Dorothy Jordan (August 9, 1906 – December 7, 1988) was an movie actress who had a short but successful career beginning in talking pictures in 1929.
Jordan made her screen debut in the film, The Taming of the Shrew (1929). A story about a wealthy father, with two daughters, Katherine and Bianca. The younger daughter, Bianca, has many suitors. But her father will not allow Bianca to be married until her older sister, who is bad-tempered, is married first. When Petruchio comes from Verona to Padua in search of a wife, he accepts the challenge of marring the bad-tempered Katherine.
She then went on to make twenty-two more films in the next four years, including:
Min and Bill (1930)with Wallace Beery and Marie Dressler. A comedy-drama film based on Lorna Moon's novel Dark Star, adapted by Frances Marion and Marion Jackson. The movie tells the story of dockside innkeeper Min as she tries to take care of her adopted daughter and trying to maintain a relationship with boozy fisherman Bill.
The Cabin in the Cotton (1932) with Bette Davis. A drama film directed by Michael Curtiz. The film is best known for a line said by Bette Davis in a Southern drawl - "Ah'd love t' kiss ya, but ah jes washed ma hayuh". The story is about Marvin Blake, who is a sharecropper's son who wants to better himself by going to college instead of working in the fields. At first the plantation owner Lane Norwood, is against the idea and says he needs to work in his fields, but after the sudden death of his father, he gives the him a job as a bookkeeper. Blake discovers irregularities in Norwood's accounts and soon finds himself torn management and workers.
In 1933, Jordan left films and married filmmaker, screenwriter and later World War II U.S. Army Air Forces Colonel Merian C. Cooper, who co-wrote, produced and directed the 1933 film King Kong. In 1937, she came out of her leave and tested for the role of Melanie Hamilton in, Gone With The Wind. Cooper was a good friend with Western director John Ford, forming Argosy Productions in 1947. It was for Argosy's The Sun Shines Bright, directed by Ford in 1953, that Jordan came out of retirement for a small role. She then appeared in a small role as the sister-in-law of John Wayne's character, Ethan Edwards, who seeks Jordan's daughter, played by Natalie Wood, in the epic film, The Searchers (1956). Jordan performed once more, in a small role in the John Ford film, The Wings of Eagles (1957) before retiring.
Video from the film: Love In The Rough (1930). The story is about Jack, a shipping clerk in the Waters Department Store where he finds that his boss is having trouble with his golf game. When he finds that Kelly is a champion golfer, Waters arranges for him to go to his club to play in the tournament, until Kelly falls for Marilyn and the golf game is no longer important to him.
Ann-Margret (born April 28, 1941) . Ann-Margret, took her first dance lessons at the Marjorie Young School of Dance in 1949. Her parents were supportive and her mother handmade all her costumes. While a teenager, Ann-Margret appeared on the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour, Don McNeill's Breakfast Club and Ted Mack's Amateur Hour.
Through high school, she continued to star in theatricals. As part of a group known as the "Suttletones". They traveled Los Angeles and, through agent Georgia Lund, landed club dates in Newport Beach and Reno, where Ann-Margret had a chance meeting with Marilyn Monroe, who was on location for the film, The Misfits. Monroe noticed her in the crowd, then chatted privately with her, offering her encouragement.
The group landed a gig at The Dunes in Las Vegas, which also headlined Tony Bennett and Al Hirt at that time. George Burns heard of her performance and she auditioned for his annual holiday show, in which she and Burns did a soft shoe routine. (pictured below)George Burns and Ann Margret, in the dressing room at the Sahara December 27, 1960.
Joan Crawford, was one of Hollywood's most famous movie stars, but her films began losing money and by the end of the 1930s she was labeled "box office poison". After a two year break from performing on screen, Crawford, made a comeback in the film, Mildred Pierce (1945), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. TCM is celebrating Joan Crawford, with the five films listed below.
Mildred Pierce (1945) A woman turns herself into a business tycoon to win her self centered daughter's love . Cast: Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson. Dir: Michael Curtiz.
Daisy Kenyon (1947). On the rebound from a married man, a woman marries a veteran, just as her lover becomes available. Cast: Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews. Dir: Otto Preminger.
This Woman Is Dangerous (1952) A female gangster learns she is losing her vision. Cast: Joan Crawford, Dennis Morgan, David Brian.
