Who am I? - A Monday Quiz

Can anyone guess this who this fabulous actress is?


"I was born May 16, 1911, and my parents were not vaudeville performers and I did not see the world through the keyhole of a trunk. My native city is Norfolk, Virginia, but I began my theatrical career in Boston, where I suppose I ate beans occasionally like all good Bostonians. While in Boston, I met a chap who was with a rival stock company and later married him. He's doing all right in pictures now, too, but we were divorced less than a year after the wedding."



"Determined on a theatrical career, I appeared in a couple of terrific flops but the critics said I was okay. So I didn't eat an arsenic salad to end it all. While playing in the stage version of Dinner at Eight, a Universal scout saw me and I landed my first movie role in Only Yesterday. Later I married the director of another picture I was in, but we parted in 1936 and I'm now married to an agent. I am five feet 2 1/2 inches tall, weigh 108 pounds and have never hunted antelopes in Patagonia."


"Who am I?" Hint - This is from 1941

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Donna Reed

I think most of us have a soft spot for Donna Reed (January 27, 1921 - January 14, 1986). The perfect mom, and just wonderful as Mary in It's a Wonderful Life.

"I'm the girl who's never been to Europe. I have a wonderful husband, healthy and happy children, so it's kind of silly to ask for anything more. But, just the same, I personally want to go to Europe in 1956 and I hope either a vacation or a picture takes me there."

"My husband, Tony Owen, and I have our own production company now. Our first picture is tentatively called Mombasa, and - I hope! - it will be filmed in Africa. Since we've invested our own money and time and hopes in our success. As for scripts and stories, I wish I could find one truly great love story."

This was made and became 1957's Beyond Mombasa starring Cornel Wilde and Donna Reed. Gotta love a tanked up monkey!

"I guess this is getting pretty political, but as a citizen, I wish Ike would run again!"

The Green Slime melts more than the Summer Sun

I watched the totally cheesetastic film, The Green Slime (1968) the other day. It stars:

Richard Jaeckel as Commander Vince Elliott who was in The Dirty Dozen, and several long runs on t.v. series including Spenser for Hire and Baywatch

Robert Horton as Commander Jack Rankin, best known as Flint McCullough on t.v.'s Wagon Train

And the gorgeous Luciana Paluzzi as Dr. Lisa Benson, best known for her role as Bond Girl, Fiona Volpe in 1965's Thunderball, opposite the yummy Sean Connery

And of course, the lovely Green Slime! The slime goes nuts melting people, so it has to be killed - but it gets outside the space station!

Commander Vince sacrifices himself to kill the nasty multiplying bugger

Oh no!

Dr. Lisa takes control, worrying about Commander Vince

Well, they finally escape back to Earth, killing the green monsters in their wake

And the love triangle is solved, as Dr Lisa finds out Commander Vince's fate, and she can live her life with her true love, Commander Jack.

So much cheesetastic goodness!

What Stars Want Most in 1956 - Rex Reason

Rex Reason (born in Germany while family on business trip on November 30, 1928) is best known for his role in the 1955 sci-fi cheesefest This Island Earth. He walked out on his Warner Brothers contract in 1961. Frank Sinatra wanted his for the role that went to Lawrence Harvey in The Manchurian Candidate, but he was sick of Hollywood and began a new career in real estate. He is brother to actor Rhodes Reason, has been married 3 times (currently to Shirley Hake since 1965), and has 5 children.

What did Rex Reason wish for in 1956:

• "Personally, I'm interested in developing young kids into actors. I'm not very old myself, but I know how hard it is to get started. I'd like to do something constructive toward helping youngsters get a break."
• "Professionally, I love the fantastic. I immensely enjoyed making This Island Earth. I'd like to do another science-fiction film."
• "As a citizen, it would be nice if there could be a nationwide plan for beautifying our gardens. I'm working on our backyard now. I don't think it would be a bad idea if everyone cleaned up and beautified his own backyard."
  

