Preston Foster : Any fans?

I'm kind of astonished to notice that there seems to be so few fans of Mr. Foster, since he's seldom mentioned on any thread on classic movies. I, for one, always found him to be extremely handsome, sexy and talented. He's always good in anything he took part in, and his performances are always natural, without the affectation of many of his contemporaries that were bigger stars and even nowadays are better remembered. He beats many of them on the looks department, as well, therefore it's such a mystery for me the reason why he's nearly forgotten these days.

Since I first saw him -I think it was in a supporting role in "I'm A Fugitive from A Chain Gang" (1932)- I couldn't help wondering who was that handsome, super-masculine man. Then came "Doctor X", "The Informer", "The Last Days of Pompeii", "Love Before Breakfast", "Thunder Birds", a couple of "Flicka" movies and "The Harvey Girls", and maybe a couple more. My admiration just grew bigger, and I started wondering why isn't he better known. Still do the same today.

According to IMDb, his best known work was on TV, but since I'm not from the US, I hardly can comment on this. However, at least for me, his movie career alone makes him deserving of a more prominent place in motion picture history. I'm aware he was only in a couple of true classics, and that he played suporting roles in those. However, when he was given the chance to star -"The Last Days of Pompeii", "Thunder Birds", etc.-, he certainly did not disappoint. I think he should have been a huge star, since it was more than obvious he had all the qualities required, and then some.

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Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

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Saw him in "The Hunted" tonight. He did a great job, as did his co-star Belita. Great film noir couple.

I've always been aware of him-- he definitely shines in so many routine studio programmers from the 1930s and 1940s. Even his later work, where he is playing supporting roles, is still good. I don't think he ever gave a substandard performance. I came to the IMDB today to read up on him after being particularly impressed by his acting in RKO's crime drama WE'RE ONLY HUMAN (costarring 1908 Jane Wyatt). It aired on Turner Classic Movies earlier this morning. According to biographical information here, he was a musician and theater director as well as film actor. It doesn't surprise me he was so multi-talented.

I think the reason people do not remember him today is because he blends in so well with other actors, even when he is playing the lead. But he certainly deserves a career retrospective of some kind, somewhere.

Thanks a lot for your kind comment on Mr. Foster! He does deserve to be better remembered, and it makes me so glad to realize that there are other fans of his out there!

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Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

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Enjoying him now in a Carole Lombard/Ceaser Romero vehicle.
And, he's doing a good job.
LL

I just learned of him via a Facebook mention in the pre-code Hollywood group.


LL

How nice! Hope you can watch some of his work soon. A terrific, very good looking actor he was. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

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I've seen Mr. Foster a lot more since my last comment (not coincidentally around the time I got TCM) and he is now one of my favorites. He was so natural, the kind of actor you feel could pull off pretty much any role, and he elevates anything he's in.

Has anyone noticed how much young Norm MacDonald looks like him? Very similar features.

So glad that you like him and enjoy his work now! He's certainly one of the unsung actors of the classic era that deserves much more recognition.

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Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

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