Goodbye, My Fancy (1951). When she returns to her alma mater to pick up an honorary degree, a congresswoman re-ignites an old flame. Cast: Joan Crawford, Robert Young, Frank Lovejoy. Dir: Vincent Sherman.
The Damned Don't Cry (1950), Fed up with her small-town marriage, a woman goes after the big time and gets mixed up with the mob. Cast: Joan Crawford, David Brian, Steve Cochran. Dir: Vincent Sherman.
Archibald Alexander Leach(January 18, 1904 – November 29, 1986), better known by his stage name Cary Grant. He moved to Hollywood in 1931, where he used the name Cary Lockwood. He chose the name Lockwood after the name of his character in a recent play called, Nikki. After he signed with Paramount Pictures, the studio wanted to change his stage name. They decided that the name Cary would work, but Lockwood had to go because it was similar to another actor's name. Grant chose his name because of the initials C and G had already proved lucky for Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.
Already having appeared as leading man opposite Marlene Dietrich in, Blonde Venus(1932), in a story about a woman who was a popular nightclub singer turned housewife, but when her husband needs a life-saving operation, she decides to resume her career. Soon she has to make a choice between her singing career and her husband. Third video of nine.
May West, picked him for her leading man in two of her most successful films, She Done Him Wrong a Pre-Code (1933). Comedy romance film. cast: Mae West and Cary Grant. Others in the cast include: Louise Beavers, Owen Moore, Gilbert Roland, Noah Beery, Sr., and Rochelle Hudson. The film was directed by Lowell Sherman and produced by William LeBaron. The script was adapted by Harvey F. Thew and John Bright from the successful Broadway play Diamond Lil by Mae West. Original music was composed by Ralph Rainger, John Leipold and Stephan Pasternacki. Charles Lang was responsible for the cinematography, while the costumes were designed by Edith Head.
The movie is famous for West's many double meaning quips, including her seductive, "I always did like a man in a uniform. That one fits you grand. Why don't you come up sometime and see me? I'm home every evening."
Followed by, I'm No Angel (both 1933). His first major comedy hit was when he was loaned to Hal Roach's studio for the film, Topper(1937). A story about a fun-loving couple, finding that they died and are now ghosts, decide to shake up a friend of theirs.
Grant starred in many classic screwball comedies: Bringing Up Baby (1938) with Katharine Hepburn, His Girl Friday (1940) with Rosalind Russell, Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) featuring Priscilla Lane, and Monkey Business (1952) opposite Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe. Monkey Business, is similar to the film, Bringing Up Baby (1938), which also starred Cary Grant and was directed by Howard Hawks, but had a leopard instead of a chimpanzee. The plot, involving a chemical that causes a board of directors to act like children, is similar to the film, Lover Come Back(1961), with Doris Day–Rock Hudson, although in that film the chemical causes everybody to get extremely drunk.
Hawks said he did not think the film's premise was believable, and as a result thought the film was not as funny as it could have been. Peter Bogdanovich has noted that the scenes with Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe work especially well .
It was the film, The Philadelphia Story (1940), with Hepburn and James Stewart, that made him a star. A story about socialites Tracy Lord and C.K. Dexter Haven, who married impulsively. They brake up when Dexter's drinking became too excessive. Two years after their break-up, Tracy is about to remarry, a politician by the name of, George Kittredge. The day before the wedding, three unexpected guests show up at the Lord mansion: Macaulay Connor, Elizabeth Imbrie. Dexter, who is now working for a tabloid magazine.
Grant was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock, who said that Grant was "the only actor I ever loved in my whole life". Grant appeared in the Hitchcock classics Suspicion (1941), Notorious (1946), To Catch a Thief (1955) and North by Northwest (1959).
Biographer Patrick McGilligan wrote that, in 1965, Hitchcock asked Grant to star in, Torn Curtain (1966), only to learn that Grant had decided to retire after making one more film, Walk, Don't Run (1966).
In the mid-1950s, Grant formed his own production company, Grantley Productions, and produced a number of movies distributed by Universal: Operation Petticoat (1959), Indiscreet (1958), That Touch of Mink (co-starring with Doris Day, 1962).Please click here to read Touch of Mink review.
