late 1940's film, "The Sign of the Ram". As you know, this is the film wherein Susan Peters, the actress who was paralyzed in a hunting accident, returned to play the incredibly manipulative and domineering wheelchair bound wife of Knox, who is buffaloed by her seemingly sweet ways, whilst she fractures the family unit most indubitably. The film is not unlike "Queen Bee" with Joan Crawford but more insidious being that Peters is more diabolical and undetectable in her machinations. With great performances also by Peggy Ann Garner and Phyllis Thaxter, this is a Knox role which is not as well known but very impressive. Thanks. I consider Alexander Knox the thinking-person's actor. He brings a sense of intelligence and purpose to his work, even the lighter stuff like OVER 21 with Irene Dunne. He'd make a great Summer Under the Stars honoree in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 0199 of 1300 With a given name like Dorothy Quackenbush, it's not surprising Paramount rechristened this charming starlet as Wanda McKay. The Portland native had moved around with her family, before she settled on the east coast. While in New York, she was a highly sought after model, posing for national ads that brought her to the attention of Hollywood talent scouts. She made her first film in 1939 but did not find real opportunities for stardom at Paramount. She soon left the studio and moved over to Monogram where she starred in a series of successful B films. She was popular in these budget-conscious programmers and would end up dividing her time between Monogram and PRC during the war years. She worked with Bela Lugosi, James Ellison and George Reeves in a variety of genres. In the 50s, she appeared on television, usually in western programs. In later years, she had married Hoagy Carmichael and enjoyed retirement in southern California. Wanda McKay present and accounted for..! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 0200 of 1300 Though he worked in nearly all genres, Rod Cameron is most remembered for his roles in westerns. He had been signed by Paramount and featured in small parts, but he did better at Republic in serials and oaters. He was also cast in a many B westerns at Universal in the mid-40s that were quite popular with audiences. He eventually graduated to starring roles in ‘A’ films, making three of them with Yvonne de Carlo that were all huge hits. By 1950, he had left Universal and was appearing in westerns and crime dramas at Republic and Monogram. During the fifties, Rod Cameron continued to stay busy in feature films. But he also headlined his own television series, three of them, and guest-starred on countless other TV programs through the seventies. He spent his last years in Georgia. Rod Cameron present and accounted for..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 0201 & 0202 of 1300 Monty Woolley had appeared in minor supporting roles in motion pictures during the late 1930s and early 1940s without much fanfare. But when he was cast in Warners' big screen adaptation of the play 'The Man Who Came to Dinner,' he achieved lasting movie stardom. Based on the strength of this performance, he was signed to a contract at Fox and put into a series of films that exploited his irascibility in farcical situations. These comedies, that were enormous hits with audiences, included two assignments opposite British star Gracie Fields. Fields had previously charmed audiences in her native country with performances in music halls and on stage. Her popularity as an entertainer led to a batch of motion pictures that displayed her versatility in light and serious stories. When she was paired with Woolley in their first film together, HOLY MATRIMONY, she was able to gain new fans in America. Their follow-up film two years later, MOLLY AND ME, was another success with moviegoers in North America and abroad. Monty Woolley and Gracie Fields present and accounted for..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Monty Woolley and Gracie Fields were a knock-out team in "Molly and Me" And, for a added bonus, we were given a teenage Roddy McDowall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 Can you guess the ones I'll be spotlighting? In the week ahead: Saturday March 26th: Precode star known as the Lone Wolf. Sunday March 27th: Hollywood couple, together for over 50 years. Monday March 28th: RKO star/character actor known for crime dramas. Tuesday March 29th: Canadian actress who appeared in Hal Roach comedies. Wednesday March 30th: Actor turned director, once costarred with Lucille Ball. Thursday March 31st: Austrian stage and film actress. Friday April 1st: Played the Fuller Brush Man. *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Can you guess the ones I'll be spotlighting? In the week ahead: Saturday March 26th: Precode star known as the Lone Wolf. Sunday March 27th: Hollywood couple, together for over 50 years. Monday March 28th: RKO star/character actor known for crime dramas. Tuesday March 29th: Canadian actress who appeared in Hal Roach comedies. Wednesday March 30th: Actor turned director, once costarred with Lucille Ball. Thursday March 31st: Austrian stage and film actress. Friday April 1st: Played the Fuller Brush Man. *** I'm hoping one of them is Hedy Lamarr. She led quite the exciting life and I should know since I read her autobiography. I look forward to your coming "spotlights", TB! