You'd do it for Randolph Scott!

[The Heretic]

Remember that line from Blazzing Saddles?

What classic movies stars do you most like?

I find that I will watch a movie if it has a movie star I like - just to watch them work. Nothing unusual in that, I would guess many people are like this - it is why certain stars make a lot of money and are popular; they have talent. Still, there are a lot of people out there who don't know about the old stars like Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, even the big names like Gregory Peck, Burt Lancaster, James Stewart, Glenn Ford, even Spencer Tracy. Some, like Henry Fonda have names that are recognizable because they continued to make movies late into their lives and/or have children in the industry. Others like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall because they are/were icons even today and are imitated.

What are your favorites? Feel free to add more - the poll will only take so many names.

Wait for the poll.


Wait for it I said.



Wait! Damn you!

 

[RoryN]

I've been in Orange County for 6 years now.

I'm thoroughly tired of hearing about John Wayne. Never liked him, anyhow.

 

[bronzeage]

Got to go with Bogart

 

[ReneeD]

No Cary Grant option?

I went with Katharine Hepburn.

 

[Lost Cause]

John Wayne

http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.com/briefingroom/uploads/110_2x2_3dn368.jpg

 

[RoryN]

John Wayne

(Yes, the following is conveniently taken from Wikipedia. Pipe up if you want to dispute any of it...)

...vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee

Lovely.

He also claimed to have been instrumental in having Carl Foreman blacklisted from Hollywood after the release of the anti-McCarthyism western High Noon

Nice.

In 1978 however, he enraged conservatives by supporting liberal causes such as the Panama Canal Treaty[11] and the innocence of Patty Hearst.[12]

Ha ha!

Due to his enormous popularity, and his status as the most famous Republican star in Hollywood, wealthy Texas Republican Party backers asked Wayne to run for national office in 1968, as had his friend and fellow actor, Senator George Murphy. He declined, joking that he did not believe the public would seriously consider an actor in the White House.

Hilarious.

In an interview with Playboy magazine in May 1971, Wayne made infamous remarks. One disclaimed a personal sense of guilt for the historical treatment of Native Americans, the second claimed that African-Americans had been denied educational opportunities and resented that fact, "possibly rightfully so." He went on to say that did not justify turning over the country "to the leadership of the blacks. I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people."

Not so funny.

 

[The Heretic]

I've been in Orange County for 6 years now.

I'm thoroughly tired of hearing about John Wayne. Never liked him, anyhow.

I don't like him personally or his politics (Bogart seemed to pussy out during the McCarthy hearings too), but when I watch a movie I don't think of the movie star's personal life or personal views - indeed I really don't care - I care about their performance.

I don't want people judging my professional career based on my personal views or life, and it isn't really any of my business to delve into the personal life of other people either, no matter how famous they are.

I liked some of JW's movies - especially the later ones - but I can only watch them so much. I liked the actors and characters who were less macho and showed more courage though - James Stewart was someone who showed courage both in real life and in his movies without being all macho about it. His politics were similar to JW's but he backed them up with action - real action, not movie action.

 

[The Heretic]

No Cary Grant option?

I went with Katharine Hepburn.

There are only ten choices allowed. I wanted half women and half men. I would have added Cary Grant and Gary Cooper otherwise (I prefer Gary Cooper - I thought he was funnier).

 

[tortoise]

Peck as Atticus. Peck is Atticus. Iconic.

 

[ReneeD]

Peck as Atticus. Peck is Atticus. Iconic.

Agreed.

(Had I been smart enough to realize this was a multiple choice poll, I would have also voted for him.)

 

[RoryN]

I don't like him or his politics (Bogart seemed to pussy out during the McCarthy hearings too), but when I watch a movie I don't think of the movie star's personal life or personal views - indeed I really don't care - I care about their performance.

Agreed.

But, with John Wayne and a number of others, the most vocal fans are often touting something other than their acting ability.

When it comes to JW, I like to nip that one in the bud. Personal bias, I guess.

 

[Vikingstone]

Peck as Atticus. Peck is Atticus. Iconic.

He would have refused your acccolades summarily. Yet another reason he was so far beyond cool.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Vikingstone]

(Yes, the following is conveniently taken from Wikipedia. Pipe up if you want to dispute any of it...)



Lovely.



Nice.