In 1963, he appeared opposite Audrey Hepburn in the film, Charade (1963). Directed by Stanley Donen, written by Peter Stone and Marc Behm. Cast: Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. It also features Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, Dominique Minot, Ned Glass, and Jacques Marin. It spans three genres: suspense thriller, romance, and comedy.
The film is notable for its screenplay, the relationship between Grant and Hepburn and for being filmed on location in Paris. Also, for Henry Mancini's score and theme song and for the animated titles by Maurice Binder. Charade has been referred to as "the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made."
Cary Grant ... enjoyed poking fun at himself with statements such as, "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant.. even I want to be Cary Grant".
FUN FACTS:
His only child is Jennifer Grant whose mother is Dyan Cannon. Actress Jennifer Grant, the only child of screen legend Cary Grant and his fourth wife, actress Dyan Cannon, gave birth to her first child on August 12, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. Jennifer, named her son Cary Benjamin Grant.
Ian Fleming modeled the James Bond character partially with Grant in mind.
Turned down the role of James Bond in Dr. No (1962), believing himself to be too old at 58 to play the character.
Donated his entire salary for Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) to the U.S. War Relief Fund.
Arsenic and Old Lace, his least favorite film.
Said Indiscreet (1958), to be his personal favorite film.
Was a great fan of Elvis Presley, and attended his Las Vegas shows. He is seen discussing Elvis' performance with him backstage during the closing credits of "That's The Way It Is" (1970).
Mary Brian (February 17, 1906 – December 30, 2002). Was working toward becoming an illustrator until at age 16 when she was discovered in a bathing beauty contest. One of the judges was famous actress Esther Ralston. She didn't win the contest but Ralston said, "you've got to give the little girl something." So, her prize was to be interviewed by director Herbert Brenon, who gave her the part as Wendy Darling, in his silent movie version of, Peter Pan (1924). There she starred with Betty Bronson and Esther Ralston, and the three of them became friends for the rest of their lives.
Brian played Fancy Vanhern in, The Street of Forgotten Men (1925). The story about a man named, Easy-Money Charley, the best fake crippled beggar in New York, loses his beloved dog and adopts a dying prostitute's daughter. But his fellow beggars mock him and he disowns the child in order to bring her up secretly in the suburbs.
Brian was dubbed "The Sweetest Girl in Pictures." On loan-out to MGM, she played , Mary Abbott, opposite William Haines and Jack Pickford in the film, Brown of Harvard (1926). A silent film starring William Haines. The film is the best known of the three Brown of Harvard films, having been John Wayne's screen debut. Uncredited, Wayne played a "Yale Football Player". Grady Sutton and Robert Livingston, both of whom went on to have successful careers, also appear uncredited. The 1918 film included future Boston Redskins coach William "Lone Star" Dietz.
During her years at Paramount, Brian performed in more than 40 movies. She worked with Brenon again in 1926 when she played Isabel in, P. C. Wren's Beau Geste. That same year she made, Behind the Front and Harold Teen. In 1928, she played Alice Deane in, Forgotten Faces. Like many of Brian's Paramount movies, Forgotten Faces, is presumed lost for all time.
Her first talkie was Varsity (1928), which was filmed with part-sound and talking sequences. After successfully making the transition to sound, she co-starred with Gary Cooper, Walter Huston and Richard Arlen in one of the earliest Western talkies, The Virginian (1929), her first all-talkie feature. In it, she played a schoolmarm Molly Stark Wood, who was the love interest of the Virginian (Cooper).
Brian co-starred in several films during the 1930s, including: The Royal Family of Broadway (1930), Paramount on Parade (1930), The Front Page (1931). Shadows of Sing Sing (1933), College Rhythm (1934), Paris (1935), Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935), Spendthrift (1936), Navy Blues (1937).
In 1936, she went to England and made three movies, including: The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss in which she starred opposite Cary Grant, to whom she became engaged to. The film is about, Ernest Bliss a bored rich socialite. He makes a bet with a doctor, Sir James Aldroyd, that he can live a year without relying on any of his inheritance. He loses the bet when uses some of the money to marry Frances Clayton, to save her from an unhappy marriage.
Her final film of the 1930s was, Affairs of Cappy Ricks. The film begins with, Cappy Ricks, an old sea captain, returning home from a long voyage to find that his daughter is going to marry a man that he can't stand and his mother has made plans to merge his business with that of a rival company. He quickly comes up with his own plan to save his family and his business.
