Comments on: Van Johnson: “I’ve been there and I’ve done that”

By: Samantha

Samantha — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:06:14 +0000

Vanny is one of my absolute favorites and I always had secret dreams of meeting him in one way or another. Of course, that never happened, but I did get a chance to send him a letter telling him how much I adore him and his movies.

It’s funny. The best way I can describe my feeling for him is pride, the way someone would be proud of a family member who has done something right. His movies never fail to cheer me up.

I think another film of his that deserves recognition is Miracle in the Rain, which is just brilliant. He’s playing a character he played many times before, but he just does it so well, it’s incredibly memorable and I never get tired of that performance.

By: Robin P K Chan

Robin P K Chan — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:43:00 +0000

I am simply blown away and yet mesmerized by Van Johnson dance in the movie “When the clouds roll by ” – 1946
Though I was not born during that era, I have always been thrill to watch movies in the early half of the 20th century.
Perhaps I was reborn in the Fifties!!
The song “I won’t dance” by Jerome Kern seems to have a nostalgic effect on me.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:08:40 +0000

It’s great to read that this post might still be giving readers some pleasure almost a year after it marked the passing of one more link with an earlier Hollywood. Thanks for stopping by Schuyler. Your father continues to give some of us considerable enjoyment in his classic movies. Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Schuyler Johnson

Schuyler Johnson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:26:36 +0000

Excellent post; really enjoyed it and the comments as well, good people out there and still people who appreciate the “Golden Eras” of Hollywood. Thank God we have all (or most all) of the great old films so generations to come can see them and enjoy them as much as we did (and do).
Thank you again

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:13:35 +0000

Thanks Andre. I own the book and have enjoyed reading Ned Wynn's often incisive writing for years. His book is listed as one of the sources for this appreciation of Van Johnson as can be seen above. I wouldn't really characterize the author's description of his parents' dissolution of their marriage as exclusively alcohol-fueled. As in every divorce I've ever seen, there are plenty of reasons--good and bad--why these upheavals occur; most of them known best to those two people more than any other. If you like Ned Wynn's writing, you might enjoy reading his running commentaries on life, politics and whatever catches his fancy on his website, Wynn Words

By: andre

andre — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:47:06 +0000

Find, somehow, Ned Wynn’s Book, We Will Always LIve In Beverly Hills. Van became Ned’s father after Keenen Wynn boozed himself out of the family. Ned’s book is the best, most comic and droll book about the life of Hollywood and it’s kids I have ever read. It covers everything..The motorcyle scene with Lee Marvin and Brando, the new surf scene, the alcoholic parties with Dietrich bringing cookies and Garland singing for Ned’s birthday…meeting Charles manson, the sexual revolution, and Ned becoming the “Pillow man” for the Maharishi Yogi, which was really all about getting laid. This is the book. I’ve re-read it 3 times.Good luck finding it. It’s wonderful.

By: Mandy

Mandy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:19:49 +0000

Loved the tribute. Van was a great actor. My favorites are the pieces with June Allyson. He had such a sweet, boyish charm. I have loved watching his films tonight on TCM. We’ll miss you!

By: janet

janet — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:47:06 +0000

I certainly enjoyed this memorial to Van Johnson. I was a kid when Johnson was all the rage among teen-agers, certainly second only to Sinatra. I remember having heard that he was staying at the Waldorf, so putting on my most adult voice I called the hotel. The operator of course refused to put me through, and I was reduced to complaining that I was calling on behalf of my teen-aged daughter stricken with love, who was at the edge–unless she spoke directly to her idol. Needless to say, despite the drama I was not put through. There were many others like me. He was always so likable, so easy to take–a very good actor who in Last Time I Saw Paris gave his best performance. Rest in Peace, Van Johnson.

By: john august smith

john august smith — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:17:08 +0000

I met Van Johnson when he was touring with Catherine Grayson in LOVE LETTERS. I went back stage to shake his hand and tell him how much I had enjoyed his films. He said a nice thing, ” I spotted you in the audience” He seems genuinely pleased to meet an old fan. He, like Robert Taylor and Greer Garson, represent MGM to me. Thanks for the memories Van!

By: KevinSF

KevinSF — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:43:12 +0000

Van Johnson was an “out” homosexual to many of his close friends including Lucille Ball and Elizabeth Taylor. Knowing that Van was gay makes me respect his acting abilities and Van as a person all the more. He was gay and out in a time in America when bigots discriminated with impunity even more than they do now. I’m sorry if that truth offends people but to deny that fact would be like denying Van had freckles. God Bless Van Johnson