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Sunday, February 21, 2010
Underrated Performer of The Week: Felix Bressart
This role won Felix a contract with MGM and he was on his way.
In 1940, he did seven pictures including Edison, the Man with Spencer Tracy and two of my all time favorite films. The first was King Vidor's Comrade X with Clark Gable and Hedy Lamar where he plays Vanya, Hedy's father. Felix steals just about every scene he's in, as shown in this small clip with Clark.
Felix worked with Lubitsch for the second time in what is his best known role, as Pirovitch in The Shop Around The Corner. It's favorite number two.
1941 found Felix in four films, the best ones being Ziegfeld Girl and Blossoms in the Dust. The following year, he made Mr. and Mrs. North, Crossroads, Iceland, and his third film with Lubitsch, To Be Or Not To Be with Jack Benny & Carole Lombard. He plays Greenberg, and his Shylock's "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech from The Merchant of Venice is one of the film's high points.
He worked with Spencer Tracy again in 1944's The Seventh Cross and also did The Song of Russia, Blonde Fever, and Greenwich Village.
In RKO's 1945 B musical Ding Dong Williams, Felix had third billing as Hugo Meyerheld, the head of a movie studio's music department (this is one of Felix's films that I have not seen yet). He gets to conduct Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu."
In 1948, Felix played Pete in Portrait of Jennie and Prof. Gerkikoff in Howard Hawks' musical remake of Ball of Fire: A Song Is Born with Danny Kaye and Virgina Mayo.
While working on 1949's My Friend Irma, Felix died suddenly on March 17th of leukemia. He was 57. His part of Professor Kropotkin was recast with Hans Conried The producers had Hans speak throughout the film, but Felix is seen in all the long shots.
Paul, I had no idea Felix was in so many fine movies! I remember him best from THE SHOP AROUND CORNER. But as I read your entertaining post, I also remembered him from TO BE OR NOT TO BE and A SONG IS BORN. The clips were a lot of fun, too.
Rick , Kim, and Dawn Glad you all enjoyed the clips. I really wanted to find the 'Hath Jews no Eyes " from To Be Or Not to Be , but no luck. Rick , Kim & Dawn Comrade X is my favorite King Vidor film (and that's saying something) Felix is the glue that holds the film together. His "takes"are priceless,and King gives him many of the best lines, Including the classic last line just before the fade out.
Good pick, Paul. Felix Bressart has to be one of the most unique and endearing character actors of them all. Since "Shop" is one of my favorites, I guess it's my favorite of his (though there isn't a film I've seen of his that he didn't stand out). Thanks for a great piece.
Thanks Eve, If I had to pick in order I'd have to go with Comrade X, To Be Or Not To Be, Shop. Ninotchka,and The Seventh Cross. Just watching Felix with Spencer in that film is a master class in what acting is all about. I hope people that have not seen is films will now want to check them out. What a major treat they have in store for them
Paul, I really appreciated you posting the film clips. I am delighted to be reminded of the work of Felix Bressart. He was a great choice for Underrated Performer of the Week. Well done!
Toto, Thank you and it was a pleasure. I find it hard to put into words all that Felix can do with his face and body and a picture is worth a thousand words . And Felix is a master of underplay. Just watch him and Sig Rumann(another great)in Niontchka, or with Clark, Sig and Heddy in Comrade X. And Yes I'm on a mission to get all the cafe patrons to see Comrade X at least once.
I just bought The Shop Around the Corner and the cashier told me she just watched it after DVRing it. It made me feel kind of special because everytime I buy older movies from that place the cashiers always give me a blank stare when they ring it up. Such a wonderful movie with great chemistry between the leads and an awesome supporting cast.
Paul, I had no idea Felix was in so many fine movies! I remember him best from THE SHOP AROUND CORNER. But as I read your entertaining post, I also remembered him from TO BE OR NOT TO BE and A SONG IS BORN. The clips were a lot of fun, too.
ReplyDeletePaul, what a great pick for underrated performer. Loved Felix in Ninotchka and To Be or Not To Be. Loved the clips.
ReplyDeletePaul, loved the clips. I really want to see Howard Hawk's musical remake of Ball of Fire.
ReplyDeleteRick , Kim, and Dawn Glad you all enjoyed the clips. I really wanted to find the 'Hath Jews no Eyes " from To Be Or Not to Be , but no luck. Rick , Kim & Dawn Comrade X is my favorite King Vidor film (and that's saying something) Felix is the glue that holds the film together. His "takes"are priceless,and King gives him many of the best lines, Including the classic last line just before the fade out.
ReplyDeleteGood pick, Paul. Felix Bressart has to be one of the most unique and endearing character actors of them all. Since "Shop" is one of my favorites, I guess it's my favorite of his (though there isn't a film I've seen of his that he didn't stand out). Thanks for a great piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eve, If I had to pick in order I'd have to go with Comrade X, To Be Or Not To Be, Shop. Ninotchka,and The Seventh Cross. Just watching Felix with Spencer in that film is a master class in what acting is all about. I hope people that have not seen is films will now want to check them out. What a major treat they have in store for them
ReplyDeletePaul, I really appreciated you posting the film clips. I am delighted to be reminded of the work of Felix Bressart. He was a great choice for Underrated Performer of the Week. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteToto, Thank you and it was a pleasure. I find it hard to put into words all that Felix can do with his face and body and a picture is worth a thousand words . And Felix is a master of underplay. Just watch him and Sig Rumann(another great)in Niontchka, or with Clark, Sig and Heddy in Comrade X. And Yes I'm on a mission to get all the cafe patrons to see Comrade X at least once.
ReplyDeleteI just bought The Shop Around the Corner and the cashier told me she just watched it after DVRing it. It made me feel kind of special because everytime I buy older movies from that place the cashiers always give me a blank stare when they ring it up. Such a wonderful movie with great chemistry between the leads and an awesome supporting cast.
ReplyDeleteKayla, It' a wonderful film. You should check out Comrade X, and To Be Or Not To Be, both are well worth your time.
ReplyDelete