- Kirk Douglas, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, 1946. One of the five unknowns tested for Barbara Stanwyck’s weak husband – odd screen debut for the indomitable Douglas.
- Don DeFore, Too Late For Tears, 1948. Hunt Stromberg wanted Corey and Kirk Douglas but fellow producer Hal Wallis would only loan out Lizabeth Scott, Kristine Miller, Don Defore and director Byron Haskin.
- Joseph Cotten, Payment on Demand ,1949. “What a dump!” Bette Davis could have been describing the film. (Or herself). Her end seemed to be in sight. But All About Eve was yet to come. In fact, Payment was released after it – and demolished her triumphant comeback. She never wanted it. ”Get Virginia Mayo. ‘good at those sort of roles.” She continually argued with Jack Warner, particularly about Cotten (over Wendell Corey or Robert Young) for her husband. “He’s so attractive and kind — why should any wife want to get away from him?” She threatened to quit the half-made film. “If you want me to finish the film, let me out of my contract. “. Done deal, said Jack. Her films were flopping and he’d had enough of her. So this was her last Warner film after 18 years. Poster pitch: :Nobody’s as good as as Bette Davis when she’s bad.” Not. Any. More.
- Ray Milland, A Life of Her Own, 1950. Lana Turner nearly fled her first movie in two years when MGM failed to land a co-star from the highly mixed bag of James Craig, Cary Grant, Howard Keel, James Mason, George Murphy and Robert Ryan. The rich copper-mine owner was given to Corey. As lucklustre as usual, he begged off after a few weeks. “I’m not right for the rôle.” Next thing he knew, Milland was into copper. And Turner.
- John Ireland, Red Mountain, 1951. Change of General William Quantrill (versus Alan Ladd) when Corey fell ill. Ireland, or course, had really made his name in Howard Hawks‘ Red River, 1946.
- Forrest Tucker, Pony Express, 1952. Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickcok fight to create a pony express route in California. Corey had been first choice for Hickcock – opposite Charlton Heston’s Cody and various Shivwit, Piute, Navajo and Ute Indian extras.
Birth year: 1914Death year: 1968Other name: Casting Calls: 6