Arthur Kennedy : He's a favorite of those who love real acting

He's a favorite of those who love real acting

And not unappreciated at all by us. I am MORE sorry for anyone who doesn't know who he is... YET.

Rest in Peace, 1914-January 5, 1990. Missed.

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

It's not surprising that he was called the "actor's actor." Everytime I see one of his movies, I find myself more and more impressed by Arthur Kennedy. He was so natural, yet so convincing in every role.

My favorite role of his has to be as Jim Lefferts in "Elmer Gantry", followed very closely by his turn as Tom in "The Glass Menagerie" and as the Communist attorney in "Trial". But really, I've never seen an Arthur Kennedy performance that has ever disappointed me. I'm waiting eagerly for "A Summer Place" to be released in early Feb., because I've heard he's fantastic in that as well.

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Fun and Failure: both start out the same way

Good in Everything, True!

Summer Place is one of the first movies I ever saw, I guess I was about 8. He was just like my own Dad in that movie! Ya know, smart but a drinker. Anyway, he's the main attraction in any movie he's in, stealing scenes just by being there. I just wanted to get away from people saying he was underrated. Some actors ARE, but in this case, I don't think so. I just looked at Barnes & Nobles' site and many people mention Kennedy in their reviews. I mean, on Claude Rains' page they say Rains was underrated!!! HUH??????

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

My favorite role of his has to be as Jim Lefferts in "Elmer Gantry",

......Thanks for saying this. I love Arthur in this movie...even more than Burt, and I'm Burt's greatest fan!

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

he was a good actor... I mean GREAT!

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

Just saw him in "The Sentinel", strange that he apparently never appeared in any of the many popular TV cop shows of the 70s.

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

Arthur Kennedy played a variety of different characters without seemingly trying too hard. He was a class act all the way.

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

I should re-phrase what I said above. Kennedy always seemed to be a natural who made it look effortless. But as we all know, it was never effortless with any of the real greats of film. It was always hard work.

The guy was an acting great. Laurence Olivier admired him, and Boris Karloff put Kennedy down as one of his favorite actors of all time.

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Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

I'm watching "Bend of the River" with Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Kennedy is great in this film! It's so beautiful. Directed by Anyhony Mann, and there's "Man From Laramie; he shines in that film along side Donald Crisp. God! Mr. Crisp is good. We're so lucky to have these films and performances that will always live on. That's something! Frank Rice is a real favorite of mine. He was a sidekick in so many films. I often wonder what he'd think of his movies stil 1c84 l round after 80 years?? Frank Rice died about 1946?? Bet he'd never believe his work is being seen today. God Bless Em All. John

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

James Stewart liked Kennedy's naturalism. Barbara Hale said that while working with Kennedy in THE WINDOW [1949] that Kennedy effortlessly switched back and fourth from the character to his real life persona. Boris Karloff put Kennedy among his top five favourite performers and Laurence Olivier was also an admirer. Arthur Miller said that Kennedy was the best actor to interpret his plays.

Re: He's a favorite of those who love real acting

PS I just checked, Frank Rice died 1936 not 1946 (car wreck I think?).Frank Rice was also great with Tom Keene in "Beyond the Border (I'm a huge Tom Keene fan.). It's a Lone Ine Film shot in Lone Pine, Ca. Rocks (Alabama Hills) Mountains (Sierra-Mt. Whitney) Desert....It's something! John
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