Comments on: The Robert Ryan Centennial http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/ MovieMorlocks.com is the official blog for Turner Classic Movies (TCM). No topic is too obscure or niche to be excluded from our film discussions. And we welcome your comments on our blogs and bloggers. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:50:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Joseph Tages http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-11987 Joseph Tages Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:33:35 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-11987 I thought God's Little Acre was one of Bob's greatest roles. Very different from anything he had done up to that point. I also enjoyed his scenes with young Dean Stockwell in The Boy With Green Hair, especially the introduction where they eat hamburgers and shakes together. For a man who is known primarily as a heavy, Bob easily proved to be the most versatile actor of his time. I thought God’s Little Acre was one of Bob’s greatest roles. Very different from anything he had done up to that point. I also enjoyed his scenes with young Dean Stockwell in The Boy With Green Hair, especially the introduction where they eat hamburgers and shakes together. For a man who is known primarily as a heavy, Bob easily proved to be the most versatile actor of his time.

]]> By: bob http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-11970 bob Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:18:24 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-11970 Just finished watching God's Little Acre; actually the first timeI have seen that movie but I am a long-time Robert Ryan fan. As a matter of fact I cannot think of a movie I have seen of his that I did not appreciate his performance. Simply put, he is one of my favorite all-time actors. Bad Day at Black Rock, The Dirty Dozen, THe Naked Spur, Hour of The Gun, THe Tall Men are just a few that come to mind. Robert ryan was truly one of the greats. Bob M Just finished watching God’s Little Acre; actually the first timeI have seen that movie but I am a long-time Robert Ryan fan. As a matter of fact I cannot think of a movie I have seen of his that I did not appreciate his performance. Simply put, he is one of my favorite all-time actors. Bad Day at Black Rock, The Dirty Dozen, THe Naked Spur, Hour of The Gun, THe Tall Men are just a few that come to mind. Robert ryan was truly one of the greats.
Bob M

]]> By: allan billingham http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-11463 allan billingham Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:55:51 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-11463 MR RYAN JUST HAD A POWERFUL ON SCREEN PRESENCE ENOUGH SAID. MR RYAN JUST HAD A POWERFUL ON SCREEN PRESENCE ENOUGH SAID.

]]> By: Robert Kawasaki http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10667 Robert Kawasaki Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:21:17 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10667 The first film which introduced this great actor to me was THE PROFESSIONALS. His part was much weaker compared to Burt Lancaster's or Lee Marvin's, but I was more interested in this weary horse lover performed by Robert Ryan. He was stubborn, contrary, but yet little sad and likable.He was more complexed than any other characters in the film. Later, I learned his name was Robert Ryan, and I gained great desire to see his films. I watched THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH, CROSSFIRE, ACT OF VIOLENCE, THE SET-UP, ABOUT MRS.LESLIE, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK, and THE WILD BUNCH. Beyond any doubt he was the man! He surely was believable in any roles, and he had a quiet charisma which most Hollywood stars did not possess. Also, he always carried sense of class or grace no matter the parts. Ryan was an American, but to me, he had a sophisticated mood which is particular to the European actors. Later on, I had chances to watch CAUGHT, ON DANGEROUS GROUND, CLASH BY NIGHT, THE NAKED SPUR, INFERNO, HOUSE OF BAMBOO, MEN IN WAR, GOD'S LITTLE ACRE, DAY OF THE OUTLAW, ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, BILLY BUDD, AND HOPE TO DIE, and THE ICEMAN COMETH, then my feeling towards Robert Ryan almost became an obsesseion. Boy, this guy is truely great one! He took chances to play risky parts and prefered appearing in many artistic films. No wonder the great directors like Jean Renoir, Robert Wise, Nick Ray, Sam Fuller, Anthony Mann, Roy Ward Baker, Rene Clemant and John Frankenheimer prefered working with this great actor. Quiet art of Robert Ryan is now easily qualified as one of the legends in the film industry of 20th century. The first film which introduced this great actor to me was THE PROFESSIONALS. His part was much weaker compared to Burt Lancaster’s or Lee Marvin’s, but I was more interested in this weary horse lover performed by Robert Ryan. He was stubborn, contrary, but yet little sad and likable.He was more complexed than any other characters in the film. Later, I learned his name was Robert Ryan, and I gained great desire to see his films. I watched THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH, CROSSFIRE, ACT OF VIOLENCE, THE SET-UP, ABOUT MRS.LESLIE, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK, and THE WILD BUNCH. Beyond any doubt he was the man! He surely was believable in any roles, and he had a quiet charisma which most Hollywood stars did not possess. Also, he always carried sense of class or grace no matter the parts. Ryan was an American, but to me, he had a sophisticated mood which is particular to the European actors. Later on, I had chances to watch CAUGHT, ON DANGEROUS GROUND, CLASH BY NIGHT, THE NAKED SPUR, INFERNO, HOUSE OF BAMBOO, MEN IN WAR, GOD’S LITTLE ACRE, DAY OF THE OUTLAW, ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, BILLY BUDD, AND HOPE TO DIE, and THE ICEMAN COMETH, then my feeling towards Robert Ryan almost became an obsesseion. Boy, this guy is truely great one! He took chances to play risky parts and prefered appearing in many artistic films. No wonder the great directors like Jean Renoir, Robert Wise, Nick Ray, Sam Fuller, Anthony Mann, Roy Ward Baker, Rene Clemant and John Frankenheimer prefered working with this great actor. Quiet art of Robert Ryan is now easily qualified as one of the legends in the film industry of 20th century.

