Tag Archives: George Cukor

Judy Holliday: “She Dominates”

Posted on June 28, 2008 by sheila

David Thomson wrote: The story goes that Adam’s Rib was a conspiracy between Cukor, Katharine Hepburn, and Garson Kanin to convince Harry Cohn, the boss of Columbia, that Judy Holliday should play the dumb blonde in the film of Born … Continue reading →

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A Woman’s Face (1941); Dir. George Cukor

Posted on May 20, 2008 by sheila

Combining the impeccable aesthetic of MGM, the meticulous lighting and atmosphere George Cukor is known for, and some kick-ass performances by all the leads (Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Conrad Veidt, Osa Massen), A Woman’s Face is a psychological melodrama with … Continue reading →

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Archie Leach day: “He suddenly seemed liberated.”

Posted on January 18, 2008 by sheila

That’s Cary Grant in his breakthrough part – Monkley the Cockney con-artist in George Cukor’s Sylvia Scarlett. Random quotes about this weird little film which was a flop – but which changed Cary Grant’s life:

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Jack Lemmon: “Mr. Cukor, for God’s sake, you know pretty soon I won’t be acting at all.”

Posted on October 9, 2007 by sheila

Billy Wilder on Jack Lemmon, one of his favorite actors – the perfect “everyman”. While I was in New Mexico, Stevie showed me the delectable It Should Happen To You – with Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon in his film … Continue reading →

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Lew Ayres, A Dissipated Elegance

Posted on December 13, 2006 by sheila

I love this image. 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 … Continue reading →

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Jimmy Stewart’s Hiccup in The Philadelphia Story

Posted on January 18, 2006 by sheila

From Evenings With Cary Grant: Recollections in His Own Words and by Those Who Knew Him Best: Jimmy Stewart says in re: Philadelphia Story: I play a writer who falls in love with Katharine Hepburn. The night before her wedding … Continue reading →

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Cary Grant in Sylvia Scarlett: The Breakthrough

Posted on January 18, 2006 by sheila

That’s Cary Grant in his breakthrough part – Monkley the Cockney con-artist in George Cukor’s Sylvia Scarlett. From Evenings With Cary Grant: Recollections in His Own Words and by Those Who Knew Him Best: Random quotes about this weird little … Continue reading →

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Archie Leach’s Beginnings

Posted on September 21, 2004 by sheila

Archie Leach (later Cary Grant) arrived in New York City as a boy of 15, having joined the Bob Pender acrobat troupe. They performed at the Hippodrome (God, to have been in New York in those days!!! WHAT I would … Continue reading →

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Billy Wilder: On Jack Lemmon

Posted on September 2, 2004 by sheila

Excerpt from Conversations with Wilder: [Lemmon’s] first day on a sound stage, with George Cukor directing, he’s all revved up. He rattles down half a page of dialogue, rararaaumphrara, and then there’s “Cut” and he looks at Cukor. Cukor comes … Continue reading →

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C.K. Dexter Haven is “a Sort Of Ariel Figure” in Philadelphia Story

Posted on August 6, 2004 by sheila

Richard Schickel writes in praise of Grant’s acting job in Philadelphia Story, as CK Dexter Haven: It is a wonderful role for Grant. It would be too much to say that his position is to speak up for democracy at … Continue reading →

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