I have a couple questions:

• Will we all be leaning on leaning boards in the future?
• When will we meet the Smurf aliens, or maybe they are the blue man aliens?
• Did this really take 2 1/2 years to make?

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Aldo Ray

Aldo Ray (September 25, 1926 - March 27, 1991) is quite a character. Known for his build and gruff voice, he accidentally fell into acting. After serving in WWII as a Frogman, he was taking his brother Mario to an audition, when the director decided to hire Aldo instead. His best work was during the 1950s, but he worked up until his death in 1991 of throat cancer

Some Aldo Ray Trivia:

• Born Aldo DaRe
• Went to school at UC Berkeley
• Served in the Pacific Theater in World War II
• Aldo was married 3 times
• His best known films include: The Green Berets, Battle Cry, Miss Sadie Thompson, and Pat and Mike
• Aldo was the first choice for Montgomery Clift's Pvt. Prewitt in From Here to Eternity
• Aldo had his SAG card revoked in the 1980s for working in non-union films (the only roles he could get). It was the only way he could pay his health insurance. Kind of sad.
• Brad Pitt's character, Lt. Aldo Raine, in Inglorious Bastards (one of my all time favs) was inspired by Aldo Ray.

What were Aldo's 1956 wishes?

"Personally, I'd like to see my Alma Mater, California, go to the Rose Bowl"

Total guy answer, but refreshingly, not a PR sounding answer

"Professionally, I want to play in a western and I want to travel. Maybe I could do both. In Three Stripes in the Sun, I went to Japan. I wouldn't mind seeing the world while I worked."

"It is my personal belief that every citizen should take a much more active interest in his local and national politics."

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Tommy Rall

Tommy Rall (born December 27, 1929) is a wonderful Broadway talent, who was featured in several musicals in the golden age of musicals including Kiss Me Kate and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Tommy started taking dance lessons to help his lazy eye, and never turned back. What did Tommy Wish for in 1956?: "I have a 1947 Buick which is about brand new. I put it in storage when I bought it in 1947 because I had to go to New York to do a show. The contract was for six months, but then that went by and I kept getting more shows. I came back here to do Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and My Sister Eileen and I got my 1947 Buick out of storage. I'm driving it now and it's great - probably they'll never make cars like that again. But, in 1956, I'll get a new car - honest." 

I love the 1947 Buick! Gorgeous car. So much more gorgeous than cars they make today. I would love to have one over cars from today.

Tommy plays Frank (the red shirted brother)

"I got my first straight, non-dancing role in World in My Corner with Audie Murphy. Professionally, I'd like more dramatic roles"

"I'm sick of wars breaking out here and wars breaking out there. As a citizen, I think there ought to be some way to negotiate peace terms before instead of after war."

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Gregory Peck

Next up in the series is the fabulous Gregory Peck (April 15, 1916 - June 12, 2003). Don't know what I can say about Gregory Peck that hasn't been said before. He was a fabulous actor. I watched To Kill a Mockingbird just a week or so ago. He IS Atticus Finch. That film makes me cry every time I see it.

What did Gregory Peck wish for in 1956?

""I'm glad to be back with my boys and next year I hope I have more time to go hunting and camping with them."

"I just formed my own independent motion picture company and I'm looking forward to remaining in this country and making pictures here."

"I wish they'd find a cure for multiple sclerosis, especially since it hits people while they are so young."

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Margaret O'Brien

Margaret O'Brien (Born January 15, 1937) - One of my favorite child actors. Most people know her from Meet Me in St Louis, but my favorite Margaret O'Brien film is The Secret Garden. Incidentally, for all you TCM lovers Margaret O'Brien is one of the featured stars in this August's Summer Under the Stars. So mark your calendar for August 15, 2010. TCM will play The Secret Garden at 8 pm est, or if you love Meet Me in St Louis, it is playing at 3:45 pm est. If you ever get a chance to see TCM's special on Child Stars, I would definitely recommend it. Margaret seems like such a wonderful person!