]]> By: Joseph Tages http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10651 Joseph Tages Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:21:21 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10651 I became a fan of Robert Ryan after watching The Wild Bunch for the first time. I recently caught Crossfire on TCM and Robert stole the film for me. What a performance! He was still working up to his death, with films such as The Iceman Cometh and Executive Action being released in 1973, his final year with us. Lord knows what more he could have given us beyond the 70's! I DVR-ed Robert's films on TCM the past two days. I am watching Marine Raiders even as I write this. Thank you for honoring Robert on his Centennial and may his work live on forever. I became a fan of Robert Ryan after watching The Wild Bunch for the first time. I recently caught Crossfire on TCM and Robert stole the film for me. What a performance! He was still working up to his death, with films such as The Iceman Cometh and Executive Action being released in 1973, his final year with us. Lord knows what more he could have given us beyond the 70’s!

I DVR-ed Robert’s films on TCM the past two days. I am watching Marine Raiders even as I write this. Thank you for honoring Robert on his Centennial and may his work live on forever.

]]> By: moirafinnie http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10642 moirafinnie Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:30:32 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10642 Hi Mimi, Hope your daughter finds <strong>Robert Ryan</strong>'s movies a joy for a long time (though I'd hold off on allowing her to see some of his movies until much lather--but what do I know?--kids are tougher now, right?) Hi Carol, <strong>About Mrs. Leslie</strong> turns up occasionally as a secondary market VHS and a DVD-r on the internet. I do wish that this film could receive an airing on cable someday soon again or have a DVD issuance. I thought that the combination of <strong>Shirley Booth</strong> and <strong>Ryan</strong> was novel and ultimately quite moving in a relatively simple, (but not simplistic), and mature love story. Hi Mimi,
Hope your daughter finds Robert Ryan’s movies a joy for a long time (though I’d hold off on allowing her to see some of his movies until much lather–but what do I know?–kids are tougher now, right?)

Hi Carol,
About Mrs. Leslie turns up occasionally as a secondary market VHS and a DVD-r on the internet. I do wish that this film could receive an airing on cable someday soon again or have a DVD issuance. I thought that the combination of Shirley Booth and Ryan was novel and ultimately quite moving in a relatively simple, (but not simplistic), and mature love story.

]]> By: in queue « http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10641 in queue « Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:48:10 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10641 [...] in queue November 11, 2009 in honor of robert ryan’s centennial… [...] [...] in queue November 11, 2009 in honor of robert ryan’s centennial… [...]

]]> By: carol gillette http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10640 carol gillette Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:07:01 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10640 Please tell me when I can buy the Robert Ryan movie "About Mrs. Leslie" I have been looking for it for years!!!!!!!!!!!Thankyou so so so much!!!!!!!! Carol gillette Please tell me when I can buy the Robert Ryan movie “About Mrs. Leslie” I have been looking for it for years!!!!!!!!!!!Thankyou so so so much!!!!!!!! Carol gillette

]]> By: Mimi http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10634 Mimi Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:25:38 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10634 I have always loved Robert Ryan. A true testament to his magnificent screen presence is when my 7 year old daughter saw him on the screeen yesterday her eyes lit up and she had a huge smile on her face - she was in love! I have always loved Robert Ryan. A true testament to his magnificent screen presence is when my 7 year old daughter saw him on the screeen yesterday her eyes lit up and she had a huge smile on her face – she was in love!

