Melvyn Douglas Articles

Gilbert Cates Obit Pt.1: Oscar Ceremony Most Frequent Producer In fact, Gilbert Cates' best film-related work took place far from the Academy Awards ceremonies. Two of his '70s movies in particular, the family dramas I Never Sang for My Father (1970) and Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973), are notable both for Cates' quiet, subtle handling of the dramatic situations and for the generally masterful performances: [...]

Gloria Stuart in a publicity shot from the 1930s (top); Gloria Stuart as Old Rose in Titanic (bottom) Gloria Stuart, the pretty, blonde leading lady in the Universal horror classics The Old Dark House (1932) and The Invisible Man (1933), and the elderly Rose in James Cameron's megablockbuster Titanic (1997), died on Sunday, Sept. 26. Stuart had turned 100 last July 4; a breast-cancer survivor, [...]

Patricia Neal in her two best-known movies: Robert Wise's sci-fier The Day the Earth Stood Still, with Gort (Lock Martin) and Michael Rennie (top); Martin Ritt's family drama/social commentary Hud, with Paul Newman (bottom) Patricia Neal, who died of lung cancer on Sunday, became one of my favorite movie performers when I was a little kid and saw her in — inevitably — The Day [...]

Gene Hackman's "Summer Under the Stars" day is Friday, Aug. 21. Turner Classic Movies will present 11 films featuring or starring two-time Academy Award-winner Gene Hackman (The French Connection and, in the supporting category, Unforgiven), whom some consider one of the best American actors of the last four decades. I can't say that I agree with that assessment, though throughout his long career Hackman has [...]