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Michael Granger
Michael Granger (May 14, 1923 – October 22, 1981) was an American actor. Born Milton Grossman in Kansas City, MO, Granger, he appeared in ''The Big Heat'' and in B movies such as '' Creature With The Atom Brain'', as well as on TV shows including '' Rawhide'', ''Kojak'', ''Gunsmoke'' and ''The Untouchables''. He created the role of Lazar Wolf, the butcher, in the original Broadway production of ''Fiddler on the Roof'' in 1964, and can be heard on the original cast album singing ''L'Chaim'' with Zero Mostel. He appeared in Henrik Ibsen's ''A Doll's House'' at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center with Liv Ullmann in 1975, and was again on Broadway in 1980 in Tennessee Williams's ''Clothes for a Summer Hotel.'' Known for his resonant bass speaking voice, in the final years of Granger's life, he became a sought after voice over actor. He died October 22, 1981, in New York, NY of heart failure. Filmography *''Les Misérables'' (1952) - Policeman (uncredited) *''Hiawatha' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Big Heat
''The Big Heat'' is a 1953 American film noir crime film directed by Fritz Lang starring Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, and Jocelyn Brando about a cop who takes on the crime syndicate that controls his city. William P. McGivern's serial in ''The Saturday Evening Post'', published as a novel in 1953, was the basis for the screenplay, written by former crime reporter Sydney Boehm. The film was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2011. Plot Homicide detective Sergeant Dave Bannion, of the Kenport Police Department, is called to investigate the suicide of a rogue fellow officer, Tom Duncan. His wife, Bertha Duncan, says her husband had recently been in ill health. He left behind an envelope addressed to the district attorney, which she keeps under wraps and locks away in her safe-deposit box at the bank. The mistress of the late cop, Lucy Chapman, contradicts Mrs. Duncan, telling Sgt. Bannion that Tom Duncan had not been in ill health, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
White Witch Doctor (film)
''White Witch Doctor'' is a 1953 Technicolor adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Susan Hayward, Robert Mitchum, and Walter Slezak. Made by 20th Century Fox, it was produced by Otto Lang from a screenplay by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts, based on the 1950 novel by Louise Allender Stinetorf (1900-1992). The music score (notable for its use of the serpent, an obsolete instrument) was by Bernard Herrmann, and the cinematography by Leon Shamroy. The film was set in the Belgian Congo in 1907. Plot The arrival of nurse Ellen Burton to the Belgian Congo is unwelcome to hunter John "Lonni" Douglas (Robert Mitchum), who captures animals for zoos. He warns her against traveling upriver to join a female doctor who is working with native tribesmen. Short of money, Lonni is intrigued when partner Huysman (Walter Slezak) tells him there is gold to be found in the region where Ellen will be traveling. Lonni volunteers to accompany her, along with gun bearer Jacques ( Ajala). ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Harder They Fall (1956 Film)
''The Harder They Fall'' is a 1956 American boxing film noir directed by Mark Robson with a screenplay by Philip Yordan, based on Budd Schulberg's 1947 novel. It was Humphrey Bogart's final film role.Erickson, Hal. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, Black and White for Burnett Guffey at the 29th Academy Awards. Plot Sportswriter Eddie Willis, broke after the newspaper he works for goes under, is hired as a PR man by boxing promoter Nick Benko. Nick has recruited Toro Moreno, a towering Argentinian. Despite Toro's lack of fighting ability, Nick plans to use his size as a gimmick to draw fans to his fights. Unbeknownst to Toro and his manager, Luís Agrandi, all of his fights are fixed to make the public believe that he is a talented boxer. Eddie feels misgivings about the scheme, but the lure of a huge payday is enough to make him ignore the venture's dishonesty. He is able to spin Toro as a legitimate up-and-comer even when his first fight goes so disastr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mohawk (1956 Film)
