Posted on 02/06/2020 8:12:04 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Before World War II, Depression-era Americans wanted their Hollywood male leads to be suave and sophisticated, whether they were in dramatic or humorous roles. After World War II, however, Americans craved authentic men on the screen — and in Kirk Douglas, they got a movie star so authentic, so searing, that even today Douglas is still a cultural touchpoint.
Issur Danielovitch Demsky, better known as Kirk Douglas, was born into poverty on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. He died on February 5, 2020, at age 103, in Beverly Hills, California, not only wealthy, but also one of the most admired actors Hollywood has ever produced.
Douglas's life trajectory epitomized the opportunities available to hardworking first-generation American children hungry for success. He started on the bottom-most rung of the American ladder, writing in his autobiography The Ragman's Son:
"My father, who had been a horse trader in Russia, got himself a horse and a small wagon, and became a ragman, buying old rags, pieces of metal, and junk for pennies, nickels, and dimes[.] ... Even on Eagle Street, in the poorest section of town, where all families were struggling, the ragman was on the lowest rung on the ladder. And I was the ragman's son."
Douglas knew he could do better. Through hard work and intelligence, he put himself through St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1939 with a B.A. During college, he worked as a gardener, a janitor, and even a carnival wrestler. After graduating, Douglas earned a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
In December 1941, after Pearl Harbor, Douglas joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a communications officer in anti-submarine warfare. He was medically discharged in 1944. By that time, he had married, and his first child was on the way.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Wow, that is the journey of a man.
I remember when Douglas appeared on Saturday Night Live (back when SNL was funny.)
A cast member remarked that the familiar dimple in his chin had disappeared.
“Oh that,” Douglas replied. “That’s done with make up.”
Natalie Wood??? Age 15-16??? Yeah another great Hollywood pedophile abuser bites the dust.
Back when our (my) folks could go to a movie with out hear’en F this F that and viewing people in sex acts.
I remember the folks saying how they just couldn’t go any longer and these two were WW II vets him MSgtn @ Pearl and she taught code and teletype as a Sarg.
They were by no means prudes.
15 year old Natalie Wood
True story from Kirk’s autobio........when he married his second wife, she said, “you’re a major star.....where are your assets?”
Kirk told her not to worry, an “accountant” handled all his finances.
But, she was very smart....and very suspicious.
She hired a major accounting firm without telling Kirk. She told them to find all of Kirk’s assets.
They came back and told her Kirk had nothing.
When she told Kirk, he confronted the accountant....who turned out to be a crook ...in league with the crooked lawyer who fleeced Doris Day of millions.
He got some of it back.....but was owed stolen money for years.
Prove it. ...
Nothing but hearsay and accusations. Piss off.
Piss off.
This one was given by Jimmah Carter on his way out the door in 1980.
I don't recall any conservative Republicans complaining that Kirk Douglas was just another Hollywood lefty and didn't deserve that special honor only the President of the United States can bestow.
Where Eddington (Kirk Douglas) comes to Torrey (John Wayne) and says: “Old Rock of Ages; we’ve got ourselves another war. A gut bustin, mother lovin Navy war.” (In Harm’s Way)
nice. typical.
RE: Natalie Wood??? Age 15-16??? Yeah another great Hollywood pedophile abuser bites the dust.
Douglas was accused by an anonymous blogger in 2012 of having raped actress Natalie Wood when she was 16. That’s what we know. Where’s the evidence?
I can accuse anyone of having raped someone nearly 60 years ago too. That makes me credible?
RE: 15 year old Natalie Wood
Douglas was accused by an anonymous blogger in 2012 of having raped actress Natalie Wood when she was 16. That’s what we know. Where’s the evidence?
I can accuse anyone of having raped someone nearly 60 years ago too. That makes me credible?
“15 year old Natalie Wood”
It was reported there was more than her. Things like this were kept hush hush back then.
Apparently you choose to live in a bubble... the story has been common knowledge for about 50 years, and has even been reported in documentaries, which is where I first heard of it, not from some blogger. LOL
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