HAPPY BIRTHDAY! II

[jdb1]

Well, Larry, maybe in mongo's honor we can all put our two cents in for a while on whose birthday it is each day until someone decides to pick up the reins. I'd certainly miss paying tribute to my favorites on their birthdays.

 

Once again, mongo, you've done a great job and made us all happy with your daily posts. Maybe you'll get bored with retirement and come back to it.

JDB

[vallo13]

Well Mongo, I will truly miss the Birthday thread. I'm not sure if anyone of us can do it justice. But a "Man's gotta do what a Man's gotta do." I do hope you will continue your "In The Spotlight" thread. Your knowledge of actors and films is an asset to this forum. Have a great Holiday and hoping to hear from you in the New Year.

 

Bill (vallo)

[bansi4]

Larry, many thanks for your continued support and contributions to the birthday thread.

Bill and JDB, I'm glad that you both enjoyed the thread, and many thanks for your support.

 

Heck yeah, I'm sticking around and I'll be focusing on the 'In the Spotlight', and 'Ask Mongo' threads. I refuse to join that dearly departed thread.

 

Joe (mongo & bansi4)

[bansi4]

Born this day December 22nd:

 

Lead/co-star Ralph Fiennes is 44.

Exceptional actor, Oscar nominated best actor for "The English Patient", and for best support in "Schindler's List" (won New York Film Critics Award). Also in "Wuthering Heights" (1992), "Quiz Show" good role, "Oscar and Lucinda", "The Avengers", "Sunshine", "The End of the Affair", "Red Dragon", "Maid in Manhattan", "The Constant Gardener", "Land of the Blind", etc.

Divorced after 4 years of marriage. He dates and prefers older women. Brother of Joseph Fiennes. His name is pronounced Raph Fines.

***************************************

Co-star/support Hector Elizondo is 70.

Talented, bald Latino actor, in "The Landlord", "Valdez Is Coming", "Cuba", "American Gigolo", "The Fan", "The Flamingo Kid", "Beaches", "Pretty Woman" (Golden Globe nominee), "Frankie and Johnny", "Necessary Roughness", "Exit to Eden", "Runaway Bride", "Princess Diaries", "Raising Helen", etc.

Married 3 times (1 son). Was a regular on TVs "Chicago Hope" (won Emmy Award). Won a Tony Award for his stage work.

*****************************************

Co-star/support Barbara Billingsley is 84 today.

Attractive actress, remembered as June Cleaver, the mom wearing pearls in the kitchen on TVs "Leave It to Beaver". In "The Arnelo Affair", "The Saxon Charm", "Prejudice", "Shadow on the Wall", "Pretty Baby", "Three Guys Named Mike", "Inside Straight", 'The Bad and the Beautiful", "Invaders from Mars" good sci-fi, "The Careless Years", "Leave It to Beaver", etc.

Married 3 times (2 sons). Last on screen in 1997.

****************************************

Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star Peggie Castle (45) 1927-1973.

Lovely green-eyed blonde, in "Woman in Hiding", "Payment on Demand", "The Prince Who Was a Thief" w/Tony Curtis, "Harem Girl", "I, The Jury", "99 River Street" w/John Payne, "The White Orchid", "Jesse James' Women", "Miracle in the Rain" w/Jane Wyman, "Seven Hills of Rome", etc.

Married 4 times. Was a cast member of TVs "Lawman" w/John Russell. A heavy drinker, she died of cirrhosis of the liver.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

********************************************

Lead/co-star Ruth Roman (76) 1922-1999.

Beautiful, full-figured actress, in "Champion", "The Window", "Beyond the Forest", "Three Secrets" good role, "Dallas" w/Gary Cooper, "Strangers on a Train", "Tomorrow Is Another Day", "Mara Maru", "The Far Country", "Blowing Wild" w/Stanwyck, Cooper & Quinn, "Love Has Many Faces" w/Lana, etc.

She was also the star of the serial "Jungle Queen".

Married 3 times (1 son). Dated Ronald Reagan. On the TV series "Knots Landing". She died in her sleep.

********************************************

Lead/co-star Frankie Darro (58) 1917-1976.

