FAVOURITE CLASSIC MOVIE STARS.

1904-1986

Born in 1904 in Bristol, England, Archibald Alexander Leach suferred early in his life, his mother being committed to a mental asylum when he was just nine. He did not see her again until he was in his twenties. He left school at 14 and forged his father's signature in order to join Bob Pender's troupe of knockabout comedians. He learned pantomime and acrobatics during this time, and in 1920 he was one of eight Pender boys chosen to go to the U.S. Their show, "Good Times" ran on Broadway for 456 performances. Mae West requested him for "She done him wrong" in 1933, and the rest is history. He became famous for his roles as a romantic bachelor in many Hollywood comedy romance films. His most successful film was Alfred Hitchcock's North By Northwest (1959). He was married five times before his death of a cerebral hemmorhage in Iowa in 1986.

Height: 6'1" (187cms)

Wives:
Virginia Cherrill - 9 Feb. 1934 to 26 March 1935. (divorced)
Barbara Hutton - 8 Jul. 1942 to 30 August 1945. (divorced)
Betsy Drake - 25 Dec. 1949 to 13 Aug. 1962. (divorced)
Dyan Cannon - 22 Jul. 1965 to 21 Mar. 1968. (divorced) 1 daughter - Jennifer Grant.
Barbara Harris - 11 Apr. 1981 to 29 Nov. 1986. (his death)

Trivia: During the filming of To Catch A Thief (1955), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly were able to improvise several of their lines, resulting in many of his trademark double entendres.

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I love many of Cary Grant's movies, but not every one. Mostly, they are comical with very clever quick-witted scripts which are delivered brilliantly by him. He always displays a smoothness and an air of dignity which marks his performances as distinctively his. No one else can deliver a performance in quite the same way as he. The way in which he bounces witty lines off his co-stars is beautiful to see.

These are some of his great films, along with a couple of books which may interest you:

1910-1983

James David Graham Niven was born in 1910 in London. He was named David after St David, patron saint of Wales, on whose day he was born, March 1. He attended Sandhurst Military Academy and served for two years in Malta. At the outbreak of WWII he re-enlisted, during which time he also made two propeganda movies, The First of the Few in 1942, and The Way Ahead in 1944. He was voted into 2nd place in the 1945 Popularity Poll of British Film stars. When he returned to Hollywood, he was made a Legionnaire of the Order of Merit by Dwight D. Eisenhower, (this being the highest U.S. award able to be presented to a foreign citizen). He died of Lou Gherig's disease on
29 July, 1983 in Chateau-d O'ex in Switzerland.

Nickname: "Niv."

Height: 6'.

Wives:
Primula Rollo - 16 Sept. 1940 to 21 May 1946 - her death. (2 children)
Hjordis Genberg - 14 Jan. 1948 to 29 July 1983 - his death. (2 children)

Trivia: His characters were often named after, or modelled on, his real friends.

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David Niven has always been a favourite star of mine. It is his suave manner, and easy-going way that I admire in all his movies. He represented the true English gentleman, and he managed to transfer this character onto the screen in whatever role he was playing. He co-starred with many of Hollywood's great leading ladies, and was regarded as one of the gentleman of Hollywood stardom.

These are some of my favourite David Niven movies:

Born: 3 April, 1924

Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff was actually born somewhere between 1922 and 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Her actual year of birth is a matter of conjecture). Her early childhood ambition was to be a ballerina, but a car accident crushed her leg. She took singing lessons and soon started singing with local bands. In 1941 she married trombonist Al Jorden, but after two years and a son they divorced. She married again in 1946, this time to George Weidler, but divorced him within the year. Shortly after that she signed a contract with Warner Bro's, and her career took off.

Doris Day has always been one of my favourite actresses. I love many of her movies, my favourites being listed below. During her golden years in Hollywood they teamed her up with every great leading man they could find. Mostly the result was a feel-good family picture which is always great fun to sit and watch again and again.