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 0203 of 1300 Warren William enjoyed major success in the 1930s, especially when he played ruthless businessmen in precodes at Warner Brothers. He had come to Hollywood with extensive Broadway experience and a few silent pictures on his resume. He was so popular that other studios frequently requested his services. Warners loaned him to Columbia where he played Dave the Dude in Frank Capra's LADY FOR A DAY; as well as to Paramount, for the chance to take on Julius Caesar in DeMille's CLEOPATRA, opposite Claudette Colbert. He costarred with Colbert again in the original version of IMITATION OF LIFE at Universal. Back at his home studio, he was assigned the role of Perry Mason, which he played in four films. By the late 1930s, he had moved over to Columbia full-time. At this point, the debonair star was cast as the Lone Wolf, a reformed jewel thief who solved crimes. There were nine Lone Wolf films, and these pictures, plus a few other ones, kept him busy during the war years. In the mid-40s, his movie career was winding down, but he had two good roles at the end. He played a killer in Edgar Ulmer's noir STRANGE ILLUSION; and he worked with George Sanders in THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF BEL AMI. Warren William present and accounted for..! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 27, 2016 Author Share Posted March 27, 2016 0204 & 0205 of 1300 Frances Dee and Joel McCrea wed in 1933 and were married exactly 57 years. During this time, they had three sons, managed a vast ranching empire and oh yes, made motion pictures. There were four movies in which they costarred; they met on the set of the first one and soon became engaged. Probably their most well-known collaboration was the Paramount western WELLS FARGO in 1937. Both stars were born in southern California, but Frances spent much of her childhood in Chicago. When she returned to Los Angeles during a summer break from college, she landed a job as a movie extra and was immediately “discovered.” She jumped right into a starring role in a musical with Maurice Chevalier. Paramount featured her in many top productions during the 1930s, and in addition to her husband and Chevalier, she costarred with Gary Cooper; Leslie Howard; and Ronald Colman. Though her film output slowed in the 40s, she continued to take starring roles in pictures at major studios into the 1950s. Meanwhile, Joel had begun as an extra and stuntman in silent westerns; but by 1929, he was assigned roles in talkies. In the early 1930s, he was one of RKO’s most versatile and popular leading actors. He turned up in nearly all genres and worked with important directors like Cecil B. DeMille; Alfred Hitchcock; and George Stevens. By the late 1940s, he was appearing exclusively in westerns, a genre in which he felt most comfortable. And until the mid-1970s, he continued to perform on screen. Joel McCrea & Frances Dee present and accounted for..! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 0206 of 1300 Initially, Charles McGraw was cast in action films, but his movie career was interrupted by military service during the war. After his discharge from the army, he returned to acting; and starting with his role as a thug in THE KILLERS, he shot to stardom as a noir tough guy. Similar roles followed in other productions, and he played characters on both sides of the law. He was memorable as a crooked investigator in ROADBLOCK at home studio RKO; and he turned in a strong performance as a determined police officer in THE NARROW MARGIN. Later roles in the 1950s and 1960s spanned different genres including westerns, comedies and horror films. During these years, he also turned up frequently on television, starring in two short-lived series and guest-starring on many other programs. Charles McGraw present and accounted for..! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 0206 of 1300 Initially, Charles McGraw was cast in action films, but his movie career was interrupted by military service during the war. After his discharge from the army, he returned to acting; and starting with his role as a thug in THE KILLERS, he shot to stardom as a noir tough guy. Similar roles followed in other productions, and he played characters on both sides of the law. He was memorable as a crooked investigator in ROADBLOCK at home studio RKO; and he turned in a strong performance as a determined police officer in THE NARROW MARGIN. Later roles in the 1950s and 1960s spanned different genres including westerns, comedies and horror films. During these years, he also turned up frequently on television, starring in two short-lived series and guest-starring on many other programs. Charles McGraw present and accounted for..! It was so great to see him as the rather abusive father of Perry Smith [Robert Blake] in "In Cold Blood". He can be quite chilling in such roles to be sure. Thanks, TB! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 It was so great to see him as the rather abusive father of Perry Smith [Robert Blake] in "In Cold Blood". He can be quite chilling in such roles to be sure. Thanks, TB! Glad you mentioned his performance from IN COLD BLOOD. His tough looks and hard-edged personality made him perfect for that role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldbestar Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Has anybody else seen Frances Dee's screen test for Scarlett in Gone with the Wind? Not to knock Vivien Leigh but I think she's one American actress who could have made her a home grown heroine. She did a great job Wells Fargo playing a Southern belle who has a scheming side. