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Otto Kruger, Magnificent Obsession, 1953. Charles Bickford, John Forsythe or Otto Kriuger – it was musical chairs the role of Edward Randolph in Universal’s top tearjerker. Robert Taylor’s star-making breakthrough, circa 1935, was now Rock Hudson’s likewise triumph in the re-make – even though he often needied up to 40 takes for a scene.
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Charlton Heston, Three Violent People, 1955. A big Broadway hit in The Teahouse of the August Moon, Forsythe headed West and won a seven-picture deal with Paramoumt. Thankfully, this hammy B-Western was not among them. But my favourite Hitchcock, The Trouble With Harry, was. “Good, ” said Hitch when we finally met in London, circa 1966, “because that’s my second favourite film, after Shadow of a Doubt. And no one ever asked me that question: what is your second favourite film?” ”(With that, he woke up and the rest of the interview was a blast).
- Cornel Wilde, Omar Khayyam, 1956. In the Persian frame for the poet Khayyam – and not Khaiyyam as in a 1945 film, or Khayham for a 1924 shot were Forsythe, Rossano Brazzi, John Neville, and (the too young) Robert Wagner.
- Pernell Roberts, Trapper John, MD, TV, 1979-1986. Wayne Rogers, theoriginalTVersion of Dr John Francis Xavier “Trapper” McIntyre in M*A*S*H, TV, 1972-1975, turned down the sequel series.
- Richard Attenborough, Jurassic Park, 1993.The voice of the unseen Charlie in Charlie’s Angels, TV, 1976-81, was thedinopark’s boss in June 1992… until His Lordship became available. Attenborough’sGandhihad beaten Spielberg and ET to the1982 Best Director and Best Film Oscars. No hard feelings.Apparently.
Birth year: 1918Death year: 2010Other name: Casting Calls: 5