Dependable, 5'3" juvenile tough-guy actor , on screen since 1924. In "The Public Enemy" playing Matt as a boy, "Three on a Match", "Tugboat Annie", "Wild Boys of the Road" good movie, "Broadway Bill", "Saratoga", "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry", "Riding High", "Westward the Women", "Forbidden Planet" as Robby the Robot, "Operation Petticoat", etc.

Married twice. He was an accomplished horseman. Had a recurring stint on TVs "The Red Skelton Show".

****************************************

Lead/co-star Peggy Ashcroft (83) 1907-1991.

Grand British character actress, won Oscar best support for "A Passage to India". Also in "The Nun's Story", "Secret Ceremony" w/Elizabeth Taylor, "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Joseph Andrews", "Madame Sousatzka", etc.

Married 3 times (2 children). A prominent stage actress, she was honored a Dame in 1956. Was outstanding as Barbie Batchelor on the TV series "The Jewel in the Crown" (Emmy Award nominee).

*****************************************

Co-star/support Minor Watson (75) 1889-1965.

Essential, good humored character actor in over 100 films. In "Our Betters", "Dead End", "That Certain Woman", "Of Human Hearts", "Boys Town", "Abe Lincoln in Illinois", "Gallant Sons", "Woman of the Year", "Kings Row", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Gentleman Jim", "Guadalcanal Diary" impressive role, "God Is My Co-Pilot", "Beyond the Forest", "The Star" w/Bette Davis, "Trapeze", etc.

Also appeared in silent films.

*******************************************

In memory of those who died this day December 22nd:

Novelist/screenwriter Nathanael West ('Day of the Locust') in 1940 at age 37, silent screen comic Harry Langdon in 1944 at age 60, zany comic Al Ritz ('The Ritz Bros.) in 1965 at age 64, director Harry Beaumont in 1966 at age 78, essential character actor Robert Keith in 1966 at age 68, studio mogul Darryl F. Zanuck in 1979 at age 77, silent screen actress Alice Terry in 1987 at age 88, reliable actor William Janney in 1992 at age 84, dependable character actress Butterfly McQueen ('Prissy' in GWTW) in 1995 at age 84, TV host Virginia Graham (a hoot) in 1998 at age 86, good-looking actor Lance Fuller in 2001 at age 73, and reliable supporting actor Kenneth Tobey in 2002 at age 85.

*****************************************

 

Mongo

[bansi4]

Today's birthday girl Ruth Roman

 

[vecchiolarry]

Hi Mongo,

 

What a nice picture of Ruth Roman. Great!!

She had the reputation of being one of the nicest people in show business. Of course, most of the real 'stars' were the nicest; that's been my experience.

 

Larry

[bansi4]

Born this day December 23rd:

 

Co-star/support Corey Haim is 35.

Capable youngster, in "First Born", "Silver Bullet", "Mutphy's Romance", "Lucas" good role, "Demolition High", "The Lost Boys" with frequent co-star Corey Feldman, "License to Drive", "Watchers", "Dream a Little Dream", "Back Lot Murders", etc.

Was engaged to Nicole Eggert. Unfortunately got into drugs causing a drug induced stroke, which just about sank his career.

Is preparing a reality show with friend Corey Feldman.

**************************************

Co-star/support Harry Shearer is 63.

Comedic, versatile actor in "The Robe" as David, "One Trick Pony", "The Right Stuff", "This Is Spinal Tap", "The Fisher King", "My Best Friend's Wedding", "The Truman Show", "A Mighty Wind", etc.

Married twice. Spent 2 seasons on "Saturday Night Live". Amazingly he voices about 21 characters on TVs animated series "The Simpsons".

***************************************

Co-star/support James Stacy is 70.

Reliable, good-looking actor, in "South Pacific", "Summer Magic", "The Young Sinner", "Flareup", "Posse", "Double Exposure", "Something Wicked This Way Comes", "F/X 2" as Cyborg, etc.

Divorced from Connie Stevens, and Kim Darby (1 daughter). Lost an arm and leg in a motorcycle accident, in which his girlfriend was killed. He served time in prison for molesting an 11 year old girl. Emmy Award nominee best actor. Last on screen in 1991.

****************************************

Lead/co-star Frederic Forrest is 70 today.

Talented actor, Oscar nominated best support for his role in "The Rose" w/Bette Midler. Also in "When the Legends Die", "The Don Is Dead", "The Conversation", "The Missouri Breaks", "Apocalypse Now" good role, "One from the Heart", "Hammett" good role, "Valley Girl", "The Stone Boy", "Falling Down", "Trauma", "Point Blank", "All the Kings Men", etc.

