Golden Age of Hollywood Book Club discussion

I think Agnes Moorehead is so underrated. She is only remembered for Bewitched, and she had so much more talent than just that one role.

That's definitely true. I suppose that's why so many actors didn't want to be typecast for one role.

That is so true, Laura and Betsy. It is like we mentioned in another post, Alec Guiness seems to be remembered for Star Wars and now Moorehead is remembered for Betwitched! That is really rather sad.

I know, so many great Guinness movies. The Man in the White Suit was a surprise for me, because I think it was the first time I had seen him do comedy, not dark comedy, just light. It was so fun.

Dark Passge - Great film and great book (and great Moorehead). But I can't for the life of me remember her demise.

Moorehead in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte! Talk about against her usual!

I know everyone raves about her roles in Orson Wells films, I don't like his movies to be honest, however, she does do magnificently.

I really like her in films people may forget she's in. like Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, The Woman in White, Caged, Since You Went Away, or Those Redheads From Seattle. Are just a few that pop to mind, I'm sure there's more.

She as I'm writing this, I kinda notice she was often paired with the same set of actors, Eleanor Parker, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, and wonder if that was strictly because of studio contracts, or the great chemistry she has with those performers.

Not really supporting cast, but if you watch "White Christmas" there is a musical number Rosemary Clooney does with some male dancers, and one of them is George Chakiris, who went on to star in West Side Story. Before "White Christmas" he did several roles where he was either uncredited or billed as "George Kerris".

Barbara wrote: "Not really supporting cast, but if you watch "White Christmas" there is a musical number Rosemary Clooney does with some male dancers, and one of them is George Cha......."

Whatever happened to George Chakiris? I'm not sure I ever saw him in another film except West Side Story. It seemed like he just disappeared or maybe he went to Broadway. I am going to have to Google that since I know nothing much about him.

Magnus wrote: "Dark Passge - Great film and great book (and great Moorehead). But I can't for the life of me remember her demise."

She went out of the window in Bacall's apartment. Was it suicide, an accident, was she pushed?.........the film does not make it clear at all and I have always wondered about it. Maybe when Betsy finishes the book, it will be revealed......or not!!

Mary Wickes-Just thinking, "what a great addition to anything she's in!" In "The Man Who Came to Dinner," she cracks me up as the nurse! I mean, pretty much, if she walks into a scene, you know you'll see a great performance!

She does have some great performances, including 'White Christmas'. She specialized in housekeepers, nurses, nuns, etc. Very outspoken always.

Mary Wickes is a gem. She make any film worth watching. And I totally agree about The Man Who......... .She was so funny in that film.

Jill wrote: "Magnus wrote: "Dark Passge - Great film and great book (and great Moorehead). But I can't for the life of me remember her demise."

She went out of the window in Bacall's apartment. Was it suicide,..."

According to the book, it was suicide so that Vincent would be blamed for pushing her out the window, and that would put paid to him and Irene. Madge was a real sicko. She killed two people for him, and then kills herself.

Thanks, that finally answers the question that I had about her death. It was vague in the film.

I suspect they deliberately did that, but she knew Vincent was going to turn her in, and she couldn't stand losing him to Irene.

Saw an unusual wartime film tonight. It was a collaboration of many different directors and featured many, mostly British supporting actors although there were some well-known names also who had supporting roles. 'Forever and a Day' is the story of an 18th century house and the families from two different groups who lived there right up to WWII. Obviously, it's meant to be inspirational, but also to show why they were fighting.

That film had more recognizable faces in the cast as probably any film ever made. It was a propaganda film but I don't mean that in a negative way and was one of the better ones.

I especially liked Ida Lupino's turn as the housemaid trying to decide whether to go to America or not. And the 'bath' segment was clever, but the WWI interlude was sad.

After Jill mentioned Elisha Cook Jr., I looked him up. Evidently his roles were much different before 'Maltese Falcon' and from then on he made 21 Film Noirs, which is a record. He certainly epitomizes the less-than-stellar character who would sell you out, and would not refrain from violence--if he had you tied up and not able to fight back.

He was either weak, slimy, or just plain evil and really got stereotyped into those types of characters. But what a great career he had!

I think many supporting/character actors made a good living by being stereotyped in a way. I'm sure you didn't have to tell producers who Elisha Cook Jr. was.

One of my favorite of his roles was in The Killing (1956) in which he played the cuckolded husband of Marie Windsor. He was terrific as he played such a pathetic person.

Oh, Jill he's so good in that! Marie Windsor does the best job. It's hard to believe the person she was in real life was so contrary to the woman she often was on screen.

I adore Marie Windsor.......she was so great in everything and could be so evil. And those eyes!!

I love it in the Maltese Falcon when Bogart suggests that they give Wilmer over to the law and Greenstreet goes back and forth between loyalty and thinking it's a good idea with his inimitable giggle. Or in the Big Sleep when the Cook character gives them the wrong address before swallowing poison. I think he and George Sanders are my favorite character actors.

You are so right, Spencer. Poor Cook Jr. was always on the wrong end of the law and usually ended up dead or arrested.

While on another group, I was reminded of the fine character actress Barbara Pepper. Although probably best known for her television work, she made some good movies including 'The Women' and 'Foreign Correspondent.'. Shr usually portrayed a down-to-earth woman with a good heart, who might take a nip once in awhile.

