Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Director of Brilliance

Joe Mankiewicz

There are few Hollywood directors with a better artistic reputation than Joseph L. Mankiewicz. He was a brilliant scriptwriter and producer before becoming one of the most skilful and successful directors in movie history. After learning his trade in the 1930’s and 1940’s, working with some of the most influential directors of the time, such as George Cukor, Fritz Lang and Frank Borsage.

When Mankewiecz began directing movies himself, all his latent potential rose to the surface and he showed himself to be a movie genius. He began quietly enough in 1944 when he co-wrote and produced ‘The Keys of the Kingdom’ which included a supporting role by his wife, Rose Stradler, and 2 years later he directed, on his own, ‘Dragonwyck’, which was not a success, but which taught him many lessons about handling actors.

For the next few years Mankiewicz’s genius flowered as he reached a peak of artistic maturity in 1950 and 1951, when he achieved the considerable feat of winning in consecutive years the Oscar for Best Screenplay and Best Director for ‘A Letter to Three Wives’ and ‘All About Eve’. ‘A Letter to Three Wives’ concerns a single letter sent to three different women informing them that a woman has run off with one of their husbands. The plot is detailed and intricate and Mankiewicz shows great skill in his handling of the actors and actresses. 'All About Eve’ won the Academy Award for Best Picture as well as Best Director and Best Screenplay and was a massive triumph for Mankiewicz. It has been described as the finest movie ever made which is quite an accolade, and it certainly fizzes with sparkling wit, brilliant characterisation and wonderful acting from the fine cast, including Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders and a young Marilyn Monroe.

This was the high point of his career and it is difficult to see how he could have improved on his work. He continued to make wonderful, high quality movies including a smash hit adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar' in 1953 with Marlon Brando as Marc Antony and 'The Barefoot Contessa' in 1954. To show his versatility he directed a ground-breaking musical in 1955, 'Guys and Dolls' with Brando again and Frank Sinatra. Mankiewicz continued working until 1972 when he received an Oscar nomination for Best Director for his final film 'Sleuth'.

After this Mankiewicz retired and lived quietly with his second wife in New York, refusing all attempts to coax him back to work. He died in 1993, age 82, in Bedford, New York.
Read more about Joe Mankiewicz at Hollywood's Golden Age.com

Mankiewicz and first wife, Rose Stradler accept the Screenplay Oscar for 'A Letter to Three Wives'

Mankiewicz and Bette Davis accept their Oscars for 'All About Eve'

More about the masterpiece 'All About Eve'.

The Bandwagon-Happy Hollywood

‘The Bandwagon’ is a wonderfully happy movie with a top class cast. As well as Fred Astaire, it stars Nanette Fabray, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant and Jack Buchanan, all seasoned, proven perfomers and all ideally suited to blend expertly with the sizzling, brilliant dancing of the master, Astaire.

The music of ‘The Bandwagon’ is brilliant. The song “That’s Entertainment” has become a standard and the ballet sequence ‘Dancing in the Dark’ with Astaire and Cyd Charisse is part of cinema’s folklore. Another high spot is the “Shine on Your Shoes” number which Fred does with real life shoe shine Leroy Daniels.

The movie is given an added edge by the “near to the knuckle” casting. For instance the main character, Tony Hunter, is an aging dancer making a comeback- uncannily similar to …well…Fred Astaire himself. The film’s song writing couple, Lester and Lily Marion were based on the actual songwriters of the movie – Comden and Green. Cyd Charisse’s character is based on the French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire and Jack Buchanan’s Jeffrey Cordova character is an amalgam of real life movie personalities, Orson Welles, José Ferrer and George S. Kaufman.

‘The Bandwagon’ is a rare delight, a musical masterpiece- I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Read more at Hollywood's Golden Age

Dana Andrews, Always Recognised, Never Known

Dana Andrews has the sort of face that audiences find familiar but cannot put a name to. He started his career always in secondary roles but in high quality movies such as 'The Westerner' in 1940 and 'The Ox-Bow Incident' in 1943. then in 1944 he was given his first starring role, with Gene Tierney in the hit movie 'Laura', followed by his best known role as the returning soldier, Fred Derry, in 'The Best Years of Our Lives' in 1946.

These movies made him a major star but continuing success eluded him and he develpoed a severe alcohol problem which became well known in Hollywood and which lost him the confidence of many producers. His career was irredeemably harmed by this and resulted in his being a 'B' movie actor for the rest of his career.

However Dana Andrews had the strength of character to overcome his alcohol demons and ehe even became an extremely vocal member of the National Council on Alcoholism and he was later elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1963.

Andrews died from heart failure in 1992 after suffering for many years from Alzheimer's Disease. He had reached for the stars and almost made it. But he had tried.
Click here for a biography and filmography of Dana Andrews
For an appreciation of 'The Best Years of Our Lives' click here

Dana Andrews
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Frank Borsage, Forgotten Director

Although Frank Borsage is a less well known director than some of his contemporaries, such as Alfred Hitchcock or George Cukor, he was exceptionally successful in the era spanning the end of the Silents and beginning of the Talkies.

