Golden Age of Hollywood Book Club discussion

One of THE legends of character actors, and rarely leads died a few days ago, David Warner, although most people in the US, where I live, are fixated on Paul Sorvino, who died the same day or the day after.

David Warner was such a good actor. I thought he was terrific. R.I.P.

I wasn't much on Sorvino. His daughter did pretty well though.

He was great as villains, but was good as nicer people too.

I’ve only seen a couple with Sorvino, I think. Both with Warren Beatty. Dick Tracy and Bullworth. He was more memorable in Dick Tracy, but that’s probably because I was around 12 or so when I saw it, and he had the lips. I still haven’t gotten around to Goodfellas.

Mira would have had a much greater career, if the sicko Weinstein hadn't had her blacklisted because she rejected his harassment.

Bruce wrote: "He was great as villains, but was good as nicer people too.

I've only seen a couple with Sorvino, I think. Both with Warren Beatty. Dick Tracy and Bullworth. He was more memorable in Dick Tracy, b..."

I think neither Dick Tracy nor Bullworth are Beatty's best, though Reds is, and Sorvino is in that one too. Different cattle of fish, but Goodfellas is probably a better film than either.

Magnus wrote: "Bruce wrote: "He was great as villains, but was good as nicer people too.

I've only seen a couple with Sorvino, I think. Both with Warren Beatty. Dick Tracy and Bullworth. He was more memorable in..."


Goodfellas was a very well done mobster film! That was one we watched in a college class I took on the portrayal of gangsters in media (film and literature). I mean, who doesn't want to get to just watch movies and talk about them, and get credit!

I just saw British actor, Reginald Gardiner on an old Perry Mason episode and don't think we have mentioned him on this category. He was a very talented actor who could play the "sophisticate" with ease and was all over the place in major films of the 1940s. I really loved him in The Man Who Came To Dinner (1942) playing a thinly veiled Noel Coward. He had it down pat and was just delightful.

The film I remember him in is 'Christmas in Connecticut'. Not so much for his role, but for the house he was supposed to own. I'd have married him for the house alone! S.Z. Sakall was in it too.

I know what you mean about that house, Betsy.

Wasn't it stunning? Other than the house, I found the film rather implausible although it was fun to see Sydney Greenstreet in a different kind of role.

I'd like to mention four character actors who were all in the same movie together: 'The Apartment." These four guys were notorious for using Jack Lemmon's apartment for their dalliances. The most famous was probably Ray Walston (Mr. Dobisch) who starred in movies and television, the least well-known was Willard Waterman (Mr. Vanderhoff) who had a memorable voice. In between were David Lewis (Mr. Kirkeby) and David White (Mr. Eichelberger) both known for their television appearances. The film had quite a few notable character actors, but these four men stood out for their lack of morals. David Lewis ('I'm a happily married man.') personified that type of part for me. In fact, whenever I see hiim, I think, "Mr. Kirkeby!"

Yes. I know a couple. Obviously, Ray Walston. Also, David White from Bewitched. I don’t know the actors name, but David White looked just like, or similar to an actor on Seinfeld. I don’t remember his name.

There was a nostalgic episode of The Incredible Hulk, guest starring Ray Walston, titled “My Favorite Magician.” As you probably know, both Walston and Bill Bixby starred on My Favorite Martian, and both were on this episode of the Hulk, as Bixby was the star of the series.

Willard Waterman, with the great voice, gained fame as the main character in the popular radio series, The Great Gildersleeve. He appeared in several films but was more active in television.

Bruce wrote: "Yes. I know a couple. Obviously, Ray Walston. Also, David White from Bewitched. I don’t know the actors name, but David White looked just like, or similar to an actor on Seinfeld. I don’t remember ..."

I never saw Incredible Hulk, but I have found memories of 'My Favorite Martian' - must have been repeats, though...

Yeah. I saw repeats many years ago too. I haven’t watched it for years though.

I love Walston. Kiss Me, Stupid is one of the most underrated Billy Wilder films.

I just looked it up and the plot. Sounds good. I wonder if that’s where Dean got the nickname Dino from.