Her last performance on the silver screen was in, Dragnet (1947), a B-movie in which she played Anne Hogan opposite Henry Wilcoxon. The film is about, Inspector Geoffrey James of Scotland Yard who travels to New York to investigate an international band of jewel thieves after the body of a diplomatic courier is found on the beach with smuggled jewels. James is assisted by a beautiful flight attendant.
Over 22 years, Brian had appeared in more than 79 movies.
In 1925 the beginning of Gary Cooper acting career, he found work as an "extra", usually cast as a cowboy. It is reported that he has uncredited role in the Tom Mix Western, Dick Turpin (1925). The following year, he had screen credit in, Lightnin' Wins. After the release of this short film, Cooper accepted a contract with Paramount Pictures. He changed his name to Gary in 1925, following the advice of casting director Nan Collins.
"Coop," went on to perform in over 100 films. He became a major star with his first sound picture, The Virginian(1929). Virginian a foreman working on small ranch and his best friend Steve, soon become rivals for a school teacher. Steve joins up with bad guy Trampas and the Virginian catches him cattle rustling. As foreman, he must give the order to hang his friend. Trampas gets away, but .. returns in time for a shootout .
Cooper went on to play the lead in the film, A Farewell to Arms (1932). Set in Europe during World War I, the story is about a romance between Frederick Henry (Gary Cooper), an American ambulance driver serving in the Italian Army and English Red Cross nurse Catherine Barkley (Helen Hayes). Major Rinaldi (Adolphe Menjou)wants to end their relationship and has Catherine transferred to Milan. When Frederick is wounded, he ends up in the hospital where Catherine works. They continue their affair until he returns to battle. Catherine becomes pregnant and moves to Switzerland and when her letters remain unanswered, she believes that he has abandoned her. Frederick, travels back to Switzerland in search of Catherine.
Cooper, also performed in the title role, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town(1936). Directed by frank Capra, based on the story, Opera Hat by Clarence Budington Kelland that appeared in serial form in the Saturday Evening Post.
In 1942, Cooper won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the title character in, Sergeant York. A biographical film about the life of Alvin York, the most-decorated American soldier of World War I. It was directed by Howard Hawks and was the highest-grossing film of the year.
In 1953, Cooper won his second Best Actor Academy Award for his performance as Marshal Will Kane in, High Noon . Directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. The film tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself.
Some of his other box office hits: Friendly Persuasion (1956). The story of a family of Quakers in Indiana in 1862. It's not easy for them to hold to their beliefs when Southern troops pass though. Should they fight, or keep to their religious beliefs?
His final film, The Naked Edge(1961). The film Noir is about the aftermath of a theft and murder, especially the fears of Martha Radcliffe (Kerr), who, increasingly suspects her husband George Radcliffe (Cooper), whose testimony in court convicted the main suspect, of being the real culprit. Only at the end of the film we find out who the real killer is.
Among his final projects was narrating an NBC documentary, The Real West, in which he helped clear up myths about famous Western figures.
Dorothy Malone (born January 30, 1925). Much of Malone's early career was in "B" movies, or in Westerns, although she did she have the opportunity to play small roll in the film, The Big Sleep (1946) with Humphrey Bogart, and the love interest of Dean Martin in the musical-comedy, Artists and Models (1955).
By 1956, Malone had transformed herself into a platinum blonde when she co-starred with Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, and Robert Stack in, Written on the Wind (1956). Directed by Douglas Sirk. Based on Robert Wilder's 1945 novel of the same name, of the real-life scandal involving singer, Libby Holman and her husband.
The troubles begin after Kyle's impulsive marriage to Lucy Moore. He turns against his childhood friend, Mitch Wayne, a geologist for the oil company. Kyle goes into a deep depression after the death of his father, who thinks highly of Mitch but does not think much of his own children.
Mitch is secretly in love with Lucy. He keeps these feelings private until Kyle, having been diagnosed with a low sperm count, assaults Lucy when she announces her pregnancy, wrongly assuming it to be the result of adultery with Mitch. Mitch plans to leave town with her as soon as she's well enough to travel. A drunken Kyle grabs a gun with plans to shoot Mitch. Marylee, tries to grab the gun from him, but it accidentally fires, killing him. Will Marylee be punished for the crime,or will she be left alone to run the company .
