Favorite Actor of the 1950’s ~ #1~ James Dean

He never won an Academy Award. He only starred in three major motion pictures. Yet his name is synonymous with Hollywood and Cinema. James Dean bolted on the screen. His raw edge and quiet demeanour only mystified his fans and movie goers. He starred with some of the greatest names in Hollywood, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Rock Hudson, Mercedes McCambridge, Ann Doran, Raymond Massey, and Jo Van Fleet. He also starred with actors who themselves would become stars in their own right, such as Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, Rod Taylor, Julie Harris, Carroll Baker, and Earl Holliman. Yet, James Dean is probably more recognized than any of those names.

His onscreen presence was powerful, and his abilities were unfortunately never fully realized. Off screen his life was also powerful, and full of energy with an air of mystery. Raised by an uncle and aunt after his mother’s death and estrangement from his father, Dean’s life was much like a Hollywood movie, or at least a made for TV movie. Many claim to have been a lover of James Dean, including both men and women. Very few really knew James Dean.

James Dean, he came in like a flight of a Phoenix and soon left leaving behind a trail that would last forever. Ironically his words seem so true for him; Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.

Favorite Actress of the 1950’s ~ #1 ~ Elizabeth Taylor

Hair of ebony, eyes of violet, and stunning today as she was as a child, Elizabeth Taylor was in her prime in the 1950’s. Young and vibrant, and full of life, she was a true Star. 6 Academy Award nominations with two wins, Elizabeth not only starred with some of the most handsome men in Hollywood, she befriended them and married others. Lifelong friends with Rock Hudson, Roddy McDowell, Montgomery Clift and even in his short life, James Dean, Elizabeth reigned in the 50’s as the star everyone wanted to be like and everyone wanted to be with.

Her roles in the 50’s included Southern Belle, Susanna Drake in Raintree County; Maggie the Cat in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; the insane Catherine Holly in Suddenly Last Summer; the rich easterner turned cattle heiress as Leslie Benedict in Giant; and as the prostitute, Gloria Wondrous, in 1960’s Butterfield8. Her versatility and engaging good looks made her one of the hottest stars that ever hit Hollywood.

Favorite Film of the 50’s~ #1 GIANT

Directed by George Stevens. The movie was adapted by Fred Guiol and Ivan Moffat from the novel by Edna Ferber. It stars Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Carroll Baker, Jane Withers, Chill Wills, Mercedes McCambridge, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, Rod Taylor and Earl Holliman. Giant was the last of James Dean’s three films as a leading actor. The film earned James Dean his second and last Academy Award nomination, of three starring roles. He died before Giant was released. Nick Adams was called in to do some voice-over dubbing for Dean’s role.

Giant, to me, is the second greatest historical drama movie all time, next only to GONE WITH THE WIND. The production was flawless,the story was riveting and the acting was some of the best ever done by Hudson, Taylor and Dean, not to mention the secondary roles.

The lead character, Jett Rink, was based upon the life of Texas oilman Glenn McCarthy (1908 – 1988). The real Glenn McCarthy was an Irish immigrant who would later be associated with a symbol of opulence in Houston, Texas: the Shamrock Hotel, which opened on St. Patrick’s Day, 1949. It was the highest grossing film in Warner Bros. history until the release of Superman (1978).

Giant is number 2 behind To Kill a Mockingbird as my favorite film ever.

Favorite Actors of the 50’s ~ Marlon Brando ~ #2

Stella!!…in a role that made him a star, Marlon Brando gives a different dimension to Stanley and introduces method acting to Hollywood. He also looked really good in a sweaty t-shirt! This role that deserved an Oscar is maybe the best of his career. But he didn’t stop there, he went on in the 50’s to star in 10 more films and win his first Academy Award for his role in, On the Waterfront.

Brando was the first rebel and the first star to use method acting, one which was not seen or heard of prior to that. He became not just a star but a superstar and a legend. Throughout the 1950’s and his entire acting career, Marlon Brando was one of the truest actors to hit the screen.

Favorite Actresses of the 1950’s ~ Katherine Hepburn ~ #2

By the time the 1950’s came along, Katherine Hepburn was already a legend and film goddess. in the 1951 film she was nominated for the fifth time for her role in African Queen. 1955 she was nominated for the 6th time for her leading role in the film, Summertime, two more nominations came in 1957 and 1959 for the her roles in Suddenly Last Summer and The Rainmaker. In her long career she would be nominated for a total of 12 times, and win a record 4 awards.

