Lew Ayres. Except for film buffs and Dr. Kildare buffs, Lew Ayres is one of those forgotten actors. But he gave some marvelous performances, had a terrific career.
In particular, I love his performance as the dissipated brother in Holiday. He is always a tiny bit wasted in that movie, but there’s a kindness there, a nonjudgmental quality that makes him lovable. He is a disappointment to his family, and perhaps to himself as well. He is on the sauce at all times, running from his pain, but still, he has an elegance that the others do not have. A gallantry that still exists, beneath the alcohol.
There have been times when I will rewind one of the big group scenes in Holiday just so I can watch what Ayres is doing in the background, when the focus is NOT on him.
He’s always alive, always funny, the mark of a good actor. He doesn’t wait for his close-up to act.
Look at him fishing with Ginger Rogers.
Who was his wife. Very cool!
Mr. Bingley – god, I love that photo of them fishing! So cute!
I’m lovin’ his hat, and his trousers in that photo.
All Quiet on the Western Front – a gem of a movie (and book) and a gem of a performance by Lew Ayres
OMG! I love you! Who else would talk about Lew Ayres on their blog but YOU? Who else would even know who he was?
Of course, being a Ginger Rogers freak…er..fan, I’m well-aware of him and his career.
LOVE the picture of Lew and Ginger fishing. Amazing!
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