''Mohawk'' is a 1956 American adventure film, adventure western (genre), western romance film directed by Kurt Neumann, starring Scott Brady, Rita Gam and Neville Brand. The picture is about an 18th century Boston, Massachusetts, Boston artist sent to the Mohawk Valley to paint landscapes and portraits of Native Americans. Several sections of the plot are taken from the 1939 film ''Drums Along the Mohawk'' and loosely refers to the 1778 Cherry Valley massacre (as does the main antagonist Butler to the historic figure of Loyalist (American Revolution), loyalist officer Walter Butler (Loyalist), Walter Butler). Plot In late 18th century upstate New York, a quarrelsome white man named Butler seeks to foment war between the Continental Army garrison of Fort Alden and the Indians, to rid the Mohawk Valley of the natives and white settlers he despises. He goes to the Iroquois chef Kowanen to warn him about a party of armed white settlers. Kowanen shows no concern, but his son Keoga an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Conqueror (1956 Film)
''The Conqueror'' is a 1956 American epic historical drama film directed by Dick Powell and written by Oscar Millard. The film stars John Wayne as the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan and co-stars Susan Hayward, Agnes Moorehead, and Pedro Armendáriz. Produced by entrepreneur Howard Hughes, the film was principally shot near St. George, Utah. Despite the stature of the cast and a respectable box office performance, the film was a critical flop; it is often ranked as one of the worst films of the 1950s and also as one of the worst films ever made. Wayne, who was at the height of his career, had lobbied for the role after reading the script and was widely believed to have been grossly miscast. ''The Conqueror'' was listed in the 1978 book ''The Fifty Worst Films of All Time''. Wayne was posthumously named a "winner" of a Golden Turkey Award (awarded to movies and performances considered the ''worst'' in history) in 1980, in the "Worst Casting" category, for his performance as Gengh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cell 2455, Death Row (film)
''Cell 2455, Death Row'' is a 1955 American crime film noir directed by Fred F. Sears and starring William Campbell and Robert Wright Campbell. It is based on the 1954 book of the same name. Plot A death row inmate uses his prison-law studies to fight for his life. Cast * William Campbell as Whit Whittier * R. Wright Campbell as Whit as a Boy (as Robert Campbell) * Marian Carr as Doll * Kathryn Grant as Jo-Anne * Harvey Stephens as Prison Warden * Vince Edwards as Hamiton * Allen Nourse as Serl Whittier * Diane DeLaire as Hallie Whittier * Bart Braverman as Whit, as a Young Boy (as Bart Bradley) * Paul Dubov as Al * Tyler MacDuff as Nugent * Buck Kartalian as Monk * Eleanor Audley as Blanche * Thom Carney as Hatcheck Charlie * Joseph Forte as Lawyer (as Joe Forte) * Howard Wright as Judge Production Columbia Pictures acquired the rights to Caryl Chessman's book '' Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story'' for $10,000 in June 1954. Columbia planned the film ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jungle Moon Men
''Jungle Moon Men'' (1955) is the fifteenth Jungle Jim film produced by Columbia Pictures. It features Johnny Weissmuller in his second performance as the protagonist adventurer Johnny Weissmuller. The film was directed by Charles S. Gould and written by Dwight Babcock and Jo Pagano. The film centres on jungle roamer Johnny Weissmuller and his team attempting to rescue an acquaintance in the jungle of Baku, which is inhabited by "moon men" worshipping an apparent Moon Goddess. Filming took place in May 1954 in California. It was theatrically released in the United States in April 1955. Plot Adventurer Johnny Weissmuller (playing himself) is hired by Egyptian archaeologist Ellen Marsten (Jean Byron) to traverse the African jungle of Baku. They seek to rescue an acquaintance, Marro (Benjamin F. Chapman, Jr.), from his captors, pygmies known as the "Moon Men". The Moon Men are devoted to a "Moon Goddess" Oma (Helen Stanton), who is apparently an immortal whose only weakness is sunlig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New Orleans Uncensored
''New Orleans Uncensored'' is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by William Castle and starring Arthur Franz and Beverly Garland. Plot The Port of New Orleans, docks of New Orleans, Louisiana are controlled by Zero Saxon, a notorious racketeering, racketeer. When former naval officer Dan Corbett arrives in town, wanting to open a shipping business of his own, he accepts a job working for Saxon to make some money, unaware of how corrupt Saxon's operation is. Longshoremen's union representative Jack Petty and his girlfriend Alma Mae are impressed by Dan when he flattens a drunk who has been annoying her. They help arrange a job for Dan through Saxon's dock manager, Joe Reilly, whose wife Marie then invites Dan to dinner and introduces him to her brother, Scrappy Durant, a former prizefighter. Joe is killed by Saxon's thugs to keep him from informing on the illegal activities at the docks. Marie admits she has been expecting this to happen. Dan goes undercover, trying to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prince Of Players
