Comments on: Regarding Edmund Gwenn

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:02:04 +0000

Sorry for the late response. I have been having computer problems lately and I hope they are straightened out.

As I recall, I didn’t like it – Trouble with Harry – because I didn’t find it funny. But I also know that sometimes you don’t realize it but you are not in the mood for a comedy.

So, I’ll try it again.

By: Roger Hanover

Roger Hanover — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:29:22 +0000

Thanks for a little Christmas in July. I could watch MIRACLE ON 34TH ST. anytime. Same thing for THEM! and THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY. Gwenn is one of the greats. I’m curious about THE SKIN GAME and will seek it out.

By: suzidoll

suzidoll — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:15:24 +0000

Love Gwenn in THEM. His presence lends weight and validity — to a film about giant ants for Pete’s sake.

By: morlockjeff

morlockjeff — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:29:34 +0000

Thanks for pointing that out Al. A very dumb mistake on my part. Yes, you are completely correct about the 1951 nominations. Do you remember why you didn’t like The Trouble With Harry?

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:22:58 +0000

Sometimes I feel like a partypooper when I write in with corrections. I can imagine your mental reaction. (G-r-r-r-r, No, we don’t mind,Gr-r-r-r.)

Gwenn did indeed have formidable competition in the 1950 Oscar race. But he was up for best supporting actor, not best actor. The winner was George Saunders with his classic performance in All About Eve. Also nominated were Erich von Stroheim in Sunset Boulevard and Sam Jaffe in Asphalt Jungle. The long shot was Jeff Chandler in Broken Arrow.

When he deservedly won in 1947 his competition included Robert Ryan in Crossfire and Richard Widmark in Kiss of Death. Both went on to long careers and were never nominated again. (Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.)

I liked Gwenn in Miracle and also in Foreign Correspondent. I didn’t like Trouble with Harry when I finally caught up with it in a theater showing. Maybe I’ll change my mind if I see it again. I sometimes do.

By: morlockjeff

morlockjeff — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:52:27 +0000

Jonathan,

Of course it was Mildred Natwick opposite Gwenn in The Trouble With Harry. I saw her in the photo but still typed Dunnock. Getting my Mildreds mixed up. Thanks for catching.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:36:26 +0000

Mr. Gwenn is especially good in The Trouble With Harry. I like that movie better every time I see it. New England in glorious VistaVision! The music by Bernard Herrmann is unusual. The humor is indeed very black. One correction, though. It was Mildred Natwick and not Dunnock who was his love interest in that movie and she baked him the “blueb’ry muffins.” Mildred Dunnock played the proprietor of the store.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:30:59 +0000

Lovely post about Mr. Gwenn. His performance as Santa Claus is why the first version of Miracle on 34th Street, is the best. In the movie,when he is able to converse with the little girl who is a recently adopted war orphan, in her native tongue, oh how it makes me get all teary! Happens every time, even though I’ve probably seen the movie 4 times or more.

Interesting that he and Cecil Kellaway are related. One can see a resemblance.

I rank Mr. Gwenn, his cousin, Mr. Kellaway, Charlie Ruggles, Charles Coburn, and Barry Fitzgerald as some of the top supporting members of many a Classic movie. They were pure gold!

By: Medusa

Medusa — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:55:27 +0000

What a great overview of this intriguing actor’s life! Also great that he was able to continue doing all sorts of roles after having been Santa Claus in “Miracle on 34th Street”. That could have been a career-inhibitor!

He’s wonderful. Of course I particularly love “Them!” where he’s raised a brainy scientist daughter!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:23:38 +0000

He could be so adorable, and he could be such a skunk!

I love his turn as Mr. Bennett in “Pride and Prejudice”. He did so much with a look and a smile.