The Silver Screen Oasis

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 12:48 pm**

I've simply copied my post for Favorite Actresses for the purposes
of this companion thread.

I happen to think lists are a window to each person's
individual tastes. This board in particular seems to have
a very diverse group. Often, our favorites can reveal a few
common characteristics which indicate what draws each person
to a particular kind of performer. I chose the number 25
because I know it's easy to list 5 or 10 in order of preference,
but how many people can do more than that without putting some
thought into it? I know I have a hard time doing so.

So, can you if at all possible share your favorite 25 actors
of ALL time---in order of perference? This will
require some agonizing I know, but that's partly the point.

Really, if it's too hard to put them all in order, at least try to
make the top 5 be in order of preference. And this is
all purely subjective and does not have to reflect who you
think are the top 25 BEST actors, just favorite or by
whatever criteria you choose.

If, you can give an explanation as to why you
chose your NUMBER ONE selection, that would be best of
all and most welcome.

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 2:51 pm**

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Simply the greatest actor of them all, remember the end scene of City Lights.

CARY GRANT
GENE KELLY
BUSTER KEATON
FRED ASTAIRE

I suppose this reflects my love of humour and dance

CLARK GABLE
MAURICE CHEVALIER
MARCELLO MASTROIANNI
JEAN GABIN
JOHN GILBERT
RUDOLPH VALENTINO
ERROL FLYNN

no particular order for the last ones

FREDERICK MARCH
MARLON BRANDO
JAMES CAGNEY
CHARLES BOYER
DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS SNR
JAMES MASON
ROBERT MITCHUM
WILLIAM POWELL
FRANK SINATRA
TONY CURTIS
ALAN BATES
JOEL MACREA
GARY COOPER

Is there a corresponding thread for actresses. I could get the first 15 pretty much straight off but then I struggled with the last ones. I've deliberately missed out some of the best loved and most respected actors, choosing to go instead with the actors who make me smile and make my heart glad to see them.

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 4:04 pm**

I can't believe that I couldn't fit in Tyrone Power, Gary Cooper, Peter Lorre, John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Broderick Crawford, Victor Jory or, worst of all, Edward Everett Horton on this list, but I think that those guys are pretty big about it. I'll just have to live with the guilt. Have I mentioned that I hate lists?

CLAUDE RAINS
GENE KELLY
WILLIAM POWELL
GEORGE SANDERS
ROGER LIVESEY
WARREN WILLIAM
ROBERT RYAN
CHARLES BICKFORD
JAMES CAGNEY
JOHN GARFIELD
FREDRIC MARCH
JAMES GLEASON
JACK CARSON
CHESTER MORRIS
HUMPHREY BOGART
CARY GRANT
CHARLIE RUGGLES
ROD TAYLOR
LEW AYRES
GREGORY PECK
BURT LANCASTER
RICHARD CONTE
MILLARD MITCHELL
PETER FINCH
HERBERT MARSHALL
EDWARD G. ROBINSON

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 5:03 pm**

1. James Stewart
2. Robert Ryan
3. Timothy Carey
4. Robert Mitchum
5. Edward G. Robinson

Then, in alphabetical order:

Whit Bissell
Humprey Bogart
John Cassavetes
Charles Chaplin
Richard Conte
Elisha Cook, Jr.
Johnny Depp
Dan Duryea
Gene Evans
Ben Gazzara
Cary Grant
Sterling Hayden
Peter Lorre
Lee Marvin
Joel McCrea
Ralph Meeker
Randolph Scott
Harry Dean Stanton
Lawrence Tierney
Orson Welles

Edited to replace Eli Wallach with an actor who I forgot & would be #6 or 7.

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 6:50 pm**

1. John Wayne mainly because he did more than just be John Wayne on camera. See "Red River", "Yellow Ribbon", "The Searchers" and "Liberty Valance" for more proof.

2. Gregory Peck if he hadn't done anything else beside "Mockingbird" he would still be held in my high regard.

3. Doug Fairbanks, Sr did anyone enjoy making films so much?

4. Lee Marvin if only for that voice
5. Cary Grant

6. Randolph Scott
7. Clark Gable
8. Sean Connery see Lee Marvin
9. Spencer Tracy
10 Jimmy Cagney
11 Humphrey Bogart
12 David Niven
13 Thomas Mitchell
14 Harry Carey, Sr
15Ben Johnson
16 Robert Ryan
17 William Holden
18 Warren Oates
19 Joel McCrea
20 Paul Newman
21 Alan Rickman
22 James Stewart
23 Robert Mitchum
24 Dean Martin} see Rio Bravo
25 Burt Lancaster

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 8:03 pm**

I can't do all of them in order, because I like some just as well as others.

1. Ronald Colman
2. Claude Rains
3. Jimmy Stewart
4. Van Heflin
5. Spencer Tracey
6. Paul Newman
7. Robert Redford
8. Robert Mitchum
9. Henry Fonda
10. Gene Hackman
11. Clint Eastwood
12. Joseph Cotton
13. Charles Coburn
14. Joel McCrea
15. Gary Cooper
16. John Gilbert
17. John Barrymore
18. Gregory Peck
19. Charlie Chaplin
20. Alan Bates
21. Michael Caine
22. Laurence Olivier
23. Harold Lloyd
24. Morgan Freeman
25. James Whitmore

Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 8:23 pm**

Good topic, Miss G, I'll need some time'
best actor versatile Fredric March , the iceman cometh, les miserables, a star is born,
best actress Julie Harris, at 27 she played a teenager to perfectioon in member of the wedding and later a neurotic in the haunting
These are picks for best, not favorites. for favotites, i'd pick Jessie Matthews and maybe Dick Powell, when he sang .... mel

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Posted: **December 6th, 2008, 10:52 pm**

