All Else Confusion

Dana Andrews was born January 1, 1909. He was an accountant with the Gulf Oil Company before making his debut at the Pasedena Playhouse in 1935 and signing a contract with Samuel Goldwyn abd 20th Century Fox. He was a popular leading mann of the 1940's, propelled to stardom in part because of a shortage of leading men in Hollywood during World War II. His laconic, matter of fact style was perfectly suited for his most famous role as Homicide Detective Mark McPherson obsessed with a murder victim in Laura.

Andrews suffered from alcholism and became the spokesman for the National Council on Alcholism once his own battle with alchol was under control. He also served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1963-1965.

Check out: The Best Years of Our Lives 8:00 PM Winner - Best Picture of 1947
Three men returning from World War II struggle to get readjusted to civilian life. Al Stephenson comes home to a family that has grown up while he was away. Fred Derry faces a job shortage and war bride he barely knows. Wounded, Homer Parrish has a harder time facing the pity and helpfulness of others than adjusting to physical challenges. This film deals perceptively and sensitively with the issues facing soliders and their families as they return home from war and remains just as pertinent today as in 1947. Also starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March (winner - Best Actor), Teresa Wright, Viginia Mayo and Hoagy Carmichael.

Look for an especially outstanding performance by Harold Russell who earned the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Homer Parrish, the wounded sailor, and a special Oscar "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans." Russell lost both his hands in an accident while working on an army film in 1944. William Wyler, director of The Best Years of Our Lives, saw him in an army training film and asked him to play the part of Homer, changed from a spastic to amputee, in the movie. Wyler encourgaged Russell to finish college after making the movie, noting that there are not many parts for someone without hands. Russell followed that advice, earning a business degree from Boston University and becoming a successful businessman as well as advocate for the handicapped. He lived in Massachusetts until his death in 2002. Russell is the only actor ever to win two Oscars for the same role.

Labels: movies