Best old-time actor

[Dookus]

Poll question: Best old-time actor

I don't want to get into physical beauty - just who was the most compelling actor from Hollywood's golden age? I'm going to vote for Spencer Tracy, but it's a hard choice. I adore every actor listed below, but Tracy was really exceptional.

I'm also limiting it to actors from the 30's and 40's.

[jpgray]

1. I'd go with Gregory Peck

Not objectively the greatest actor in the world, but my dad loves the guy, and I have to say I do too--by osmosis, perhaps. :D

[Dookus]

6. Yes

I should probably have included Gregory Peck. He became famous in the late 40's, but I always think of him as a second-generation hollywood star.

He was great, though.

[jpgray]

9. '45 he won an Oscar, if I remember

But yeah, saying he's from the 30s-40s is probably stretching your poll subject. :)

[Dookus]

19. No

he was nominated 4 times in the 40s, but never won until 1962, for To Kill a Mockingbird.

But he was a great actor, and a great star regardless of when he worked.

[jpgray]

21. That's right--my wires must have crossed

I'll try to leave this post without anything for you to correct. :D

[Dookus]

23. No

your wires didn't "cross". Their insulation wore out, and they connected, causing a short-circuit. Don't worry, it's a common mistake.

:P

[jpgray]

26. LOL (nt)

[flamingyouth]

2. It's really a toss-up for me

All of these men, as you say, were so diverse in their talents. I tend to agree with you on Tracy, however. He was really superior. Have you ever seen him in the film "The Power and the Glory"? It's really a great movie. I don't know if it's still on VHS or not, but I have extra copies, as Colleen Moore (my silent screen idol) was his co-star. Great, great stuff.

Excellent poll.:thumbsup:

[supernova]

3. Toss up between Bogart and Stewart

They staked out different territories and performened them equallity well. Cary Grant was just pretty to look at.

[bleedingheart]

4. I love em all but I voted for Gene Kelly because

1. he is from Pittsburgh
2. he can sing
3. he can dance
4. he can act in silly musicals....
5. and he can give a good dramatic performance Inherit the Wind....

but I do love them all...

[Dookus]

13. I think Gene Kelly

was my first real crush - at least he tied with David Cassidy.

He was amazing. It took me decades to admire Astaire, because I was always a Kelly fan.

[TrustingDog]

5. no women?

[Dookus]

8. I'm working on another poll...

this one's for the men :)

[King Of Paperboys]

7. I voted Cary Grant

So smooth, so debonair... and not at all above poking fun at himself.

[Bjornsdotter]

16. Cary and Hepburn

Hi,

My favorite movie with the two of them....Bringing Up Baby....she was so beautiful and funny; he was so handsome and funny. It was a winning combination!

Cheers,
Kim

[Cyrano]

10. Bogie. How can you beat::

Casablanca; The Maltese Falcon; Key Largo; The Treasure of the Sierra Madre; The African Queen; and so many more?

[Dookus]

12. I know... I know...

As I said, I love 'em all, especially Bogart and Grant. But Spencer Tracy just had a certain "thing" that pushes me over the edge.

[jobycom]

35. On THAT list, he gets my vote. Much better

than he gets credit for being. He was always working his hands, his posture, his whole body, to create an emotion.

[blackcat77]

11. Three words...

Grapes of Wrath.

Gotta be Henry Fonda.

[Cyrano]

14. Four words

"We'll always have Paris."

[Dookus]

15. heheh

I know it's unfair to ask people to choose.

They're all so good. We have precious few stars like that today.

[jobycom]

37. You mean

old and dead? Cause I'd rank a lot of stars over the last twenty years as in that caliber. DeNiro, Pachino, Spacey, Hanks, Harrison Ford, Keanu Reeves... Oh wait, scratch that last one.

There were a lot of weak actors back then, too. We just weed out the bad ones in the memory garden. You tellin' me Tony Curtis was better than Harrison Ford?

[-..__...]

17. Vote for Bogart with honorable mention - Jimmy Cagney.

"Angels With Dirty Faces" is one of my all time favorites (also includes Pat O'Brien and the "Dead End Kids").

And add a vote for John Wayne. His politics might have sucked, but he's one of the most identifiable and quintessential actors from that era and beyond.

[Dookus]

20. aw crap

I left out Cagney. One of my faves. Probably the most talented person in the bunch.

[Cyrano]

22. "Top of the world, Ma."

[Dookus]

24. and

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy

He was amazing.

[Cyrano]

27. Hated him as George M. Cohan

Too much jingoistic flag-waving. And that's not just in light of what's going on today. I hated it the first time I saw it.

Nonetheless, Cagney was still great no matter what he did, even if I didn't agree with the philosophy of the film.

[jobycom]

40. Perfect as Lon Chaney

nt

[riverwalker]

18. Gary Cooper

could act without even saying a word.
Love those quiet guys.:smoke:

[Cyrano]

25. Yep

[LiviaOlivia]

30. Cooper was beautiful

I also like John Garfield very much

[Kat45]

28. Where's Jimmy Cagney?

He should be on the list. But I did vote for Bogart, because I preferred him out of the two.

[jobycom]

36. No kidding. I was scrolling down to ask the same thing

I voted Bogart, too, but I would have gone with Cagney. Excellent actor, not just an image.

[No2W2004]

29. Another for Cagney

Could do it all.

[LiviaOlivia]

31. Laurence Olivier

Can't forget him.

[Doc_Technical]

32. I'd have to go with one of my favorite actors....

....Fredric March.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0545298/

[Nevernose]

33. This poll is BULLSHIT!

How the hell am I supposed to rationally choose between Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart? "A Wonderful Life" or "North by Norhtwest?" You must be crazy!

[qwertyMike]

34. All of them

except the two hoofers.
And speking of hoofers - where's Cagney???
And Paul Muni?

[Dookus]

38. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa

Yes, I forgot Cagney.

He deserves to be on the list. I forgot. I'm sorry.

[mitchum]

39. The Birth of the Cool...Robert Mitchum

started in the 40s, but Big Bob's career continued till the 90s

[jobycom]

41. Oh, great choice!

I forgot him, and he's one of my favorites.