Today marks the 104th birthday of the suave, debonair, Austrian-born Paul Henreid (January 10, 1908-March 29, 1992)
While Paul Henreid is not one of my top 20 favorite actors, I definitely do like him. That European accent of his is totally delightful! What makes him stand out among all other actors (except for Claude Rains), is the fact that he stars in my two all-time favorite movies---Now, Voyager and Casablanca.
Now, Voyager (reviewed HERE), in which Henreid stars with Bette Davis, is my absolute favorite movie of all-time. I totally love that movie and try to watch it two or three times a year. In that film, he has this delightful habit of putting two cigarettes in his mouth, lighting them both, then handing one to Bette's character. While not a smoker, I find that action totally romantic. I learned that doing that was a longtime habit Mr. Henreid and his wife, Lisl, had, and although it wasn't part of the script, he just naturally did it. (Link to a YouTube video of a Now, Voyager scene where he does that...HERE)
Casablanca, in which Henreid is the supporting player to Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is my #2 movie of all-time. Interestingly, I saw that movie way back when I was about 19 years old...and I absolutely hated it. (Not sure how I saw it since my family didn't have cable or a VHS player back in 1980.) However, when I watched the film as a more mature adult, I totally fell in love with it.
So, on this his 104th birthday, here's to you, Paul Henreid! You are the common thread in my two most beloved movies! (Claude Rains is a common thread as well, but it's not his birthday.) Thanks for beautifying my life by being part of those two great films!!
Can you believe I have never seen Casablanca? Is that awful? I really should watch it one of these days and I love Humphrey Bogart so there's really no excuse as to why I've never seen it!
ReplyDeleteI watched The Fountainhead on the Free Zone in our OnDemand, I've seen it several times before but without knowing the history of Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal. Robert Osbourne did one of his little blurbs beforehand about how badly Barbara Stanwyck wanted this role and that she was furious when it wasn't given to her. She ripped up her contract and left the studio! But Robert said had Barbara got the role it would've changed the entire course of Patricia Neals life because it was during the filming that she and Gary fell in love. I thought wow, how true is that! He also said that the break up Gary and Patricia was because Gary's wife was a very prominent socialite in the Hollywood circle and after the affair came known, Patricia was "persona non grata" in Hollywood. She was forced out! Interesting stuff!
Victoria, as one who believes wholeheartedy that adultery is wrong, I always hate discovering just how philandering these Hollywood men were. I have long known about Coop and Patricia Neal, and it's for that reason that I have never seen "The Fountainhead.
ReplyDeleteAs we have discussed, I have learned not to dig too deeply into my loves' lives, lest I find out things I would prefer not to know...I'd rather think of them as honorable men who didn't cheat on their wives. (And, it would appear, Robert Ryan IS one of those kinds of men...I've never seen one item to the contrary.)
Oh, and you simply MUST see "Casablanca." I know a few people who think it's over-rated, but most people really love it. I think it is one of Humphrey Bogart's finest hours. The whole cast is terrific...and there are SO many memorable quotes from that film.
When I first saw it (way back at age 19), not only did I hate the whole movie, but I hated the ending. Now, I LOVE the ending...and I think it's the right ending.
I know you prefer not to know and I love finding out all this stuff lol:)
ReplyDeleteI will definitely catch Casablanca next time it's on TCM. I know it's a very famous movie and I'm ashamed I've never seen it!
Whoever thought 2 cigarettes being lighted at once could be soooo romantic ? ME, that's who!!! The first time I saw Paul H. do that, I sighed in spite of the fact that I detest cigarette smoke and what they do to your body and health. Then I melted when he handed one to Bette...be still my heart, they puffed and their exhaled smoke intermingled...WOWEE !
ReplyDeleteHe was a wonderful actor and deserves applause for his many fine performances and that accent...love it...Conrad V. is another accent I adore to hear, another fine actor ( boy, could he play a mean heavy ) ...thank goodness for film and film preservation of these fabulous classic movies we enjoy so much!!!
Nonna, I know, isn't it funny that even though we don't like smoking, we think that is romantic...sexy even.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that generation of people didn't know the harmful effects of cigarettes, did they? All 4 of my grandparents smoked for years, and 1 of them never quit. They were totally products of that era. I never saw either of my grandfathers light 2 cigarettes and give one to my grandmother, though!!
I don't know Conrad Veidt all that well, but I do think Rosanno Brazzi is another one with a delightful accent. Those European men were quite dashing, weren't they?
Thanks for the comments about Paul Henreid. I don't know why he's so underrated as an actor and a director. A very admirable person offscreen as well-he was happily married to the same woman for over 50 years. And I love his voice!
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