Golden Age of Hollywood Book Club discussion

George E. Stone was nearly blind by that time and unable to act in most roles. Raymond Burr hired him for Perry Mason and gave him a role he could do.

Thanks for that info. It's good to hear things like that in a selfish world.

Thanks, Mollie. That is so sad but bless Raymond Burr for including him in the cast. A very kind gesture and his name does appear in the credits. He was such a presence in supporting roles in the 30-40s.

I also read that toward the end of his role as Lt. Tragg, Ray Collins was having trouble remembering his lines and the Burr tried to assist him so that he could continue acting.

An actor who is a familiar face in many films in the 30-40s was Paul Cavanaugh. He was a distinguished looking British actor who was on the stage in his home country and then came to the US to make films. He never gained stardom but his presence in film was essential, sometimes a villain, sometimes a hero. He appeared in good films like A Bill of Divorcement and Humoresque to low budget stinkers such as The Bride of the Gorilla. He probably should have become a solid supporting actor like Claude Rains but never seemed to attain that recognition.

He was in a lot of films, including 'Shadows on the Stairs', which I just saw.

Me too. Rather an elegant man.

Saw one my favorite aupporting actressess, Jessie Ralph, two nights in a row. To me, she's best known as Mrs. Burley in 'San Francisco'. She did matrons to perfection and was a joy to watch.

She was great in any part she played and so much better than the saccharine Beryl Mercer who usually played the mother is early films.

Here is an actor who was extremely handsome and had a few leading roles but fell into supporting roles.......Brian Aherne. He was particularly good in Juarezand I could never figure out why he didn't become a big star but who can explain Hollywood. He was a decent actor but never seemed to make the grade.

Perhaps he just didn't get the breaks or have the needed 'flair'? It happened so much in Hollywood that it's hard to know.

In old Hollywood, an actor better do what the studio told them to do or their careers could be downgraded or even ruined. John Gilbert comes to mind.

Betsy is going to laugh at me since she knows my obsession with this actor......Raymond Burr!! He always played the heavyset sleazy, tough, supporting character for most of his film career and he was quite threatening. Then he got the chance that most character actors don't get.....he was offered the part of Perry Mason in the tv series and became iconic. (He had to lose a bunch of weight to get the part). He was the highest paid actor on television and won two Emmys for his role. The show was one of the most popular in tv history and is still being shown. Not bad for a guy who play in films like Killer Gorilla and Tarzan and the She-Devil. That kind of second chance doesn't come around very often for supporting players in B films.

Television is a real boon for many actors. There aren't many like Tom Hanks or Steve McQueen who went from the small screen to movie stardom, but quite a few who found their niche in television. More power to them!

He's a great bad guy in Meet Danny Wilson. Underrated Sinatra film from his down period. Lots of great tunes.

And he was terrific in Rear Window even though we only saw him from Jimmy Stewart's apartment. I don't think he had any lines but he might have said something when he broke in on Stewart. If he did, it was minimal. But he made quite an impression for an important character with no dialogue.

Just a heads-up about TCM's 'Star of the Month' for November. It's Sydney Greenstreet, one of my absolute favorites. He might have started later in life, but he made his presence known. They usually show quite a few of the star's movies during the month.

Hooray......we share a love for Greenstreet, Betsy. He could be so evil or likeable and play both types of characters well. And he had that chuckle which was sort of his trademark. Have you all seen his films with Peter Lorre (besides Maltese Falcon) ?

I've seen quite a few but maybe not all. As you say, he was so good in so many roles. Will try to see as many as possible.

I am jealous of you folks that have access to TCM right now. Round up the usual suspects!

TCM does have some great films, but they have started to show some more recent films too. Takes a bit of getting used to. Looking forward to the Greenstreet ones definitely.

I had forgotten how many films with Greenstreet starred Bogart too. Three on tonight, all of which I have seen but will still watch one more time.

I guess there are 5 in all, but only 3 with Bogart.

Every time I see Casablanca, Key Largo, Maltase Falcon, African Queen, Cain Mutiny I stop what I'm doing and watch it.

'Conflict' is on tonight. Have never seen that one where Bogart is the bad guy and Greenstreet the good.

Not the strongest pairing of the two actors but still an interesting film.

It was interesting. I will never understand why so many women and men insist they will never give their spouse a divorce. I know sometimes it's for religious reasons, but they are just creating misery which sometimes leads to murder. I suppose it was more difficult in the 30s-50s with divorce laws. It's just you can almost see something is going to happen. It's amazing how proficient some of these movie psychiatrists/psychologists are as well. Practically mind readers and all in 90 minutes. 😮

Across the Pacific is pretty good. Has some typical not PC "bad Japs* issues typical of the time but Sidney is great.

I agree. Definitely like it. I really like the wartime movies.

Tonight one of my favorite 'character actors' is on in one of his best roles, Keenan Wynn as Col. Bat Guano. What a terrific name, but then this movie has loads of them. Keenan Wynn was versatile and talented.

Oh, Keenan Wynn is amazing. The story about his (and his wife's) relationship with Van Johnson is an interesting Hollywood gossip snippet that I never felt was confirmed or denied (and I'm curious what the root of the rumor being started was).

