Born with the name William Franklin Beadle, Jr., the incredibly talented, fabulously good-looking Mr. Holden is one of my two all-time favorite actors. I completely adore this man!! He has occupied #1 status for about three years now (though he shares that status with Robert Ryan). I have Audrey Hepburn to thank for bringing him into my life, as my introduction to classic movies began with Roman Holiday. As I sought out more of Miss Hepburn's works, naturally, I discovered Sabrina...which led to my discovery of the gorgeous Mr. Holden. Completely taken with the incredible smile he flashed several times in that film, I simply had to see more of his works, and as I did, I grew more and more impressed. He was terrific in nearly every role he took on; I found that he especially excelled when portraying a cynical, angry, troubled, or difficult to get along with man.
Despite how great he was in complex dramatic roles, Mr. Holden also was more than capable in comedic roles. While I don't generally lean to comedy, I do enjoy several of Holden's comedy films, and the episode of I Love Lucy in which he guest stars is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I have watched it numerous times and never tire of it.
My absolute favorite of Mr. Holden's films also happens to be one of my top 5 favorite movies period---Sunset Boulevard. Nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for his work in Sunset Boulevard, this incredibly talented actor gave perhaps the best performance of his career in that film. Now to be honest, I think he gave terrific performances in nearly all of his roles---including Stalag 17, the film for which he did receive his Oscar---however, I really believe Sunset Boulevard was the performance of his career and that he ought to have won that year. That film, which comes in at #4 on my all-time favorite movie list, is reviewed HERE.
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Rounding out my list of five favorite William Holden films are:
2. Stalag 17 (Mr. Holden's Academy Award winning role---reviewed HERE)
3. Sabrina (with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn---reviewed HERE)
4. Bridges at Toko-Ri (with Grace Kelly and Fredric March---reviewed HERE)
5. Born Yesterday (with Judy Holliday and Broderick Crawford---reviewed HERE)
Incidentally, all five of these are 5-star films for me. I have a couple other 5-star Holden films, so I had to think long and hard before deciding which ones to include here and which ones to put a bit further down the list.
So, Mr. William Holden, here's to you on your 94th birthday. You were a truly brilliant actor, and I completely adore you. You will always be one of my #1 guys. Thanks for bringing so much viewing pleasure to my life with all your wonderful films.
Despite how great he was in complex dramatic roles, Mr. Holden also was more than capable in comedic roles. While I don't generally lean to comedy, I do enjoy several of Holden's comedy films, and the episode of I Love Lucy in which he guest stars is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I have watched it numerous times and never tire of it.
My absolute favorite of Mr. Holden's films also happens to be one of my top 5 favorite movies period---Sunset Boulevard. Nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for his work in Sunset Boulevard, this incredibly talented actor gave perhaps the best performance of his career in that film. Now to be honest, I think he gave terrific performances in nearly all of his roles---including Stalag 17, the film for which he did receive his Oscar---however, I really believe Sunset Boulevard was the performance of his career and that he ought to have won that year. That film, which comes in at #4 on my all-time favorite movie list, is reviewed HERE.
_10.jpg)
Rounding out my list of five favorite William Holden films are:
2. Stalag 17 (Mr. Holden's Academy Award winning role---reviewed HERE)
3. Sabrina (with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn---reviewed HERE)
4. Bridges at Toko-Ri (with Grace Kelly and Fredric March---reviewed HERE)
5. Born Yesterday (with Judy Holliday and Broderick Crawford---reviewed HERE)
Incidentally, all five of these are 5-star films for me. I have a couple other 5-star Holden films, so I had to think long and hard before deciding which ones to include here and which ones to put a bit further down the list.
So, Mr. William Holden, here's to you on your 94th birthday. You were a truly brilliant actor, and I completely adore you. You will always be one of my #1 guys. Thanks for bringing so much viewing pleasure to my life with all your wonderful films.
I agree with you Patti! Love those rugged looks that seem to be missing in the stars of today. Or, maybe I am just showing my age! LOL! I will have to hunt down Stalag 17 - haven't seen it since I was a kid. Have a great day, Dee
ReplyDeleteDee, how funny that you saw Stalag 17 when you were a kid. I can assure you, I was such a peer-and-pop-driven kid/teen that I would NEVER have watched an old movie!! I would have thought they were too old-fashioned and antiquated to waste my time on them. What an idiot I was!! I'm glad to know you were smarter than I!!
Deletepart of my recuperation was to watch "mildred pierce" yesterday. loved it.
ReplyDeletebest,
bonnie
Bonnie, hope you are recuperating nicely!! Was it your first viewing of "Mildred Pierce?" That is my favorite Joan movie...and I know I'm overdue for a re-watch.
DeleteHappy birthday, William Holden!!
ReplyDeleteYou put an awesome list together...what a birthday gift to him. Thanks so much for sending it to me!!
DeleteHappy Birthday to your #1 guy.
ReplyDeleteI really must make an effort to catch up with some more of his work, although I've seen enough already to agree with your previous commentator.
The leading men of today look like teenage boys when compared to William and others of his ilk!
George Clooney is a possible exception to your statement...though he doesn't totally do it for me. My daughter thinks I am insane to find Robert Ryan, John Garfield, Gary Cooper, and George Raft more attractive than George Clooney, but, hey, I can't help it. That's just how I see things!!
DeleteHappy Birthday Bill Holden! I just saw the I Love Lucy episode with him for the first time and loved it! I'm taping a few of the movies TCM is showing for his birthday. Sabrina and The Moon is Blue are two of my favorites for sure!
ReplyDeleteKristen, I'm so glad you got a chance to see that I Love Lucy episode. It really is loads of fun!! And Mr. Holden was beyond gorgeous at that point in his career!!! I'm quite sure I would have behaved much like Lucy did if I had run into him at a restaurant.
DeletePatti, when I was a kid a local TV station ran old movies on Saturday afternoons. If I couldn't be outside playing for some reason, I was watching movie classics without even knowing it! Since we only had 2 channels it was an easy choice LOL! Dee
ReplyDeleteWell, Dee, however, it happened, I think it's wonderful that you were exposed to all these great classic films when you were a kid!!
Deleteoh baby.. what a MAN.. They sure DONT make them like him anymore. Love reading your post and seeing the photos.
ReplyDeletePS.. if you've never seen Back Street with Susan Hayward- watch it with a 2 pack of kleenex tissues.. its amazing:)
ReplyDeleteSonny, yes, I HAVE seen Back Street. I adore Susan Hayward...she's my #2 gal, so I'm always on the lookout for "new to me" films of hers. I caught that one several months ago when TCM aired it...it is definitely a sobber. I want to see the Charles Boyer/Margaret Sullavan version of the film now.
DeleteMy favorite "Back Street" is the 1940`s film featuring Margaret Sullavan, Charles Boyer and one of my special favorite classic movie guys-Richard Carlson.
ReplyDeleteLorraine