Hello Clore - Sylvia sang praises for Raft, who treated her royally. "What he lacked in talent, he made up for in charm," she said. I enjoyed Pick Up (1933), as well as their last film together Mr. Ace (1946). The latter film was originally titled The Congresswoman. As Raft was considered ...

Thanks for the invite Moira - Great to be here. Film author/historian James Robert Parish suggested that Sidney was long overdue for a biography. I had to agree. Sylvia had the power and impact of stars like Davis, Stanwyck and Hepburn—and like them, she had something unique. I love this quote from ...

Thanks so much Carl for your considerate and thorough response to my questions. I'll keep those three titles in mind. And, all the best to you with the book and future projects.

Welcome Carl. As a kid I never missed watching THE REAL MCCOYS and Brennan was truly the heart and center of this show. Did he see the series as his career "capper"? What roles was he proudest of? Which actors were his personal friends off the set? Thanks! Scott

J.R. Loy mentioned in her autobiography that she liked working with Ryan and that their scenes together offered her an unusually meaty assignment. She also talked about the tormented Clift. I read Miss Lonelyhearts and it is indeed "watered down" on screen. Nonetheless, I find Ryan's perfo...

Greetings J.R., I'm so pleased that you are covering the legacy of my favorite actor, Robert Ryan. His intelligence shines through every role I've seen him in. My personal favorite is Miss Lonelyhearts (1959). His disillusioned William Shrike was riveting to watch on screen. He was amazingly pervers...

Okay Rerun - Brent did have a 50-acre horse ranch in Hidden Valley called Royal Oaks. He lived there for about ten years before relocating to Rancho Santa Fe. There was a disastrous fire in the Santa Monica Mts. during the winter of 1956-57 that influenced his decision to move. By the spring of 1958...

Rerun – I should have mentioned that Brent and his wife (who was ailing from cancer) relocated from Rancho Sante Fe in 1973. They moved to Solona Beach—a short walk from the Pacific Ocean. It was reported that he sold his horses in order to take care of his wife. I'm not sure if he ever sold the ran...

Moira - Sylvia Sidney Sylvia is certainly the most prolific of actresses. Her career spans from 1926-1999! Of course, she and George had to cross paths at one point (a 1955 TV Climax! presentation--a photo of them is in the Brent bio). The neat thing about Sylvia is that she offered so many candid, ...

Moira – I too have a special fondness for From Headquarters —another overlooked gem. It had a visual flourish for the intricacies of forensics. Detective Brent is focused, and engaging as the love-torn detective. Brent commented that Dieterle was “a good man and easy to work with.” Brent said that i...

Thanks for inserting the photos to my responses Moira. :D I forgot to mention that Brent became a US Citizen in 1937. As WWII approached he wanted to do his part. Brent had his heart set on being an instructor at the Civil Aeronautics Institute in Oxnard. He negotiated with Warners to postpone his l...

Moira - Re: The Fighting 69th" :P Lordy! As Warner archivist Clive Hirschhorn stated, The Fighting 69th “could not be taken seriously for a moment.” Brent was pleased to sign on when he found that the film’s technical adviser was John T. Prout, who had been a training officer for the IRA (1919-...

Sue Sue Applegate – I appreciate your warm welcome. I have always liked George Brent. I first noticed him in Stamboul Quest (1934) in which his buoyant personality and charm had ample opportunity to manifest itself. I learned that he enjoyed the time and care they took at MGM—even though Myrna Loy s...

Lzcutter: Brent's ranch was in Rancho Sante Fe. He moved there in 1958 after purchasing a hilltop two-story home resting on forty acres from John W. Rice, Jr. a brick manufactuer. Brent converted his acreage into a breeding farm and added a 5,000 square foot barn. The home was off Rancho de los Flor...

Moira: Barry Brent has pursued an acting career. While he was alive, George was very proud of the 6’ 4” Barry’s success. “He’s so talented,” said George in 1978. He’s just done The King and I in college. One day soon you’re going to hear of him.” Suzanne was in interior design while Brent was alive....