The Silver Screen Oasis

jdb1 wrote:Aha. I noticed that TCM seemd to have a lot of movies this morning featuring Naish, the black Irishman. There had to be some Spanish Armada survivors in his family history, don't you think? I recall him on a talk show telling about how he was born in a hospital (not always a given in his generation), and how the nurses thought he must be Japanese because he was so dark-complected in a sea of blond babies, and they read his name tag as "Naishi." Lucky for him he was able to build a whole successful career on that sort of misconception.

I came across some sources recently that said that one of J. Carrol Naish's grandmothers was Spanish, which might explain his Mediterranean coloring, (that, and a large jar of Max Factor's Man-Tan #4).

J. Carrol Naish - we have 51 DVDs with him in films and TV episodes. How did I get so many? I'd hate to think he might be the most frequently-represented actor on our shelves, but he might be. How did this happen? Little J. Carrol Naish?

I've thought if some studio would release all of Franklin Pangborn's or Allen Jenkins' films, I'd have almost a complete collection of everything I ever wanted. And I know if they'd release Charles Lanes' entire catalog, we'd all find more than a few. But J. Carrol Naish isn't so far behind!

I need to see if we can get a festival of his films. A "stop the projector - there he is!" cheering moment or two in each film. We've done this with Pangborn and Jenkins. And Nestor Paiva... ooooh, so long J. Carrol - Nestor's got 71 on our shelves. How in the HECK can these guys get in so many of my favorite films?!! I guess when you take jobs with projects named like JESSE JAMES MEETS FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER, and MADMAN OF MANDORAS (the sputtering re-cut re-issue of THEY SAVED HITLER'S BRAIN - I know a lot of you are dying to know that tidbit), then CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, MOLE PEOPLE, TARANTULA, and several Bob Hope films have finally paid dividends! gag gag cough gough.

Nestor and Naish. Who'd a-thunk it?

Oh gosh, Allen Jenkins might conceivably have been in EVERYTHING!

Of course, my heart belongs to Pat Flaherty.... he was in everything else.

Wendy, as Jerry Seinfeld once said, "Not that it's a BAD thing... no indeedy!" And the great thing about these favorite supporting actors - they could pop up anywhere and improve any scene, any time.

ChiO wrote:

Rudolph Mate (1898 - 1964) with Rita Hayworth on the set of "Gilda"

I suppose he was concentrating on how in the world he'd light her so that she'd look beautiful. All in a day's work.

Are you sure that isn't Jack Benny? Sure looks like him, right down to the slightly exasperated expression!

You'd be exasperated too, if the only thing you could do around Rita in that dress was hold a light meter to her.

Are you sure that isn't Jack Benny? Sure looks like him, right down to the slightly exasperated expression!

Thank you. I thought it was just me. Maybe Ms. Hayworth was visiting the set of TO BE OR NOT TO BE and Mate and Benny were pulling the old switcheroo.

JANUARY 22nd. BIRTHDAYS


JOHN HURT is 70 today


SEYMOUR CASELL is 75 today


PIPER LAURIE is 78 today


BILL BIXBY (1934 - 1993)


MARY CASTLE (1931 - 1998)


WILLIAM WARFIELD (1920 - 2002)


ANN SOTHERN (1909 - 2001)


CONRAD VEIDT (1893 - 1943)


CONSTANCE COLLIER (1878 - 1955)


D.W. GRIFFITH (1875 - 1948)

Three on a match? Danny Kaye, Laurence Olivier and a friend

Mr. #3 bears a slight resemblence to Jack Haley . . but I imagine if it were him, he'd certainly have been credited!

Hi,

I think #3 is George Jessel....

Larry

I thought it was Frank McHugh... but on second look, I think you may be right about Georgie Jessel.

After further research the 3rd. gent is English comic Sid Field, a favorite of both Kaye and Olivier.

Pals Elizabeth Taylor & Montgomery Clift hanging around the studio lot