What movie calling for a butler/waiter is complete without the wonderful, Eric Blore? He was in several Astaire/Rogers films as well many others. He was perfect in the parts and kinda' got stuck being a butler but he gave us lots of entertainment. His conversation with Alice Brady while he was waiting on her table in The Gay Divorcee (1934) is priceless and "whumsical", a word they created.

I love Eric Blore! What a hoot!

Patsy Kelly is also a scene stealer in almost any movie that she's in! Oh my gosh, I love her in so many films, but my first exposure to her was in Disney movies-Freaky Friday and North Avenue Irregulars! I still laugh at both those movies!

Edward Everett Horton and Blore are an incredible comedy duo. I love Shall We Dance. All the Astaire/Rogers films are corny, but that one a little less and the Gershwins wrote some of their best songs for it.

I certainly agree with you about Eric Blore and EEH.

Even though he ended up his career in terrible low-budget films, John Carradine was a strong supporting actor in the late 30s-early 40s first rate level films. His cadaverous looks were odd, to say the least but were appropriate for some of the "bad guys" that he played. He was particularly good in Stagecoach (1939) and Blood and Sand (1941). He must have been hard to cast because of his looks so he usually was the villain. Early in his career he wasn't the "ham" he became later and really was a pretty good actor. It is too bad that he is remembered for his bad films and not his good ones.

John Carradine isn’t ranked as one of the big stars of his day, but played every genre, differing characters and worked right up to his death. Very versatile actor.

One of my least favorite character actresses is Lurene Tuttle. She did some movies, such as 'Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House' but is better known for TV. She played more whiny, complaining women than anyone I can think of. I don't suppose she was really like that, but just seeing her grates on me.

I agree totally, Betsy. The only other character actress who played mothers who was so over the top it was impossible to watch.....Beryl Mercer. She was always the Irish mother and what a stereotype it was! I could hardly stand to watch her, especially in Public Enemy where she was Cagney's mother.

How could I forget to add one of my favorites.....George Macready!!! What a presence he was in some great films, such as the sadistic military officer in Paths of Glory (1957) and as Rita Hayworth's husband in Gilda (1946). He seldom played a nice guy since he had a certain attitude and look about him that a nice guy wouldn't have. The very large scar on his face did not hurt his career and added to his menace. He was very suave in a nasty kind of way and I always enjoy seeing his film and television work.

I my gosh, George Macready! YES!

Also, Everett Sloane another amazing supporting actor (who was able to play Hayworth's husband, as well)

Considerinv that George Macready frequently portrayed unsavory characters, I thought it was interesting that he was Cordell Hull in 'Tora! Tora! Tora!, but then Hull wasn't Mr. Nice Guy either.

I was curious about the scar on his face and looked it up......he was in a car accident in his youth and went through the window of a Model T Ford. It was sewed up by an animal vet!

I briefly mentioned this supporting actor on another topic......Etienne Girardot. He was English but the son of French parents and went on the stage at an early age where he was quite successful, both in England and the US. He was a tiny man and often played an excitable character with a comic flair. He is probably best known in the US for his appearances in the popular Philo Vance films of the early 30s but was also active in silent film. He was a great addition to any film in which he appeared. He worked up until his death (1939) at the age of 83, He was truly delightful.

Here is an actor who had quite a career, both in film and on the stage.....Joseph Schildkraut. He was a welcome presence in any film and was rather striking looking in his early years in silent film. He is best known for two roles; his Best Supporting Oscar winning performance as Dreyfuss in The Life of Emile Zola (1937), and as the father in The Diary of Anne Frank (1959). He was very adaptable and could be evil, flamboyant, or the good guy (I'm not sure if he ever did comedy). He also made many appearances on television but unfortunately died of a heart attack in his early 60s.

I know who he is, but I know little about him. Another one to look up. 🤔

I know we all know Frank Morgan as the Wizard of Oz, but he made many fine movies in his career, including 'Broadway Melody of 1940' in which he had continual difficulties hanging onto a fur coat. Am watching him now in 'Green Dolphin Street'. A versatile character actor of the 30s and 40s, Morgan offered many memorable performances.

He seemed to be everywhere in the 30/40s. I saw an early film of his (and I can't come up with the name) in which he played the lead romantic part. He really was quite good which is surprising since we are not used to him in those types of roles. I am going to have to search out the title, if I can, so it will give others a chance to see him in a totally different light.

I also liked his brother, Ralph Morgan, who was not as popular and usually was stuck in parts where he was not a nice guy. It you saw him in a film you would know at once that he was the killer, cheater, card sharp, etc.

Just found that Frank Morgan film........A Kiss Before The Mirror (1933), directed by James Whale. It also had Nancy Carroll and Paul Lukas.

One of the great actresses who appeared in basically supporting roles was Agnes Moorehead. She usually played a character who was either evil or psychologically disturbed. She came from Orson Welles' Mercury Theater group and made quite a splash in radio. Her performance in Sorry, Wrong Number is considered one of the finest in radio history.

Welles also used her in two of his first films and she began her movie career. I think her role in Dark Passage (1947) with Bogart and Bacall was one of her best although I couldn't figure out her demise in this film. If you have seen the film, you know what I mean.

She was always a great addition to any film in which she appeared.

I have seen the movie and am currently readng the book so maybe it has a better explanation. She was so hateful in that movie.