Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
- charlestranberg
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Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
We all know his classics (DR JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, A STAR IS BORN, NOTHING SACRED...) but here are some lesser known titles worth checking out, IMO:
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
When speaking of Fredric March and classics, let's include Design for Living and The Best Years of Our Lives, the latter of which I believe is finally on the way to Blu-ray. :)
I especially love The Eagle and The Hawk, and March is devastating in it.
Besides ALL the films Charles listed, these titles are also high on my Fredric March list:
Les Miserables
Smilin' Through
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Dark Angel
Anthony Adverse
I Married a Witch (just released by the Criterion Collection)
Executive Suite
The Bridges at Toko-Ri
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Inherit the Wind
Seven Days in May
That's quite a filmography. :)
While March is revered by (most) classic cinephiles (I am sure somewhere out there is someone who doesn't like him), he doesn't have the iconic status of, say, a Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart. Is that because he disappeared into his roles ("A Consummate Actor" indeed!), appeared in many different genres of film, and did not have an easily-grasped screen persona? That is what occurs to me when I think about him, which I do on a fairly frequent basis as some movie of his is always popping up on TCM -- or in my DVD player. :)
I especially love The Eagle and The Hawk, and March is devastating in it.
Besides ALL the films Charles listed, these titles are also high on my Fredric March list:
Les Miserables
Smilin' Through
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Dark Angel
Anthony Adverse
I Married a Witch (just released by the Criterion Collection)
Executive Suite
The Bridges at Toko-Ri
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Inherit the Wind
Seven Days in May
That's quite a filmography. :)
While March is revered by (most) classic cinephiles (I am sure somewhere out there is someone who doesn't like him), he doesn't have the iconic status of, say, a Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart. Is that because he disappeared into his roles ("A Consummate Actor" indeed!), appeared in many different genres of film, and did not have an easily-grasped screen persona? That is what occurs to me when I think about him, which I do on a fairly frequent basis as some movie of his is always popping up on TCM -- or in my DVD player. :)
- Professional Tourist
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- charlestranberg
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
True. Now how could I have forgotten that one? It's very good.Professional Tourist wrote:Here is another lesser-known FM film:
[color=#0040FF][b]Links:[/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Tranberg/e/B009EECH7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1382651629&sr=8-2]Charles Tranberg's Other Books[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Tranberg/e/B009EECH7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1382651629&sr=8-2]Charles Tranberg's Other Books[/url][/b][/color]
- movieman1957
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
When I first saw "Tomorrow The World" I was amazed by Skip Homeier's performance. I thought he and March worked well together. An unusual film. (Always looked forward to Homeier as an adult actor.)
I saw "One Foot In Heaven" years ago and I remember that I enjoyed it but couldn't tell you any details.
If an "Act of Murder" is the one where he plays a doctor and his wife is ill then that was a very good film.
I saw "One Foot In Heaven" years ago and I remember that I enjoyed it but couldn't tell you any details.
If an "Act of Murder" is the one where he plays a doctor and his wife is ill then that was a very good film.
Chris
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
- charlestranberg
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Yes, An Act of Murder is a film where a husband (he is actually a judge) causes an automobile accident to kill his wife who suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. It's an interesting early look at euthanasia. Florence Eldridge, March's real-life wife, plays opposite him.movieman1957 wrote:When I first saw "Tomorrow The World" I was amazed by Skip Homeier's performance. I thought he and March worked well together. An unusual film. (Always looked forward to Homeier as an adult actor.)
I saw "One Foot In Heaven" years ago and I remember that I enjoyed it but couldn't tell you any details.
If an "Act of Murder" is the one where he plays a doctor and his wife is ill then that was a very good film.
[color=#0040FF][b]Links:[/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Tranberg/e/B009EECH7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1382651629&sr=8-2]Charles Tranberg's Other Books[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
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- movieman1957
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Thanks for the clarification Charles.
Chris
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
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- Rita Hayworth
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
I Married a Witch - 1942 Film
This Fredric March and Veronica Lake Classic is a gem of a movie and its really appropriate movie to see this time of the year when Halloween is at full swing of things. This is a romantic comedy - that is part fantasy and part revenge that really cast a spell of a witch that in a supernatural screwball classic ...
I don't know whether this movie is lesser known or not - but I just wanted to share about this movie and this is one of the March's great work in comedies.
This Fredric March and Veronica Lake Classic is a gem of a movie and its really appropriate movie to see this time of the year when Halloween is at full swing of things. This is a romantic comedy - that is part fantasy and part revenge that really cast a spell of a witch that in a supernatural screwball classic ...
I don't know whether this movie is lesser known or not - but I just wanted to share about this movie and this is one of the March's great work in comedies.