Kathrine Hepburn was not only a star in the 1950’s but every decade from her debut in 1931 in A Bill of Divorcement, to her last role in 1994 in Love Affair. No favorite list of movie stars would be complete without her.

Fav Films of the 50’s ~ Imitation of Life ~ #2

Directed by Douglas Sirk, adapted from Fannie Hurst’s novel Imitation of Life, this is one of the most powerful films of the decade, or at least to me. The first time I watched this film it effected me in a way a film had never done before. It broached subjects that were real and at that time not openly talked about. Lana Turner was remarkable, but who stole the entire film for me was Susan Kohner, who played the light skinned African American girl who so desperately wanted to be white. The role garnered her a Golden Globe win for best supporting actress and an Academy Award nomination as well.

In the film, Lora Meredith (Turner), a white widowed single mother with dreams of becoming a famous actress takes in Annie Johnson (Moore), a black widowed single mother who becomes a nanny for Lora’s daughter Suzie (Dee). Although Lora eventually becomes a successful stage and screen star, she sacrifices a healthy relationship with her daughter. In addition, Annie’s light-complexioned daughter Sarah Jane (Kohner) causes her mother much pain and heartache as she attempts to pass for white and shun both her heritage and her mother’s love.

Lana Turner’s wardrobe for Imitation of Life was, at a cost of over $1.078 million, one of the most expensive in cinema history at that time. In one of the most heart-wrenching parts of the film, Gospel singing star Mahalia Jackson sings “Trouble of the World” during the final scenes of the film, and receives star billing for doing so (she appears in no other parts in the film).

Classic Men of Cinema ~ Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier 1907-1989

Favorite Actresses of the 1950’s ~ Grace Kelly ~ #3

Regal, elegant, beautiful, grace… What better name as she was the epitome of grace on the screen and in real life. Grace Kelly was the most powerful female in Hollywood in the 1950’s, next to Elizabeth Taylor. She was wanted by every director and producer. From 1950 to 1956 when she wed Prince Rainer of Monaco and retired from Hollywood, she starred in 11 Motion Pictures, and numerous television programs. She was Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite female leading lady.

After only 4 years in the big screen, Grace walked away as the Academy’s Best Actress for her role in Country Girl, beating out big names such as Jane Wyman, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge and Judy Garland.

My favorite Grace Kelly role was Dial M for Murder. She was just spectacular.

Grace left Hollywood royalty for royalty in 1956, but her name, her talent, her grace lives on.

Favorite Actors of the 50’s ~ Rock Hudson ~ #3

Giant. That was Rock Hudson. It was also the first film I recall seeing him in. Personally I didn’t like all the romantic comedy he starred in with Doris Day, but movies like, Giant, Magnificent Obsession, Never Say Goodbye, those were the movies I loved Rock in.

A huge name in the 50’s, Rock was a handsome, daring, rugged man’s man. Now we know underneath that rough manly exterior laid a raw, emotional battle against society and even Hollywood. Rock was one of the best talents of the fifties, but very overlooked and under-appreciated. Nominated only once for an Oscar in his role of Bick Benedict in Edna Furber’s movie rendition of Giant, Rock Hudson captured the screen in a way only Rock could.

Fav Films of the 50’s ~ Rebel Without a Cause ~ #3

James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Dennis Hopper, Jim Backus, and Ann Doran. These were a few of the stars that starred in the now classic rebellious teenage classic, Rebel Without a Cause. But when you mention the name of this movie today, only one name comes to mind, James Dean.

Nicholas Ray, directed this film, and wanted it as authentic as possible. So much so that he even casted a gang member to play one of the “gang”. He allowed Dean to become Jim Stark in the only way that James Dean knew. The effect was profound, if not startling. Especially for Jim Backus who played Dean’s father in the scene when Jim comes home after the chicken run and he tries to explain what he did and what he needs to do, yet his father wants to “run away” again, leaving the problem. Dean grabs Backus and tumbles down the stairs, this was all impromptu, shocking both Backus and Ann Doran.

Unfortunately one of the most overlooked roles was that of Plato’s maid, played by Marietta Canty. I thought her heartfelt compassion for this young troubled boy was one of the truest characters in the entire film.

Although this film was only nominated for three Oscars, Best supporting role for Sal Mineo, Supporting role for Natalie Wood and writing award for writer/director Nicholas Ray, Rebel went home a loser. But today Rebel is known as one of the most powerful and remembered classics of that era.