Married twice including to Marilu Henner. In made for TV movies, notably "Lonesome Dove" as the evil Blue Duck (Emmy Award nominee).

On the TV series "21 Jump Street".

*****************************************

Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star Elizabeth Hartman (43) 1943-1987.

Slender, striking actress, Oscar nominated best actress as the blind girl in "A Patch of Blue" (won Golden Globe Award). Also in "The Group", "You're a Big Boy Now", "The Fixer", "The Beguiled" w/Eastwood, "Walking Tall", "Full Moon High", etc.

A divorcee. Also a stage actress. Sadly, she suffered from depression, and jumped from her 5th floor apartment window to her death.

****************************************

Co-star/support Barbara Ruick (43) 1930-1974.

Dependable, energetic actress, in "Invitation", "Scaramouche", "Above and Beyond", "I Love Melvin" w/Donald O'Connor, "The Band Wagon", "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis", "Carousel" good role as Carrie, "California Split", etc.

Was married to movie composer John Williams (2 children). Divorced from Robert Horton. Daughter of character actress Laurene Tuttle.

Husband John Williams composed "Treesong" between the years 1974 and 1976, a concerto for violin in memory of his late wife.

***************************************

Co-star/support Harry Guardino (69) 1925-1995.

Rugged, appealing actor from New York, in "Sirocco" w/Bogart, "Houseboat" (Golden Globe nominee), "Pork Chop Hill", "The Five Pennies", "Five Branded Women", "Hell Is for Heroes", "King of Kings" as Barabbas, "Madigan", "Red Sky in Morning", "Dirty Harry", "St. Ives", "The Enforcer", etc.

Appeared on numerous TV programs, and on the Broadway stage (Tony Award nominee).

***************************************

Co-star/support George Brasno (70) 1911-1982.

Delightful dwarf actor, in "The Mighty Barnum", "Carnival", "Charlie Chan at the Circus", "Little Miss Broadway", "The Great John L", etc.

Usually appeared wih his sweet sister Olive Brasno, also a little person. They also were in the 'Little Rascals' short comedies "Shrimps for a Day" and "Arbor Day".

******************************************

Co-star/support James Gregory (90) 1911-2002.

Essential character actor, usually brash, in "The Young Stranger", "Al Capone" w/Steiger, "The Manchurian Candidate" as Lansbury's senator husband, "PT 109", "Captain Newman, M.D.", "The Sons of Katie Elder", "The Main Event" w/Streisand, etc.

Married for 58 years. He played Inspector Luger on the TV series "Barney Miller". Also a stage star.

****************************************

Co-star/support Fredi Washington (90) 1903-1994.

Lovely, fair-skinned African-American actress, remembered as Peola in "Imitation of Life" (1934). Also in "The Emperor Jones" w/Paul Robeson, "Ouanga" lead role as a voodoo priestess, "One Mile from Heaven" w/Claire Trevor, etc.

Married twice. She appeared on stage with Ethel waters. Retired comfortably to Connecticut.

*****************************************

Co-star/support Eric Blore (71) 1887-1959.

Delightful character actor, usually playing stuffy butlers and valets. In "The Gay Divorcee", "The Good Fairy", "Top Hat", "Diamond Jim", "Swingtime", "Quality Street", "Shall We Dance", "Swiss Miss' w/Laurel & Hardy, "The Lady Eve" good role, "Sullivan's Travels", "Kitty" w/Paulette Goddard, "Fancy Pants", etc.

Married twice (1 child). Also on stage. He started out in the insurance business.

******************************************

In memory of those who died this day December 23rd:

Silent screen actor Tyrone Power Sr. in 1931 at age 62, essential character actor Charles Ruggles in 1970 at age 84, dependable actor Jack Webb (Joe Friday) in 1982 at age 62, leading man James Ellison in 1993 at age 83, reliable co-star Patrick Knowles in 1995 at age 84, pre-code actor David Manners in 1998 at age 97, pianist/composer Victor Borge in 2000 at age 91, and delightful dwarf actor Billy Barty in 2000 at age 76.

*******************************************

 

Mongo

[bansi4]

Our birthday boy George Brasno with his sister Olive Brasno in "Charlie Chan at the Circus" starring Warner Oland.