She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. As a result, she was offered more substantial roles in, Too Much, Too Soon, where she portrayed Diana Barrymore, Man of a Thousand Faces (with James Cagney), and Warlock (with Henry Fonda and Richard Widmark). Other films include: The Tarnished Angels, The Last Voyage and The Last Sunset.
In the 1963-1964 season, Malone guest starred on, The Greatest Show on Earth. She performed in the lead role of, Constance MacKenzie on the ABC prime time serial Peyton Place, in which she starred from 1964 to 1968. She had a featured role in the miniseries, Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). In her last screen performance, she played a mother convicted of murdering her family in, Basic Instinct (1992).
Filmography: Night and Day (1946) The Big Sleep (1946) Flaxy Martin (1949) Colorado Territory (1949) The Nevadan (1950) Convicted (1950) Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone (1950) The Bushwackers (1952) Scared Stiff (1953) Young at Heart (1954) Battle Cry (1955) The Fast and the Furious (1955) Sincerely Yours (1955) Written on the Wind (1956) The Last Sunset(1961)
Beach Party (1963) Fate Is the Hunter (1964) Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979) Winter Kills (1979) Basic Instinct (1992)
Mickey Rooney, was born September 23, 1920. His parents, were vaudeville performers. At 17 months old, in a Chicago theatre, he let out a sneeze. The noise caused a spotlight to find him in the crowd. Not knowing what to do he stood up and blew on his tiny toy mouth organ. The shows manager got him a little tuxedo and Mickey began performing his act on stage.
Shortly after Mickey's parents divorced his mother decided he would be perfect for the, "Our Gang" series. After they arrived in Hollywood, they found out the pay was not enough to live on and hey moved back to Kansas City, to live with his aunt. They returned to California again in 1926, where Mickey landed his first film role in the movie "Not To Be Trusted," in which he played a midget.
His big break came in 1927 when he was cast for a series based on a comic strip. His mother wanted to legally change his name to Mickey McGuire for publicity reasons, but the comics creator did not agree. Instead she renamed him Mickey Rooney. In 1934, Mickey was competing in a table tennis tournament in Los Angles when MGM producer David O. Selznick noticed him. He told MGM studio chief Louis Mayer that he had found a kid that was a "goldmine" and begged him to sign Mickey to MGM. Selznick made a role for Mickey in the film "Manhattan Melodrama," which was later made famous when gangster John Dillinger was shot and killed while leaving the theater where he had been watching it. Mickey was the number one box office actor in the United States from 1939-41. He became known for his work on films: A Midsummer Night's Dream(1935). Directed by Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle, produced by Henry Blanke and Hal Wallis, and adapted by Charles Kenyon and Mary C. McCall Jr. from the play by William Shakespeare.
Boys Town(1938), is a biographical drama film based on Father Edward J. Flanagan's work with a group of delinquent boys in a home that he founded and named "Boys Town". Cast: Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan, and Mickey Rooney, Henry Hull, Gene Reynolds, Edward Norris, and Addison Richards.
Babes in Arms(1939). Film version of the 1937 Broadway musical of the same name. Cast: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Charles Winninger, Guy Kibbee, June Preisser, Grace Hayes and Betty Jaynes.
Also the "Andy Hardy" series. He starred with many Hollywood leading ladies including Lana Turner, Anne Rutherford and Judy Garland. Mickey made over 200 films. He earned an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, a special Juvenile Oscar he shared with Deana Durbin in 1939, five Oscar nominations, one Emmy Award, five Emmy Nominations and two Golden Globes.
Rock Hudson( November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985). In 1959 playboy, Rock Hudson and girl next door Doris Day, were first paired for their trilogy of movies: Pillow Talk(1959), Lover Come Back(1961) and Send me No Flowers(1964). Perfect comedies with great performances by Hudson and Day.
The 6ft 5in tall actor was one of the most popular and well-known movie stars of his time. He completed nearly 70 films and starred in several television shows during a career that spanned over four decades. One of his first on screen successes was in the film: Magnificent Obsession(1954). Cast: Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman. Playboy Robert Merrick loses control of his speed boat and has a terrible accident. Rescuers send for the nearest resuscitator, located at Dr. Phillips's house on the lake. Unfortunately, Dr. Phillips has a fatal heart attack and dies. Merrick becomes a patient at Dr. Phillips's clinic, where the doctors and nurses all blame Merrick for Dr. Phillips's death.