These are the movies which I think are her best works. She made 39 pictures during her career, so this is not an exhaustive list. As time goes on, and I see more of her films, I will add the ones I like.

Height: 5'7".

Husbands:
Al Jorden - Mar. 1941 to 8 Feb. 1943 - (divorced) 1 child - Terry Melcher.
George Weidler - 30 Mar. 1946 to 31 May 1949 - (divorced)
Martin Melcher - 3 Apr. 1951 to 20 Apr. 1968 - (his death)
Barry Comden - 14 Apr. 1976 to 2 Apr. 1982 - (divorced)

Trivia: Known for her trade mark song, Que Sera, Sera (Whatever will be, will be).

1899-1957

Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born in1899 in New York. The son of a wealthy Manhattan surgeon father, his mother was a magazine illustrator. He attended Trinity School, New York and the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, from where he was expelled, (he had been intending to study medicine at Yale afterwards).

He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and then between 1920 & 22 he managed a stage company which was owned by a family friend. He began regular stage gigs, but did not get great reviews, his acting once being described as "Inadequate". He signed a contract with Fox in 1930, having his debut in "Broadway's Like That", a 10minute short with Joan Blondell and Ruth Etting. He lasted 2 years under that contract. He did small stage and film roles for another 5 years until his break came in "The Petrified Forest" (1936) with Warners Bro's. He got the part over Edward G. Robinson. Leslie Howard threatened to leave if Bogie did not get the job, as he had played the same role on Broadway with him previously. This lead to a long term contract with Warners'.

Between 1936 & 1940 he starred in 28 films, normally as a gangster. He often took roles that George raft had rejected, such as those in High Sierra (1941); Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon (1941); Casablanca (1942); The Big Sleep (1946), and Key Largo (1948). He was very well read and preferred writers and intellectuals as his friends. He formed his own production company in 1947, and made The Treasure of the Sierra Madre in 1948. He was nominated for Best Actor for Casablanca in 1942 and as Capt. Queeg in The Caine Mutiny in 1954, which he made while he was ill. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for The African Queen in 1951.

Humphrey Bogart died of throat cancer in his sleep at home in Hollywood on January 14, 1957.

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Nickname: "Bogie".

Height: 5'8".

Wives:
Helen Menken - 20 May 1926 to 18 Nov. 1927 - divorced;
Mary Philips - 3 Apr. 1928 to 21 Jun. 1937 - divorced;
Mayo Methot - 21 Aug. 1938 to 10 May 1945 - divorced;
Lauren Bacall - 21 May 1945 to 14 Jan. 1957 - (his death) -
- (2 children with Miss Bacall - Stephen H. Bogart, Leslie Bogart - named after his acting friend, Leslie Howard).

Trivia: Is rated the world's #1 screen actor by The American Film Institute.

NOTE: I am aware that Mr Bogart was one of the major quintessential stars of Hollywood, and that he made many movies which are still regarded as classic Hollywood history. I have listed only three, because thay are the Humphrey Bogart movies which I personally enjoy watching, but I have not seen all of his works. As I see more great Bogart pictures that I like, I will include them here.

Born: 7 April, 1928.

James Scott Bumgarner was born in 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma. He dropped out of high school at 16 to join the merchant marine. After a variety of jobs, he fought in Korea and received the Purple Heart after being wounded in action. His introduction to showbiz was a behind-the-scenes job on Broadway in 1954. He was a prompter, reading lines to the actors. From this experience he gained small TV roles, then commercials, then a contract with Warners'. He did "The Girl He Left Behind" in 1956, then a few films between 1956 & 57, and then was given his starring role in the "Maverick" TV series from 1957 to 1960 which would bring him fame. Between 1960 & 64 he did a few romantic comedies, and then in 1966 he appeared in the car racing movie "Grand Prix". This gave him the racing bug, and he turned to supporting a racing team, as Paul Newman would also do later. He did a few more pictures between 1969 & 71, and then in 1974 he gained his famous TV role in "The Rockford Files".