 

[bansi4]

Born this day December 24th: (Christmas Eve)

 

Co-star/support Sharon Farrell is 66.

Dependable actress, in "40 Pounds of Trouble"", "A Lovely Way to Die", "Marlowe", "The Reivers" w/McQueen, The Love Machine", "It's Alive", "The Stunt Man", "Night of the Comet", "A Gift from Heaven", etc.

Married 4 times (briefly to Andrew Prine). Mother of a son Chance. Made numerous TV appearances including a stint on the soap "The Young and the Restless". Last on screen in 1997.

*************************************

Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Carol Haney (39) 1924-1964.

Energetic actress and notably fabulous dancer, in "The Ziegfeld Follies" (1946), "On the Town", "Summer Stock", "Tea for Two", "Kiss Me Kate", "The Pajama Game" exceptonal role, etc.

Divorced from Larry Blyden (2 children). Won a Tony Award for "The Pajama Game" on Broadway. She was an assistant chereographer (uncredited) on the films "Singin' in the Rain", "On the Town", and "An American in Paris" (her work is evident).

***************************************

Lead/co-star Ava Gardner (67) 1922-1990.

Legendary brunette beauty, Oscar nominated best actress as Kelly in "Mogambo". Also in "Ghosts on the Loose" w/The East Side Kids, "Whistle Stop", "The Killers", "The Hucksters", "One Touch of Venus", "The Bribe", "East Side, West Side", "My Forbidden Past", "Lone Star", "Show Boat" good role as Julie, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", "The Barefoot Contessa", "The Sun Also Rises", "On the Beach", "Seven Days in May", "The Night of the Iguana", "Earthquake", etc.

Divorced from Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra (she was the love of his life). Also had a weakness for bullfighters. She never thought much of her acting, although she was good. On the TV series "Knots Landing". She is buried in her home state of North Carolina in the family plot.

***************************************

Composer Franz Waxman (60) 1906-1967.

Grand cmposer, won Oscar for scoring "Sunset Boulevard", and "A Place in the Sun". Oscar nominated for "The Young in Heart", "Rebecca", "Suspicion", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "Objective Burma", "Humoresque", "The Silver Chalice", "The Nun's Story", and "Taras Bulba". Also scored "The Bride of Frankenstein" exceptional score, "Mr. Skeffington", "To Have and Have Not", "Possessed", "Dark Passage", "Sorry, Wrong Number", "Mister Roberts", "Sayonara", "Peyton Place", etc.

Was married with 2 children. He worked on over 200 films, and many TV shows.

***************************************

Producer/director Howard Hughes (70) 1905-1976.

Dapper, Essentric millionaire (inherited), directed "Hell's Angels", and "The Outlaw" w/Jane Russell. Produced "Scarface" w/Muni, "Vendetta", "His Kind of Woman", "Two Tickets to Broadway", "Macao", "Underwater!", "Jet Pilot", etc.

Was married to Jean Peters and possibly to Terry Moore. Was the man about town dating the most glamourous starlets in Hollywood. He loved flying and founded his own aircraft company.

Became a recluse during the last years of his life (possibly a Bipolar victim). Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed him in the film "The Aviator".

*****************************************

Lead/co-star Ruth Chatterton (67) 1893-1961.

Impressive actress, a pre-code staple, Oscar nominated best actress for her roles in "Madame X", and "Sarah and Son". Also in "The Lady of Scandal", "Unfaithful", "The Magnificent Lie", "Lily Turner", "Frisco Jenny", "Female", "Dodsworth" as Fran, "Lady of Secrets", "A Royal Divorce", etc.

Married 3 times including to George Brent (she had no children). Also a Broadway star.

******************************************

Director Michael Curtiz (75) 1886-1962.

Essential filmmaker, won Oscar best director for the classic "Casablanca". Oscar nominated for "Captain Blood" (write-in), "Four Daughters", "Angels with Dirty Faces", and "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Also helmed "The Adventures of Robin Hood", "The Sea Wolf", "Roughly Speaking", "Mildred Pierce", "Life with Father", "Flamingo Road", "Young Man with a Horn", "White Christmas", etc.

Married 3 times. Had a thick Hungarian accent.