''Prince of Players'' is a 1955 20th Century Fox biographical film about the 19th century American actor Edwin Booth. The film was directed and produced by Philip Dunne from a screenplay by Moss Hart, based on the book by Eleanor Ruggles. The music score was by Bernard Herrmann and the cinematography by Charles G. Clarke. The film was made in CinemaScope and in DeLuxe Color. The cast featured Richard Burton, Maggie McNamara and John Derek, along with Raymond Massey, Charles Bickford, Elizabeth Sellars and Eva Le Gallienne. Plot Edwin "Ned" Booth is the son of the noted thespian Junius Brutus Booth and the older brother of another actor, John Wilkes Booth. Beginning In 1848, as a boy, and into early manhood, he travels with and assists Junius, who is often drunk and seems at times on the brink of madness. Several years go by. A theater owner, Dave Prescott, eagerly anticipates a Junius performance in San Francisco, but the actor is again unable to perform and decides to leave ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sign Of The Pagan
''Sign of the Pagan'' is a 1954 American historical drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, shot in CinemaScope (color by Technicolor), and released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Jeff Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tchérina, and Rita Gam. Plot During the fifth century, the Roman Empire is divided into two parts: the West, with its capital in Rome, run by Emperor Valentinian III, and the East, with its capital in Constantinople, run by Emperor Theodosius. The Empire is under attack by the Huns under Attila. Roman soldier Marcian is carrying a message from Valentinian warning Theodosius against the Huns, when he is captured by Attila. Attila is impressed by Marcian's honesty and courage. He carves out the arrow that has been shot into his leg, causing Marcian to pass out. Over the next few days, Attila keeps Marcian hostage in the hopes of learning more about the Romans' plans. The Huns capture a local king's family and Attila orders them killed, except for the daughter, Il ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Adventures Of Hajji Baba
''The Adventures of Hajji Baba'' is a 1954 American CinemaScope adventure film directed by Don Weis and starring John Derek and Elaine Stewart. Made in Southern California, it was released on October 1, 1954. In the credits it states that the film is suggested by ''The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan'' by James Justinian Morier (3 vols., London, 1824). Plot In Ispahan, Persia, a barber named Hajji Baba ( John Derek) is leaving his father's shop to find a great fortune. At the same time, the Princess Fawzia (Elaine Stewart) is trying to talk her father into giving her in marriage to Nur-El-Din (Paul Picerni) a prince known far and wide. Her father intends for Fawzia to marry a friend and ally, and makes plans to send her to him. But a courier brings word from Nur-El-Din that an escort awaits Fawzia on the outskirts of the city and she escapes the palace disguised as a boy. Hajji encounters the escort-warrior at the rendez-vous spot, is attacked and beats up the escort with hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Egyptian (film)
''The Egyptian'' is a 1954 American epic historical drama film made by 20th Century Fox. Filmed in CinemaScope with color by DeLuxe, it was directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It is based on Mika Waltari's 1945 novel of the same name and the screenplay was adapted by Philip Dunne and Casey Robinson. Leading roles were played by Edmund Purdom, Bella Darvi, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Gene Tierney, Peter Ustinov, and Michael Wilding. Cinematographer Leon Shamroy was nominated for an Oscar in 1955. Plot Sinuhe (Edmund Purdom), a struggling physician in 18th dynasty Egypt (14th century BC), is thrown by chance into contact with the pharaoh Akhnaton (Michael Wilding). He rises to and falls from great prosperity, wanders the world, and becomes increasingly drawn towards a new religion spreading throughout Egypt. His companions throughout are his lover, a shy tavern maid named Merit ( Jean Simmons); and his corrupt but likable servant, Kaptah (Peter Ustino ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
