TopBilled Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 0217 of 1300 When the name Lynn Belvedere is mentioned, one can’t help but think of Clifton Webb in the 20th Century Fox motion picture SITTING PRETTY. Nobody else in the 1940s could have played the part of a snobby housekeeper so well. The film was a hit with audiences and it spawned two sequels, both with Webb, as well as a later TV series with Christopher Hewitt. But Webb played many other roles at Fox, and he is also remembered for his turn as the villainous Waldo Lydecker in Otto Preminger’s classic noir LAURA; and his supporting role in the adaptation of THE RAZOR’S EDGE, which netted him an Oscar nomination. In the 1950s, the studio put its flamboyant actor in more family friendly comedies, and while these projects were a bit less sophisticated than Webb’s earlier films, they still benefited from his perfectionism and precise, polished performances. Webb would eventually retire from the screen after 1962’s SATAN NEVER SLEEPS, in which he played a priest opposite William Holden, and he died a short time afterward. But he still lives on at Hummingbird Hill. And if you go there and ring the doorbell, chances are Mr. Belvedere will answer. Though he might be dealing with some bratty kids. Clifton Webb present and accounted for..! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 "Sitting Pretty" is one of the great unsung gay classics of the silver screen - with Clifton Webb and Richard Hadyn playing two aging queens who were actually getting in each other's way. And it was wrapped in the family-friendly aura of a domestic comedy. How very clever some well-known filmmakers could acutally be. Clifton Webb's very real homosexuality contributed an extra dimension to his precise and polished performances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 My 2 favourite Clifton Webb movies are: Laura Three Coins in the Fountain I have yet to see Sitting Pretty. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 I have yet to see Sitting Pretty. You'd enjoy it. Very well made. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 0218 of 1300 Phyllis Calvert was one of the top movie stars in England during the 1940s and 1950s. She was primarily known for her work in melodramas. She began in the motion picture industry during the late 1920s when she was just 12 years old. More parts followed and as she matured, she developed into a bankable leading lady. Some of her more popular pictures included KIPPS, an adaptation of H.G. Welles' story, opposite Michael Redgrave; FANNY BY GASLIGHT with James Mason and Stewart Granger, which was probably her most well-received film; and a Hollywood production called MY OWN TRUE LOVE with Melvyn Douglas that was made for Paramount. While in America, she also did the crime drama APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER with Alan Ladd. Then she returned to her native country and continued in British films for the rest of the 1950s and 1960s. In later years, she took character roles on screen and appeared occasionally on stage. Phyllis Calvert present and accounted for..! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 Phyllis Calvert had a small role in that most magical of films, "The Battle of the Villa Fiorita". She inhabited it with such a stylish presence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 Phyllis Calvert had a small role in that most magical of films, "The Battle of the Villa Fiorita". She inhabited it with such a stylish presence. Yes, she did. She appeared on screen for about 50 years. Long and distinguished career. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 0219 of 1300 Perhaps Brandon de Wilde is most remembered for his role in George Stevens’ classic western SHANE. He was eleven years old at the time and had already appeared on Broadway in ‘The Member of the Wedding.’ In rapid succession, he had earned a major theater award; a Golden Globe award; and there was an Oscar nomination for his work in SHANE. Not long after this, he starred in a television sitcom for ABC that lasted a year. He was even featured on the cover of a national magazine. All of this before he was even a teenager. He would continue to make hit films in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of these pictures included GOODBYE, MY LADY; BLUE DENIM (where he played an expectant teen father); and HUD. In the late 1960s, his movie career was in decline, and he took several guest starring roles on hit TV programs. One of his final screen performances occurs in an episode of Raymond Burr’s Ironside. A year after it was telecast, he was touring with a stage production of ‘Butterflies Are Free' when his life was tragically cut short at age 30. Brandon de Wilde present and accounted for..! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 I loved Brandon de Wilde so much - he was such a superb child actor. Who could forget him in "Shane" or "Goodbye, My Fancy"? As he grew older, I loved him, too, in his film with Warren Beatty, "Hud" and "In Harm's Way". And I retain a special place in my heart for his performance in "Blue Denim". He starred in a famous episode of "Thriller", which was quite thrilling. And he guest-starred in a first-rate episode of "The Virginian". I saw him on-stage in a Broadway comedy by Evan Hunter. He was "golden", of course. His death in a bizarre traffic accident was truly tragic and robbed us of a unique presence in film, on stage and in television. RIP, Brandon de Wilde, you could never be forgotten. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 I loved Brandon de Wilde so much - he was such a superb child actor. Who could forget him in "Shane" or "Goodbye, My Fancy"? As he grew older, I loved him, too, in his film with Warren Beatty, "Hud" and "In Harm's Way". And I retain a special place in my heart for his performance in "Blue Denim". He starred in a famous episode of "Thriller", which was quite thrilling. And he guest-starred in a first-rate episode of "The Virginian". I saw him on-stage in a Broadway comedy by Evan Hunter. He was "golden", of course. His death in a bizarre traffic accident was truly tragic and robbed us of a unique presence in film, on stage and in television. RIP, Brandon de Wilde, you could never be forgotten. Oh, wow maybe we can start a fan club, Rayban? I simply love him too. I remember the first time I saw "The Member of the Wedding" I was about nine and not really understanding the story totally, just thought his character was hilarious. All that talk about Frankie's hair and pinheads at the carnival, but later came to see what a fine child actor he was. I bought the boxed set of Thriller episodes just to own that one called "Pigeons From Hell" which justifiably is blood curdling. It was quite a loss to have him die as he did at such an early age but thankfully we have his many fine performances still to relish and wonder what would have resulted as he aged in films. Whenever "Shane" is on I have to always watch the ending to hear his plaintive voice calling Shane back. RIP, Brandon you are not forgotten. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Oh, wow maybe we can start a fan club, Rayban? I simply love him too. I remember the first time I saw "The Member of the Wedding" I was about nine and not really understanding the story totally, just thought his character was hilarious. All that talk about Frankie's hair and pinheads at the carnival, but later came to see what a fine child actor he was. I bought the boxed set of Thriller episodes just to own that one called "Pigeons From Hell" which justifiably is blood curdling. It was quite a loss to have him die as he did at such an early age but thankfully we have his many fine performances still to relish and wonder what would have resulted as he aged in films. Whenever "Shane" is on I have to always watch the ending to hear his plaintive voice calling Shane back. RIP, Brandon you are not forgotten. Okay, you are the President and I am the Vice President. He was so memorable in the film version of "The Member of The Wedding". But, horrors, his death scene was cut, because Stanley Kramer decided that the film was running too long. What idiocy! Yes, "Pigeons from Hell" is truly SCARY TV. As I mentioned, I only saw him on stage once. But, by this time, he had developed into a truly beautiful young man. Do you have his biography - "All Fall Down: The Brandon de Wilde Story"? I must get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 And he guest-starred in a first-rate episode of "The Virginian". He was a member of an outlaw gang, if that's the episode you're referring to-- in the final season, when it was called Men from Shiloh. The other guys in the gang are average height, and that was the first time I noticed how small/short Brandon was, around age 28 or 29. He had very delicate features which I think worked against him as a grown up actor. But he was brilliant and never gave less than his best. We were robbed of many performances he didn't have the chance to give. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 That Broadway comedy by Evan Hunter that Brandon de Wilde starred in was titled "A Race Of Hairy Men!". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 Can you guess the ones I'll be spotlighting? In the week ahead: Saturday April 9th: Actress who worked with Otto Preminger twice. Sunday April 10th: They played the Higgins Family. Special series: Classic Barrymore 101 Monday April 11th: J.B. Tuesday April 12th: J.B’s son. Wednesday April 13th: J.B.’s daughter. Thursday April 14th: J.B.’s sister. Friday April 15th: J.B’s brother and Dr. Kildare. *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaveGirl Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Can you guess the ones I'll be spotlighting? In the week ahead: Saturday April 9th: Actress who worked with Otto Preminger twice. Sunday April 10th: They played the Higgins Family. Special series: Classic Barrymore 101 Monday April 11th: J.B. Tuesday April 12th: J.B’s son. Wednesday April 13th: J.B.’s daughter. Thursday April 14th: J.B.’s sister. Friday April 15th: J.B’s brother and Dr. Kildare. *** By J.B. I am assuming you mean the J. of the Blythe family? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 By J.B. I am assuming you mean the J. of the Blythe family? That's correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 0220 of 1300 When director Otto Preminger made THE MOON IS BLUE in the early 1950s, he cast unknown Maggie McNamara in the lead female role. She starred opposite William Holden and David Niven, and with that sort of beginning in the movies, one might assume she was embarking on what would be a most successful screen career. But it didn’t exactly work out that way. Preminger was involved in a battle with the censors and this probably overshadowed McNamara’s debut. She made two pictures with Fox after this. And while she fared better in the theatrical drama PRINCE OF PLAYERS, she was somewhat eclipsed by her illustrious costars in the ensemble romance drama THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. There were roles on television after this, and the actress made her mark in a memorable episode of The Twilight Zone. And she was again working with Preminger in THE CARDINAL, though in a supporting part. Screen roles tapered off after this, and by the 1970s, she had increasing personal problems and found herself working as a secretary (a far cry from being a movie star). Maggie McNamara present and accounted for..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 0221, 0222 & 0223 of 1300 James Gleason had various movie jobs during his long career in Hollywood, but it was his work as a character actor for which he is most fondly remembered. Lucile Gleason, his wife and occasional costar (who usually played his wife on screen) is perhaps lesser known, but her career in movies was just as noteworthy. The two appeared with their son Russell Gleason in a series of family comedies for Republic Pictures in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Higgins Family films were Republic’s answer to hit franchises at MGM (the Hardys) and at 20th Century Fox (the Joneses). Usually the Higgins clan was involved in various get-ahead schemes that backfired. The comedies did well with audiences and Republic produced almost a dozen of them. A few years later, Russell Gleason died, but his parents continued to work together. They played a married couple in Vincente Minnelli’s THE CLOCK, giving advice to lovebirds like Judy Garland and Robert Walker. The Gleasons present and accounted for..! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 My favourite James Gleeson movie is also my favourite Robert Montgomery movie: Here Comes Mr. Jordan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 My favourite James Gleeson movie is also my favourite Robert Montgomery movie: Here Comes Mr. Jordan Yes, that's a good one. I like Gleason in SUDDENLY...and in NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 0224 of 1300 John Barrymore appeared with his brother Lionel and sister Ethel in MGM’s production of RASPUTIN AND THE EMPRESS. It was the only time the three famous Barrymores appeared in a film together, and all of them enjoyed successful stage and motion picture careers for many years. J.B. was probably the most notorious of the three, and he was known for his colorful lifestyle off screen just as much as he was known for the memorable screen roles that tapped into his unique personality. He had started acting in movies during the silent film days, in swashbucklers and romance dramas that were popular at the time. When sound came in, he transitioned with ease. Perhaps his best known sound picture is TWENTIETH CENTURY which teamed him with Carole Lombard. He and Lombard costarred again a few years later in TRUE CONFESSION at Paramount. But by then, he was taking supporting parts and his alcoholism was destroying his personal life and making it difficult for him to remain employed in Hollywood. Later films tended to spoof his public image, though the performances are still worth looking at because with everything he did, they contain the old Barrymore magic. John Barrymore present and accounted for..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I love John Barrymore movies. His brother Lionel is my favourite of the siblings, then John, then Ethel. I just watched The Great Man Votes last night for the first time. I still plan to see him in Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde which I have yet to see even though I own it because there is an outline of a spider when he is going through the change. My favourite John Barrymore movies are; no order except the first Grand Hotel Sherlock Holmes Night Flight Dinner at Eight Twentieth Century Svengali Rasputin and the Empress 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 My favourite John Barrymore movies are; no order except the first Grand Hotel Sherlock Holmes Night Flight Dinner at Eight Twentieth Century Svengali Rasputin and the Empress Excellent list. Though I like Ethel's performances best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregoryPeckfan Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Excellent list. Though I like Ethel's performances best. I have Ethel last more because she made fewer movies for her length of life rather than quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopBilled Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 I have Ethel last more because she made fewer movies for her length of life rather than quality. I think she's superb in THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE and KIND LADY. I wish TCM was airing the one she did with Bogart called DEADLINE U.S.A. She is wonderful in that film, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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