Babe Hardy in WHAT PRICE GLORY?

[MJ]

I was listening to the commentary on the DVD of ISLAND IN THE SKY a
couple of days ago. One of the speakers was talking about a road show
of WHAT PRICE GLORY that was used as a fundraiser for some war-related
program. John Ford was the director.

Some of the names made sense, but he then mentioned, "Oliver Hardy of
Laurel & Hardy." Well, I sure don't recall ever hearing or reading
about this. Anyone out there have any knowledge of that event?

-MJ

[Hal Erickson]

Post by MJ
I was listening to the commentary on the DVD of ISLAND IN THE SKY a
couple of days ago. One of the speakers was talking about a road show
of WHAT PRICE GLORY that was used as a fundraiser for some war-related
program. John Ford was the director.
Some of the names made sense, but he then mentioned, "Oliver Hardy of
Laurel & Hardy." Well, I sure don't recall ever hearing or reading
about this. Anyone out there have any knowledge of that event?
-MJ

I've read scattered reports about this charity production. It boasted an
all-star cast, mostly such Ford
regulars as John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and George O'Brien. The play is set
during WW1: Hardy played the mayor of a French village in a comic scene
revolving around the US Marines' alleged "deflowering" of a village maiden.
If Ford stuck to the original script, all of Babe's dialogue was in French!

--Hal E

[Rollo]

This lead to Babe being cast as Wayne's sidekick
in "The Fighting Kentuckian." Ford appreciated
actors associated with Old Hollywood--his films
are littered with former silent performers in small
bits--and his respect for those actors rubbed off
on Wayne.

A funny sidenote was that Hardy declined the part
because he didn't want to hurt Stan's feelings that
maybe their partnership was over. When Stan heard
about this he said "Don't be silly. Do the movie."

It goes without saying that the scenes between
Wayne & Babe are the hilights of that film.

Gary J.

[Jim R.]

Yeah, I have that one ("Fighting Kentuckian"), but haven't watched it
yet. I've read that Republic Pictures' studio head Herbert Yates's
insistence that Wayne use Yates's wife, kewpie-doll Vera Hruba, in the
movie pretty much ruined it. (What the h... did Yates see in her?!)
- Jim Roebuck

[MJ]

On Jun 23, 12:41?am, "Jim R." <***@comcast.net> wrote:
(What the h... did Yates see in her?!)

Post by Jim R.
- Jim Roebuck

Maybe she worked for free. If you can dig them up, listen to or read
Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Pat Buttram and others talk about Herb Yates.
I can readily understand the concept of "cheap," but this guy turned
it into an art form.

I have to go back and watch the Pappy Ford film version of WHAT PRICE
GLORY to see if I can spot the role Babe played in the stage version.
Or is that part not even in the film? Anyone here know? I mean, it's a
good film, so I don't mind watching it again, but I'd rather just
enjoy it, not having to watch for something so specific if it's not
there.

If you have the DVD, watch Cagney marching. He marches like a dancer.
I guess you never lose those things. I used to often see Fred Astaire
at the racetrack in the town I grew up in. He was fairly old by that
time, but his walk was just amazing. Sort of what you would expect to
see in a cartoon version of a prince or king walking. I mean, he's
just WALKING, for crying out loud, but all you can think is
"elegance."

-MJ

[Larc]

On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:06:21 -0700, MJ <***@aol.com> wrote:

| If you have the DVD, watch Cagney marching. He marches like a dancer.
| I guess you never lose those things. I used to often see Fred Astaire
| at the racetrack in the town I grew up in. He was fairly old by that
| time, but his walk was just amazing. Sort of what you would expect to
| see in a cartoon version of a prince or king walking. I mean, he's
| just WALKING, for crying out loud, but all you can think is
| "elegance."

Astaire oozed graceful elegance and made it look totally effortless.

IMHO he was seriously underrated as an actor. He turned in some remarkable
dramatic performances, especially in his later years.

Larc



§§§ - Change planet to earth to reply by email - §§§