And, he's hilarious in ARSENIC & OLD LACE. What a comedic tour d'force. You probably know that he was into LSD, and I wonder how that affected his acting. And, he's so handsome, charismatic, and debonair.
It's hard to narrow his best performances down to a small list, because there are many. For me, his best one was Roger O. Thornhill in "North By Northwest".
I recently read an anecdote about NORTH BY NORTHWEST, that Grand constantly harassed Hitchcock about not knowing what was going on in the script and in the film as they worked. Hitch replied with some version of, "That's perfect, neither does your character."
The Philadelphia Story is one of my fave movies. Who doesn't watch Cary Grant and fall in love, ya know? As you point out, he was stellar at being both suave and grounded within his performances when they called for it. I'll watch anything with him in it, dude was operating in an orbit all his own.
In application, they’re quite different. But do fall into the “angels yearn to be human” box that has been quite popular for as long as humans have been trying to convince themselves they have something special here.
His physical comedy skills in Arsenic and Old Lace are a deadly trap for any actor taking on the role who wants to make a mark as something more than a master mimic
Like both your choices. Let’s not forget to give the man credit for his comedy skills. His work in Bringing Up Baby is a prime example of first rate physical comedy.
Few actors moved so easily between comedy and drama with his mastery of both. Jack Lemmon comes to mind. Another brilliant comic performance that plays off his persona by completely flipping it is "Father Goose." He wanted Hepburn for his leading lady but she was unavailable, and as much as I adore their 4 performances together, Leslie Caron knocks it out of the park and elevates his frustration with her unflappable European cool.
I absolutely loved him in The Bishop's Wife, but I also think he was fabulous in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, as well. Truthfully, I enjoyed pretty much most of his performances.
He never really phoned in a performance, I think. Some were more interesting than others, but I always attribute that to the part and, more specifically, the director. Like Harrison Ford, he was a movie star most of the time. But when he had somebody to work with, who understood his talents and persona, the results were always extraordinary.
Very true. It's hard not to be drawn in by his charm and charisma no matter the role. He could also be playful and sort of goofy that was endearing, too.
Mr Lucky (with Lorraine Day), where Grant plays a gambler/con man, was the first CG film I ever saw. It holds a soft spot in my heart, maybe not the top tier of his films, but it was sure fun to watch. I love Bringing Up Baby a lot, too, and His Girl Friday (which might be his best role and most enjoyable film, for me); I saw restored print at UCLA (or maybe the Egyptian) and was startled at how much I missed watching it on TV so many times.
I think my first Grant film was KISS THEM FOR ME, or at least was close to it. I was a teenager, and I still remember him professing his love - "I love you in every way, the sacred and the profane." Such a great line. I'm partial to NOTORIOUS, though.
It’s my favorite too! And again he’s so nuanced in it, because he’s actually a bit of a bastard but on the side of righteousness and he SO doesn’t want to be in love with Ingrid Bergman but he can’t help himself
The one thing I picked up from Kiss Them For Me was the cocktail he orders, The Stinger. I had never heard of it, when I was old enough to order drinks at an upscale bar, I asked to for it one time. It became my go-to drink for while, but is notoriously hard to make because most bars don’t have all the ingredients. Tastes like a candy cane.
I wonder if it was just a product of the period or Grant's drink of preference, but the Stinger makes an appearance in THE BISHOP'S WIFE, too, in a key sequence.
OH I just saw your comment after leaving mine! Same exact experience, I fell in love with him here (and the gorgeous Day). And I do think it's under-rated, he does great work here modulating the "boss gambler" with the guy wrestling with his conscience.
"Guy wrestling with his conscience" was a super-power of Grant's as an actor. Most of his best performances involve him being violently torn about what to do, such as NOTORIOUS or THE BISHOP'S WIFE.
As much as I enjoy these two particular performances by Cary Grant, there are at least three more that I absolutely adore him for; My Favorite Wife, Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Honestly I don't believe I've ever seen a movie with Cary Grant that I haven't liked, he just knew how to deliver a performance ❤️
As I mentioned at the end of the article, I don't necessarily call these my favorite Cary Grant films. The three you've just listed are WONDERFUL, though I might be the only person in the world that doesn't rank ARSENIC AND OLD LACE in his Top 10. A film of his people never talk about, but is a later-career gem is INDISCREET where he reunites with Ingrid Bergman - have you seen?
I understand that the two you used as exples of his acting skills are not necessarily your favorites, just wanted to throw mine out there. Hard to believe he never received an Oscar during his acting years.
Yes, and not even nominated for what I think are especially exceptional performances. So strange. But he did get an honorary Oscar, which I've started to think of as sad consolation prizes.
And, he's hilarious in ARSENIC & OLD LACE. What a comedic tour d'force. You probably know that he was into LSD, and I wonder how that affected his acting. And, he's so handsome, charismatic, and debonair.
It's the craziest detail about him that I've ever heard, yes.
It's hard to narrow his best performances down to a small list, because there are many. For me, his best one was Roger O. Thornhill in "North By Northwest".
I recently read an anecdote about NORTH BY NORTHWEST, that Grand constantly harassed Hitchcock about not knowing what was going on in the script and in the film as they worked. Hitch replied with some version of, "That's perfect, neither does your character."