He was known for his trouble with the English language. During filming of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1936), he wanted many riderless horses in the background during the final charge. His instructions were, "Bring on the empty horses", later the title of the autobiography of one of the stars of the film, David Niven.

Directed 10 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Paul Muni, John Garfield, James Cagney, Walter Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Eve Arden and William Powell. Cagney and Crawford won Oscars for their performances in one of Curtiz' movies.

***************************************

In memory of those who died this day December 24th:

Dependable character actress Nana Bryant in 1955 at age 67, silent screen star Norma Talmadge in 1957 at age 64, writer/director Edmund Goulding in 1959 at age 68, exotic-looking actress/dancer Tilly Losch in 1975 at age 72, superior composer Bernard Herrmann in 1975 at age 64, former child actor Tommy Bupp in 1983 at age 59, reliable romeo Peter Lawford in 1984 at age 61, and Italian actor Rossano Brazzi in 1994 at age 78.

****************************************

 

Mongo

[bansi4]

Today's birthday girl Ava Gardner.

 

[bansi4]

Posting today's thread early AM. Gotta get ready to make merry.

 

Born this day December 25th: Christmas Day

 

Lead/co-star Sissy Spacek is 57.

Essential, talented movie star (freckles), won Oscar best actress as Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner Daughter" (did her own singing). Oscar nominated for "Carrie", Missing", "The River", "Crimes of the Heart" (won Golden Globe Award), and "In the Bedroom" (won Golden Globe Award). Also in "Badlands", "3 Women", "Raggedy Man" (Golden Globe nominee), "Marie", "Night Mother" w/Anne Bancroft, "The Long Walk Home", "J.F.K.", "The Grass Harp", "Affliction", "North Country", "Gray Matters", etc.

Married since 1974 (2 daughters). Lives on a horse farm in Virgina.

************************************

Lead/co-star Tony Martin is 94 today.

Reliable crooner/actor, in "Sally, Irene and Mary", "Wnner Take All", "Music in My Heart" w/Rita Hayworth, "Ziegfeld Girl", "The Big Store" w/The Marx Bros., "Till the Clouds Roll By", "Casbah" as Pepe Le Moko, "Two Tickets to Broadway", "Easy to Love", "Hit the Deck", "Meet Me in Las Vegas", etc.

Is married to Cyd Charisse 58 years (2 sons). Was married to Alice Faye. Had some hit records, and performed in nightclubs. Last on screen in a cameo role in 1982.

*************************************

Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star John Ashley (62) 1934/1997.

Reliable baby-faced actor, in "Dragstrip Girl", "Hot Rod Gang", "Frankenstein's Daughter", "High School Caesar", "Hud", "Beach Party", "Muscle Beach Party", "Young Dillinger", "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini", "Hell on Wheels", "Beast of Blood", etc.

Was married to TVs "Gidget" Deborah Walley (1 child). Became a successful producer ("The A-Team" etc.). Was adopted when only a few months old.

***************************************

Co-star/support Mabel King (66) 1932-1999.

Reliable, plump actress, in "Don't Play Us Cheap", "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings" w/Richard Pryor, "The Wiz", "The Jerk", "The Gong Show Movie", "Scrooged", etc.

Divorced (1 child Larry who died in 1996). She played the Mama on the TV series "Whats Happening!".

****************************************

Lead/co-star Irish McCalla (73) 1929-2002.

Striking blonde actress, remembered as TVs "Sheena of the Jungle". In "She Demons", "The Beat Generation", "Five Gates to hell", "Five Branded Women", "Hands of a Stranger", etc.

Married twice (2 children). Once a pin-up for girlie magazines. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

*****************************************

Co-star/support Alan King (76) 1927-2004.

Comedic character actor, in "Hit the Deck", "Miracle in the Rain" w/Jane Wyman, "The Helen Morgan Story", "The Anderson Tapes", "Author! Author!", "Cats Eye", "Enemies: A Love Story", "Casino", "Rush Hour 2", etc.

Was married 57 years (3 children). A prominent stand-up comic.

******************************************

Co-star/support Barton MacLane (66) 1902-1969.