The very first Oscar for Directing was won by Borsage in 1927 for his 'Seventh Heaven' starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, and he soon won a second Oscar for Direction for 'Bad Girl' in 1931.

Borsage developed his own unique, gushing and lovingly romantic style and his films often show young love triumphant over life's hardships. So in 'Seventh Heaven', for example, love triumphs over the problems of war, and in 'Lucky Star' in 1929 it triumphs over disability. The heightened romanticism of his work is intensified by his clever use of graceful, barely discernible, soft focus camerawork.

Frank Borsage biography and filmography.

Gregory Peck in 'Gentleman's Agreement'

'Gentleman's Agreement' is a brilliant and powerful, ground-breaking film made in 1947, directed by Elia Kazan, dealing directly with the hitherto unspoken subject of anti-Semitism.

It starred Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, John Garfield and Celeste Holm and was based on the novel of the same name by Laura Hobson which was actually published at the same time as the film was released.

The film delivers a strong message which was even more potent on release in 1947 with memories of the Holocaust still fresh and with the state of Israel only recently formed.

Daryll F. Zanuck, the production chief of Twentieth Century Fox got the idea of making a film on the theme of anti-Semitism when, as a young man, he had been refused membership of Los Angeles Country Club for being Jewish, even though he was in fact Gentile. It is ironic that the other movie moguls of Hollywood, the vast majority of whom were Jewish immigrants, tried to warn Zanuck off making the movie as it would stir up trouble. Despite this, and to his great credit, Zanuck was not deflected from his purpose and saw the project through.

The movie was one of Fox's highest grossing movies of 1947 and was nominated for eight Oscars, winning three, for Best Picture, Best Director for Elia Kazan and Best Supporting Actress for Celeste Holm. It lost in five categories,including Best Actor and Best Actress.

Grregory Peck plays a journalist who decides to try to gain a real-life perspective on anti-Semitism by pretending to be Jewish. We see a number of incidents where he is slighted because of his supposed religion, the most insidious and prevalent being the subtle "gentleman's agreement" whereby anti-Jewish sentiments are taken for granted. He becomes a determined crusader against prejudice, helped by his Jewish friend, Dave Goldman, played by John Garfield, who in real life was Jewish.

It is tragically ironic that HUAC, the House Un-American Activities Committee, although publicly an avowed Communist-hunting group, also pursued an agenda of anti-Semitism, and the majority of people associated with making the film were called to testify before the Committee. John Garfield died, aged 39, of a heart attack, the night before he was due to
appear before them for a second time. It was the Gentleman's Agreement in action.

Read more about 'Gentleman's Agreement'.

Little Women (1933), A Katharine Hepburn Masterclass

Most of us are familiar with the novel "Little Women" by Louis May Allcott. It is a moving and entertaining account of the March family- the mother and four daughters-and their lives whilst the father is away on Civil War service. The story is timeless and heartwarming and recounts events in the life of each sister, with the emphasis on Jo, played by Katharine Hepburn, as they grow, and develop relationships with one another, friends and lovers.
 The 1933 adaptation was already the third time the novel had been depicted on screen after two Silent movies and it was to be filmed again in 1949 and 1994 but this version, the first Sound version is generally regarded as the definitive one.
Overall the movie is faithful to the novel and presents Katharine Hepburn with a splendid opportunity to shine, an opportunity of which she takes full advantage with a brilliant and unforgettable performance, full of verve, invention and vitality.
It is a movie not to be missed.
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Judy Holliday, brilliant actress who died too young

Judy Holliday had a genius IQ of 172 but, ironically, made her name playing dumb blondes, and doing it very well. She made her name in 1949 in the role of Doris Attinger in the highly successful George Cukor movie 'Adam's Rib', starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. She then won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1951 for her performance as  'Billie' Dawn in 'Born Yesterday'. She also won the first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for the same performance. At the very peak of her career, Judy developed breast cancer and died in 1965 aged just 43.

Check out Hollywood's Golden Age for more on Judy Holliday.

Sidney Greenstreet, Portrayer of Shrewd Villainy

Sidney Greenstreet was as unforgettable as he was unmistakeable. His large frame seemed to threaten to take over any scene in which he appeared and underlined the menace and authority which many of his roles demanded.

Born in Kent in South East England in 1879, Greenstreet left home when he was eighteen to seek his fortune as a tea planter in Ceylon, but was forced to return home within a few years after severe drought blighted his crops.
He turned to his first love and made his acting debut in Ramsgate, Kent in 'Sherlock Holmes' in 1902. His talent was obvious and he played for the next forty years in a variety of genres, ranging from Shakespeare to light comedy, firstly through Britain and then round America.

He received many offers to appear in movies but always turned them down until at the relatively advanced age of 62  in 1941 he agreed to appear in 'The Maltese Falcon' with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. His success was instantaneous he he found himself a Hollywood star. He became a specialist at portraying a certain kind of subtle malevolence in movies such as 'Casablanca' in 1942, 'Passage to Marseille' in 1944 and 'The Verdict' in 1946.

His movie career ended due to ill health after just eight years during which he worked with stars such as George Raft,  Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Joan Crawford.