James Garner is one of my favourite actors, particularly in the comedy genre. He just has a casual air about him which is so easy to watch. When he is teamed up with the right co-stars he makes a film wonderful to see and most enjoyable.

These are some of his films which I enjoy the most:

1908-1997

James Maitland Stewart was born in 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. His father, Alexander Maitland Stewart owned a hardware store, which had been in the family for three generations. His mother was an excellent pianist, but Jimmy's father would not let him learn the instrument. However, when a guest gave him an accordian, Jimmy was quick to learn to play it. He was very active at the Mercersburg Academy prep school, and graduated in 1928. In his first summer break, he returned to Pennsylvania and worked as a brick loader with a construction company, and also took construction and highway jobs where he painted the lines on the roads. In the following two summers he became a magician's assistant. He first appeared on stage at Mercersburg in the play The Wolves.

Young Jimmy was a shy boy, and spent his time in the basement building model airplanes, and doing mechanical drawings and chemistry . His ambition was to be a pilot, but his father sent him to Princeton instead of the Naval Academy. He studied architecture, but was more attracted to the drama and music clubs. His talents in acting and accordian playing spawned an invitation to the University Players, a summer stock company in Cape Cod. He did bit parts there in 1932, after graduation. Henry Fonda had also previously been part of the troupe. The two became great friends during 1932 when they shared an apartment. They went to New York after the summer stock season and Jimmy had a Broadway try-out for a play called Goodbye Again. He then debuted on Broadway as a chauffeur in the same play, during which he had two lines. Later Jimmy recalled that during 1932-34 he only worked for three months, and that every play he had got had folded. These were the Depression years. He gained some modest roles, but he and Henry Fonda both struggled. Finally, Jimmy attracted the attention af an MGM scout who saw him in the opening production of Divided by Three. Henry encouraged him to take a screen test, and Jimmy Stewart was signed to an MGM contract in 1935 for seven years at $350 per week!

Jimmy and Henry continued to lodge together, and in Hollywood they lived next door to Greta Garbo. Jimmy's first Hollywood job was as a foil for new starlets in their screentests. His first film was "The Murder Man" in 1935, then "Rose Marie" in '36. In that year he gained his first substantial part in "After the Thin Man", and his career was off and running. From these beginnings he went on to appear in 81 films, and 13 TV programmes and shorts during his career, as well as his various stage appearances. He gained 5 Academy Award nominations, winning once as Best Actor for "The Philadelphia Story" (1940).

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Jimmy Stewart is my very favourite actor among the many that I like. I love his wide range of emotions, and I don't think that anyone else displays anger quite as well as he, and it is at these times that his eyes have real fire in them. He puts his all into a role, and it really shows on screen. His drawl is lengendary, and he has such an easy-going nature on screen that I think he must have been a joy to work with. I have not covered his well-documented military career here, concentrating only on his movie stardom.

These are some of his great movies, and my favourites:

1905-1956

Born in 1905 in Shaftsbury in Dorset, England, Robert Newton was the son of a writer mother and a painter father. His brother and sister were also painters. As a teenager, young Robert was a set painter at the Birmingham Repertory Company and became the assistant stage manager there. His stage debut was in the same company in their production of "Captain Brassbound's Conversion" in 1920. Noel Coward cast him in the musical "Bitter sweet" in Her Majesty's Theatre which made him a star. Later, Mr Coward asked him to take Laurence Olivier's role in "Private Lives" in New York.

Robert Newton went on to portray many characters in several films, among them Henry V in 1944; This Happy Breed by Noel Coward in 1944; the 1948 version of Oliver Twist; Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn in 1939; Tom Brown's School Days in 1951; Les Miserables in 1952; Around The World In 80 Days in 1956. The last won an Academy Award for best picture.

In 1950 Robert Newton played Long John Silver in Walt Disney's version of Treaure Island, and the die was cast. He could never shake off his connection with the role and played the character again in three more movies, (including once as Blackbeard the pirate), and a TV series. He is credited with creating the typical pirate speaking accent for the role and the "Aaaahhhhrrrr" so often synonymous with pirate portrayals from then on.

