- Francis Lederer, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, 1943. Benedict Bogeaus, a former Chicago tycoon, switched to movies at the top – spending $50,000 for Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. (His next 27 films until 1961 were not so grandiose). He wanted Fritz Lang or Rouben Mamoulian to direct Pola Negri and Margo opposite Kent Smith as the twins, Manuelo and Esteban… and settled for Rowland V Lee helming Alla Nazimova, Lynn Bari and Francis Lederer – as the twins, Manuelo and Esteban… All the real money had gone on the book.
- Frank Albertson, It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946.
Birth year: 1907Death year: 1985Other name: Casting Calls: 2