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Supporting Actors and Actresses

posted 8 years ago by SummerBox
2 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else like to notice the supporting cast, especially the unknown, and look for performances/characters that really add to the movie and, in fact, the movie wouldn't be as good if they were missing from the cast? Who knows, maybe some of them will become future stars or at least more well known character actors.

Recently, I saw "Beyond the Mask" and loved Benjamin Franklin, played by Alan Madlane. I had to watch it again just to see his character once more! I will always "see" Ben Franklin as portrayed by him.

I also saw "The 100 Foot Journey" a while back and liked many of the lesser known/unknown supporting cast in that one too. They made the different cultures come alive with both drama and humor.

So, I wanted to start a thread on supporting cast performances that would be worth seeing, versus just the A-list people we're used to heading to the theater to see.

I'm hoping this generates a new list of movies to see, past or present!

[–] carbuyersedge 8 years ago

My apologies: haven't been on here in a while, and just found your post.

I've wished many times that TCM would just once devote their "star of the month" to ALL great supporting actors. My favorites are Eve Arden (ANY film she was in is worth seeing!), Thelma Ritter, Murray Hamilton, Hermione Gingold, Ethel Merman to name a few. Best supporting actor of all time? Easy- Claude Rains in "Casablanca."

[–] oybth 8 years ago

I have numerous favorites among supporting players. They add something so powerful to the production.So many times they made movie-going a special event for people like myself.
Each to his own taste. One's life experiences, spiritual training, their culture and race plays a big part in what one chooses as their best. Each is legitimate.

I saw an old movie starring John Garfield and Ida Lupino. 2 supporting players had me enthralled: Thomas Mitchell and John Qualen. "Fog" is in the title. Garfield is the villain.

Also love the anecdote from a writer, about his youth. He had a "tough as nails" Irish father. They went in to see "Going My Way". When the Barry Fitzgerald character finally sees his mother from Ireland, as she shakily walks toward him, he noted tears on his father's face. That Barry Fitzgerald could have that ability is heart-warming.