Sidney Greenstreet died in 1954 due to complications from diabetes. He was a unique actor. There will never be another like him.

The Maltese Falcon with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre

Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart

For more information on Siney Greenstreet visit Hollywood's Golden Age

The King and I, Whistle a Happy Tune

'The King and I' is pure entertainment, a musical film full of wonderful songs and memorable dancing. It was made in 1956 and stars Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno. It is based on Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1951 smash Broadway musical hit of the same name, which, in turn, is based on Margaret Landon's book "Anna and the King of Siam".

Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The movie won five Oscars out of  nine nominations and is still regarded as the best of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals - quite an accolade.

Four songs fronm the movie stand on their own  out as standards: "Getting to Know You", "Whistle a Happy Tune", "Hello, Young Lovers" and "Shall We Dance".

The film was the making of Yul Brynner, who had previously been a relatively unknown actor. He took the unusual career step of shaving his head and he gave a magnificent performance in a difficult role. He then gave the impression of basking in the glory of that one role for the rest of his career! Deborah Kerr was already a well known and very accomplished actress who had given many superb performances in  films such as 'From Here to Eternity', also rose to the occasion again in this one. Rita Moreno is exceptionally beautiful as well as a superb actress, and gave a remarkable performance as the runaway slave.

Its a lovely movie. It'll make you feel good. Don't miss it!

Read more about 'The King and I' at Hollywood's Golden Age.com

Eleanor Powell, The World's Greatest Tap Dancer

Eleanor Powell was an American film actress and a graceful and nimble-footed dancer who became famous during the 1930's and 1940's,for her creative, quick-fire, solo tap dancing routines and became known as the ”Queen of Tap Dancing”.

She  featured in several Broadway revues, and her first movie appearance was in George White's 'Scandals of 1935'.  When she appeared in 'Broadway Melody of 1936', Eleanor began her long association with MGM musicals, where her co-stars ranged from Nelson Eddy to Fred Astaire to Jimmy Stewart to Burns and Allen.  In 'Lady Be Good' in 1941, she wore top hat and short tails to dance "Fascinating Rhythm” for director Busby Berkeley. The number opened on a close up of her tapping feet and ended spectacularly with her being thrown head over heels time and again down a corridor of male dancers.


 In 1943 she married actor Glen Ford and retired from acting. On her divorce from Ford in 1959 she began a new, and successful nightclub career.  Her career continued into the early 1960's when she made several guest appearances on television, including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace.


Eleanor Powell died of cancer at the age of 69 in February, 1982, and she was interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.


Click for full biography and filmography

Gabby Hayes - the eternal sidekick

Who can forget the grizzled bewhiskered face, that throaty voice or those wonderful 'yer durn tootin' and 'young whipper snapper' expressions of Gabby Hayes.

He became famous in the early years of Talkies during the 1930's and 1940's as sidekick to stars like Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. He became so popular that he was consistently featured in the top ten polls of favorite actors.

Movie acting was his second main career. After working as a circus performer as a young man he began performing in vaudeville with his wife, Olive Ireland after they married in 1914. They were extremely successful and became very well known, making a great deal of  money, so much so that Hayes was able to retire in the late 1920's when he was still in his mid 40's. It was only after losing his fortune in the Great Wall Street Crash of 1929 that he was forced to seek work and found it in California in the movie industry.
          

1934, Randy Rides Alone

He began his movie career as a regular fixture in the many Westerns of the 1930's, first as a bad guy, and often starring opposite the young John Wayne.Eventually he ended up playing the same character in all his films - the eternal sidekick to the western hero, whether that hero be Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Randolph Scott, or Wayne himself. He firt took the name "Windy" Halliday in many Hopalong Cassidy films but afterleaving due to a salary dispute he was prohibited from using that name again and so the name "Gabby" was chosen.

With Roy Rogers

 From 1950 to 1954 he had his own TV Western series, 'The Gabby Hayes Show', aimed largely at children, after which he retired for good and devoted the rest of his life to his wife and his investments. He appeared in almost 200 movies and TV episodes during his career.

Gabby and wife, Olivia

Away from the cameras Hayes was completely different to his screen persona. He was serious and sophisticated. He died in February, 1969 of  cardiovascular disease in Burbank, California. He was 83.

For a complete biography and filmography of Gabby Hayes visit Hollywood's Golden Age

The Night of the Hunter, A Robert Mitchum Masterclass

Made in 1955 and the only film to be directed by Charles Laughton, 'The Night of the Hunter' is a masterpiece of a movie, a haunting and frightening Biblical tale of greed, corruption, seduction and innocence.

It stars Robert Mitchum, a vastly underrated actor, as one of Hollywood's most unforgettable villains, "Reverend" Harry Powell, dressed in clerical black and white  and with the words "love" and "hate" tattooed on his knuckles.

His decepively sleepy-eyed presence dominates the whole film whether playing emotionally powerful scenes with Shelley Winters as the doomed widow or pretending to play with the children whom he later seeks to kill. Even when he is not on screen we feel his malevolence.  His performance in 'The Night of the Hunter' abounds with examples of under­statement and subtle awareness of the needs of the part. It is a massive tribute to his skill as an actor.


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