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Has anybody else seen Frances Dee's screen test for Scarlett in Gone with the Wind? Not to knock Vivien Leigh but I think she's one American actress who could have made her a home grown heroine. She did a great job Wells Fargo playing a Southern belle who has a scheming side. I've seen the long and thorough documentary that shows all of the screen tests for Scarlett, as well as for her sisters and for Mammy. One of the reasons why Bette Davis didn't get the role is that she had just played a Southern Belle in Jezebel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Re: Further comment on the screen tests on Gone With the Wind: I believe that the only person who had his/her role right away was Clark Gable. Every other role required screen tests and at least two people seriously considered as far as the main cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 I've seen the long and thorough documentary that shows all of the screen tests for Scarlett, as well as for her sisters and for Mammy. One of the reasons why Bette Davis didn't get the role is that she had just played a Southern Belle in Jezebel. I don't think Davis ever had a chance, because Warners was not willing to loan her to Selznick. Plus, they felt they could make money doing their own story about a southern belle. So while JEZEBEL was not a rip-off of GONE WITH THE WIND, it was no doubt inspired by Mitchell's book and Selznick's upcoming movie. Even if Davis had been available, I sincerely doubt Selznick would have used her. He did not consider her a conventional beauty. He was leaning towards Paulette Goddard, before Leigh came along. After JEZEBEL, Davis played another southern belle, this time on loan out to Sam Goldwyn, in THE LITTLE FOXES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 I believe that the only person who had his/her role right away was Clark Gable. Every other role required screen tests and at least two people seriously considered as far as the main cast. Mayer would not loan Gable right away, until the actor's other film commitments at MGM had been honored. However, the truth is that Selznick actually had someone else in mind to play Rhett (Gable was not Selznick's first choice), but Margaret Mitchell insisted on Gable. So Selznick had to wait two years for Mayer to hand Gable over for GONE WITH THE WIND. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Has anybody else seen Frances Dee's screen test for Scarlett in Gone with the Wind? Not to knock Vivien Leigh but I think she's one American actress who could have made her a home grown heroine. She did a great job Wells Fargo playing a Southern belle who has a scheming side. Like Ida Lupino, Frances Dee had an almost ethereal beauty. Critic James Agee commented on her striking looks when she made the horror film I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 0207 of 1300 Actress Rosina Lawrence was an Ontario native. At a young age, she found work as a dancer, but wanted to do more than that. She soon left Canada for Hollywood with dreams of becoming a movie star. After arriving in southern California in 1933, she began to appear in Hal Roach productions, usually comedies. She is fondly remembered as the schoolteacher in quite a few of the Our Gang shorts. She was also cast in some of the features Roach produced. She had a memorable role in WAY OUT WEST with Laurel & Hardy, and there was also a movie with Patsy Kelly called NOBODY’S BABY. When her contract with Roach ended, she freelanced and had a part in one of the Charlie Chan flicks at Fox and then did a film in Italy. As the 30s drew to a close, she married and gave up show biz. She would walk away from the movies, but not from the memories. Rosina Lawrence present and accounted for..! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Wow, TB you pulled one out of your hat this time that I shall have to go look up in my "History of the American Film" book since I do not know her at all. Good work! And love the picture of Spanky and Alfalfa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Wow, TB you pulled one out of your hat this time that I shall have to go look up in my "History of the American Film" book since I do not know her at all. Good work! And love the picture of Spanky and Alfalfa. Thanks. I wouldn't be surprised if the sweet teacher she played in these Our Gang films served as the inspiration for Beaver Cleaver's first teacher Miss Canfield. You know, the wholesome young educator types that are missing from schools today. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldbestar Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks. I wouldn't be surprised if the sweet teacher she played in these Our Gang films served as the inspiration for Beaver Cleaver's first teacher Miss Canfield. You know, the wholesome young educator types that are missing from schools today. LOL Both of Beaver’s teachers, Miss Canfield (Diane Brewster) and Miss Landers (Sue Randall) were sweet and full of patience but they were never shown having to deal with lesson plans, government regulations, ticked-off parents, obscenely low salaries and the like. That people still want to do this makes them heroes in my book. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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