Who knew there was a “Classic Movie Day”? I sure didn’t, but I’m sure willing to participate in Classic Film and TV Cafe’s Five Stars Blogathon today. My mission is to list my five favorite movie stars and explain why you love them. Seems simple enough, but this does need some qualification, I feel…
First, I’m listing five favorites of the moment, not “all-time” favorites or “best actors” or “most gorgeous” or anything superlative like that. My tastes change, my film experience grows and changes, and anything other than pausing for a joyous moment to heap praise is beyond the scope of this post.
Second, as a mostly film noir blog, I’m going to limit my faves to stars that are either known for noir or have at least appeared in a few. (That means my list is going to be glaringly, inescapably white. Ack.)
Third, these come in no particular order.
And fourth, my explanations are going to be in the form of a list rather than oozing or meandering paragraphs.
Enough qualifications! Here I go…
BARBARA STANWYCK
- Favorite noir appearances: The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Double Indemnity.
- Favorite non-noir appearances: Ball of Fire, The Lady Eve, The Big Valley.
- Why a favorite: versatility; atypical sex appeal
JEAN GABIN
- Favorite noir appearances: Moontide, Touchez Pas au Grisbi. (I’m guessing I’ll add La Bête Humaine to this list as soon as I see it.)
- Why a favorite: pulls off strong yet sensitive and gentle so very well; great actor
IDA LUPINO
- Favorite noir appearances: Road House, Moontide.
- Favorite noir direction: The Hitch-hiker. (The only woman to direct a classic noir.)
- Why a favorite: so lovely yet so tough; she could write, act, and direct, plus put up with Howard Duff as a drunken adulterous husband and co-star.
LAUREN BACALL
- Favorite noir appearances: The Big Sleep, Key Largo.
- Why a favorite: So much self-control and magnetism from so young an age through a long, productive life.
PETER LORRE
- Favorite noir appearances: M, The Face Behind the Mask. Also good in the ones everyone else names: Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon.
- Why a favorite: More versatile than he got credit for; a talented actor great with displays of emotion, conveying much with body language and few lines or many.
There you have it. Five classic movie stars I call favorites today. Who are yours?
May 16, 2017 at 12:00 PM
You won’t find me disagreeing with any of those choices. No wonder you like Moontide so much — it’s a twofer for you!
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May 16, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Agreed, and it’s such an unexpected delight. Am sorry it wasn’t a bigger hit.
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May 16, 2017 at 12:27 PM
I’m so happy you named Peter Lorre ^_^
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May 16, 2017 at 3:29 PM
He deserves credit for his talent, more widely than just for a few quirky roles.
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May 16, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Mmm…Lauren Bacall. Great list!
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May 16, 2017 at 12:49 PM
Awesome choices!
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May 16, 2017 at 1:49 PM
These are great noirish picks! Jean Gabin was a terrific star…I think he’d have a huge following in the U.S. if his French films were shown more often (and TCM, at least, has done a good job). And I love me some Peter Lorre!
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May 16, 2017 at 3:29 PM
So glad you enjoyed the list. Gabin and Lorre do need more appreciation for their body of work!
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May 16, 2017 at 1:51 PM
That list gets my highest praise – it is a dandy!
It’s been a while since I watched Moontide. Time to take it off the shelf and enjoy.
I shall enjoy the rest of the day by considering five favourites strictly through the prism of noir.
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May 16, 2017 at 3:27 PM
Thanks for the approval and appreciation!
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May 16, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Great list! Can’t think of a thing to add. Well … maybe Bogie! 🙂
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May 16, 2017 at 3:27 PM
Thanks! I trust Bogie is on your list.
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May 16, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Reblogged this on I Found it at the Movies and commented:
Happy National Classic Movie Day – Part Deux! 🙂
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May 16, 2017 at 3:20 PM
I enjoyed seeing Ida Lupino on your list! I was impressed with her work in Four Star Productions. I am proud that she paved the way for female directors!
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May 16, 2017 at 3:26 PM
She is wonderful, yes! Thanks for the comment.
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May 16, 2017 at 5:02 PM
Great list – My faves would be Cary Grant in any movie, but especially North by Northwest, Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, Grace Kelly in Rear Window, Clark Gable in GWTW and Bette Davis in All About Eve.
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May 16, 2017 at 5:54 PM
I love Bergman in most everything, and I totally agree about Bette Davis in AAE!
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May 16, 2017 at 6:10 PM
I loved Bergman’s clothes in Casablanca!
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May 16, 2017 at 7:20 PM
Great list…love how you organized this with “disclaimer” … the for now list….This is so much more difficult than it looks…only five???🎬😊
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May 17, 2017 at 1:37 AM
I always want to be able to change my mind!
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May 16, 2017 at 9:19 PM
Lorre is an excellent choice. Always compelling, and in M heartbreaking as a monstrous character. Really a talent.
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May 17, 2017 at 1:36 AM
I so agree. And he is so sweet in the beginning of The Face Behind the Mask as a young immigrant. Worth seeing!
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May 17, 2017 at 3:10 AM
Great list! Stanwyck is on my list, and Lauren Bacall was on my top 10.
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May 17, 2017 at 3:32 PM
#GREATList
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May 17, 2017 at 9:43 PM
Peter Lorre! Ack – I didn’t even consider him!
Anyway, your list is truly impressive, and I like that you listed your fave films with each choice.
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May 19, 2017 at 3:12 AM
Reblogged this on Anybody Got A Match?.
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