Bulky, 'tough-guy' actor (one of the best) in over 200 films. In "G' Men", "Black Fury", "Bullets or Ballots", "You Only Live Once", "The Prince and the Pauper", "High Sierra" w/Bogart, "Come Live with Me", "Manpower", "The Maltese Falcon", "The Big Street" (slapped Lucille Ball down the stairs), "The Mummy's Ghost" a goodie, "San Quentin", "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", "Red Light" w/Raft & Mayo, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" w/Cagney, "Pocketful of Miracles", etc.

Married twice (2 children). He played several musical instruments.

******************************************

Lead/co-star Humphrey Bogart (57) 1899-1957.

Legendary movie star, won Oscar best actor as Charlie Allnut in "The African Queen". Oscar nominated for "Casablanca", and "The Caine Mutiny". Also in "The Petrified Forest", "Dead End", "Angels with Dirty Faces", "Dark Victory", "The Roaring Twenties", "High Sierra", "To Have and Have Not", "The Big Sleep", "Dark Passage", "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" exceptional performance, "In a Lonely Place", "Sabrina", "The Barefoot Contessa", "The Harder They Fall", etc.

Married 4 times including Lauren Bacall (2 children). Voted #1 actor on AFIs list of the most famous movie stars. He went out in style.

It's debatable whether he was actually born on Christmas Day, since the New York Times once repored that his birth date was on January 23rd. although most sources list it as December 25th.

*******************************************

In memory of those who died this day December 25th:

Silent screen star Agnes Ayres in 1940 at age 42, superior comic W.C. Fields in 1946 at age 66, reliable actor Frankie Darro in 1976 at age 59, silent film great Charles Chaplin in 1977 at age 88, dependable actor Lee Bowman in 1979 at age 64, brassy blonde movie star Joan Blondell in 1979 at age 73, writer/producer Collier Young in 1980 at age 72, dandy character actress Betty Garde in 1989 at age 84, exceptional singer/actor Dean Martin in 1995 at age 78, essential character actor Denver Pyle in 1997 at age 77, and actor/producer William T. Orr in 2002 at age 85.

********************************************

 

Mongo

[bansi4]

**********HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL**********

 

 

[bansi4]

Today's birthday boy Humphrey Bogart

 

[vallo13]

Here's Looking at YOU... Kid....Any time your on TCM.

 

 

vallo

[bansi4]

Born this day December 26th:

 

Co-star/support Jared Leto is 35.

Impressive actor, in "How to Make an American Quilt", "Urban Legend", "The Thin Red Line", "Fight Club", "Girl, Interrupted", "American Psycho", "Requiem for a Dream", "Panic Room", "Alexander", "Lord of War", "Lonely Hearts", etc.

Once engaged to Cameron Diaz. Is in the band '30 Seconds to Mars".

*************************************

Co-star/support Kathleen Crowley is 75.

Reliable starlet, in "Sabre Jet", "Target Earth", "Female Jungle", "Ten Wanted Men" w/Randolph Scott, "City of Shadows", "Seven Cities of Gold", "Curse of the Undead", "Downhill Racer", etc.

Guested on numerous TV shows. Last on screen in 1970. Has attented film conventions.

***************************************

Lead/co-star Richard Widmark is 92 today.

Essential blond-haired actor, excelled as a bad guy. Oscar nominated best support as the laughing killer Tommy Udo in "Kiss of Death", for which he won a Golden Globe Award. Also in "Road House" w/Lupino, "Yellow Sky" w/Peck, "Night of the City", "Panic in the Streets", "No Way Out" strong drama, "Red Skies of Montana", "Don't Bother to Knock" w/MM, "Pickup on South Street" exceptional noir, "Broken Lance", "Run for the Sun", "The Tunnel of Love" w/Doris Day, "Two Rode Together", "The Alamo", "Judgment at Nuremberg", "Coma", "Murder on the Orient Express", etc.

Widowed after 55 years in 1997 (1 daughter married to baseball great Sandy Koufax). He remarried in 1999. On the TV series "Madigan". Last on screen in 1991.

****************************************

Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Steve Allen (78) 1921-2000.

Dependable actor/comic, in "I'll Get By", "The Benny Goodman Story" title role, "The Big Circus", "College Confidential", "Warning Shot", "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?", "Great Balls of Fire", "Casino", etc.

Married twice including to Jayne Meadows for 48 years. Father of 4 children. He wrote numerous songs, and more than 50 books. Prominent on TV, the original host of "The Tonight Show".

*****************************************

Co-star/support Elisha Cook Jr. (91) 1903-1995.