He was voted one of the top 10 money-making British stars from 1947-51, but was declared bankrupt in 1954, and was filming in Australia at the time.

He was married four times and had 3 children.

He died at the age of 50 in 1956. His death is said to have been related to alcohol, but the death certificate cited a heart attack.

Robert Newton was a very accomplished artist, although drinking caused his career to be somewhat intermittent. He became most famous, fairly or unfairly, for his portrayal of Long John Silver of Treasure Island fame. His well-known character of the classic pirate has become the benchmark for anyone now attempting a similar role. To be fair, he did play many other parts, and I have seen some of them, but not many.

I have listed here his pirate portrayals and one other movie because they are the pictures in which his performance has impressed me most. Please note that these Robert Newton movies are listed in the order in which they were made, NOT alphabetically. I have done this because I think it is interesting to note how they cast him as a completely different pirate, (supposedly), in Blackbeard the Pirate, and then back to Long John Silver again, although if you watch both characters in their respective movies you will see that there is virtually no difference. He managed to get away from the pirate character in Around the World in Eighty Days and played a normal person, quite effectively too. If I see other impressive pictures by him, I shall add them.

1925-1985

Born ROY HAROLD SCHERER JR in 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois, his parents divorced when he was 8, during the Depression. His mother was a telephone operator, and his father had worked as a mechanic. As a teenager he missed out on parts in school plays because he could not remember his lines, but he enjoyed movies and worked as an usher, delivered papers and was also a golf caddy. After he left New Trier Township High School he worked for the Post Office, and then during WWII he became an aircraft mechanic in the Navy, serving in the Philippines. In 1946 he moved to L.A. to become an actor, approaching U.S.C. to enrol in their drama programme. He was turned down due to poor academic results. He became a truck driver until he met a talent scout in 1948 who changed his name to Rock Hudson. He had his teeth capped before doing his first film role. He also had intensive coaching in acting, riding, fencing, dancing and singing. It took 38 takes for him to deliver his one line in his first movie, Fighter Squadron (1948). He was promoted by his appearance in several magazines, and found success after his role in 1954's "Magnificent Obsession" opposite Jane Wyman. Rave reviews followed, and his popularity grew with his work in "Giant" with Elisabeth Taylor and James Dean. Both he and James Dean were nominated for best actor in that film. Later he took a role in "A Farewell To Arms", turning down three other roles in films which became blockbusters. "A Farewell To Arms" was one of the greatest flops in cinematic history.

In 1955 he married his agent's secretary, Phyllis Gates. They divorced three years later. Rock is said to have counted his marriage as "top of the list" of his many blessings.

During the 1960's Rock Hudson co-starred with Doris Day in several romantic comedies, and was voted one of the top 10 Hollywood stars eight times between 1957 and 64. In 1958 Look Magazine named him the Star of the Year. He and Cary Grant were known as the two best dressed stars in Hollywood. From 1966 he did several different films including "Seconds", (1966), a science-fiction thriller; "Tobruk" in 1967; "Ice Station Zebra" in 1968 - a role which he actually went after and always regarded as his personal favourite; and some westerns including "The Undefeated" in 1969 with John wayne.

In the 1970's he turned to TV roles, his most recognised being "McMillan and Wife" (1971-77), opposite Susan Saint James. In the early 80's he started to have health problems after years of drinking and smoking and in 1981 he suffered a heart attack which resulted in a quintuple heart bypass. He returned to smoking immediately after the operation.

During 1983/84 he filmed "The Ambassador" with robert Mitchum. The two did not like each other, and during 1984 his health declined further. Rumors abounded about the cause , many misleading ones started by his own publicity people who tried to mask the real reason. During 1984/85 he took a role in "Dynasty", performing opposite Linda Evans. He had always used cue cards to perform his film roles because he would forget his lines, but on "Dynasty" his speaking voice let him down due to his ill-health. In the show's fifth season his character was written out.