Merrick finally learns why everyone dislikes him. He tries to run away, but .. faints, in front of Helen's car and ends up back at the hospital. Fully recovered Merrick, tries to go back to his wild life style and leaves the party, drunk. After running off the road, Merrick ends up at the home of Edward Randolph, who recognizes him. Randolph shares with him how he and Dr. Phillips became so successful. As fate would have it, Helen steps into the path of a car while trying to run away from Merrick. She is blinded by accident and Merrick vows to become a doctor. He falls love with Helen and helps her adjust to her blindness under the name, Robby.
After many extensive tests, surgeons tell Helen there is no hope for recovery. Later, Robby confesses to being Merrick. Helen has already guessed this. Merrick asks Helen to marry him. Later that night, Helen realizes she will be a burden to him, disappears. Will Merrick ever find Helen and will she ever be cured. Also in the cast, Agnes Moorehead, who has some great moments in the film.
Hudson's popularity soared in the film, Giant, based on Edna Ferber's novel and co-starring Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. Hudson and Dean both were nominated for Oscars in the Best Actor category.
Following the film, Something of Value (1957) was a moving performance in, A Farewell to Arms, which he turned down Marlon Brando's role in Sayonara, William Holden's role in, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Charlton Heston's role in, Ben-Hur. Those films went on to become successful while, A Farewell to Arms was a huge flop.
He performed in the thriller, Seconds (1966). The film flopped but it later gained cult status, and Hudson's performance is often called one of his best. He also worked on the action film, Tobruk (1967), the lead in 1968's spy thriller, Ice Station Zebra, a role was his favorite film, he also performed in the western, The Undefeated (1969) opposite John Wayne.
He starred in one of my favorite TV shows, McMillan and Wife opposite Susan Saint James from 1971 to 1977. Hudson played police commissioner Stewart "Mac" McMillan with Saint James as his wife Sally.
He was in ill health while filming, The Ambassador. From December 1984 to April 1985, Hudson landed a recurring role on the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty as Daniel Reece, the love interest for Krystle Carrington (played by Linda Evans) and biological father of the character Sammy Jo Carrington (Heather Locklear).
Grace Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982), was an Oscar-winning movie actress who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Grace Kelly, performed in just over 10 movies in her life time:
The Swan( 1956). Remake of a 1925 film (also remade in 1930 as One Romantic Night). The film is a romantic comedy directed by Charles Vidor, produced by Dore Schary from a screenplay by John Dighton based on the play by Ferenc Molnár. Costume design by Helen Rose. Cast: Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness and Louis Jourdan with Agnes Moorehead, Jessie Royce Landis, Brian Aherne, Leo G. Carroll, Estelle Winwood and Robert Coote. This was the second time in two years that Jessie Royce Landis played Grace Kelly's mother. The first was in To Catch a Thief (1955). These were the only two films in which both actresses performed together. Beautifully filmed and Grace Kelly, never looked lovelier and is excellent in this role.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954). film based on a novel by James Michener about a naval aviator assigned to bomb a group of heavily defended bridges during the Korean War. It was made into a motion picture and won the Special Effects Oscar at the 28th Academy Awards. The novel and film are a composite of actual missions flown against bridges at Majon-ni and Changnim-Ni, North Korea, in the winter of 1951–1952, when Michener was a correspondent aboard the aircraft carriers Essex and Valley Forge, and with a pair of rescue missions on February 8, 1952, one of which involved the shoot-down of a plane off the Valley Forge. However, in the rescue incident referenced the downed airmen survived the crash and rescue attempt but were captured by North Korean soldiers. For realistic close-up shots, William Holden learned how to taxi a fighter on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Some movie viewers believe that Grace Kelly was wasted in her small part in this film. Although, it is very close to the her role she played as housewife and mother in the film, The Country Girl, where she won her Oscar. She has a memorable scene with her husband's commander Admiral Fredric March, when her husband goes off to help his men.