Essential character actor (pint-sized with a turned-up nose), in over 100 films. Especially good in film-noir. In "They Won't Forget", "Tin Pan Alley", "The Maltese Falcon" as Wilmer, "Ball of Fire" w/Stanwyck, "Phantom Lady", "Dillinger", "The Big Sleep", "Born to Kill", "The Gangster", "Shane", "Trial", "The Killing", "Baby Face Nelson", "One Eyed Jacks", "Rosemary's Baby", "Electra Glide in Blue" w/Robert Blake, "The Champ", "Tom Horn", etc.

Was married 52 years. In vaudeville and on the Broadway stage. Served in the U.S. Army. Nickname was Cookie.

*******************************************

In memory of those who died this day December 26th:

'Juvenile' actor Russell Gleason (James' son) fell from a hotel window in 1945 at age 37, silent/talkie star William Haines in 1973 at age 73, reliable character actor Steven Geray in 1973 at age 69, top-notch comedian/actor Jack Benny in 1974 at age 80, Oscar nominated director Howard Hawks in 1977 at age 81, superior character actress Elsa Lanchester in 1986 at age 84, reliable supporting actor Charles Smith in 1988 at age 68, British leading actor John Loder in 1988 at age 90, reliable co-star Jeff Morrow in 1993 at age 86, lovely Starlet Sylva Koscina in 1994 at age 61, dandy character actor Robert Emhardt in 1994 at age 80, dependable co-star Hurd Hatfield in 1998 at age 81, songwriter Curtis Mayfield in 1999 at age 57, 'Bowery Boy' Benny Bartlett in 1999 at age 57, 'tough guy' character actor Leo Gordon in 2000 at age 78, essential actor Jason Robards in 2000 at age 78, dependable British actor Nigel Hawthorne in 2001 at age 72, and essential character actor Vincent Schiavelli in 2005 at age 57.

**************************************

 

Mongo

[bansi4]

Today's birthday boy Richard Widmark.

 

[bansi4]

 

Richard Widmard as Tommy Udo in "Kiss of Death".

[cinemafan]

Mongo: Thanks for all the great photos and information. Hope to see who

I share a birthday with in March. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[bansi4]

Thank you, cinema fan. As announced in a prior post I will be departing the Happy Birthday thread on January 1st, 2007. It's been a hoot.

 

If you wish to see who shares your birthday in March, you can backtrack to the original birthday thread on this forum which may be anywhere between pages 33 thru 40, by now.

[bansi4]

Born this day December 27th:

 

Lead/co-star Gerard Depardieu is 58.

Prolific French actor, Oscar nominated best actor for "Cyrano de Bergerac". Also in "Going Places", "1900", "Jean de Florette", "Camille Claudel", "Green Card" (Golden Globe nominee), "1492: Conquest of Paradise" as Christopher Columbus, "Unhook the Stars", "Hamlet", "The Man in the Iron Mask", "Between Strangers", "Last Holiday", etc.

Divorced (2 children). He is an accomplished winemaker.

**********************************

Co-star/support John Amos is 67.

Commanding African-American actor, in "Vanishing Point", "The World's Greatest Athlete", "Let's Do It Again", "Touched by Love" w/Diane Lane, "The Beastmaster", "Coming to America", "Die Hard 2", "The Players Club", "Voodoo Man", etc.

Married 3 times (6 children). Was the patriarch on the TV series "Good Times". Emmy Award nominee for his fine performance in the mini-series "Roots". Also on TVs "The West Wing", and "Men in Trees".

************************************

Co-star/support Tommy Rall is 77 today.

Dependable actor and dynamic dancer, in "Kiss Me Kate", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" as Frankincense (Frank), "My Sister Eileen", "The Second Greatest Sex", "Merry Andrew" w/Danny Kaye, "Funny Girl" as Streisand's exasperated ballet partner, "Pennies from Heaven" good stuff, "Dancers", etc.

Married twice. Also appeared on Broadway. Last on screen in 1988.

Quoted: "I think you have to love music and dance because this business is so difficult. If you don't love the art and just want to be a star then I think you're a dead duck. I don't think you could stand it otherwise."

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Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Dorris Bowdon (89) 1914-2005.

