TheExtraGirl Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Has Melvyn Douglas ever been Star of the Month on TCM? In the 6 or so years I've been watching I don't believe he has, but he might have been before that. Either way, with a career spanning the decades as his did, I think he'd make a fascinating subject. He escaped my notice at first, but every time I see him in something I like him more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackBurley Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 What do you think are the best examples of his work? I'm familiar with his Ninotchka, Theodora Goes Wild and [painful] Two Faced Woman forays. What other Melvyn Douglas flicks would you suggest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movieman1957 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 "Theodora Goes Wild" is one of my favorites and too seldom shown. Others you night look for are fairly well known. He plays a nice supporting role in "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." More meaty roles are in "Hud" and "I Never Sang For My Father", both later in his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 "Theodora Goes Wild" is one of my favorite films too, Movieman; I'll make a point of asking my brother to copy my VHS to DVD! Other films in which Melvyn Douglas has either starred or co-starred, besides those already mentioned, that I have seen and enjoyed are: - "As You Desire Me", an interesting Pre-Code flick that deals with World War I and Amnesia and in which he plays Greta Garbo's long time estranged husband. Erich Von Stroheim also has a role in it. - "The Old Dark House", a unique, offbeat Pre-Code Black-Comedy-Horror-Film, directed by masterful James Whale, with a stellar cast that includes Charles Laughton, Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, Boris Karloff, Ernest Thesiger, Eva Moore, Lillian Bond et al. IMO a masterpiece. - "The Vampire Bat", A good, eerie, above standard Horror film, in which he appears opposite creepy Lionel Atwill and wonderful screaming victim, Fay Wray. - "Counselor-at-Law", yet another masterpiece, directed by William Wyler, one of the all-time best directors, which contains one of John Barrymore's best cinematic performances. Bebe Daniels (excellent), Thelma Todd, Doris Kenyon, Isabel Jewell, Vincent Sherman, among others, are also in the cast. - "Angel". Though not one of his best, an interesting and in my opinion, unjustly underrated Lubitsch film, with Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall. E.E. Horton and Laura Hope Crews. I've watched it twice and have been vastly amused by it. - "The Shining Hour". Another underrated (Borzage) film in which he plays Joan Crawford's husband. Robert Young, Maggie Sullavan and Fay Bainter complete an excellent cast. - "A Woman's Face". An excellent George Cukor drama with Crawford, which in turn is a remake of an Ingrid Bergman Swedish movie. The only films of his I recall not enjoying are Lubistch's "That Uncertain Feeling", which is highly praised comedy, but for some uncanny reason, left me cold; I'm going to give it a try again someday! and "The Guilt of Janet Ames", an offbeat drama with Rosalind Russell, which I found rather exasperating and boring, but nevertheless worthwhile, because it's a serious attempt at Psychological drama, if flawed (IMO). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bansi4 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Melvyn Douglas was also good in "Angel" with Dietrich, "Nontchka" with Garbo, "A Woman's Face" w/Crawford, "The Sea of Grass" with Tracy & Hepburn, and "A Woman's Secret" with Maureen O'Hara. However, it was the elder Douglas that shined in his career with his best actor Oscar nominated performance in "I Never Sang for My Father", and in his two Oscar wins for supporting actor in "Hud" and especially in "Being There" with Peter Sellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagney69 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 I'll give you some other Melvyn Douglas movies. "Third Finger Left Hand" with Myrna Loy is a cute movie. "That Uncertain Feeling " with Merle Oberon and Burgess Meredith is another good one. Both of these movies I have seen on TCM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheExtraGirl Posted July 4, 2006 Author Share Posted July 4, 2006 Thanks all for your responses! I've only seen about a dozen or so of his films, all of them TCM offerings. I know I'll be missing out on a lot since MD seemed to flit from studio to studio - there are probably plenty of films he appeared in that TCM likely doesn't have in their library. My favorite part of his so far? I'll be unoriginal and say his role in Ninotchka. From reading the lists you all have made, though, I know I definitely want to see The Shining Hour. What a cast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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