Good Work, Often Unrewarded
1. He played Dracula twice, was in movies with Ginger Rogers, Brigitte Helm, and Louise Brooks, taught acting for years, and never became a star.
2. She was a lovely actress who co-starred with such luminaries as Will Rogers and Bela Lugosi. ÊA big role in a Lowe/McLaglen caper didn't help, although she was quite good. ÊHer slight resemblance to Kay Francis probably didn't help her career, which ended too soon.
3. A versatile actress, she often appeared as maids, but could play anything well. ÊShe was in hundreds of films, although she's probably best remembered as The Penguin in The Blues Brothers (1980).
4. This handsome star lost a chance at stardom at Universal because of his drinking. ÊHe was good enough to have a long career anyway, although he might still be best remembered for his loony performance in House of Dracula (1945).
5. He was a top Broadway star, but got typecast as fast-talking reporters in the movies. ÊHe might be best remembered for his Oscar nomination in a Gore Vidal picture, but many still tell the legend about his lack of discretion on the set of Viva Villa (1934).
6. A star comedian in his own right during the 1920s, this actor was a great second banana, even though he was almost always ignored for his work. ÊHe appeared with The Three Stooges, WC Fields, Buster Keaton, Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball, Olesen & Johnson, Bob Hope, El Brendel, and Charley Chase.
7. One of the greatest supporting players of all time, this actor was also a capable leading man when given the chance. ÊOne of his few leading roles was in a film written and directed by the team of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. ÊHis voice alone was enough to carry another lead role.
8. Kittenish and cute, she came to the US from France with much hoopla, only to return a couple of years later. ÊWhen WWII started, she came back to the US, where she never regained stardom, unless you count a couple of unforgettable Val Lewton B pictures.
9. A solid if stoic actor, he was in movies for years before he caught on in a couple of Universal science fiction films from the 50s. ÊStill, he may be best remembered today (at least by boomers) for his appearances in educational TV films made by Frank Capra.
10. This German actor appeared in about 230 films. ÊHe was so gifted that that he was always in demand for character work, even though many of his roles were uncredited. ÊHe may be best remembered today for a large supporting role in King Kong (1933).
Hall of Fame:
John Ritzert (early color processes)
Jenny Paxson (film preservationists)
John Ritzert (famous filmic seconds)
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