Friday 19 February 2016

1940's Hollywood - The Great Actors

Now, The Golden Age Of Hollywood wasn't all about glitter and dresses. It was also filled with dashing actors in tailored suits, who made women swoon.
These are some of the actors from the 40's that I think stick out.

James Stewart
                           

James Stewart is today considered one of the greatest screen legends of classic Hollywood, and back in his time he was described as a true professional and a perfectionist.
In the early 40's he made a string of movies such as The Shop Around The Corner and The Philadelphia Story (which won him an Oscar). After the war he went to star in It's A Wonderful Life which has since become a great classic.


Humphrey Bogart
                            

Humphrey Bogart's rise to stardom came in 1941 with the movies High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon. But it was his role in Casablanca that eventually made him the highest paid actor in the world. He also starred in many iconic films in the film noir genre, such as To Have And Have Not, The Big Sleep and Key Largo. He was later named the Greatest male star of Classic American Cinema.


Cary Grant
                            

With his image of the dashing and debonair gentleman Cary Grant was definitely one of the leading men of Classic Hollywood. He made a quite impressive list of movies during the 40's, among them were: The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, Penny Serenade, Arsenic And Old Lace, Notorious, The Bishop's Wife and I Was A Male War Bride. During that same time he was also nominated for 2 Oscars.


Dana Andrews
                            

Dana Andrews was one of the most popular actors of the 40's and he starred in a number of successful films. Some of his popular roles include The Ox-Bow Incident, Laura, The Best Years Of Our Life and State Fair.


Gregory Peck
                          

Gregory Peck was one of Hollywood's most popular film stars from the 40's to the 60's. His first movie was the 1944 Days Of Glory, and during his first 5 years of acting his was nominated for 4 Oscars. Some of his most noteworthy films of the time were: The Keys Of The Kingdom, The Yearling, Spellbound and Twelve O'Clock High.


Gene Kelly
                             

Gene Kelly was many things: actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and film director. He was mostly known for his many musical films and his innovative and athletic dancing style. His Hollywood career started in 1942 with the movie For Me And My Gal, and from that he went on to star in Cover Girl, Anchors Aweigh, Ziegfield Follies, Take Me Out To The Ball Game and On The Town. It was widely acknowledged that he transformed the Hollywood musical with his innovative choreography.


Spencer Tracy
               

Spencer Tracy started his film career in the 30's, and by the 40's he was one of MGM's top stars. His trademarks were his natural style and his versatility. Some of his successes were: Woman Of The Year, Boom Town, Keeper Of The Flame and Adam's Rib.


I know I could continue this list forever, but I had to be strict and only pick a few.
Who would you add to the list?

14 comments:

  1. Who would I add? John Wayne. Alan Ladd. Joseph Cotten. Tyrone Power.

    But this is a good list! I count Dana Andrews, Jimmy Stewart, Gene Kelly, Gregory Peck, and Humphrey Bogart as favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know John Wayne, but not the others. I must check them out sometime.

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    2. Indeed! I'm particularly fond of Alan Ladd in "Shane" and "Whispering Smith" and "This Gun for Hire." Joseph Cotten is amazing in "Shadow of a Doubt" and "Gaslight" and "The Third Man." And Tyrone Power is positively delicious in "The Mark of Zorro" and "The Black Swan."

      Delete
  2. JIMMY STEWART IS MY FAVOURITE. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is quite brilliant, right? i haven't seen nearly enough of his movies.

      Delete
    2. Me neither, but he's still my favourite. :-D

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  3. JIMMY STEWART SO MUCH YES!!! My favorites are The Greatest Show on Earth, the Man Who knew Too Much, the Glenn Miller Story, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
    Cary Grant is probably my favorite. The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer is a great movie along with Arsenic and Old Lace!
    And Gene Kelly!!! I basically love anything with him!
    I also like Danny Kaye. His movies are so, so funny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also adore Cary Grant! I love his movies but haven't seen nearly enough of them yet;)
      Gene Kelly was brilliant! I love his movies.

      Delete
  4. I would say that Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors. I do enjoy Gene Kelly (isn't dancing the best?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I love the old dancing movies! They're one of my favourite things about classic Hollywood.

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  5. Gene Kelly and Gregory Peck!! YESSS. I also like Joseph Cotten.

    ~Rilla Blythe

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've seen movies with all of these! Yay! :D
    But my favorite is Gregory Peck. And Jimmy Stewart, Dana Andrews, and Cary Grant. Great list!

    ps. I do agree with Hamlette. John Wayne is certainly another big star. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have? That's more than I can say..
      I actually had considred including John Wayne, but the list simply got too long. He was a great actor!

      Delete

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