High Society(1956). Is a musical film with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. It was directed by Charles Walters and produced by Sol C. Siegel from a screenplay by John Patrick, based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry. The cinematography was by Paul Vogel, the art direction by Cedric Gibbons and Hans Peters and the costume design by Helen Rose. It is notable for being the last film performance of Grace Kelly, before she became Princess consort of Monaco. Elizabeth Taylor was the first choice for the part of Tracy Lord. She was unavailable so the part went to Grace Kelly.
Even though Grace Kelly, is the central character in this musical film, she does not sing, but joins Bing Crosby, for the song "True Love" and drunkenly shouting, "Sensational,".
To Catch a Thief(1955). Romantic/Thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Cast: Gary Grant, Grace Kelly. The movie is set on the French Riviera. On 14 September 1982, Grace Kelly was killed in an automobile accident in Monaco, supposedly on the very same road as her famous chase scene in this film and not far from where she had a picnic scene with Cary Grant. She was 52 years old and lost control of her car after suffering a stroke while at the wheel.
Grace Kelly, was absolutely elegant and at the height of her beauty in this film. Kelly, was dressed by the very talented Edith Head.
The Country Girl (1954). Drama film adapted by George Seaton from a Clifford Odets play of the same name, which tells the story of an alcoholic has-been actor struggling with the one last chance he's been given to save his career. Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and William Holden. Kelly, won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role. Jennifer Jones was considered for, but turned down, the female lead which later won Grace Kelly her Oscar. It seems every time a beautiful woman makes herself look plain, she wins an Oscar.
During auditions for a new musical production, the director, Bernie Dodd, watches fading star Frank Elgin, perform his number and suggests he be cast. Cook, the shows producer has strong oppositions.
Elgin, is living in a small apartment with his wife Georgie, a bitter woman who has aged far beyond her years, are not sure Elgin can handle the part.
Bernie believes that Georgie is the reason for Frank's problems and he criticizes her, to her face. He doesn't know Elgin's career ended with the death of their five-year-old son, who was hit by a car while he was in the care.
Bernie, realizes that behind his hatred of Georgie, there is a strong attraction to her. He kisses her and they fall in love.
Elgin, is wonderful in the role on opening night. Bernie, believes now that Elgin has recovered his self-respect, Georgie will be free to leave him, but will she?
Dial M For Murder (1954). Thriller film based from a stage play and directed by Alfred Hitchcock . It stars Ray Milland as a retired tennis pro who wishes to have his wife killed, Grace Kelly as the wife, and Robert Cummings as her lover. The supporting cast includes: John Williams as the police detective who investigates the matter and Anthony Dawson as the man hired to do the killing.
Grace Kelly was 25-years-old and full of confidence as an actress and she certainly proved it here.
Green Fire(1954). Directed by Andrew Marton and produced by Armand Deutsch, with original music by Miklós Rózsa.C ast: Grace Kelly, Stewart Granger, Paul Douglas and John Ericson. The story is about a Rugged mining engineer Rian Mitchell, who discovers a lost emerald mine in the highlands of Colombia, which had last been operated by the Spanish conquistadors. Rian is a man consumed by the quest for wealth. The mining and plantation scenes were shot on location in rural Colombia. The cast and crew lived many weeks of miserable weather to give the film its realistic look.
Kelly, seemed a bit out of place, living in the south American jungle. Although, this adventure story had enough action and excitement, to keep your interest until the end.
Rear Window (1954). Suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by John Michael Hayes and based on Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story "It Had to Be Murder". Cast: James Stewart as a photographer who spies on his neighbors while recuperating from a broken leg; Grace Kelly as his girlfriend; Thelma Ritter as his nurse; Wendell Corey as a police detective; and Raymond Burr as one of the neighbors. The film is considered by many to be one of Hitchcock's best. It received four Academy Award nominations. The love affair between war photographer Robert Capa and actress Ingrid Bergman was believed to be Alfred Hitchcock's inspiration for the film.
Grace Kelly's character, started out struggling with her relationship with L.B., because he has doubts about marrying her, but.. she loves him so much that she will to do anything for him, including going into danger to win his heart.
Mogambo(1953) film directed by John Ford. Cast: Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly and Donald Sinden. The film was adapted by John Lee Mahin from the play by Wilson Collison. Kelly won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress (1954), and the film was nominated for two Oscars, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Gardner), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kelly). Mogambo is a remake of the classic film Red Dust (1932). The earlier movie also featured Gable in the lead role. Personal quote: Mogambo (1953) had three things that interested me. John Ford, Clark Gable, and a trip to Africa with expenses paid. If Mogambo had been made in Arizona, I wouldn't have done it.
