John Carradine Movies

21 thoughts on “John Carradine Movies”

1. FEB 20, 2020 at 7.42 AM

   Added Steve’s Lon Chaney Jr. You Tube Video To This Page. Our thoughts on Chaney’s movies and Steve video found below.

   Nice selection…though I have not really seen many of his movies. My tally is 7….but I have always liked his performances. 4 are in the Top 5. Wolfman and Abbott & Costello Meet The Defiant Ones at High Noon. I like how that sentence matches up with your rankings. I have heard of many of these movies…so kudos for increasing my movie knowledge. Voted up and shared
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2. February 19, 2020 at 8:09 pm

   That leads me to wonder what Big John thought about Randy and Archie who were said to be such “tight wads” that they shared a house for a time to economize on rent although both were well-off financially; and the Duke worked with the pair – Randy in Pittsburg and The Spoilers [both 1942]and an uncredited Al Leach in 1946’s Without Reservations.

   So you are taking a break that will coincide with my own. That will test WH: can he survive without both of us? Certainly one feels that all it will take is for one of his other regulars like Dan or Flora to disappear too the same week as you and I do, and The Work Horse will call in sick! Anyway roll on Friday until we get your final video for now and Saturday when I depart for sunny climes.

   ***Bruce Bennett in 1931 was actually the first ever actor in the talkies to be signed to play Tarzan. However before shooting began, he broke his shoulder and Johnny Weissmuller of course got the part and as the cliché goes “the rest is history”. Therefore that accident may have historically robbed Bennett of the Big Time; but he lived to nearly 101 whereas sadly Johnny, who died at 79, went mad and was admitted to an asylum where he scared the other inmates by waking them in the middle of the night with his Tarzan yell. WE though ended up OK because we’ve got a Bruce who’s even better than Tarzan – though he seems to think he’s Rocky!
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3. February 19, 2020 at 8:05 pm

   HI STEVE: Thanks for your response. With his ‘scoop’ about Ladd and Green Lantern, The Work Horse ‘trumped’ us both: me as the Great Laddie Fan; and you as this site’s expert on super heroes. Will we ever live it down? WH does contribute meaningfully sometimes to this site!!

   There are conflicting reports on Ladd’s height. His official US Army record puts it at 5ft 8’. If that’s true Jace is still the taller however at 5ft 10’; though I’m sure that The Meg would rather be confronted by him than Laddie!

   Talking about The Duke’s prejudices and hang-ups, one of his dislikes that was almost as strong as his annoyance with “unreal” Americans such as Cooper, was tightness with money on the part of anyone in the Wayne social company.

   For example he couldn’t stand the supporting actor Bruce Bennett[*** see also Part 2]because the latter always dodged buying his round of drinks when socializing with fellow actors like Wayne. In private life Wayne was apparently a generous man, buying presents for all his neighbors at Christmas and distributing them on Christmas Eve.
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4. February 19, 2020 at 5:32 pm

   Bob, that is interesting about Alan Ladd inspiring the comic book design for the Green Lantern, I wasn’t aware of that bit of trivia. It’s ironic that despite his lack of height Ladd was an action hero to millions around the world, and women swooned when he took his shirt off.

   My theory is that it wasn’t obvious back then how short he really was (surely taller than Pacino or Hoffman), clever camera angles, standing on boxes, lifts in his shoes etc gave the impression he could handle any situation and he rarely looked up at his opponent. Jason Statham isn’t exactly tall either, was Ladd shorter than him I wonder?

   Btw Bob, Flora, Bruce I think I’ll take a week off too next week, recharge my batteries. But there will be one more video on friday. I’ll still be popping in at the UMR.
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5. February 19, 2020 at 4:33 pm

   Interesting comprehensive and yet compact and easy-to-follow feedback from you as usual. I get the feeling that you enjoyed bringing together the Chaney material [especially the “chillers” ] every bit as much as I enjoyed viewing it. There’s something about those old posters and vintage stills/lobby cards that always grabs me.

   Thanks too for the additional information about The Duke’s spat with Kirk. I was aware of some of what was said but not it all; Kirk’s combative response has never been in any account that I have seen. Certainly he wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself. Apparently when the ‘confrontation’ took place, John was one of a group of guests at Kirk’s home around the time Lust for Life was made and Kirk gave them a private showing of the film.

   At some point The Duke got up a walked out, as I understand it, and seethed and cooled his heels in Kirk’s garden. When the movie was over Kirk Joined him and asked him what was bothering him; and that’s when the ‘fireworks’ occurred.

   Sinatra had the same attitude as Big John when people didn’t conform to what Frankie considered were social norms; and he went ballistic when his agent told him that a movie about Sinatra’s life was being considered with Elton John in the lead. “THAT little weirdo’s NOT going to play ME!” he emphatically yelled at the poor agent. Sinatra was always a “shoot the messenger” kind of guy.

   Changing the subject to another “real American” among movie stars the following is an extract from WH’s Alan Ladd page that I hadn’t picked up before to the best of my recollection though the page has been with us for some time. Were you¸ as possibly this site’s No 1 super/action hero fan, aware of the information contained therein?

   ITEM 5: TRIVIA BRUCE’s ALAN LADD PAGE
   “Alan Ladd was the visual inspiration for the original illustrations of superhero Green Lantern/Alan Scott (created in 1940). Ladd was 27 years old at the point. The Green Lantern’s full name is Alan Ladd Wellington Scott.”

   From the moment I first set eyes on Laddie I knew he wasn’t an ORDINARY screen tough guy/hero – HE would have sorted out The Meg before the first reel ended!! Anyway as I’m off on holiday for 9 days this Saturday I hope you have another video for us on Friday. Keep safe.
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