A versatile actor equally at ease in comedy and drama, Paul Douglas's film career started at age 42 and lasted just eleven years.Although he was interested in drama in high school, his early jobs centered around sports. After attending Yale, the Philiadelphia native played professional football with his hometown's Frankford Yellow Jackets. That led to radio gigs as a sports announcer and news commentator.
He made his Broadway debut in 1935 in the short-lived Broadway play Double Dummy. Eleven years later, he was working in radio when Garson Kanin offered him the role of gruff scrap-metal tycoon Harry Brock in Born Yesterday. The play was a smash hit, running for 1642 performances over three years, and making stars of Douglas and his leading lady Judy Holliday.
His film career started in 1949 with key supporting performances in A Letter to Three Wives and It Happens Every Spring. The latter, one of my favorite Douglas films, cast him as a likable baseball catcher on the St. Louis Cardinals. Ray Milland stars as a college professor who accidentally invents a formula that repels wood--so when he rubs it on a baseball, no one can hit the ball with a wooden bat. To earn money to marry his girl, Milland joins the Cardinals as a pitcher (it's interesting to note that he cheats by using his formula on some pitches). When Douglas spots the formula in Milland's locker one day, the pitcher tells him it's hair tonic. That sets up one of the funniest scenes in this engaging film--and shows off Douglas's marvelous skills as comedian.Lead roles and key supporting ones quickly followed: he was a soft-hearted gangster in Love That Brute (1950); a police captain who works with Richard Widmark to prevent an epidemic in Panic in the Streets (1950); a fisherman involved with Barbara Stanwyck in Clash by Night (1952); and a businessman being blackmailed amid the corporate politics of Executive Suite (1954).
He plays a corporate executive again in my favorite Douglas film: The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956). Paired again with Judy Holliday, Douglas plays a well-meaning CEO who doesn't realize that his board of directors is fleecing the company's stockholders. He and Holliday form one of the great screen couples. It's a shame he didn't reprise his Born Yesterday role opposite her. Allegedly, Douglas declined the part (eventually played by Broderick Crawford) because it was reduced for the film version.When Paul Douglas died of a heart attack at 52, he was being considered for the Fred MacMurray role in The Apartment (1960). He had just appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Mighty Casey." When the episode was completed, Rod Serling noted that Douglas didn't look well. A few days later, Douglas died. Serling used his own money to reshoot the show with Jack Warden in the Douglas role.
Paul Douglas was married five times. He walked down the aisle with actress Jan Sterling in 1950; they were married at the time of his death.
I really enjoyed this wonderful tribute to Paul Douglas. My two favorite of his films include his business executive performances in "Executive Suite" and "Solid Gold Cadillac." They are very different films and showcase his diversity as an actor. My favorite scene may be from the latter where Judy is testifying about the government issued nightgown in her hotel room, only to realize it was purchased by the smitten Douglas. I thought they had a remarkable chemistry together. I, too, would have loved to have seen Paul in "Born Yesterday." I didn't realize he died so young. He had a gift for displaying strength and gentleness, often in the same scene. Thank you for profiling this remarkable actor, Rick. I truly enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteOne of my personal favorites with Paul Douglas is "The Maggie". Paul Douglas is a harried and hurried businessman trying to get expensive household goods to his private island off the coast of Scotland. He is suckered into using a decrepit vessel by the skipper who is desperate for a cargo. The voyage is drawn out with many stops and he meets many different people. The scottish dialogue was sometimes rather hard to follow so I kept the subtitles on. If you like the British comdies of the 50's you will like this. It's available in the Ealing comedy DVD packages. I rented it from Netflix.
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Rick, what a good choice , I've been a Paul Douglas fan since I was a kid. Some of my favorites are THE BIG LIFT, with Monty Cliff, ANGELES IN THE OUTFIELD, with a young Janet Leigh,Panic In The Streets , Letter To Three Wives and The Solid Gold Cadillac.
ReplyDeletepanavia999, I feel bad for not mentioning THE MAGGIE. I love the scene where he talks with the young Scottish woman with the two suitors. It's both charming and ultimately poignant.
ReplyDeleteOops, I pressed "post" too quick. Toto, another great scene in the steller SOLID GOLD CADILLAC is his performance of "Spartacus." Paul, I have never seen THE BIG LIFT. I'll be on the lookout for it.
ReplyDeletetoto2, I agree with you about Executive Suite. His scene with Shelly Winters in the car when she dumps him is quite poignant. I believe this film is unappreciated; the cast and acting are top notch and although it might be considered a wee bit histrionic, the situation portrayed stil goes on today in the boardrooms of major corporations around the world.
ReplyDeleteSaz, I love EXECUTIVE SUITE (in fact, I've written a review of it to post sometime in the future). It makes a great double-feature with PATTERNS. I've discussed both films with co-workers in my office.
ReplyDeleteSolid Gold Cadillac: I recorded this movie last week just to see the "Spartacus" recitation again. Very funny! I also recorded Executive Suite some time ago, but wasn't in the mood for a boardroom drama yet. I shall watch it soon, you folks have convinced me.
ReplyDeleteRick, My favorite Paul Douglas performance is in the film, Clash by Night(1952) with Barbara Stanwyck, Marilyn Monroe and Robert Ryan. He plays the part of a good-natured fisherman, with his own boat. I loved the ending..
ReplyDeleteRick, I know you don't have Fox Movie Channel, but The BIG Lift is running on March, 14th at 4.00Am Pacific.
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