MovieChat Forums > The Hard Way (1943) Discussion > One of Jack Carson's finest hours!

One of Jack Carson's finest hours!


Jack Carson, as the well-meaning and sincere Albert Runkel, who gets mowed down by Ida Lupino's character, Helen's, machinations was heartbreaking. Jack Carson was a wonderful actor, but this, for me, contains his finest moments captured on film.

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Agree.

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He deserved an OscarĀ© nomination for Best Supporting Actor just as much as Ms. Lupino deserved one for Best Actress.

Well, I can't just call out "Oh, butler", can I? Somebody's name may be "Butler"!

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Yes, he did a great job. Unfortunately, I thought his suicide scene was melodramatic nonsense (the fault of the script, not the actor). I think it's absurd that anyone in that situation would commit suicide , unless he/she was intoxicated.

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I think it's absurd that anyone in that situation would ... unless he/she was intoxicated.

Jack Carson is one of my favorite performers, ever, but "absurd" is the word I used as well regarding his character's suicide. There's a little too much absurdity in this film after Albert and Katie first went their separate ways for the sake of their careers.



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I fully agree about Carson. A superb actor who was good in everything he did. THE HARD WAY may be his finest moment, but he's pretty impressive in A STAR IS BORN and MILDRED PIERCE as well. I always think his role in MILDRED PIERCE is underrated, watch how subtle his acting is in that film, as it is in THE HARD WAY.

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Jack's style is subtle and understated, but he always comes off well. He could very well have been given a Best Supporting Actor nomination. When the role called for a little comedy, as in his duo with Leslie in "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," Jack was great. And when his role called for sadness, as his feeling in left behind as his young wife became a great star and he got left behind, he pulled that off well also- w/o even seeming to try. He was one of the very best character actors.

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He's also great in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (Hitchcock's only comedy). Check it out.

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lynda618 ~ He's also great in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

Thanks for the nod to Mr. and Mrs. Smith http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033922/combined, lynda618! It's a big favorite of mine and yes, Jack Carson is terrific in his scenes!

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He's very good here but not better than his performances in Mildred Pierce and Carefree imo. I also thought that this was a solid performance from Dennis Morgan, especially early on with some good sharp-edged dialog. He played off well with an incredibly beautiful Ida Lupino. Paul Cavanaugh seemed to enhance every movie he appeared in.

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