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The King Steps Out
''The King Steps Out'' is a 1936 American light comedy film directed by Josef von Sternberg based on the early years of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as "Sisi" or "Sissi", and her courtship and marriage to Franz Joseph I of Austria, after he was initially engaged to her older sister Duchess Helene in Bavaria. The film is set from 1852 to 1854. The script was written by Sidney Buchman, based on a theatre play called ''Sissys Brautfahrt'' by Ernst Décsey and Robert Weil aka Gustav Holm. Columbia Pictures bought the rights from Ernst Marischka in order to make the film. The lyrics for the music were by Dorothy Fields and the music by Viennese composer and violinist Fritz Kreisler. Cinematography was by Lucien Ballard and the editing by Viola Lawrence. Costume design was by the Austrian Ernst Deutsch-Dryden. Future Broadway dancer Gwen Verdon made her movie debut doing a ballet solo at age 11, but was uncredited. The film had only minimal influence on the later '' Sissi' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Josef Von Sternberg
Josef von Sternberg (; born Jonas Sternberg; May 29, 1894 – December 22, 1969) was an Austrian-American filmmaker whose career successfully spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era, during which he worked with most of the major Hollywood studios. He is best known for his film collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s, including the highly regarded Paramount/UFA production, ''The Blue Angel'' (1930). Sternberg's finest works are noteworthy for their striking pictorial compositions, dense décor, chiaroscuro illumination, and relentless camera motion, endowing the scenes with emotional intensity. He is also credited with having initiated the gangster film genre with his silent era movie ''Underworld'' (1927). Sternberg's themes typically offer the spectacle of an individual's desperate struggle to maintain their personal integrity as they sacrifice themselves for lust or love. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for ''Morocco'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gwen Verdon
Gwyneth Evelyn "Gwen" Verdon (January 13, 1925October 18, 2000) was an American actress and dancer. She won four Tony Awards for her musical comedy performances, and served as an uncredited choreographer's assistant and specialty dance coach for theater and film. Verdon was a critically acclaimed performer on Broadway in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, having originated many roles in musicals, including Lola in ''Damn Yankees'', the title character in ''Sweet Charity'' and Roxie Hart in ''Chicago''. She is also strongly identified with her second husband, director-choreographer Bob Fosse, remembered as the dancer-collaborator-muse for whom he choreographed much of his work and as the guardian of his legacy after his death. Early life Verdon was born in Culver City, California, the second child of Gertrude Lilian ( Standring) and Joseph William Verdon, British immigrants to the United States by way of Canada. Her brother was William Farrell Verdon. Her father was an electrician at MGM ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victor Jory
Victor Jory (November 23, 1902 – February 12, 1982) was a Canadian-American actor of stage, film, and television. He initially played romantic leads, but later was mostly cast in villainous or sinister roles, such as Oberon in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1935) and carpetbagger Jonas Wilkerson in ''Gone with the Wind'' (1939). From 1959 to 1961, he had a lead role in the 78-episode television police drama ''Manhunt''. He also recorded numerous stories for Peter Pan Records and was a guest star in dozens of television series as well as a supporting player in dozens of theatrical films, occasionally appearing as the leading man. Biography Born in Dawson City, Yukon, to American parents, he was the boxing and wrestling champion of the US Coast Guard during his military service, and he kept his burly physique. He graduated from the Martha Oatman School of the Theater in Los Angeles. Jory toured with theatre troupes and appeared on Broadway, before making his Hollywood debut in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Princess Ludovika Of Bavaria
Princess Ludovika of Bavaria (Marie Ludovika Wilhelmine; ''Mary Louise Wilhelmina''; 30 August 1808 – 25 January 1892) was the sixth child of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife, Karoline of Baden, and the mother of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. She was born and died in Munich. Life Early years Marie Ludovika Wilhelmine was born to King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife Caroline of Baden as their fifth child, The birth of Ludovika was known to be difficult. Ludovika was christened one day after her birth as Ludovika Wilhelmine. Ludovika and her sisters received many lessons in literature as well as geography and history. They both spoke German and French. Marriage Ludovika married Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria, whose father Duke Pius August in Bavaria was her cousin, on 9 September 1828 in Tegernsee. Ludovika was always frustrated that, unlike her elder sisters who married kings and Austrian archdukes, she would not be marrying some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nana Bryant
Nana Irene Bryant (November 23, 1888 – December 24, 1955) was an American film, stage, and television actress. She appeared in more than 100 films between 1935 and 1955. Biography Bryant was born 1888 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She appeared in stock companies in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and spent several seasons on tour. She also played on Broadway theatre, Broadway, appearing in the then non-singing role of Morgan le Fay in Rodgers and Hart's ''A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'', before working in films. Her other Broadway credits included ''Marriage Is for Single People'' (1945), ''Baby Pompadour'' (1934), ''A Ship Comes In'' (1934), ''The First Apple'' (1933), ''The Dubarry'' (1932), ''The Stork is Dead'' (1932), ''Heigh-Ho, Everybody'' (1932), ''The Padre'' (1926), ''The Wild Rose'' (1926), ''No More Women'' (1926), ''The Firebrand'' (1924). Bryant had a supporting role in the ''Frank Morgan Show'', a summer replacement for Jack Benny's program in 1946. On ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Princess Sophie Of Bavaria