]]> By: moirafinnie http://moviemorlocks.com/2009/11/04/the-robert-ryan-centennial/#comment-10632 moirafinnie Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:35:37 +0000 http://moviemorlocks.com/?p=15725#comment-10632 For TomWittman: You can readily purchase a DVD of <b>Clash By Night</b> (1952) <b><a href="http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited.com/Product.asp?sku=D62905" rel="nofollow">at this spot</a></b> on the TCM website. Hi Al: You're right. I can remember seeing <strong>Ryan</strong> as the editor Walter Burns in <strong>The Front Page</strong> on PBS in the early 1970s. He also appeared on Broadway in that role in 1969-1970. He brought a believable ruthlessness and cynicism to the part of the Chicago manipulator of both public opinion and his ace reporter, Hildy Johnson (played by <strong>George Grizzard</strong>). Hi Andrew and Larry Gross, Thanks for mentioning this actor's performance in <strong>The Wild Bunch</strong>. His finely drawn character "Deke Thornton" with all his mixed emotions, is one of the most interesting in that ensemble. Hi EMO, Your uncle's remarks about <strong>Robert Ryan </strong>reminded me that this actor may have enjoyed the respect of his peers as well as the affection for his complex portrayals well before the growing appreciation for his work percolated throughout the cinephile comunity. He was truly an "actor's actor". Reno, I would love to check out that narration of the WWI documentary series you mentioned. Though it is not generally acknowledged, <strong>Ryan</strong>'s speaking voice--and particularly the expressive shadings he lent to the more prosaic lines he was given to say in many of his assignments--were a vital part of his acting. I am always particularly interested in the way he could take simple language and make it bitterly sarcastic, profoundly sad or threatening--sometimes in the same scene! See his nearly monosyllabic exchanges with <strong>Ed Begley</strong> in <strong>On Dangerous Ground </strong>for one example of this quality. Hi Steve, Thanks for adding that link to the Chiicago Reader (also included in the blog piece) and for your comments on Ryan's abilities. Hi Patricia, I haven't seen <strong>Her Twelve Men</strong> in its entirety yet, so I'm looking forward to checking it out asap too. I think it's interesting that even near the beginning of his career, the younger Ryan was often paired with already well established leading ladies such as <strong>Ginger Rogers</strong>, <strong>Greer Garson</strong> and<strong> Claudette Colbert</strong>. Seeing the difference between Ryan and these actresses in their acting styles alone makes them worthwhile viewing, even if they were sometimes "lighter" comedies (which might have been a welcome break for Ryan). I share your fascination with his performance in <strong>Odds Against Tomorrow</strong>, one of the best of this actor's roles (and an indication of Robert Wise's underrated artistry). Medusa & Suzi, Thanks for your enthusiasm for this blogathon. I can't wait to read all the Morlocks' posts this week. For TomWittman:
You can readily purchase a DVD of Clash By Night (1952) at this spot on the TCM website.

Hi Al:
You’re right. I can remember seeing Ryan as the editor Walter Burns in The Front Page on PBS in the early 1970s. He also appeared on Broadway in that role in 1969-1970. He brought a believable ruthlessness and cynicism to the part of the Chicago manipulator of both public opinion and his ace reporter, Hildy Johnson (played by George Grizzard).

Hi Andrew and Larry Gross,
Thanks for mentioning this actor’s performance in The Wild Bunch. His finely drawn character “Deke Thornton” with all his mixed emotions, is one of the most interesting in that ensemble.

Hi EMO,
Your uncle’s remarks about Robert Ryan reminded me that this actor may have enjoyed the respect of his peers as well as the affection for his complex portrayals well before the growing appreciation for his work percolated throughout the cinephile comunity. He was truly an “actor’s actor”.

Reno,
I would love to check out that narration of the WWI documentary series you mentioned. Though it is not generally acknowledged, Ryan’s speaking voice–and particularly the expressive shadings he lent to the more prosaic lines he was given to say in many of his assignments–were a vital part of his acting. I am always particularly interested in the way he could take simple language and make it bitterly sarcastic, profoundly sad or threatening–sometimes in the same scene! See his nearly monosyllabic exchanges with Ed Begley in On Dangerous Ground for one example of this quality.

Hi Steve,
Thanks for adding that link to the Chiicago Reader (also included in the blog piece) and for your comments on Ryan’s abilities.

Hi Patricia,
I haven’t seen Her Twelve Men in its entirety yet, so I’m looking forward to checking it out asap too. I think it’s interesting that even near the beginning of his career, the younger Ryan was often paired with already well established leading ladies such as Ginger Rogers, Greer Garson and Claudette Colbert. Seeing the difference between Ryan and these actresses in their acting styles alone makes them worthwhile viewing, even if they were sometimes “lighter” comedies (which might have been a welcome break for Ryan). I share your fascination with his performance in Odds Against Tomorrow, one of the best of this actor’s roles (and an indication of Robert Wise’s underrated artistry).

Medusa & Suzi,
Thanks for your enthusiasm for this blogathon. I can’t wait to read all the Morlocks’ posts this week.

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