Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981) was an American actor, and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. His death competes for my preference with the death of Bat Masterson. RIP. He was insecure all his life, that was one of the reasons he started drinking at a real early age. Her last great love of her life was Robert Wolder and, of course, Bill's last love was Stephanie Powers but that relationship by that time was slowly dissolving because of his drinking. See where that gets you. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. If education was facing these people everywhere they looked, and success stories were all around them, the sooner they would seek help and realize they didn't have to live like that.No, I take that all back. I just got too tired of looking at people's ugly, no-talent sons, daughters, cousins, etc. Sunset Blvd. I to am a child of the sixties and agree with your well worded assessment, I think with the way things are in the world today makes yearning for movies that reflect simpler, slower, and less stressfull times. Picnic, River Quai, Sunset Blvd, and the Wild Bunch!!!! The show was a success due to its excellent writing and directing. I have yet to find a truly complete biography of him.He drank and smoked a lot because that is what men did at that time. He released "Sabrina" and "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" in 1954, apparently basing his character in the latter upon his younger brother, Robert Beedle, a United States Navy fighter pilot who was killed in action in 1944. Life did not elude you; yours was a life full of good works to be celebrated. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Picnic, The moon is blue, Golden boy, Breezy, The world of Suzie Wong, Love is a many splendored thing, Born Yesterday (my favorite so far), Escape from Fort Bravo, Streets of Loredo, The country Girl and Sabrina. We danced to that song in Picnic and then I saw the movie with Holden and Novak and it amplified those same feelings for the first time in my life. you aren't familiar with Holliday or Crawford, you are in for a treat Judy Holliday is another great actress who died much too soon & tragically. His roles were varied, moving him out of what he called, with dislike, his ''Smiling Jim'' slot. Years ago, as a teenager, I worked at Blockbuster Video (when they were still around), and I was/still am a huge Quentin Tarantino fan. We're currently offline. He acted in several radio plays in college and in 1939 a talent scout got him a small part in the movie Million Dollar Legs. At that point he changed his name to Holden, reportedly taking the name of a Los Angeles Times editor with the hope the papers critics would not pan his first movie performance too severely. https://classicmovierev.com/the-warriors-1979/. He was one of the finest actors of his time. Does he hold her firmly and bring her close to him, put her hand on his chest and lay his cheek against hers or does he keep her at arms length? His role in ''Network '' in 1976 won him a third. The classic "boy next door" whom everyone loves, and gets along with. Most actors have a specific corridor, and within the limits of that corridor they travel the course of their career. His last two commercial hits, 1974s The Towering Inferno and 1976s Network pretty much wrapped up his decades-long career. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. . The Theme from Picnic and Moonglow I can listen to for hours. Psychiatrist speaking! There's really no point wondering what his life would have been like if Audrey Hepburn was apathetic about having children. If he had so much guilt, he should have done what JFK did and left the cushy job and made certain he got into action. Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea. There is a problem with your email/password. We all miss him. The camera like his face and his next role in Golden Boy (1939), made him a star. '', See the article in its original context from. Mr. Holden, 63 years old, was found dead at the apartment Monday morning by the building manager. William Holdens life was full of struggle and hardship. The boy went to school in Monrovia and South Pasadena and attended Pasadena Junior College. WILLIAM HOLDEN'S SANTA MONICA PENTHOUSE by Kaya Morgan Selected by Esquire magazine in 1995 as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars" in film history, and nicknamed Hollywood's Golden Boy, William Holden illuminated the silver screen in 70 films for more than three decades. Actor. Around 55 million people would beg to differ (from beyond the grave). He always looked about 10 years older than he was, even in the late 1940's/early 50's. I didn't appreciate them then like I should have. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Based Oops, we were unable to send the email. You did your best, I am sure. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The film crew saw it being delivered and contacted my father to see if they could use it and they did. I watch his movies time and time again and my favourite is "Picnic". His most notable movies included ''Our Town'' (1940); ''Apartment for Peggy'' (1948); ''Union Station'' (1950); ''Executive Suite'' (1954); ''Sabrina'' (1954); ''The Country Girl'' (1954); ''The Bridges at Toko-Ri'' (1955); ''Love is a Many-Splendored Thing'' (1955); ''Picnic'' (1956); ''The Key'' (1958) and ''The World of Suzie Wong (1960). His marriage was not a happy one. I had the fortune to visit his favourite retreat, The Mount Kenya Safari Club, near Nanyuki, Kenya. Add to your scrapbook. You are truly missed Mr. Holden. Agree. Breezy was a bit cheezy (tee hee) but I don't think any other older actor could have pulled off the role of Frank Harmon the way he did. . If you want to see a gripper, check him out in "Union Station" of 1950. What we need to do is continue the enlightened war on drugs for another 50 years, put millions more in jail (mostly blacks males), keep the DEA and all the other enforcement agencies employed that do not produce a single product except unemployable felons, and take another look in 2065 when we have turned the tide on global warming. I like your very well reasoned comment. Post Script: In this video I made a GAFF ON STEROIDS!!! It was the William Holden drinking helmet ( a crash helmet with springs attached ) if memory serves that cartoon was in Hustler, f*****g hilarious. Bill was guilty for his military "toy job", while his brother was the real thing. He most recently appeared in S.O.B., a movie poking fun at Hollywood that was released earlier this year. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. I generally don't miss the opportunity to watch a William Holden movie. Really. Deputy press secretary Larry Speakes quoted the President as saying: ''I have a great feeling of grief. He was part-owner of The Shorecliff Towers high-rise apartment building on Ocean Avenue. William Holden was one of the last great actors who left his mark in several unforgettable films like Stalag 17, sunset Boulevard, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Key, Love is a Splendored Thing, S.O.B and many more. I loved William Holden, he was one of those actors who just commanded the screen, he had talent, looks, and charmhe's among my favorites like Tyrone Power, and Robert Taylor, beautiful to watch and enjoy! Born in the rural farming community of O'Fallon, Illinois, this son of a well-to-do family moved to Pasadena, California at age three. What a fine actor Bill Holden was, so handsome with his chiselled good looks. So sad. He doesn't deserve anyone's sympathy. Easy to tell the guy worked out/lifted wieghts. Hard to figure out. She starred alongside Hollywood titans like John Wayne, William Holden, . Wish somebody had been with him when he had a fall. Facts Verse I'm surprised no one here has mentioned it. From romance to war, he was the best. He. His body of film work still attracts the public. Watched Stalag 17 with my wife and two teenage sons. Today, it is not possible to create a building that could duplicate OceanAire, making it the most prestigious and luxurious address in Santa Monica. One call was to break the isolation. Read the book Full Service by Scotty Bowers..who fixed Holden up with Hookers but too drunk to participate. Bless her. The post Stalag 17 (1953) Classic Movie Review 79 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com. Really. I was shocked to read that his wife of 30 years Brenda Marshal and the mother of his 2 sons, was born in the Island of Negros, in the Philippines where I was born and raised. Educate to the point where no one can deny .that people who act stupid when drinking or drugging are addicts, and when that education light shines bright enough and continually, denial will not be possible by anyone. By the mid-1960s, the quality of his roles and films had noticeably diminished, although he would have an occasional gem such asParis When It Sizzles (1964). You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. His first starring role was in the movie "Golden Boy" (1939). The fact that he drank like he did is his perogative. Love is a many splendor things one of his greatest accomplishment.but he could not find The Greatest love all ! Take this statement for what's it worth.The SPOOK told me other things regarding Mr. Holden, but I will not disclose those items. He was a great actor and a wonderful man. RIP Mr. Holden and Mr. McElfay. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Art imitates life.Watch Breezy. Can he lead her on the dance floor or is he hesitant about which direction to go? I immigrated here in my 30's. With Nancy's passing, it is so sad that she left, but glad that she will be with Ronnie. A wonderful man! The characters you portrayed revealed a nugget of your true spirit. Loved the movie Breezy! Are you an expert on a movie? So sad, he was extremely handsome. He did the best he could and to me there will never be another to compare to william Holden. Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! In the new millennium, Jan has turned her interests [] More, Each year over 1.5 million patients become victims of medical malpractice in the US alone. Truly one of the best, and, in my opinion muchunder appreciated today.God bless you Golden Boy. Todays movie is It is disappointing not see in the text and comments any reference to The Country Girl and Love is a many splendored thing. A film touching and affecting in content and form with an intelligent and moving story of adult, mature, romantic and sexual love conquering the iniquity of racism. If he wasn't drinking, he would probably not be so convincing when acting disappointed, but proud "old-fashioned" Pike Bishop. Holden made more than 50 movies, including The Wild Bunch, Bridge On the River Kwai and Picnic. He also starred in The Blue Knight, a TV movie based on the Joseph Wambaugh novel about a Los Angeles cop. God Bless you Bill. It depletes one's minerals, it induces dehydration which is bad for the skin, it affects one's ability to get restful sleep, it induces elevated blood pressure, the list goes on and on. My big brother, brilliant, witty,learned and kind, died from complications from alcohol, varicies, taking advil for a painful him and cigs. I can now die knowing what a man can be like when in love. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. It will tug at your heart. Stefanie, meanwhwile, tried several time to have a "Heart-to-Heart" talk with him about his boozing, and got nowhere. July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by He was considered an old-school actor and started losing roles to younger up-and-coming actors like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. In William Holden's case, he could make a run-of-the-mill quickie film noir really pop. Holden was one of the greatest actors of our times. Throughout Monroe and Kennedys alleged affair, Lawford supposedly acted as a liaison for the President. He enlisted in the Army and was graduated a first lieutenant from the Army Air Force Officers Candidate School. Holden's CIA file is still classified under "sources and methods" high probability it will never be declassified and released. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. A nostalgic journey to the past to relive the golden days of entertainment! Oops, something didn't work. From then on, he made more than 50 movies; most but not all were successful, and he tried to set certain standards both for himself and for the movies in which he agreed to appear. Ava, Hedy, Grace and others. In the end, though, I guess no one really knows to the full extent why people do the things they do. I also think there is something strange about Stefanie Powers. It is such a good movie and William Holden was at both his comedic & dramatic best starring opposite those two. I believe Barbara Stanwyck adored himI remember her accepting an award for him and calling him her golden boy. I saw it again just last week on TCM. Right around this time, Holdens films dropped substantially in quality as he spent more and more of his free time focusing on his hobbies and business dealings. '', Indeed, there was a seven-year period in the late 1950's and early 60's when Mr. Holden made no movies in Hollywood; he moved abroad to Switzerland, Hong Kong and Kenya. He left her $75,000 (equivalent to $584,000 in 2021). The great and the splendid have all passed (except for Doris) and we are left with the dregs! I thought he had lost his sex appeal eventhough he was a heavy drinker. I always feel as though he and the other wonderful actors, actresses, dancers of the period are friends they had brought me so much joy, understanding, laughter and I cry whenever I read of another passing of these talented souls. He was drinking again, and coming out of his bender, but his body gave out. September 14, 2021, 5:02 am, by Weve updated the security on the site. Resend Activation Email. Saw him the next night at a night club. Although he always maintained residences in California, Holden also had houses in Switzerland and in Kenya. I also watched Golden Boy and Horse Soldiers this weekend. Thanks for your help! My 14 year old asked for Stalag for Christmas this year. Stefanie heard about it on the radio in her car going to work. Several people telephoned, the majority were greeted by the answering machine. He was a product of the studios,but his fame has transcended those years. I do this just to expose people to great movies from the past. The penthouse apartment that William Holden was living in when he died. I have almost all his movies including