Princess Sophie of Bavaria (Sophie Friederike Dorothea Wilhelmine; 27 January 1805 – 28 May 1872) was the daughter of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife Caroline of Baden. The identical twin sister of Queen Maria Anna of Saxony, Sophie became Archduchess of Austria by marriage to Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. Her eldest son Franz Joseph reigned as Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary; her second son Maximilian briefly reigned as Emperor of Mexico. Childhood Princess of Bavaria The fourth child of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and Princess Caroline of Baden, Princess Sophie Friederike Dorothea Wilhelmine was born on 27 January 1805 in Nymphenburg Palace, Munich. She was said to be her father’s favorite daughter although she was more attached to her mother, whom she loved dearly. Sophie adored her twin sister Maria Anna and was very close to all her sisters. Marriage On 4 November 1824, she married Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. Her pater ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elisabeth Risdon
Elisabeth Risdon (born Daisy Cartwright Risdon; 26 April 1887 – 20 December 1958) was an English film actress. She appeared in more than 140 films between 1913 and 1952. A beauty in her youth, she usually played in society parts. In later years in films she switched to playing character parts. Biography Born in London as Daisy Cartwright Risdon, the daughter of John Jenkins Risdon and Martha Harrop Risdon, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Arts in 1918 with high honours. She attracted the attention of George Bernard Shaw and was cast as the lead in his biggest plays. Besides her performances for Shaw, she was leading lady for actors including George Arliss, Otis Skinner, and William Faversham. She was also under contract with the Theatre Guild for many years. Risdon's film debut came in England, where she made 13 silent films. She came to the United States in 1912, and her first film with sound was ''Guard That Girl'' (1935). Her Broadway credits include ''Labu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Raymond Walburn
Raymond Walburn (September 9, 1887 – July 26, 1969) was an American character actor of stage and screen who appeared in dozens of Hollywood movie comedies and an occasional dramatic role during the 1930s and 1940s. Life and career Born in Plymouth, Indiana, Walburn in the early 1900s moved to Oakland, California, and began acting on stage, which was also his mother's profession. He performed in stock theater for only four years before being cast on Broadway, where he made his debut in ''Cordelia Blossom'' in 1914. Over a half century later, in 1965, Walburn acted in his final Broadway production, ''A Very Rich Woman''. During his long career, he also toured extensively, performing on stages throughout the United States and in other countries. Walburn did not make an impact in films until 1934 with the release of ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' starring Robert Donat. His filmography includes nearly 100 films, with his best known roles as a stereotypical bumbler and as a po ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Duke Maximilian Joseph In Bavaria
Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria (4 December 1808 – 15 November 1888), known informally as Max in Bayern, was a member of a Duke in Bavaria, junior branch of the royal House of Wittelsbach who were Kings of Bavaria, and a promoter of Bavarian folk-music. He is most famous today as the father of Elisabeth in Bavaria, Empress Elisabeth of Austria ("Sisi") and great-grandfather of King Leopold III of Belgium. Life Maximilian Joseph was born at Bamberg, the only son of Duke Pius August in Bavaria (1786–1837) and his wife, Princess Amélie Louise of Arenberg (1789-1823). On 9 September 1828, at Tegernsee, Maximilian Joseph married Princess Ludovika of Bavaria, the sixth daughter of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, his father's cousin. They had ten children. In 1834 he purchased Possenhofen Castle on Lake Starnberg; this was his major residence for the rest of his life. In 1838 he acquired Unterwittelsbach Castle (today housing a "Sisi" museum) near the site of Burg Wittelsbach ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Walter Connolly
Walter Connolly (April 8, 1887 – May 28, 1940) was an American character actor who appeared in almost 50 films between 1914 and 1939. His best known film is ''It Happened One Night'' (1934). Early years Connolly attended St. Xavier College and acted in amateur theatrical productions in Cincinnati. Career Connolly was a successful stage actor who appeared in twenty-two Broadway productions between 1916 and 1935, notably revivals of Pirandello's ''Six Characters in Search of an Author'' and Chekhov's ''Uncle Vanya''. His first film appearances came in two silent films, ''The Marked Woman'' (1914) and ''A Soldier's Oath'' (1915), and his first talkie film came in 1930, ''Many Happy Returns'', but his Hollywood film career really began in 1932, when he appeared in four films. His trademark role was that of the exasperated business tycoon or newspaperman, often as the father of the female lead character, as in ''It Happened One Night'' (1934) with Clark Gable and Claudette ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Franchot Tone
Stanislaus Pascal Franchot Tone (February 27, 1905 – September 18, 1968) was an American actor, producer, and director of stage, film and television. He was a leading man in the 1930s and early 1940s, and at the height of his career was known for his gentlemanly sophisticate roles, with supporting roles by the 1950s. His acting crossed many genres including pre-Code romantic leads to ''noir'' layered roles and many World War I films. He appeared as a guest star in episodes of several golden age television series, including ''The Twilight Zone'' and '' The Alfred Hitchcock Hour'' while continuing to act and produce in the theater and movies throughout the 1960s. Tone was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Midshipman Roger Byam in '' Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1935), along with his co-stars Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, making it the only film to have three simultaneous Best Actor nominations, and leading to the creation of the Best Supporting Acto ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grace Moore
Mary Willie Grace Moore (December 5, 1898January 26, 1947) was an American operatic soprano and actress in musical theatre and film.Obituary ''Variety'', January 29, 1947, page 48. She was nicknamed the "Tennessee Nightingale." Her films helped to popularize opera by bringing it to a larger audience. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in ''One Night of Love''. In 1947, Moore died in a plane crash at the age of 48. She published an autobiography in 1944 titled ''You're Only Human Once''. In 1953, a film about her life was released titled '' So This Is Love'' starring Kathryn Grayson. Early life Moore was born Mary Willie Grace Moore, the daughter of Tessa Jane (née Stokely) and Richard Lawson Moore. She was born in the community of Slabtown (now considered part of Del Rio) in Cocke County, Tennessee. By the time she was two years old, her family had relocated to Knoxville, a move Moore later described as traumatic, as she found urban ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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