Topic: LOUIE THE LIP (Read 32454 times)

bk · « **on:** January 24, 2005, 11:59:41 PM »

Well, you've read the notes, you haven't given the notes any lip, Louie or otherwise, and now it is time for you to post until the cows come home.

bk · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:03:52 AM »

And here is an actual photograph of the lovely Miss Joan Ryan seated in the Alex Theater.

bk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:17:15 AM »

What is this, a ghost town all of a sudden?

And a very happy birthday to our very own Juliana A. Hansen, currently in New York for a couple of weeks.

Panni · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:18:17 AM »

RE the TOD - Just tonight I was reading an article in which actresses of "a certain age" were bemoaning the fact that they were considered washed up once past 50. Doris Roberts said something sad, but unfortunately true: "...It used to be in the 40's and 50's, every movie you saw had the most wonderful second bananas in it. The Thelma Ritters and the Jimmy Gleasons. They don't exist today. It's as if they keep airbrushing us out of society."

bk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:24:00 AM »

Other faves: Franklin Pangborn, Henry Travers, Thelma Ritter, Thomas Gomez, Sidney Greenstreet, Howard McNear.

Panni · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:27:44 AM »

Some favorite character actors/actresses: the above mentioned Miss Ritter, Edward Everett Horton; Charles Coburn, Eric Blore, Szoke Szakall (the REAL spelling)... More later.

Panni · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:29:35 AM »

(The "above-mentioned" referred to MY post.)

bk · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:30:28 AM »

Mildred Natwick, Ceci Parker, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond.

bk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:31:02 AM »

Is everyone off spending quality time somewhere?

bk · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:31:41 AM »

Or hanging out somewhere where there's an interesting crowd?

Panni · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:32:24 AM »

We need more women characters... Verna Felton, Mary Wickes, Beulah Bondi, Spring Byington.

George · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:33:10 AM »

I'm still watching The Tonight Show and Jay's tribute to Johnny Carson. k.d. lang is singing right now. She has one of the best voices.

George · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:35:14 AM »

I have to admit that of all the people who've been mentioned so far, I’ve only heard of Sidney Greenstreet, Mildred Natwick and Thelma Ritter. $:-\$

bk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:35:23 AM »

I, myself, am doing the meringue whilst listening to Miss Petula Clark singing You'd Better Come Home.

Panni · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:35:36 AM »

Okay, I'm going to spend a few hours of quality time in bed.

bk · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:36:05 AM »

You might not recognize the names of the others listed, but my guess is you'd recognize the faces instantly.

bk · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:36:46 AM »

My lower lip is still quite swollen.

George · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:40:47 AM »

Sorry about your lip, BK.

Quote from: bk on January 25, 2005, 12:36:05 AM

You might not recognize the names of the others listed, but my guess is you'd recognize the faces instantly.

I don't doubt that.

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:43:28 AM »

I, too, was watching Leno's very nice tribute to Johnny. I think I saw most of those original shows that they culled clips from. I love K.D. Lang but as she's gotten older and broader, she's starting to look like Wayne Newton.

Favourite character actresses: Beulah Bondi and Fay Bainter. Have to give some thought to fav character actors.

Panni · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:46:37 AM »

A few more before I visit my interesting bed... Kathleen Freeman, Charlie Ruggles, Louis Calhern, George Tobias.

There were so many wonderful character actors! Doris Roberts is right, though. They're being airbrushed out of society. I can't tell you how many times in the past few years I've been told to either cut older characters in my scripts or to make them younger.

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:47:46 AM »

Favourite character actors: Elisha Cook. Jr.; Frank Faylen; James Gleasen; Henry Daniell; Eduardo Cianelli (if only for Gunga Din)

Two favs: though some might considered them leading men...Claude Rains & Basil Rathbone.

bk · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:49:55 AM »

I don't think character actors were always old. I think the true character actor is a dying breed because today all actors get separate cards and they all make outrageous amounts of dough, and they all think they're stars. Character actors of old had one thing they don't have today, regardless of age: Personality. They were reliable, showed up, did their thing, and went home - thrilled to be employed and always delivering the goods.

And I would be remiss if I didn't list my friend Margaret's father, one of the greats: Dave Willock.

bk · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:53:29 AM »

Loved Daniell and loved Cianelli. The first time I ever saw Cianelli was on a flop TV show called Panic! I don't think it lasted more than one season, but I've never forgotten any of the episodes I saw (and this was in 1958, and the shows were never repeated and haven't been shown since to my knowledge). Cianelli appeared in a show where he had a nightmare that a bridge was out and he went plummeting to his death. The dream, of course, comes true, but he's saved in the end. I've actually managed to get about six episodes of Panic, which I still have in 16mm, including a show I always had vivid memories of, with Richard Eyer. I also have four additional episodes on VHS somewhere. But, sadly, the Cianelli episode has remained elusive.

La Jolie Femme · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:54:44 AM »

Come to think of it, has anyone seen Wayne Newton and k.d. lang TOGETHER? Maybe.....or is that POSSIBLE?

Just read an article today about how women in their 40's and 50's are coming into their own. Imelda and Annette were quoted as saying they are being offered more and more work these days as character leads...and happy to be doing so. Of course, these are really fine character actors to begin with!

Night. (But look to see if Wayne and k.d. ever show up at the same place. Then tell me.)

Fish and merengue to all! LJF

bk · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:54:53 AM »

I wonder what fair Juliana will be doing for her birthday? I've called and left a message - if she calls back tomorrow, I'll let you all know what she's up to.

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #25 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:55:50 AM »

A few other character actors and actresses I'm fond of: Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Gale Sondergaard, Donald Crisp (way up there on my list), Claire Trevor

bk · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:57:43 AM »

Of course Walter Brennan (slaps head). And how can we leave out the great William Demarest and William Bendix.

bk · « **Reply #27 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:59:51 AM »

Welcome five GUESTS. We're talkin' about character actors.

bk · « **Reply #28 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:00:16 AM »

Oh, and Conrad Veidt. One of the greats.

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #29 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:03:50 AM »

What's happened to character actors is the same thing that is happening to middle class actors, writers...the middle class everywhere...their class is being systemically eroded.

But the best example of why the character actor has disappeared can be found in Goldman's book Adventures in the Screen Trade in the chapter called Protecting the Star where he talks about stars now usurping all the good lines in movies. I can't remember all Goldman's reasons for why this is now so prevalent, but I personally think it goes to the fact that once stars were no longer under contract and part of a studio system and went independent, they got their mitts into development and their egos came before ensemble and the balance of the screenplay.

Another character actor I mentioned yesterday: Edward Arnold.

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Author Topic: LOUIE THE LIP (Read 32454 times)