In July 1985 Rock joined Doris Day on TV to launch her new show, "Doris Day's best friends". His speech let him down again, being almost incoherent.and his appearance was notably gaunt. Doris herself seemed shocked.

He was the first public figure to announce that he had contracted AIDS, which he did during a bout of treatment in Paris. He cited a blood transfusion given to him during his heart bypass surgery some years earlier as the possible cause. He spent a month in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, and then returned to his home in Beverly Hills. He died on October 2, 1985 at home. His ashes were scattered at sea.

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I have always liked Rock Hudson on screen. His clear speaking voice has always been a draw card for me, and I think that it adds much to a film. He seems always to have a rather pleasant demeanor on screen, and that makes him easy to watch.

These are some of my favourite Rock Hudson films:

1900-1967

Born in 1900 in Milwaukee, Spencer Bonaventure Tracy went to Marquette Academy with Pat O'Brien. The two left school to enlist in the Navy at the start of WWI. He went to Ripon College where he gained the lead in "The Truth". He and Pat O'Brien took a room together in New York, and they both attended the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, during which time Spencer worked as a bellhop, a janitor and a salesman. John Ford saw him in the leading role of "The Last Mile" in 1932, and signed him for "Up the River" for Fox Studios. Although appearing in 16 pictures in the following years, he did not gain star status until he signed with MGM in 1935.

He was the first actor to win an Oscar two years running; firstly for "Captains Courageous" in 1937, and then for his famous role in "Boystown" in 1938, (which he initially did not want to do). Spencer Tracy starred in many movies in the ensuing years, and was involved romantically with Loretta Young in the 1930's, before his long-time love affair with Katherine Hepburn from 1942 onwards. He was a well-known alcoholic, and died in 1967 after suffering a heart attack, which followed a bout of lung congestion. He had completed his famous role in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" only a few weeks earlier.

Spencer Tracy has always been a hit with me. I like his movies mainly because of his easy-going manner and matter-of-fact way. His relationship with Katharine Hepburn is, of course, legendary, and when on screen together, Mr Tracy and Miss Hepburn were firey, perhaps reflecting their long-running personal friendship and more. He was the second son of a truck salesman and a housewife, and he became one of Hollywood's greatest icons.

These are some of my personal favourites of Spencer Tracy's many cinematic achievements:

1897-1984

Born Walter Davis Pidgeon in 1897 in New Brunswick, Canada, he ran off at the age of 16 to join his brother in the Canadian Army, but his age was found out and he was sent home again. He later managed to enlist in an artillery company, but was wounded during training, developing Pneumonia and spending 17 months recovering in a Toronto hospital, and did not see action. He later tried to become a Mountie after playing one on stage, but was rejected due to his Army injuries.

He began his theatrical career studying voice production at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Fred Astaire heard him singing at a party in Boston and got him an agent. He joined E. E. Clive's repertory company and honed his craft. Fred Astaire also encouraged him to audition for singer Elsie Janis, and he became her singing partner. They toured for 6 months in the 1920's. His first wife was her understudy. After doing theatre work, mostly musicals, he went to Hollywood in the early 20's and began acting in silent films. With the advent of sound in movies, he made some talkies but never had top billing. In 1937 MGM put him under contract, but only as a supporting actor in films such as "Saratoga" in 1937 with Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, and "The Girl of the Golden West" with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in 1938.

MGM loaned him to Fox Studios where he made "How Green Was My Valley" as the headline star. He returned to MGM and made many films including "Mrs Miniver" in 1942, for which he received an Oscar nomination. He was a prolific actor, and retired in 1977. He sufferred several strokes thereafter, and died in 1984 in Santa Monica.

I have always liked Walter Pidgeon as an actor. His distinctive deep voice is always nice to hear in a movie, and he displays a matter-of-fact attitude which adds much weight to his performances. He has starred in some of my favourite pictures, a few of which are listed below: