Comments on: The Discreet Charm of Charlie Ruggles

By: TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

TCM’s Classic Movie Blog — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:46:41 +0000

[...] occasional airs from Puccini’s rapturously beautiful opera score and adding a game Charlie Ruggles to the cast. Overall, the movie, which can be glimpsed in this clip, was quite dated for ’30s [...]

By: TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

TCM’s Classic Movie Blog — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:03:53 +0000

By: TCM’s Movie Blog

TCM’s Movie Blog — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:04:49 +0000

[...] of everyone from George Raft, Jack Oakie, Richard Bennett (Constance & Joan’s dad) to Charlie Ruggles. Even Gary Cooper and W.C. Fields make appearances in various segments, all directed by eight [...]

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:50:08 +0000

I just caught a few minutes of No More Ladies (1935)
the other night on TCM. Robert Montgomery & Joan Crawford were the
ostensible stars. If you caught the scene in the nightclub that
Charlie Ruggles stole completely with his
sweetly drunken souse act, you would understand why he is an actor to
cherish. More Charlie Ruggles, please, TCM.

By: moira

moira — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:50:22 +0000

Thanks so much for the supportive words, YancySkancy and Birdy. It is
heartening to realize that there are so many who grew up with Charlie
Ruggles as a companion in the Disney movies and the much more demanding
rigors of '30s movies. Whenever he appears he is a welcome
touchstone.

By: YancySkancy

YancySkancy — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:29:34 +0000

Ruggles of Red Gap is my favorite movie, so you can imagine how it
warms my heart to see such an effusive appreciation of both the film and
its wonderful "Egbert Floud." Charlie Ruggles was
ubiquitous in my childhood, between the TV appearances you mention and
Disney films. I think I knew his voice first, from Bullwinkle
& Rocky. I always found him distinctive and delightful, and
his name in the credits is usually more than enough to rate a
look.It's a shame the Academy didn't add the Supporting
performance categories until 1936. Surely Ruggles, Young and
Boland would've rated nominations (and I'd throw in the lovely
Leila Hyams as well). And Ruggles deserved to win.I think
the only time I've been disappointed by a Ruggles performance was in
The Invisible Woman, an otherwise delightful comedy in which he
flounders a bit in the slapsticky role of a harried butler. But
it's surely the material more than the performer, because
Ruggles was one of a kind.

By: Birdy

Birdy — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:35:06 +0000

Moira, Such a nice article on one of my favorite character
actors – he isn't usually listed in the Now Playing Guide, so is a
nice surprise when he pops up in a fun movie. Wouldn't
it be a treat if he had an afternoon dedicated to his birthday
(not that I have any idea when that is). I doubt we could hope for
a whole day! I always loved that scene in Parent Trap where
Hayley says she is making a memory, everytime I watch it I mist up a
little because I can smell my grandad!B

By: moira

moira — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:06:02 +0000

Thanks for the heads up, John, Curt & Murray. It's always
delightful to meet fellow Charlie Ruggles fans.
John, you have no idea how much I love hearing that someone had a
chance to meet and thank Mr. R. in person for all the pleasure he gave
his audience. I'm sort of hoping that others will discover Charlie
via this article too. Charles Ruggles will
brighten TCM on May 21st at 6:30pm ET in No More Ladies
(1935) with Joan Crawford & Robert Montgomery in an MGM comedy.
Later this summer, he'll be popping up in No Time for
Comedy (1940), (7/2 @ 2:15am), the Disney flick, Son of
Flubber (1963) (8/9 @ 10:45am), & Bringing Up
Baby (1938), (8/30 @ 2:30pm). His role in the latter as Major
Horace Applegate, big game hunter, should have earned him an
Oscar!Btw, the truly classic comedy, Ruggles of Red
Gap (1935) is on YouTube, beginning at the following
link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FskLtDR9n4 Seeing
it in pieces is better than not seeing this gem at all, though I
recommend tracking down a dvd, if you can find it.
;-)

By: Murray

Murray — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:03:18 +0000

Excellent piece. Ruggles is always a comforting bonus when the
opening cast credits flicker by in an oldie goldie. I
happened on "Ruggles of Red Gap" in a moment of pure
serendipity. Great movie.

By: Curt

Curt — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:32:40 +0000

Wonderful profile of Charlie Ruggles. BTW, Mr. Ruggles gave a slyly
amusing performance as a villain in the second season Man From
U.N.C.L.E. episode, "The Ultimate Computer Affair" … a
delightful addition to his Autumn-years resume.