Just saw you comment on Barbara Pepper, Betsy, and totally agree. She was so good as the tough woman and her career extended to television appearances. She was stereotyped but was so perfect for the types of roles that she played.

I don't think we have mentioned Franklin Pangborn who was a continuing presence in the films of the 30/40s. He was always the prissy, sometimes confused, mincing character who was used in short, comedic parts. His performances became a stereotype of the gay man. Of course, early Hollywood steered clear of homosexuality but the audiences of the time were not fooled and that stereotype became widespread during that time. Even though Pangborn was gay, it makes one wonder how he felt about being stuck in those parts. But he certainly was a welcome presence in any film in which he appeared for his comedic skills.

How could we leave out Lee Patrick? She was a great support actress who is usually remembered as Effie, Sam Spade's secretary in The Maltese Falcon. But she was all over the place in first rate films(Now Voyager, Mildred Pierce, etc) and "B" movies (Jitterbugs, Faces in the Fog, etc. She also did television and appeared on Broadway and worked almost to the end of her life. An asset to any film in which she was present.

That's the problem with character acrors. Most of them do such good jobs with even the smallest parts that it's sometimes easy to overlook them. TCM occasionally shows a short called, 'What a character!'. The most recent one was Mildred Natwick, a perfect example of what a great character actor can be.

While watching a Sherlock Holmes movie tonight, I was reminded of another actor, Henry Daniell, who excelled at usually playing the underhanded character. In this one he was Professor Moriarty himself. I have seen him as a good guy, but he was one of those actors who could do either with aplomb. He also had a memorable voice.

He was excellent. Also, he was born to play Brocklehurst in Jane Eyre.

I remember when I was reading Jane Eyre and came to Brocklehurst, I thought to myself, Henry Daniell, without knowing he played him in the 1943 version of the novel.

Good one. Brocklehurst indeed. The good guy role I was thinking of was Mayhew in 'Witness for the Prosecution'. He was in a great numbef of well-known movies.

Good choice, Betsy and Bruce. He had a certain panache that made his villains interesting and was certainly the right actor to portray the evil genius Moriarty.

There are still so many wonderful character actors that need added to this topic. They were the staple of many films.

Watched an old Perry Mason episode and it had one of the greatest bunch of character actors all in one place that I have ever seen.......Audrey Totter, Bruce Bennett, Elisha Cook Jr., Ben Johnson, Jeff Corey and Ted de Corsia. A supporting actors heaven!!!!

Television shows were a real boon to character actors. Can you imagine a movie with all of them in it?

After seeing Regis Toomey in 'The Guilty' I thought I would menton him in this category. Better known for his televson work, he did do some movies, mainly as police officers or officials. You always got he feeling he could be trusted so it was surprisng when he was revealed as the murderer.

He is one of those faces that you often see but can't remember his name. He was a pretty solid actor but I can't imagine him as a murderer!

That didn't happen often with Toomey, and most of his 'bad guy' stuff was on television.

The one that really shocked me as a bad guy was William Bendix sinceI I'd only seen him in 'Life of Riley.'

I certainly understand your thoughts about William Bendix. His portrayal of the psycho gangster who almost beat Alan Ladd to death in The Glass Key (1942) was overwhelming. It really was difficult to watch since not only was it violent but Bendix's character seems to be enjoying himself. Really scary.

While watching 'Northern Pursuit' tonight, a WWII film about Nazi saboteurs with Errol Flynn as a Mountie, I came across another well-known character actor, Gene Lockhart. Usually he is a kind man, after all he was Bob Cratchitt in 'Scrooge', but in this he's a Nazi. One of my favorite roles of his, is that of Peter B. Hartwell, the sheriff, who lets Earl Williams get away in 'His Girl Friday'. Talk about a movie with character actors! It is chockful of them.

I’ve seen a number of his as well. I just noticed him a day or 2 ago in a film I saw, Face to Face, from the 50’s. It’s a two story/anthology type movie. He appears as a captain later in the first one, the Secret Sharer. I agree. I can’t picture him as a Nazi, but some of the best screen villains are actors you’d never think of as villains.

That's very true. 'Playing against type' I guess they call it. I think many actors enjoyed that so they weren't so typecast.

Gene Lockhart was always popping up in films and usually, as you said, the "good guy". But he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor in Algiers (1938) where he played an creepy informant. He was great as a sniveling "bad guy" when he got a chance to play those parts but could be jolly or funny otherwise.

Yes! Gene Lockhart also played a bad guy (a collaborator and a snitch) in Hangmen Also Die! Oh, he was such a weasel in that!

Totally agree with you on that, Laura! He should have been given more parts of that type, since you really hated his character who was always weak and despicable.

The great character/supporting actor L.Q. Jones passed away a couple of days ago. He was always a joy in any film in which he appeared. RIP.

Jill wrote: "The great character/supporting actor L.Q. Jones passed away a couple of days ago. He was always a joy in any film in which he appeared. RIP."

Thanks for the heads-up, Jill. I missed that. I didn't know he'd survived until now. He was especially great in the Sam Peckinpah movies.

I may have mentioned this on another topic but I know that Betsy and I share a liking for the supporting actor, HM Wynant. I looked him up and he is still alive at age 97. I was surprised and happy that he has had such a long life. There is something about him that I find attractive and he can play the good guy or the bad guy. He was quite active in television and most people would recognize him but not know his name.....but isn't that the way if happens to supporting actors?

He's still alive? Wow! He had a strong voice that is memorable. He was rather attractive too.