Ha ha!



Hilarious.



Not so funny.

Frankly, I don't think The Duke was all that bright. A fine actor, especially by the time 'True Grit' rolled around. Before then he was just "John Wayne".

 

[The Heretic]

Peck as Atticus. Peck is Atticus. Iconic.

Agreed.

Harper Lee was pleased with the movie, saying: "In that film the man and the part met .... I've had many, many offers to turn it into musicals, into TV or stage plays, but I've always refused. That film was a work of art."[113] Peck met Lee's father, the model for Atticus, before the filming. Lee's father died before the film's release, and Lee was so impressed with Peck's performance that she gave him her father's pocketwatch, which he had with him the evening he was awarded the Oscar for best actor.[114] Years later, he was reluctant to tell Lee that the watch was stolen out of his luggage in London Heathrow Airport. When Peck eventually did tell Lee, he said she responded, "'Well, it's only a watch.' Harper—she feels deeply, but she's not a sentimental person about things."[115] Lee and Peck shared a friendship long after the movie was made. Peck's grandson was named "Harper" in her honor.[116]
In May 2005, Lee made an uncharacteristic appearance at the Los Angeles Public Library for an event in her honor. It was hosted by Peck's widow Veronique, who said of Lee: "She's like a national treasure. She's someone who has made a difference…with this book. The book is still as strong as it ever was, and so is the film. All the kids in the United States read this book and see the film in the seventh and eighth grades and write papers and essays. My husband used to get thousands and thousands of letters from teachers who would send them to him."[8]

 

[Vikingstone]

I think it's more to do with your bias Rory. He did help to found the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in the 40s and was accused of supplying names of known Communists in Hollywood to the HUAC, but Wayne denied these activities. Wayne never claimed to be anyone except himself and he was fair enough to show up at an awards ceremony for Jane Fonda to congratulate her on her success. You should reconsider your condemnation, after all your hero Abbie Hoffman liked him.

The problem is that he was so GIGANTICALLY popular. I don't think he was smart enough to realize the enormous power he wielded. He did more damage than he probably realized.

 

[Vikingstone]

I'd like to toss in with the incomparable Cary Grant. I've had an embarrassing man-crush on him for years.

I had tickets to his 'An Evening with Cary Grant' tour. I was thrilled that I got the seats, as hotly contested as they were. Then, he died. Double grief whammy. I didn't weep or anything but you know what I mean.

In high school I auditioned for Arsenic and Old Lace, hoping to get the Mortimer role ( Grants' in the movie version). I got the Boris Karloff part.

 

[overthebow]

Frankly, I don't think The Duke was all that bright. A fine actor, especially by the time 'True Grit' rolled around. Before then he was just "John Wayne".

The only part he played was "John Wayne".

Peter O'Toole as Alan Swann in "My Favorite Year":

"I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!"​

sums up John Wayne.

 

[overthebow]

http://ilovethisworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/bs2.jpg

Barbara Stanwyck was a tough broad.

 

[Vikingstone]

http://ilovethisworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/bs2.jpg

Barbara Stanwyck was a tough broad.

GRRRR! So sexy. Double Indemnity is jerk off material.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Vikingstone]

He was stupid enough to live better than we do that's for sure.

Wild latin women and all the manly-man pursuits available! He DID have a great life for a guy born with name Marion.

 

[JazzManJim]

Maureen O'Hara is one of the most beautiful women ever to appear on the screen. She, IMO, completely stole the show from Errol Flynn in Against All Flags.

Olivia de Havilland was a wonderful actress also. I find it hard to take my eyes off of her when I watch Captain Blood.

 

[Vikingstone]

Maureen O'Hara is one of the most beautiful women ever to appear on the screen. She, IMO, completely stole the show from Errol Flynn in Against All Flags.

Olivia de Havilland was a wonderful actress also. I find it hard to take my eyes off of her when I watch Captain Blood.

And in Robin Hood! "C'mere, Baby...it's time I "made" Marion!"

 

[RoryN]

I think it's more to do with your bias Rory.

He wasn't a shrinking violet when it came to his views. So, that dog won't hunt. Nice try.

You should reconsider your condemnation, after all your hero Abbie Hoffman liked him.

That figures: I hated Abbie Hoffman. With a passion.

Thanks for playing!