Dear Heart
Posted on 08/30/2006 7:53:46 PM PDT by Borges
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Actor Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle," "Gilda" and "The Big Heat," died Wednesday, police said. He was 90.
Paramedics called to Ford's home just before 4 p.m. found Ford dead, police Sgt. Terry Nutall said, reading a prepared statement. "They do not suspect foul play," he said.
Ford suffered a series of strokes in the 1990s.
Failing health forced him to skip a 90th birthday tribute on May 1 at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. But he did send greetings via videotape, adding, "I wish I were up and around, but I'm doing the best that I can.... There's so much I have to be grateful for."
At the event, Shirley Jones, who co-starred with him in the comedy "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," called Ford "one of the cornerstones of our industry, and there aren't many left."
Ford appeared in scores of films during his 53-year Hollywood career. The Film Encyclopedia, a reference book, lists 85 films from 1939 to 1991.
He was cast usually as the handsome tough, but his acting talents ranged from romance to comedy. His more famous credits include "Superman," "Gilda," "The Sheepman," "The Gazebo," "Pocketful of Miracles" and "Don't Go Near the Water."
My absolute favorite Glenn Ford movie was Cimarron. But he was wonderful in every one of them, a true professional.
Glenn Ford has a plaque in his honor on the memorial cross atop Mount Soledad in San Diego. Fortunately, it looks like it's going to stay there for a while now.
Another Glenn Ford movie was "The Mating of Millie". That has always been one of my favorites.
And Kirk Douglas?
It's difficult to avoid stereotypes when you have such an overwhelming leftward tilt in the entertainment industry, isn't it?
Glenn Ford may not have been as vocal a patriot as, say, Walter Brennan or John Wayne, and he may not have taken an activist role like Charlton Heston in defending the rights of Americans to keep and bear (most) arms -- but he was a patriot nevertheless.
I think we will all want to salute Glenn Ford once his son Peter's biography of him finally hits the presses.
Not everyone in Hollywood is a Democrat or a Communist, in spite of the image.
"Pocket Full of Miracles" with Betty Davis and Hope Lange for me.
So few decent real stars left there.
RIP, Mr. Ford, I enjoyed every movie I saw of his.
Who cannot forget the snappy salute of the aged Mickey Rooney at Ronald Reagans Funeral?
Like I said, so few good actors left, a dying breed.
A lot of the older, great actors of Hollywood, served proudly for our country, not like the Hollyweirds of today! RIP!
Torpedo Run.
Yes and Midway...
He seemed so natural.
My parents used to exchange Christmas cards with Mr Ford in the 60s and 70s. Had met him when he was part of the movie unit and my Dad was taxiing them around on a PT boat. Late in the war, down in Miami.
Brotherhood of the Bell. A great - GREAT - made-for-TV movie, around about the time of another great TV movie, The Night Stalker, early '70's.
I was REALLY distressed when I heard this tonight on, of all things, the BBC.
You know why? Because they said "He will be best remembered for his role as Superman's adoptive dad."
What a bunch of fools we are raising in this world today.
Apple Annie and Dave the Dude.
-PJ
He was in the kind of movies I will watch over and over and over and over....know what I mean?
Ah that's two bad, he was a hottie when he was young.
Sure do, because I still watch them
I do not know who Tom Cruise is (oh, I've seen a movie or too, but can't remember anything about them).
But a guy like Glen Ford...he always wore the same Hat and gun and gunbelt in his western movies...
He always seemed so AUTHENTIC because maybe that is exactly what he was.
I have to be careful what I write.
I know the Hollywood elitists will be coming here to read sensible posts because they cannot find any on the other station....
And I know how easily they steal good lines.
For years I would make up stories and tell jokes only to hear them 3-4 days later on the Johnny Carson's show.
(And I am not joking! Commuter traffic from the Bay Area to LA...)
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