GI Joe--This is What They Fought For
WWII-Top Pin-Up Girl
Betty Grable
Posted on 12/18/2004 7:14:21 PM PST by Slyfox
That bastard Clooney went on a cross-country tour to promote one of his movies, and he had the gall to say, "The old actors had it easy! Gable never had to do anything like this!" No, he just flew combat missions over Germany, you slug. Also, his wife died crossing the country to promote the sale of war bonds.
I didn't like Clooney before, but it became more than dislike when I heard that ignorant BS.
I could be wrong, but I don't think Hayden was ever a hardcore commie. He had a flirtation with communism just like a lot of actors did at the time, being ignorant of what it truly was.
Many thanks for the great post. This topic can't be mentioned enough.
I've read he was miserable during the war - hated every minute of it. But like my Dad, who felt the same way, he stuck it out.
By his death in Vietnam, my Dad served in 3 wars. I heard at most 3-4 sentences about what he did in the wars, apart from joking with friends about what they did in their off-time.
The one complete sentence he DID say that stuck in my mind was, "I was always cold, always tired, always lonely - but there was a job to do so I did it." Then he left the room.
I suspect that was how Jimmy Stewart felt. I know my Dad (a fighter pilot) thought highly of Steward (bombers).
I'm a guy, and I like Hugh Grant for his comedic bumbling nature. He was pretty good in Sense and Sensibility (my wife loves it; not a bad film).
He and Spike were the only worthwhile things to watch in Notting Hill. I could care less about the overrated Julia Roberts.
I don't know if I've seen Hugh in anything else. I've never seen these Bridget Jones things.
I guess what I was trying to get at in my original post is that in the 40's, 50's and 60's, Hollywood leading men were real men, manly men. John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood. Even Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. Now it seems like Hollywood favors the pretty boys, guys who are vulnerable and sensitive.
Nice post, Slyfox! It was especially nice seeing Donald Pleasance among the heroes. "The Great Escape" was a wonderful movie.
I'll agree with you that Hugh Grant is not a manly man, but he sure is cute. :o)
I'll take your word on that.
I LOVE the Great Escape. One of my absolute, all-time favorites. (I also liked the tribute to Great Escape at the beginning of "Chicken Run," but that's another story.)
Bump for later
Dont forget Neville Brand (August 13, 1920 - April 16, 1992) Before becoming a television and movie actor, he served in the US Army during World War II and was the fourth most decorated soldier of the war (Actor Audie Murphy being the first).
Gravel-voiced Neville Brand started his big screen career in D.O.A. as a henchman named Chester.
The worst career move of his life was to kill the Elvis Presley character in Love Me Tender. He played the villain in so many movies, his self-image became affected, culminating in a television interview on TV's Entertainment Tonight show with the actor moving about in agitation repeating, "I'm a loser. I'm a loser."
However, he played a very romantic lead in the movie Return From the Sea with Jan Sterling and a heartwarming character who was brain damaged and misunderstood in an episode of the TV show Daniel Boone. He played Hoss Cartwright's (Dan Blocker) Uncle Guntur on Bonanza.
Of the hundreds of roles he has played, he is probably most well known as Al Capone in the TV show The Untouchables. The characterization caused an outcry from the Italian American community over stereotypes.
Many will remember him as Bull Hansom, the prison guard of The Birdman of Alkatraz, and as the antagonistic prisoner in Stalag 17.
Known also for his cowboy roles, he stared in his own TV series, Laredo, with William Smith, Peter Brown, and Claude Akins.
One of the most heart wrenching scenes on TV showed Brand's character, Reese Bennet, waiting in torment when he realizes he has been stood up by the love of his life.
One of the funnier moments was the twin episode in which gruff and dusty Reese has an immaculate and proper lookalike that confounds the other Texas Rangers.
Brand is one of the most vastly underated actors. His acting was on par with James Cagney, except for musicals. His range of emotion was exceptional and his ability to make an audience believe he was the character was deep, even to his own detriment.
Agreed. Anyway, sorry for the confusion. : )
bttt
Somewhere I read that "Mr. Rogers" was a real war hero,too...
Also, even though John Wayne didn't go (that I know of) he made many pro-american movies, even during Viet Nam, while the rest of Hollywood sat on their hands. I feel he deserves an honorary mention. Definately not "girlie-man" like most of Hollyweird now...
yeah ......... propes for the patriotic Hollywood of old and the patriotic British actors too!!!
I recall seeing an episode of "The Untouchables" in which Stack was shooting a .22 at a shooting gallery. I remember commenting to my Brother that it looked like he really was shooting. Now that I look back, I am sure he was.
Voyage: A Novel of 1896 by Sterling Hayden is one of my favorited books.
This man isn't really "Hollywood", but he is a great American entertainer who supports our troops in a great way. That man is Wayne Newton. I saw him interviewed on Fox News yesterday, and he has made many trips to Iraq to entertain and encourage our troops.
Kudos to Wayne!
When they filmed the first (and best) version of "Cape Fear", Mitchum was very uneasy about being in Savannah, where it was filmed.
Turns out he escaped from a chain gang there many years previously.
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