Comments on: Character Actors Before Their Time

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:13:51 +0000

Hello highhurdler!

On June 3, 2007 you wrote about taping TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar and watching a film titled None Shall Escape (1944). I have recently discovered that my grandfather was in this film and unfortunately a copy on DVD or VHS is unavailable. Do you still have your copy on tape? mark.corby@gmail.com

Thank you!

By: Vincent

Vincent — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:30:35 +0000

For “A Free Soul,” you could make a good argument for Clark Gable as tough guy Ace Wilfong. That was the role that put him on the map.

And for Ruth Donnelly, how about “Hard To Handle” (1933), where she’s wonderful as a con lady whose daughter (Mary Brian) becomes romantically involved with shady promoter James Cagney.

By: FetchMP3

FetchMP3 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:35:17 +0000

Great movie, I havent seen this in years, I think i still have it kicking around somewhere I might have to pull it out

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:33:59 +0000

Asta rules!! Of course he should have won...if only animals were recognized then and now. I am also delighted that you singled out Aline MacMahon repeatedly in your list since she remains one of my favorite actresses, whose roles in the movies had more variety in the early '30s than they did later. One of the best reasons I will watch Morning Glory again is to see C. Aubrey Smith playing an old trouper with much wisdom to impart. The part fit him like a glove, in part, I suspect, because it was so close, in some ways, to his own long life. Great idea for a blog.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:41:21 +0000

I’ve got the two Forbidden Hollywood laser collections, and most of the VHS titles which weren’t on laser (I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a complete list of what came out), and it’d be great to see more of those early, racy comedies show up in the series.

Then again, I’ve dying for a copy of Cagney’s Taxi! in any format.

By: David

David — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:23:36 +0000

Actors in two recently viewed films come to mind: George Raft in Scarface and Sid Silvers & Una Merkel in Broadway Melody of 1936.

Always look forward to Allen Jenkins too, but as stated, his days were ahead of him.

Stephen – Love Blessed Event. Hopefully it will make it to DVD soon. Even though Warner’s Forbidden Hollywood collections have been drama’s, this one would be a good fit for the series.

By: MDR

MDR — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:59:30 +0000

You’re welcome J.A.S.; btw, I think you meant Charles Middleton and I too loved him as a baddie, especially in B westerns.

Thanks for the correction Stephen, already made (among others), and thanks for mentioning Lee Tracy too. I was glad that he, Una Merkel and other ‘forgotten’ actors were recognized late in their careers by the Academy (per my post a couple of years ago):

http://moviemorlocks.com/2007/02/18/oscar-can-be-a-sentimental-fellow/

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:16:46 +0000

Pssst….it’s Hattie McDaniel, not Haddie.

But with Ned Sparks, Eugene Pallette, Ernest Thesiger, Zasu and especially Edward Everett Horton, these are Oscars I can get behind.

I’ll throw in a vote for Ruth Donnelly, as tabloid gossip columnist Lee Tracy’s assistant in 1932′s Blessed Event (a treasure trove of great supporting roles, with Allan Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Ned Sparks and even Dick Powell as a crooner despised by Tracy with especially potent venom).

By: deslily

deslily — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:14:28 +0000

to me there are so many character actors that, although they don’t get top billing, are the ones that hold the whole movie together and are the ones you remember more than the main characters!

By: john august smith

john august smith — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:38:40 +0000

Thanks for the memories! Many times the character actors out shone the stars. Warner Bros. seemed to have an unusually large number of fine character actors. One of my favorites was Ray (Ming) Middleton. I always wondered what his every day personality was like as he was a fine villain.