Oooh I love lists:

1. Cary Grant - simply the best, could do just about everything, and with seemingly no effort.
2. Henry Fonda - For 12 Angry Men alone, but then there's The Lady Eve, Young Mr. Lincoln etc etc.
3. Kirk Douglas - I have no idea if he can do anything other than be intense, but I find few people more fun to watch.
4. James Cagney - Like Grant, one of the most versatile performers ever
5. Fredric March - The best on-screen drunk this side of WC Fields
6. Montgomery Clift
7. Frank Sinatra
8. John Wayne
9. Joseph Cotten
10. James Mason
11. Lew Ayres
12. Warner Baxter
13. Richard Barthelmess
14. Clark Gable
15. Buster Keaton
16. John Barrymore
17. Spencer Tracy
18. William Powell
19. Marlon Brando
20. Charles Chaplin
21. Michel Simon
22. Dana Andrews
23. Joel McCrea
24. James Stewart
25. John Dall

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:19 am**

charliechaplinfan wrote:CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Simply the greatest actor of them all, remember the end scene of City Lights.

I suppose this reflects my love of humour and dance

I've deliberately missed out some of the best loved and most respected actors, choosing to go instead with the actors who make me smile and make my heart glad to see them.

Hi CCFan! Great list---it features stars of so many differing disciplines, style and eras. You have a wide scope for your enjoyment.

When I put together my own list I left Chaplin out deliberately, because to me he just seemed to constitute a whole art or industry unto himself. I can't separate his acting from his directing, writing and other talents, which seemed to have no end. What an astonishing creative force.[/quote]

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:22 am**

[quote="moirafinnie"]I can't believe that I couldn't fit in Tyrone Power, Gary Cooper, Peter Lorre, John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Broderick Crawford, Victor Jory or, worst of all, Edward Everett Horton on this list, but I think that those guys are pretty big about it. I'll just have to live with the guilt. Have I mentioned that I hate lists?

WOLF WHISTLE!! Moira has Rod Taylor on her list, yaaayyy!

I know, it's a heartache to make those cuts, but again I thank you fo rmaking the effort because you list is very interesting to me. You definitely follow your own drumbeat, Moira. Not many top 25s would have Millard Mitchell and Roger Livesey on them! Bravo.

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:26 am**

ChiO wrote:1. James Stewart
2. Robert Ryan
3. Timothy Carey
4. Robert Mitchum
5. Edward G. Robinson

Now that top five gave me the biggest surprise so far in these lists.
I never would have pegged Jimmy Stewart for your all time favorite actor. I would have laid my money that Tim was #1, followed by Ryan and Mitchum---those are a given. But Eddie's high ranking surprises me, too.

Then, in alphabetical order:

Whit Bissell
Humprey Bogart
John Cassavetes
Charles Chaplin
Richard Conte
Elisha Cook, Jr.
Johnny Depp
Dan Duryea
Gene Evans
Ben Gazzara
Cary Grant
Sterling Hayden
Peter Lorre
Lee Marvin
Joel McCrea
Ralph Meeker
Randolph Scott
Harry Dean Stanton
Lawrence Tierney
Orson Welles

Edited to replace Eli Wallach with an actor who I forgot & would be #6 or 7.

I'll have to "google" Gene Evans, I must confess.

Ben Gazzara, wow.

Thanks, ChiO! Now, what about the dames? You don't have anything against them, do you?

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:29 am**

Howdy, Lynn! One actor that surprised me on your list and he really stands out from that rugged bunch: David Niven. But knowing David's infinite capacity for making himself at home anywhere, he fits right in. I'm interested in which of his films you gravitate toward, his dramas or his comedies?

Viva Trubshawe!

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:30 am**

silentscreen wrote:I can't do all of them in order, because I like some just as well as others.

I understand, SS. I'd love to know if Ronald Colman is, in fact, your #1 favorite?

And I love your Jean Arthur quote, I just noticed it.

Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:33 am**

melwalton wrote:Good topic, Miss G, I'll need some time'
best actor versatile Fredric March , the iceman cometh, les miserables, a star is born,
best actress Julie Harris, at 27 she played a teenager to perfectioon in member of the wedding and later a neurotic in the haunting
These are picks for best, not favorites. for favotites, i'd pick Jessie Matthews and maybe Dick Powell, when he sang .... mel

Hello, there, Mel! How are you? I hope everything's well. I thought about you the other day when TCM aired a Jessie Matthews movie called, I thik, Sailing Along. I have never seen her movies before, and I enjoyed her spirit. She seemed like a lot of fun and very vivacious. You are the one who pointed out her talents to me and I'll always think of you when I see her.

If can come up with your complete list, take your time, I look forward to seeing what you come up with and from what era most of your favorites will be.

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Posted: **December 7th, 2008, 10:36 am**

myrnaloyisdope wrote:Oooh I love lists:

5. Fredric March - The best on-screen drunk this side of WC Fields

Hahahahahahaha!! GREAT answer!

6. Montgomery Clift
7. Frank Sinatra
8. John Wayne
9. Joseph Cotten
10. James Mason
11. Lew Ayres
12. Warner Baxter
13. Richard Barthelmess
14. Clark Gable
15. Buster Keaton
16. John Barrymore
17. Spencer Tracy
18. William Powell
19. Marlon Brando
20. Charles Chaplin
21. Michel Simon
22. Dana Andrews
23. Joel McCrea
24. James Stewart
25. John Dall

You have most of my favorites listed, too. I have to admit I'm drawing a blank on Michel Simon. I'll have to "google" him.

Thanks, MLiD!

The Silver Screen Oasis

Can You Please List Your 25 Favorite Actors?

Can You Please List Your 25 Favorite Actors?

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