S.O.B. Viewed by fans as the boy-next-door, this 20-year old, handsome young actor with striking features and a sensual voice had an image that earned Holden entry into an elite group of promising young actors known as the Golden Circle a group aggressively promoted by the studio that also included Susan Hayward and Robert Preston. The penthouse apartment that William Holden was living in when he died. NICE! His fellow prisoners dislike him because he is a hustler looking out for himself, but he plays a crucial role in the prison camp escape at the end. He had promised this Blond money and a career in exchange for her being with him, he ended up screwing her over and she took me with her to confront him, he went off on her and started to choke her and I grabbed him, he ended up pushing me onto the bed and as he did she grabbed the phone and hit him in the head, he staggered around and fell into the table and ended up dying on the floor. What do you say about a longtime friend - a sense of personal loss, a fine man. Our friendship never waned. They had two children of their own, Peter and Scott, and raised a daughter, Virginia, from Marshalls previous marriage. David,Thanks, bought the movie on Amazon and we watched it twice this weekend. But the shows [] More, You might remember her as Mindy in the off-beat yet endearing 70s and 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. His disappearing acts became more and more frequent towards the end of his life. Now I'm obsessed with him. The movie Picnic 1955. Murdered in Google and came to this sight. I'm watching "Love Is A Many" right nowsuch a GREAT movie overall. Actors should never have surgery done on the eyes. Holden had dictated in his will that the Neptune Society cremate him and scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. It was just silly and random enough to fit a man uncomfortable with his random, often silly, world. I will stick to the old movies when I want to watch something good! He was handsome, but he looked almost too pretty in that movie, said Times movie critic Sheila Benson. Bill Holden was great with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly! I was a great fan of William Holden's, and to this day collect his movies. Sighhhhh. Picnic is one of my favorite movies. There aren't any "movie stars" left. Alcoholism usually trumps having any long lasting happiness. That's why I'd rather watch some old film I have never seen instead of watching a new film.William Holden has to be mention in the top five of greatest leading men. A retired professor rents his attic apartment to pregnant Peggy and her GI-Bill-student husband. I think WH may have been a manic depressive and that his dependency on alcohol was not his main problem. He also had the habit of disappearing for many days, without notice. He was so suave, elegant, restrained and drop dead gorgeous. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. I always thought when I was growing up that William Holden was the most handsome and gorgeous man I've had ever seen. After Columbia Pictures signed him to a contract, he suddenly one of the most in-demand polished leading men in Tinseltown. Holden and his wife separated in 1963 and were later divorced. I still enjoy watching William Holden's movies. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. It pains me to see how poorly he aged. His acting, his voice, his looks; he had everything. Tomorrow, April 17, 2015 is his birthday and TCM is showing a bunch of his movies, starting in the morning. Beginning in 1950, his career took off when Billy Wilder tapped him to star as the down-at-the-heels screenwriter Joe Gillis, who is taken in by faded silent-screen star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in Sunset Blvd. Nobody could have played that role and given it the resonance Holden did.. I always loved Bill Holden in every picture he was in. Popular, by All of the lights were off, except for the television set which was still blaring. But nows the time for you to shine! Every woman wanted to be Novak in the dance. A classic movie at a critical junction in my life and always will be; bravo to both of them as Novak still is alive. In 'Network' 'Towering Inferno' and, of course, his very last movie in 1981 'S.O.B.' You cannot ignore his acting, and he turned in so many brilliant performances consistently film after film. My dad would always say that home owner was a friend of WH and also he had mob connections. Oak Island is a privately owned island that sits off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. Well, now it is one of my favorites. One of the biggest hurdles that he faced was his lifelong, very public battle with drinking and alcoholism. And who could forget the epic period piece The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957?

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