Some Margaret O'Brien Trivia:

• She was born Angela Maxine O'Brien
• Margaret made her film debut in a 1941 civil defense film (Her major motion picture debut was 1941's Babes of Broadway)
• She won a special Oscar for Meet Me in St Louis. It was stolen in 1954, found at a swap meet in 1995 and returned to her.
• My favorite Margaret O'Brien quote: "When I cry, do you want the tears to run all the way or shall I stop halfway down?" - What a pro!

What did Margaret O'Brien wish for in 1956?

"I want a place in the Valley where I can keep a horse"

"I'd like the lead in the story The Life of Esther Costello. It's the story of a deaf and dumb Irish child who rose to fame and prominence despite these handicaps"

Unfortunately for Margaret, Heather Sears got the part. Has anyone seen The Story of Esther Costello? It apparently also stars Joan Crawford.






"I'm on a personal campaign right now to tell people about the other children, the ones who aren't juvenile delinquents. We're way in the majority, incidentally."

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Pat O'Brien

Pat O'Brien (November 11, 1899 - October 15, 1983) played the typical Irishman in many films - usually a Priest or a Policemen. He was well loved in films, and I have to say I adored him in every film I've seen him in. Some of them include: Some Like It Hot, Angels With Dirty Faces, and Knute Rockne All American.

Some Pat O'Brien Trivia:

• These photos were of Pat's daughter Brigid's 1946 Christening
• Pat had four children, 3 of whom were adopted.
• Mr. O'Brien was married only once. It was to actress Eloise Taylor. They were married on January 23, 1931 and were married until his death.
• Pat was lifelong friends with Spencer Tracy and James Cagney
• He made 7 films with James Cagney
• Pat was politically Right Wing
• He wore a toupee
• Pat voiced the famous film line: "Win One for the Gipper"
• He made his last acting appearance in 1974 on Happy Days
• Pat O'Brien died of a heart attack at the age of 83

What did Pat Wish for in 1956:

"Personally, I hope God grants me the time to live to celebrate my silver wedding anniversary - 25 years with the same girl - and I'm a lucky man."

They did make it. In fact, Pat and his wife were married for 52 years. I hope my husband and I can be so lucky!

"As an actor, I'd like any really good motion picture part, but particularly I'd like to do the life of John McGraw or General Patton."

Unfortunately George C. Scott played General Patton, and I'm not sure of a film about John McGraw. John McGraw is known as the best baseball player to become a manager with an astounding 2,669 wins to his credit.

"As a citizen, I'd like all peace and no smog"

I love Pat in Angels With Dirty Faces and Knute Rockne. For those who want to know, Knute Rockne will be playing on Turner Classic Movies July 27, 2010 at 9:45 am est.

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Hugh O'Brian

Hugh O'Brian (born April 19, 1923) is probably best known as Wyatt Earp in the television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. The show ran from 1955 to 1961 with a total of 226 episodes!

Some Hugh O'Brian Trivia:

• Hugh was "discovered" by the fabulous Ida Lupino
• He became friends with Marilyn Monroe during the filming of There's No Business Like Show Business
• Hugh was a soda jerk at Schwab's Drugstore on Sunset Boulevard
• Hugh established the HOBY Award (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Award)
• Hugh is the the youngest ever Marine Drill Seargeant at the tender age of 17
• He was inducted into the Western Hall of Fame in 1992
• Hugh was the last person killed on screen by John Wayne (In 1976's The Shootist)
• Hugh waited until he was 81 to get married. He married teacher Virginia Barber, 30 years his junior, whom he had dated for 18 years. They were married with music by Debbie Reynolds, June 25, 2006.

What were Hugh's 1956 wishes:

"I'd like to find the right girl"

Obviously this took a long time since he didn't marry until 2006!

"I'd like to continue to do three or four motion pictures a year and continue with my television series Wyatt Earp"

"As a citizen, I think also in terms of Hollywood and the good it can do through the medium of motion pictures. In 1956, I hope we have more movies like Blackboard Jungle and Trial".
I just saw Blackboard Jungle and it was fabulous! Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier - how can you go wrong?