I also saw this episode of Suspense recently, “Goodbye, New York.” Ray has a very early small part in the second half, but he’s very recognizable. He’s one of those actors and actresses, like Harry Morgan or Angela Lansbury, who look the same for decades.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2wruU5I...

I think Dean was Dino long before that.

I think one of the greatest supporting/featured actors was Basil Rathbone. Known as Sherlock Holmes, he also portrayed countless other roles often as a bad guy against the likes of Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power. I saw him today as Philo Vance in 'The Bishop Murder Case'. He was a man of tremendous talent.

You are right on target. He had everything going for him and I thought he was quite handsome and an excellent actor. I guess he had that certain look that made him so effective as a villain, except when he played Sherlock Holmes which then typecast him for the rest of his career.

Betsy wrote: "I think one of the greatest supporting/featured actors was Basil Rathbone. Known as Sherlock Holmes, he also portrayed countless other roles often as a bad guy against the likes of Errol Flynn or T..."

I recently saw Basil Rathbone with Greta Garbo in Anna Karenina 1935. Loved his performance so so mean & super nasty as husband who forbids Greta from seeing her young son play ed by Freddie Bartholomew including Maureen O'Sullivan (Mia Farrow's real Mom). Greta runs off with the wonderful Vronsky play ed by Frederick March.

I thought Rathbone was superb in that film, Donna but I always thought he was superb. He played the nasty, almost psychotic husband to perfection. I enjoyed the film but probably could have done without Frederick March as Vronsky. I was never particularly a fan of his although he was a good actor. But I have to admit that I really liked him in Death Takes A Holiday (1934) where he played Death in human form for one day and did it very well. If you can find that film, you might want to give it a try. The ending is quite well done and might be a surprise to many viewers.

I will see if Death Takes a Holiday comes up on TCM some time Thanks Jill. Just watch Lana Turner in "A Life of Her Own" 1950 with Ray Milland, Barry Sullivan directed: George Cukor - really enjoyed the acting - typical story girl falls in move with married man well done!

I am a Lana Turner fan, but I haven't seen that one yet. Thanks for the info, Donna.

I am posting this here, because he was mostly as supporting child actor, but Ted Donaldson (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), passed away yesterday.

I loved how this guy lit up the screen. He and I became friends at the TCMFF, and we would see each other every year and chat. We'd also write letters. He was a great guy. I'm a little sad this morning.

You were lucky to have known him. Laura. May he rest in peace.

One of the greatest supporting actors was Keenan Wynn. He did all kinds of roles from comedy to serious parts. One of his greatest was 'Bat Guano' in 'Dr. Strangelove'. I was never a great fan of hs father, but I loved the son.

“You’re gonna have to answer to the Coca Cola Company.”

What a line and then when the soda hits in the face! Talk about a movie with great characters!

Have seen several movies with Jack Carson lately. He's kind of the Ralph Bellamy of comedy where he rarely gets the girl, however, in 'Two Guys from Milwaukee' (1946) he finally has his chance. It's only a so-so movie, but the screenplay was written by I.A.L. Diamond in one of his early efforts. It has a surprise at the end.which adds a nice touch.

Did you know Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre made 9 films together? Of course, they weren't always in supporting roles. In 'Mask of Dimitrios' and 'Three Strangers' they were 'stars' along with a featured actor. Since they were so talented and played so well off each other, I suppose that's not surprising.

Those films are well worth exploring. If folks still are collecting DVDs and Blurays, most are available to purchase, but some are available for streaming and TCM likes to rotate them through the schedule. I recall maybe two years ago a TCM airing of most of their pairings. "Mask of Dimitrios" is my favorite of those in which they really shine.

'Mask of Dimitrios' was on TCM this morning. That's what made me think of it. That's one of the reasons I love films from the 30s-60s so much: the acting, the actors/actresses, the locations, the music, and the memories.

I've seen a couple of those Greenstreet/Lorre films, Betsy, but didn't know that they had made that many. They were perfect together and although most of their films aren't classics, they are interesting. I agree with David re: The Mask of Dimitrios (1944).

