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Imdb shows four films for Robert Francis, including John Ford's THE LONG GRAY LINE. He was pretty good in that one, eh?
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Posted: |
Dec 7, 2004 - 6:33 PM
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By: |
manderley
(Member)
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I've always thought Yvonne DeCarlo was much better than nearly anything she was ever offered. She has a very touching and well-executed role in a little, nearly unknown film at MGM, SOMBRERO, and she's wonderful. It is reported that DeMille saw this film and that's why he cast her in TEN COMMANDMENTS. As far as I'm concerned, hers is the only believable performance in that film. (Perhaps she's the only one who didn't get it and gave it her best?)
A major star, who is nearly forgotten today, is Eleanor Parker. For someone who shared star billing opposite nearly every major male star of the '40s-'50s, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Kirk Douglas, John Garfield, William Holden, Robert Taylor, Glenn Ford, Stewart Granger, Charlton Heston, Frank Sinatra.....and was nominated for three Oscars, it's amazing that hardly anyone ever speaks of her today. The only film the youngsters know her from is THE SOUND OF MUSIC, where she played the Baroness, and gave, I thought, a very warm and gentle performance in a role which could have been very bitchy in someone else's hands. To me, she had a quality that once seen, was never forgotten.
......And I suppose we must wonder if Vera Ralston's career would have been much more glittery if she had been married to David Selznick, or Louis B. Mayer, or Darryl Zanuck, instead of Herbert J. Yates..... 
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Posted: |
Dec 8, 2004 - 12:01 AM
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By: |
zippy
(Member)
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I agree with many of your posts here, and am glad that you put so much thought to your choices.
Amongst my favorites, Brando, Janssen, Caan, and De Carlo.
Fred, you know from the Munsters, also, got a second chance with Pet Cemetary and that film with Meryl and Jack, and I think he was nominated for best supporting actor. You tell me.
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River Phoenix
The scene at the end of STAND BY ME, when Phoenix simply fades from view as Richard Dreyfuss describes how his character would later die as a young man, turned out to be most prophetic (as an image, if not in the means of his death). A great loss, as he was a very talented young actor...
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Richard Fansworth
Tony Curtis
And lately, Anthony Hopkins
--------------------
Alex Cremers
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I didn't think of Robert Francis' acting in CAINE as "wooden", rather the portrayal of a serious young officer with the military bearing of someone just out of Annapolis. (I think his character went there).
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I would nominate Charles Bronson, Bradford Dillman and Orson Welles, of the latter one critic has said rightfully that "the waste of his talent is appalling."
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Orson Welles may win the prize as a life less realized. His scenes in CASINO ROYALE are hilarious yet sad somehow.
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Come to think of it, I would also like to mention two performers who died far too young: Jeffrey Hunter and Mexican actress Pina Pellicer (best known for her role opposite Marlon Brando in ONE EYED JACKS).
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Lots of good choices. I would add Mimi Rogers to the list. Her performance in "The Rapture" showed the promise of a great actress.
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Posted: |
Dec 10, 2004 - 2:17 AM
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By: |
Jim Phelps
(Member)
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Vic Morrow
After his success on Combat! he faded into near obscurity appearing only in bit parts, TV appearances and foregin films.
While his daughter Jennifer Jason Leigh was starring in the big budget hit Fast Times At Ridgemont High, he was third billing in Humanoids From The Deep.
This all turned around in '81 when he was given a starring role in Steven Speilberg's production of Twilight Zone:The Movie.
This was the biggest break he'd had in almost ten years. He was happier than ever, especially since his segment was being directed by one of the most successfull directors around at that time: John Landis.
After being cast in Twilight Zone, Vic had three more pictures lined up with Warner Bros. Things were really turning around for him.
After filming was complete, Landis was forced to write an additional scene involving Vic, two children, lots of explosions and a helicopter.
While filming the last shot in the final scene Vic and the two children were killed when the helicopter lost control and fell on them. He was decapitated.
Vic Morrow was a tragically underused talent. It is reported that for his debut role in Blackboard Jungle, he beat James Dean and John Cassavettes for the part.
One of his best performances can be seen in Truman Capote's The Glass House. Also the episode of Combat! directed by Robert Altman titled "Survival" shows Vic at his best.
R.I.P Vic.......
I've been thinking a lot about the late (and IMO, great) Vic Morrow after seeing him in an early episode of "Bonanza" which may have been a pilot a la Gary Seven in that Star Trek episode. Anyway, my family was shocked when we heard the news of his death. My grandfather in particular was a big fan of Morrow's. It was so sad.
I also think of Jack Cassidy and how he was overshadowed by son David, despite Jack being such a well-respected actor, but never achieving those same heights in terms of popularity as teen idol David.
Damn. How depressing.
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