The Philadelphia Story is one of my fave movies. Who doesn't watch Cary Grant and fall in love, ya know? As you point out, he was stellar at being both suave and grounded within his performances when they called for it. I'll watch anything with him in it, dude was operating in an orbit all his own.
Bringing Up Baby is another great one.
I do love the film, but I don't know if it sells the emotional range the same way as the others for me. But art is very subjective of course!
Pfft. Holiday is another good one. Holds up remarkably well.
Huh. Was City of Angels a soft remake of The Bishops Wife? Not super dissimilar ideas
In application, they’re quite different. But do fall into the “angels yearn to be human” box that has been quite popular for as long as humans have been trying to convince themselves they have something special here.
Thanks!
His physical comedy skills in Arsenic and Old Lace are a deadly trap for any actor taking on the role who wants to make a mark as something more than a master mimic
Agreed.
Like both your choices. Let’s not forget to give the man credit for his comedy skills. His work in Bringing Up Baby is a prime example of first rate physical comedy.
He was a brilliant physical comedian, yes, but I much prefer his more serious, weighty roles because of the complexity he brought to them.
Few actors moved so easily between comedy and drama with his mastery of both. Jack Lemmon comes to mind. Another brilliant comic performance that plays off his persona by completely flipping it is "Father Goose." He wanted Hepburn for his leading lady but she was unavailable, and as much as I adore their 4 performances together, Leslie Caron knocks it out of the park and elevates his frustration with her unflappable European cool.
Agreed!
I absolutely loved him in The Bishop's Wife, but I also think he was fabulous in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, as well. Truthfully, I enjoyed pretty much most of his performances.
He never really phoned in a performance, I think. Some were more interesting than others, but I always attribute that to the part and, more specifically, the director. Like Harrison Ford, he was a movie star most of the time. But when he had somebody to work with, who understood his talents and persona, the results were always extraordinary.
Very true. It's hard not to be drawn in by his charm and charisma no matter the role. He could also be playful and sort of goofy that was endearing, too.
Mr Lucky (with Lorraine Day), where Grant plays a gambler/con man, was the first CG film I ever saw. It holds a soft spot in my heart, maybe not the top tier of his films, but it was sure fun to watch. I love Bringing Up Baby a lot, too, and His Girl Friday (which might be his best role and most enjoyable film, for me); I saw restored print at UCLA (or maybe the Egyptian) and was startled at how much I missed watching it on TV so many times.
I think my first Grant film was KISS THEM FOR ME, or at least was close to it. I was a teenager, and I still remember him professing his love - "I love you in every way, the sacred and the profane." Such a great line. I'm partial to NOTORIOUS, though.
Notorious is my favorite Hitchcock!
🚨Spoiler....🚨
That scene at the end when he locks Claude Raines out of the car! The look on Raines face is priceless.
It’s my favorite too! And again he’s so nuanced in it, because he’s actually a bit of a bastard but on the side of righteousness and he SO doesn’t want to be in love with Ingrid Bergman but he can’t help himself
The one thing I picked up from Kiss Them For Me was the cocktail he orders, The Stinger. I had never heard of it, when I was old enough to order drinks at an upscale bar, I asked to for it one time. It became my go-to drink for while, but is notoriously hard to make because most bars don’t have all the ingredients. Tastes like a candy cane.
I wonder if it was just a product of the period or Grant's drink of preference, but the Stinger makes an appearance in THE BISHOP'S WIFE, too, in a key sequence.
OH I just saw your comment after leaving mine! Same exact experience, I fell in love with him here (and the gorgeous Day). And I do think it's under-rated, he does great work here modulating the "boss gambler" with the guy wrestling with his conscience.
"Guy wrestling with his conscience" was a super-power of Grant's as an actor. Most of his best performances involve him being violently torn about what to do, such as NOTORIOUS or THE BISHOP'S WIFE.
Ha ha - that’s too rich, Ken! I know very few people who’ve seen Mr Lucky.
Did you ever catch up with "Mr. Lucky"?
I haven't, and now you and Chris Derrick are making me realize I need to fix that ASAP!
As much as I enjoy these two particular performances by Cary Grant, there are at least three more that I absolutely adore him for; My Favorite Wife, Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Honestly I don't believe I've ever seen a movie with Cary Grant that I haven't liked, he just knew how to deliver a performance ❤️
As I mentioned at the end of the article, I don't necessarily call these my favorite Cary Grant films. The three you've just listed are WONDERFUL, though I might be the only person in the world that doesn't rank ARSENIC AND OLD LACE in his Top 10. A film of his people never talk about, but is a later-career gem is INDISCREET where he reunites with Ingrid Bergman - have you seen?
I understand that the two you used as exples of his acting skills are not necessarily your favorites, just wanted to throw mine out there. Hard to believe he never received an Oscar during his acting years.
Yes, and not even nominated for what I think are especially exceptional performances. So strange. But he did get an honorary Oscar, which I've started to think of as sad consolation prizes.
Indeed!
I'm only describing the merit of his performances, not which film is the greatest or most enjoyable or even my favorite!
Love this description: "Pocket protector by day, Substack by day and night."