- charlestranberg
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Excellent choice and also very happy with the recent Criterion blu-ray and DVD release of the film.Rita Hayworth wrote:I Married a Witch - 1942 Film
This Fredric March and Veronica Lake Classic is a gem of a movie and its really appropriate movie to see this time of the year when Halloween is at full swing of things. This is a romantic comedy - that is part fantasy and part revenge that really cast a spell of a witch that in a supernatural screwball classic ...
I don't know whether this movie is lesser known or not - but I just wanted to share about this movie and this is one of the March's great work in comedies.
[color=#0040FF][b]Links:[/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Tranberg/e/B009EECH7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1382651629&sr=8-2]Charles Tranberg's Other Books[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=682]Charles Tranberg's Latest Book: FREDRIC MARCH: A CONSUMMATE ACTOR[/url][/b][/color]
[color=#0040FF][b][url=http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Tranberg/e/B009EECH7C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1382651629&sr=8-2]Charles Tranberg's Other Books[/url][/b][/color]
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
A 45-minute radio adaptation with the same stars, Fredric March and Martha Scott, was broadcast 20 April 1942 by Lux Radio Theater.kingrat wrote:I believe that One Foot in Heaven will air in the next few months on TCM--January, perhaps.
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Count me in as another big fan of Fredric's - I can definitely add to the recommendations for 'Middle of the Night' in which he provided an exceptional performance as the man who finds love late in life (with Kim Novak, I think?).
He was excellent in a late role in 'The Iceman Cometh' (the same film has Robert Ryan in his final role, another big favourite of mine); and going back a few years he was a memorable Willy Loman in 'Death of a Salesman'.
He's not a name known to everyone these days but he was a decent leading man - 'A Star is Born'. 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', 'Anthony Adverse' as well as a fine character actor in later years - 'Hombre', for one. His only misfire was in 'Inherit the Wind'; a great film, but I just feel he is a bit too over the top as the lawyer fighting for the Word of God against the theory of evolution.
He was excellent in a late role in 'The Iceman Cometh' (the same film has Robert Ryan in his final role, another big favourite of mine); and going back a few years he was a memorable Willy Loman in 'Death of a Salesman'.
He's not a name known to everyone these days but he was a decent leading man - 'A Star is Born'. 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', 'Anthony Adverse' as well as a fine character actor in later years - 'Hombre', for one. His only misfire was in 'Inherit the Wind'; a great film, but I just feel he is a bit too over the top as the lawyer fighting for the Word of God against the theory of evolution.
Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Still...haven't seen that Mark Twain thing! I never seem to get around to it! I MARRIED A WITCH is hilarious. Especially Benchley and Kelloway.
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Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
RedRiver wrote:Still...haven't seen that Mark Twain thing! I never seem to get around to it! I MARRIED A WITCH is hilarious. Especially Benchley and Kelloway.
Thanks for your ringing endorsement here!
Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
Re: Some less known Fredric March films worth seeing
I have always admired Fredric March. I know I have some of his films, But I have not specifically set out to collect his movies. He just happens to be in films with actresses whose films I collect.
I have these
Another Part Of The Forest—Ann Blyth (30)
Smilin`Through—Norma Shearer (21)
The Barretts Of Wimpole Street—Norma Shearer (21) and Maureen O`Sullivan (40)
Anthony Adverse—Olivia de Havilland( 41)
Tomorrow The World—Betty Field (I do not actually have a Betty Field collection. I think I may have bought this film as part of a set).
A Star Is Born—Janet Gaynor (12)
The Affairs Of Cellini—Fay Wray (27)
Anna Karenina—Maureen O`Sullivan (40)
There Goes My Heart—Virginia Bruce (31) and Nancy Carroll (9)
Susan And God—Gloria DeHaven (24)
Best Years Of Our Lives—Virginia Mayo (34)
I have always admired Fredric March. I know I have some of his films, But I have not specifically set out to collect his movies. He just happens to be in films with actresses whose films I collect.
I have these
Another Part Of The Forest—Ann Blyth (30)
Smilin`Through—Norma Shearer (21)
The Barretts Of Wimpole Street—Norma Shearer (21) and Maureen O`Sullivan (40)
Anthony Adverse—Olivia de Havilland( 41)
Tomorrow The World—Betty Field (I do not actually have a Betty Field collection. I think I may have bought this film as part of a set).
A Star Is Born—Janet Gaynor (12)
The Affairs Of Cellini—Fay Wray (27)
Anna Karenina—Maureen O`Sullivan (40)
There Goes My Heart—Virginia Bruce (31) and Nancy Carroll (9)
Susan And God—Gloria DeHaven (24)
Best Years Of Our Lives—Virginia Mayo (34)