STAN LAUREL (1890 - 1965)

As we do every year on February 23rd, we take a moment to pay tribute to one of the greatest  comedians to ever grace the silver screen: Mr. Stan Laurel!

                                                You can check Stan's entry on IMDb here:

                                                                         STAN LAUREL

CARY GRANT remembered.

                                              We lost Cary Grant on November 29, 1986.

Born Archibald Alexander Leach, he was born in Horfield, Bristol on January 18, 1904 and passed away on November 29, 1986 at the age of 82.

His skill at playing comedy and dramatic roles with equal ease, was unparalleled in his time and as of today, there's still no other actor that can match his style or charismatic screen presence and charm.

I immensely enjoyed his early screwball comedies from the mid thirties through the forties like GUNGA DIN, THE AWFUL TRUTH, BRINGING UP BABY, PENNY SERENADE, HIS GIRL FRIDAY, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE, and I still watch them repeatedly whenever I can.

But my favorite films are the ones from his later career like TO CATCH A THIEF, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, OPERATION PETTICOAT and CHARADE, probably just because I was born in the fifties and I related to these more closely.

                                              

                                 

Anyway, Cary Grant was one of my very favorite actors and, like every male back in the day, I also wished I was more like Cary Grant.

               

               

Cary Grant and his fifth wife, Barbara Harris.

Cary Grant, like many celebrities, was the subject of many affectionate caricatures throughout his career.

 By Al Hirschfeld


         Hollywood Steps Out (Merrie Melodies) 1941

 By Mort Drucker

It should be mentioned that Cary Grant was one of the names considered when Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli were about to cast the first James Bond film, DR. NO, back in 1962.  Grant didn't want to sign for a multi-picture contract so he passed on the offer.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

CHARADE (1964) 

Here's a video showing how Cary Grant could've handled 007's duties: 

OLIVER HARDY: A GENIUS OF COMEDY!

We lost Oliver Norvell Hardy 62 years ago but his legacy lives on 

for those of us who still enjoy his talent on the silver screen!

Turning Back the Clock...Harold Lloyd Style!

   

             

                       Harold Lloyd in "Safety Last" - (1923)

GOODBYE, JERRY LEWIS!

                           "I've had great success being a total idiot!" - Jerry Lewis quote.

Jerry Lewis, the comedian and filmmaker who was adored by many, disdained by others, but unquestionably a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, died on Sunday morning at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.

So read the news reports when Jerry Lewis passed on. His unique comedic talent  was not everybody's cup of tea but he earned a great following during his peak years.

Lewis burst literally into the spotlight as the crazy half of  the comedy team of Martin & Lewis. Singer Dean Martin was the straight man and Jerry stole the  show with his way out, over-the-top antics.

The pair split in 1956 and Jerry went on to gain even greater success in films like THE DELICATE DELINQUENT, THE LADIES MAN, THE BELLBOY, THE PATSY, THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY and THE NUTTY PROFESOR, which was his biggest success and the film he is mostly remembered for.

He hosted the annual Labor Day weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning in 1966 up until 2010, when some disagreements with the association's president, led to his resignation from the event.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charitable activity.

Jerry was also the subject of a series of comic books published by DC Comics (first with Dean Martin and then as a single), in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

An animated cartoon series called "WILL THE REAL JERRY LEWIS PLEASE SIT DOWN?" by Filmation, ran on ABC from 1970 to 1972.

Thank you, Jerry, for all the joy, fun and laughter you gave me and millions of people all over the world!