One of my favorite character actresses is the great Elsa Lanchester. Last night I saw her in the wartime movie, 'Pasport to Destiny' in which she played the lead, the scrubwoman Ella Muggins. In this hour long film she manages to get herself from Britain to Berlin where she has given herself the self-imposed mission of assassinating Hitler. She believes she can do this because she is protected by a 'glass eye' she inherited from her late husband..

She does her level best, but is foiled, and manages to escape with the help of two young people who are also trying to escape the Nazis. She returns to England, a hero, but then discovers the horrifying truth.

It's a fun, unbelievably plotted movie which shows off Elsa Lanchester's comedic talents. Just the thing to see after 5 years of war in 1944..

She was a talented actress and it is sad that people only seem to remember her as the Bride in The Bride of Frankenstein(1935), even though she was only on the screen for a few minutes. She was meant to play eccentric roles, due to her unusual looks and was a welcome presence in many films. I especially liked her in Witness for the Prosecution (1957) where she played the nurse (to her real-life husband, Charles Laughton). She was a delight.

I loved her in both, actually. Both Bride of Frankenstein and Witness for the Prosecution are among my favorites for Frankenstein and Agatha Christie films. I do agree that she didn’t have much time as the Bride, although that was somewhat in keeping with the novel. The first two films are sort of two parts of a loose adaptation of the novel. The female creature from the book was in it very briefly. Luckily, she also got to have a dual role at the beginning as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (the role she’s actually credited for in the film). In fact, it’s almost more unfortunate she’s not more recognized for that as well.

It is unfortunate she didn’t get more leading female parts in comedies in the 30’s and 40’s. I actually thought she was much more attractive than she was given credit for. At least in more British comedies, where they were a bit better about not casting based on “glamour,” etc. I’m probably forgetting some though. I saw one or two of her very early short comedies where she did have the lead.

She actually looked rather attractive as Mary Shelley at the beginning of the film. It is too bad that her film career was in the time when glamour was everything but acting didn't seem to be as important. But at least she got to wear a hairdo that once seen, is never forgotten!!

While posting on another list, I was reminded of the prolific and talented Harry Davenport, probably best remembered for GWTW, but who did so many well-known films, including 'Meet Me in St. Louis' snd 'The Bride Came C.O.D.'. What an actor!

Betsy wrote: "While posting on another list, I was reminded of the prolific and talented Harry Davenport, probably best remembered for GWTW, but who did so many well-known films, including 'Meet Me in St. Louis'..."

He also just had an onscreen personality that made you just light up when you saw him.

Great observation. He made any movie better.

He indeed was a joy to watch and could play it for comedy or drama. And he always looked the same age, no matter when the film was made!

Another great supporting actor was Una O'Conner, although she was pretty much stereotyped throughout her career due to her shrill voice and her looks. She screamed her way through The Invisible Man (1933); was the landlady in Hitchcock's Murder (1930); was totally delightful in Robin Hood (1938); and as the unreliable witness in Witness for the Prosecution (1957). She was a busy actor who appeared in some classic films and had a great career.

The great charactor actors of the 30s, 40s and 50s added so much to the classics. Most had a distinctive look that made them memorable. We were fortunate to have their talent in films.

While watching 'Union Depot' this morning, I was reminded of another of the great character actors--Alan Hale Sr. It looked strange to see him in modern dress since he did so many historical films, frequently with Error Flynn. He was big and burly, rarely had a romanc role, and was mostly a good guy, but you always noticed him in a movie.

He was so enjoyable in any film in which he appeared and was so great as Robin Hood's Little John that he played it twice.....once in a 1911 silent and then in the Errol Flynn version (1938).

Yikes!

Happy 100th Birthday, “Sister Suffragette,” ☂️ Glynis Johns.

https://abc7.com/glynis-johns-mary-po...

Agree about Alan Hale. I watched the 30’s Scarlet Letter recently, and he was the best one in it, by far, in a comedic role. I’m not sure if it was a good thing or not. Hahahahaha! The film was very mediocre.