Grace Kelly, plays the goody two shoes, wife of a English scientist.
High Noon(1952). Western film directed by Fred Zinnemann. Cast:Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. The film tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman. Grace Kelly was cast after Stanley Kramer saw her in an off-Broadway play. He arranged a meeting with her and signed her on the spot.
Even though Grace Kelly plays a beautiful bride, it is hard to like her character .. until the very end.
Ryan wanted a career in show business as a playwright, but had to turn to acting to support himself. He studied acting in Hollywood and performed on stage and in small film parts during the early 1940s.
In January 1944, after winning a contract with RKO Radio Pictures, Ryan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, California. At Camp Pendleton, he befriended writer and future director Richard Brooks.
Ryan's breakthrough film role was in the film, Crossfire (1947), a film noir based on Brooks's novel.
The role won Ryan his sole career Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor. On Dangerous Ground (1951) he portrayed a burnt-out city cop finding redemption while solving a murder. In the film, The Set-Up (1949), he played an over-the-hill boxer who is brutally punished for refusing to take a dive. Other important films were The Naked Spur, House of Bamboo, Bad Day at Black Rock, and Odds Against Tomorrow. He also performed in several war films including, The Longest Day (1962) and Battle of the Bulge (1965), and The Dirty Dozen. He also played John the Baptist in the epic, King of Kings (1961) and was the villainous Claggart in, Billy Budd (1962). Ryan's best known performance's were in the films, The Dirty Dozen, The Professionals (1966) and The Wild Bunch (1969).
Claude Rains (10 November 1889 – 30 May 1967), his career spanned over 47 years. Rains came relatively late to film acting, his distinctive voice won him the title role in, The Invisible Man (1933). Rains later credited director Michael Curtiz with teaching him, "what not to do in front of a camera".
Following The Invisible Man, Universal Studios tried to typecast him in horror films, but he broke free, starting with the role of Prince John in, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), then with his Academy Award-nominated performance as a corrupt senator in, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and followed with probably his most famous role, the French police Captain Renault in, Casablanca (1942).
Rains went on to perform in, Phantom of the Opera(1943). Bette Davis named him her favorite co-star, and they made four films together: Mr. Skeffington and Now, Voyager.
Next Rains, performed as, Julius Caesar in Caesar and Cleopatra (1945). He also played a refugee Nazi agent opposite Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in, Notorious (1946). He then performed in, The Passionate Friends(1949).
Rains remained a popular character actor in the 1950s and 1960 and performed in many films. Two of his well-known later screen roles were as Dryden, a cynical British diplomat in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and King Herod in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), his final film role.
TCM is celebrating Claude Rains birthday with the films listed below:
They Won't Forget (1937) . Bigotry flares when a Jewish businessman is accused of killing a small-town girl in the South. Cast: Claude Rains, Gloria Dickson, Allyn Joslyn. Dir: Mervyn LeRoy.
Adventures of Robin Hood, The (1938). The bandit king of Sherwood Forest leads his Merry Men in a battle against the corrupt Prince John. Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone. Dir: William Keighley, Michael Curtiz.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) .An idealistic Senate replacement takes on political corruption. Cast: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains. Dir: Frank Capra.
Saturday's Children (1940) .A young inventor's new marriage is jeopardized by financial problems. Cast: John Garfield, Claude Rains, Anne Shirley. Dir: Vincent Sherman.
Now, Voyager (1942) . A repressed spinster is transformed by psychiatry and her love for a married man. Cast: Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains. Dir: Irving Rapper.
Mr. Skeffington (1944) . A flighty beauty marries a stockbroker for convenience and almost ruins both their lives. Cast: Bette Davis, Claude Rains, Walter Abel. Dir: Vincent Sherman.
Passage to Marseille (1944) . Devil's Island escapees join up with the Allies during World War II. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Michele Morgan. Dir: Michael Curtiz.
Hedy Lamarr(November 9, 1913 – January 19, 2000). Was best known for her film career as a major star of MGM's "Golden Age", she also co-invented an early technique for spread spectrum communications, a key to many forms of wireless communication. To learn more about Lamarr, please click here.
