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February 10, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
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Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
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Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
January 26, 2010
/ 11 Shvat 5770
Forgotten Stars
By
Greg Crosby
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Part of what makes writing my weekly column so enjoyable is the fact that I don't restrict myself to any one particular subject matter. While there are columnists that specialize in political commentary and others that do celebrity gossip, and still others that review books or movies or TV, I write about whatever the heck I want to in any given week. Everything is open for discussion depending on my mood. One week I might gripe about the proliferation of vulgarity in our society, another week I'll mention a movie that I found particularly entertaining, and another week I'll get onto a political issue that I feel needs to be talked about.
Since my background is in comedy and gag writing many times my column will take that approach, sometimes though, I will get deadly serious on certain issues. This time around I've decided to keep it light and write about a few actors that were big household names in their time but, for whatever reason, have now been almost totally forgotten.
Most adults, even youngish ones who may not be all that familiar with old movies, could probably say they've at least HEARD OF leading men Spencer Tracy, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, James Cagney, and Jimmy Stewart. But how many adults under the age of 50 have heard the names of Herbert Marshall, Robert Montgomery, Melvin Douglas and Fredric March? These are four fine actors that have been left behind whenever people speak of the classic stars of the 30's and 40's.
Born in 1890 in London, England, Herbert Marshall had trained to become a C.P.A. but decided at some point to go into acting on stage instead. He lost a leg while serving in World War I and was rehabilitated with a wooden prosthesis; however this did not stop him in his pursuit of an acting career. He used a very deliberate square-shouldered and guided walk - largely unnoticeable - to cover up his disability. His wooden leg was kept a secret from the public for most of his long career.
He spent 20 years in distinguished stage work in London before going into motion pictures. He almost made the transition from stage directly to sound movies except for one silent film, ("Mumsie"1927) produced in Great Britain. Marshall had a charming mellow baritone to his upper crust British accent that gave him uniqueness and a nonchalant ease. His rather blasé, understated demeanor could take on various nuances to fit any role he played.
He was almost 40 years old when he appeared in his first Hollywood picture, "The Letter" in 1929 (he also appeared in a more famous second version of that picture in 1940 opposite Bette Davis). Working steadily throughout the 1930s, he sometimes starred in five or six pictures a year. One of his most wonderfully comedic roles was in the comedy classic, "Trouble in Paradise" in 1932, the first non-musical sound comedy produced by Ernst Lubitsch. That same year Marshall did one of his most romantic roles in the Josef von Sternberg classic, "Blonde Venus" starring opposite Marlene Dietrich.
Into the 1940s Marshall did more character and less leading man parts, but still had substantial roles. He was terrific as the pre-World War II peace leader actually working against peace for a veiled foreign power (Germany) in Alfred Hitchcock's "Foreign Correspondent (1940). His role in "Duel in the Sun" (1946) may not have been large but his performance as Scott Chavez, the put-upon husband of a cheating wife saloon girl was outstanding.
By the 1950s Herbert Marshall was doing fewer movies, but still a variety of parts. His rich voice and elegant presence were well-suited for some early science fiction flicks like "Riders to the Sky" (1954) and "The Fly (1958)." He also starred in many early live and kinescoped teleplays, as well as doing various TV series shows such as "77 Sunset Strip."
Herbert Marshall did sophisticated comedy and high drama equally well, adding his own particular touch of class to any role he undertook. His range ran the gamut from romantic lead, to dignified military officer to doctor to various heavies. His unemotional quiet demeanor soon became his trademark and it served him well in over 100 movies and television shows throughout his career. Herbert Marshall was a solid actor with a wonderful screen persona that should not be forgotten. He added his own brand of class to the movies of the 30s and 40s.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.
Greg Crosby Archives
© 2008, Greg Crosby
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