Wow! It's an honor to be first! - William Powell Discussion

[–] duckofprey (1535) 7 years ago

They just didn't import the posts from IMDB. I recall reading it a year or two ago looking for thoughts on his last role, which was the Mr Roberts role you mentioned. There are MANY forums here where they did not import from IMDB.

But you definitely the first since IMDB closed theirs down!! :-)

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Yes, I know. It's such a loss. The thing that bothers me about losing the forums from IMDb is that we lost so much information. Sometimes there were personal stories or little tidbits of information from people who actually knew these actors or worked with them. It was such a shame to close down those boards.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

He a very good actor. Loved The Thin Man movies. Life With Father is my favorite role of his. He was so good in this movie.
Not to mention I have kind of a thing for Irene Dunne.
Mister Roberts is one of my top 10 movies of all times. I still choke up when I watch it. He was great playing the doctor.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Yes, making that concoction for Jack Lemon's date! I'm not sure if I've got the right actor, or if it's true, but I would swear that on the old IMDb boards, I read someone's post that said he had lung cancer in the 1930s. He had the lung removed and he lived another 20 years. I've never seen that anywhere else or read any biography about him, but if it's true, it's certainly interesting.
My favorite scene from the Thin Man is the very first. Nora says something like , "This dog has dragged me into every gin joint on the street!" Then she orders 5 martinis to catch up with him. Love that.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Had to get the color right and just a drop of iodine for taste.

I had never heard that. All I could find was he had rectal cancer, suffered from depression after his mother died at 48
and his son stabbing himself and Jean Harlow's death. I always wondered why Mr. Roberts was his last film even though he lived to be 91. Apparently he had too many issues going on. Very sad.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

If he lived to be 91, I'm waaaaaay off on the story. Maybe it's another actor with the last name Powell. ??? I can't remember.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Dick Powell had lung cancer he lived to be almost 60. He was one the people part of The Conqueror curse.
The 1956 movie where around 40 percent of the cast crew went on to get cancer. Including John Wayne, Dick Powell
Agnes Moorehead and Susan Hayward. Both of Wayne's kids also developed cancer.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Maybe it's Dick Powell? Hmm, I really can't remember. The story just stuck with me because it was so unusual. That's such a great group of actors that you mentioned. Particularly Agnes Moorehead. I love her in everything. I can't think of one bad performance. I guess the commonality was smoking. Do you remember that SNL skit in B&W with Phil Hartman where he played this chain smoking doctor who consoles his patients with, "We searching for the cause of this mysterious lung ailment." and then he gives them a cigarette? So snarky, but so right on the money.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

That film was shot in Utah in a State Park. I actually lived near this park many years ago.
The way I remember it was there was radiation from the atomic tests run in Nevada.
There was a story about a Geiger counter on set that John Wayne thought was broken
because it was going off and beeping like crazy. Then for that many people to develop cancer makes you wonder if something was going on .

I only knew Agnes Moorehead as Endora when I was a kid. The more I started watching older movies
the more I adore her. She could be the most underrated actress ever.

I do remember that skit. He also got a raw deal. Another actor who left way too soon.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Wow, that's so scary. I guess they just didn't appreciate the danger back then. Marie Curie lost her hands. Oppie died super young. The radium dial girls all developed oral cancer.

Phillip Hartman was the most talented and funny man. Very sad loss.

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

I have seen a lot of classic films...and I don't think I've seen him in anything other than MY MAN GODFREY. Aside from the Thin Man movies, I don't associate him with big films that have endured. I wonder why that is?

I imagine David Niven took over the type of roles he played in the 30's (?)

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EDIT: I looked over his credits, and these are the titles of his I at least KNOW something about. Primarily they seem to be footnotes in other performers' careers, though:

When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922) Marion Davies vehicle, the type of dainty fairytale her controlling lover/backer Hearst liked to see her in. It's on youtube, but I don't seem to have the dedication to watch it.

