Actors I Miss

[FrankChurch]

Barber, maybe it was an act. giggle.

I miss Abbott and Costello.

[David Silver]

Hmmm, actors...

I really miss my two childhood favorites, Roy Rogers and Red Skelton. The former I think was the dad I wished I had, confident without ever being cocky, country smart without being condescending, honest and trustworthy without being cloying. In my Walter Mitty world, he just seemed real to me, a hero I could believe in. About the latter, in my REAL childhood world, which I wouldn't wish on anybody, Skelton made me laugh so hard I'd struggle not to wet my pants. A few years ago a friend knew how much I loved Skelton as a kid, so she gave me this DVD set of classic skits and such from the old 1960's variety show. I watched all of them by myself, a bit here and a bit there, in the middle of days when my wife was off at work. Not so much laughter this time through, but a lot of little tears. He was still funny to me, but the times they made me remember were not. I finished the whole DVD set just the same...then passed it along in a bag of clothes for the next Goodwill pick-up.

Among true actors, I really miss Alec Guinness. Need I amplify on that stellar career? I think not.

Uh, Robochrist, "Christopher Lee"? Last I heard, still alive, and still the hardest working man in the film business, despite being nearly 90 years old!

[Steve Evil]

Vincent Price! Have I mentioned him? Oh for a little class in today's cinema!

[FrankChurch]

Silver, maybe he is Dracula.

[David Silver]

Frank, Christopher Lee? Dracula? Well, yes, a whole bunch of times!

[paul]

For you, Evil.

Lee, as Charlemagne?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEMeBTmiX4g

[Steve Evil]

Double plus like!

Don't forget Orson Welles' contributions to Manowar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRWcmYLVKG0

[Chuck Messer]

Whit Bissell. The man could bring a little class to any film he was in, whether it was The Time Machine, or I Was A Teenage Werewolf.

"And you call yourself a scientist!"

Chuck

[paul]

Thank you, Steve Barber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I agree 100% with the Peter Sellers mention. The Red Skelton as well, which made me think of the stuff I was weaned on that I really miss and have to track down, or force people to watch when I accidentally stumble on to it. Like the Freddy the Freeloader Christmas Special. Emmet Otters Jugband Christmas. Or (as guilty pleasures) Rich Little, Shields and Yarnell. Mummenschanz. Man, I loved Mummenschanz.

Also, the things that I liked that were killed. Max Headroom. Buffalo Bill.

I don't care what anyone says, Jimmy Stewart is a delight to watch. Peter Lorre. Kathrine Hepburn. Anthony Perkins. And I'm going to miss the hell out of Gene Wilder, Christopher Walken, Harvey Kietel and Malcom McDowell. Heck, I've watched movies just to see what villain David Warner is playing.

Of course, "missing" steers towards comedians and writers as well. Carlin and Hicks in the former, Spaulding Grey and D.F. Wallace, the latter. I'd like some more Hemingway and W.S. Burroughs too, please, thanks.

Man, talk about a topic that makes you happy and sad at the same time.

[Chuck Messer]

Humphrey Bogart. He made cool look effortless. He could wear a cheap suit or a dinner jacket and look cool and suave, and fire off a devastating put-down without breaking a sweat.

"You despise me, don't you Rick?"
"Maybe I would if I gave you any thought."

Chuck

[paul]

Tru dat, Bogart. LOVE the bit in THE MALTESE FALCON after he explodes in Gutman's hotel room and he's going to the elevator, the grin comes to his face then he feels that his hands are shaking.

Robert Mitchum, too. Whether sweet or cool (HOLIDAY AFFAIR) or just plain disturbed and straight up crazy (CAPE FEAR) the man delivered.

[Chuck Messer]

Mitchum was also one of the best actors to portay Marlowe.

Chuck

[Moderator]

Roddy McDowell.

For reasons too numerous to name.

[Ezra Lb.]

Jack Lemmon.

As part of a Shirley MacLaine tribute later this month the AFI Silver Theater here is showing THE APARTMENT for a week, one of the most nearly perfect movies ever made.


Speaking of Bogart, just recently saw one of his later not so well known pictures, IN A LONELY PLACE, for the first time.

I was born when I met her.
I died when she left me.
I was alive while she loved me.

Holy gawd if you're not choking up at the end you ain't got no heart. Tough guy my ass.

http://www.amazon.com/In-Lonely-Place-H ... 50&sr=1-25

[Chuck Messer]

The mention of Roddy McDowell reminded me of another actor that he discovered: Michael Dunn. Here was a man with acting ability that went far beyond the limits of his stature.

Chuck