Lovely starlet, remembered as Henry Fonda's pregnant sister Rosasharn in "The Grapes of Wrath". Also in "Always Goodbye", "Young Mr. Lincoln", "Drums Along the Mohawk", "Jennie", "The Moon Is Down", etc.

She left the screen early and married writer/producer/director Nunnally Johnson and raised 3 children. Good for her.

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Co-star/support Mary Kornman (57) 1915-1973.

Cute blonde child actress, in the original silent versions of the "Our Gang" comedy shorts, and into talkies. She would also appear in some feature films.

Married twice, she was last on screen in 1940.

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Co-star/support Oscar Levant (65) 1906-1972.

Reliable, versatile actor with a bizaare wit, in "Kiss the Boys Goodbye", "Humoresque" w/Garfield, "Romance on the High Seas", "The Barkley's of Broadway" w/Astaire & Rogers, "An American in Paris", "The Band Wagon", "The Cobweb", etc.

Was married to actress June Gale (3 daughters). A talented pianist and composer, his piano works of George Gershwin remains difinitive.

A lifetime sufferer of real and imagined ailments, his frequent stays in mental hospitals provided grist for his frequently biting humor.

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Co-star/support Mala (45) 1906-1952.

Handsome, athletic actor, born in Alaska. In "Igloo", "Eskimo", "The Jungle Princess", "Call of the Yukon", "Union Pacific", "Green Hell", "Hold Back the Dawn", "Son of Fury" w/Tyrone Power, "Red Snow" w/Guy Madison, etc.

Also appeared in 2 serials.

Was married with 1 child. He was born Ray Wise.

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Lead/co-star Marlene Dietrich (90) 1901-1992.

Supreme blonde, enigmatic movie star, Oscar nominated best actress for "Morocco" w/Gary Cooper. In "The Blue Angel", "Blonde Venus" hot stuff, "The Scarlet Empress", "The Devil Is a Woman", "Desire", "Angel", "Destry Rides Again" as Frenchie, "Manpower", "Kismet", "Golden Earrings" w/Ray Milland, "Hitchcock's "Stage Fright", "Rancho Notorious", "Witness for the Prosecution" good role, "Touch of Evil", "Judgment at Nuremberg", etc.

Married only once ( 1 daughter Maria). She had numerous affairs, which also included women. Was highly praised and awarded medals for her support of U.S. troops during WWII. She had a reputation for caring for her co-workers who may not be feeling well, with her treatments and hot soup.

Is laid to rest with her mother in Germany.

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Co-star/support Sydney Greenstreet (74) 1879-1954.

Exceptional, portly character actor, Oscar nominated best support as Kasper Gutman in "The Maltese Falcon". Also in "Across the Pacific", "Casablanca", "The Mask of Dimitrios", "Conflict", "Christmas in Connecticut" w/Stanwyck, "Three Strangers", "The Verdict", "Ruthless", "Flamingo Road", "Malaya", etc.

Was married with 1 son John who died in 2004 at age 84. Was once a Ceylon tea planter and also managed a brewery. He had 7 siblings.

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In memory of those who died this day December 27th:

Actor/songwriter Hoagy Carmichael in 1981 at age 82, silent screen star Priscilla Dean in 1987 at age 91, Oscar nominated director/editor Hal Ashby in 1988 at age 59, TV producer Jess Oppenheimer in 1988 at age 75, Oscar winning director George Roy Hill in 2002 at age 81, and essential British actor Alan Bates in 2003 at age 69.

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Mongo

[bansi4]

Today's birthday girl Marlene Dietrich.

 

[bansi4]

Today's birthday boy Sydney Greenstreet.

 

[mrsl]

Thanks again Mongo for the birthday thread, I, too, will be looking for my 'co-stars' on January 12. Have a wonderful New Year.

 

Anne

[lzcutter]

Mongo,

 

I suspect that many of us are going to wake up on Jan. 1st and realize not only how much we enjoy this thread but how much we are going to miss it.

 

This thread has helped me in every one of the TCM Challenges that I have participated in.

 

Thank you for all the hard work that you have put into this thread an the previous Thread One. It really must have been a labor of love.

 

So glad you are staying around and I look forward to more fascinating facts in your "In the Spotlight" thread.

 

Message was edited by:

lzcutter because into the spotlight is different from in the spotlight

[bansi4]

Many thanks, Lynn. I appreciate your comments.