The Canary Murder Case (1929) The film that ruined Louise Brooks' Hollywood career, because she refused to return from Europe to shoot additional scenes with sound. (Other stories say her boyfriend intercepted the cables from the studio, because he didn't want to cut short their cruise.)

Fashions of 1934 (1934) Fluff featuring Bette Davis, when Warners was trying to figure out her image. For 5 minutes they thought she should look like Greta Garbo.

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) This has a famous Busbey Berkely number in it (Lulaby of Broadway) which I have seen, but not the entire film. CORRECTION: I AM THINKING OF GOLDDIGGERS OF 1935 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx6s-YReOJY

Reckless (1935) Jean Harlow backstage vehicle that's supposed to be fun.

The Great Ziegfeld (1936) I think this won Best Picture. No desire to see it. Sounds creaky.

Libeled Lady (1936) Another Jean Harlow vehicle, supposedly her best performance.

The Last of Mrs. Cheney (1937) Uninspired Joan Crawford vehicle.

The Heavenly Body (1944) Uninspired Hedy Lamarr vehicle. (Were any of her films inspired?)

Life with Father (1947) Very very popular stage play that ran for years on Broadway. I've seen sections of it and remember nothing about Powell's performance at all.

Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948) I actually have seen some of this: the idea was really captivating to me as a child. Have never seen whole thing, though.

The Girl Who Had Everything (1953) Uninspired Elizabeth Taylor vehicle.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) I have seen this! He plays Lauren Bacall's boyfriend. Gentle, undemanding role.

Mister Roberts (1955) Very popular stage play directed by Joshua Logan. All the powers of hell couldn't force me to watch it; a bunch of military men stuck on a ship. Pass.
.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

It's the mustache Cookie. lol
They both had that thin little mustache.
He's the kind of actor that was great at the roles he did. He started in silent films. By the time he started doing
talkies he was already around 40.
Have you seen Life With Father? IMO his best role.

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

I added to my post above, and mentioned Life with Father. I will hunt it down and watch the whole thing...ONLY FOR YOU!!

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

LOL. This is why we love you.
He only was nominated for 3 Oscars. Thin Man, Godfrey and Life With Father. It's worth watching again.

I will agree with everything you said except for Mister Roberts. It is in my top 10 favorites of all time.
Cagney,Lemon,Powell and Henry Fonda. How can you go wrong? It's much more of a comedy than
anything else. I laugh and cry still every time I watch it. Will the powers of hell and me persuade you ?

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

Oh god...i GUESS so : ( We all must guide each other through this cold, cruel world.

I shall trust you!
.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

I really don't think you will be disappointed. I've seen your taste and it's very good. Like mine. :)
I also realize if you don't like it you probably will never speak to me again.
As much as I don't want that to happen I am confidant in this movie.
But I am prepared to leave and move to another country if need be.

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

<< I also realize if you don't like it you probably will never speak to me again. As much as I don't want that to happen I am confidant in this movie. But I am prepared to leave and move to another country if need be. >>

Now see, this would be a great movie scene/speech. It has it all...risk, ideals, potential sacrifice!

Have you seen The Wings of the Dove ? I am trying to think of a beloved movie to make you watch, in trade. Hmmmm....
.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Fair is fair.
I have seen Wings of the Dove. In the theater and several times since.
A great movie. If you can come up with one I will watch it.

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

The council shall reconvene after careful consideration.

Let us go in peace, and prepare for the potential bloodshed ahead.
.

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[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

I look forward to it.

Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;
Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.”

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[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

You won't be sorry. It's such a good movie. Henry Fonda's performance will break your heart.

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[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Actually, My Man Godfrey is one of my favorites of William Powell's. You know, he was married to Carole Lombard at one time. I think they were divorced when they made the movie. There's no denying, they had great chemistry. I love the dialogue in that movie. So witty.

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[–] PaladinNJ (20310) 2 years ago

When I think of him, I always think of the scene in Mister Roberts where as the Doctor he's called to the Captain. And he just strolls along taking his time

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