tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post8187352622466248487..comments2024-02-10T04:53:42.121-05:00Comments on Tales of the Easily Distracted: What A Character! Frank McHugh, Annabelle’s Husband, & So Much MoreDorianTBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-52858885203015917882012-10-04T13:55:20.118-04:002012-10-04T13:55:20.118-04:00Becky, beaucoup thanks for your kind praise for my...Becky, beaucoup thanks for your kind praise for my salute to Frank McHugh! We folks of Irish descent have great taste as well as great genes, don't you agree? :-D Frank often made more of an impression on me than some of the so-called stars; character actors rule! <br /><br />By the way, Becks, I watched MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM on TCM last night, and I was delighted to see Frank stretching his wings as a two-fisted newspaperman, trading snappy quips with Glenda Farrell, even proposing marriage with a hot smooch at the end! Don't you love it when a character actor-type fella like Frank gets the girl? Hooray for Hollywood! :-) DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-47468728717262651622012-10-04T11:19:15.329-04:002012-10-04T11:19:15.329-04:00Lovely tribute to an actor who added so much to ev...Lovely tribute to an actor who added so much to every movie he was in, even if his actual screen time was short. I love this guy, Irish to the core (like me!), best breathy funny laugh in the business. Those movies would have suffered from his absence. Good one, Dorian!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-83831931395109095712012-10-03T16:29:12.829-04:002012-10-03T16:29:12.829-04:00How fitting to have two of our favorite Eve-centri...How fitting to have two of our favorite Eve-centric bloggers commenting one after the other: first our pal Eve Gaal from THE DESERT ROCKS, and now you, The Lady Eve herself, joining the conversation! :-D Thanks so much for your kind words about our salute to the funny and lovable Frank McHugh! Like you, we adored him in the zany, delightful I LOVE YOU AGAIN! Frank, Myrna Loy, William Powell, and Alfalfa -- can't ask for a better cast! :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-37357036091836212722012-10-02T23:41:49.838-04:002012-10-02T23:41:49.838-04:00Thank you for putting the spotlight on one of the ...Thank you for putting the spotlight on one of the best - and one of my favorite - character actors in all of Hollywood. He surely does live on in our hearts. I saw "I Love You Again" (1940) for the first time a few years ago - McHugh with Powell and Loy - sigh...fell in love with him all over again.<br /><br />Great choice and great piece, Dorian.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-8422189927881885372012-10-01T10:43:15.564-04:002012-10-01T10:43:15.564-04:00Thank you kindly for your praise, Eve! I like your...Thank you kindly for your praise, Eve! I like your description of Frank McHugh's "everyman face." That's exactly what I find endearing about him, and many other character actors: you feel like you know Frank, like he could be your best pal, or your dad, or for us gals, your cuddly, down-to-earth hubby! :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-57538703530441298092012-09-30T20:50:13.299-04:002012-09-30T20:50:13.299-04:00Funny, but Frank McHugh has one one those 'eve...Funny, but Frank McHugh has one one those 'everyman' faces and I'm not too good at remembering him even though I've seen him in some movies. Nice tribute Miss Dorian! Intangible Heartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05047040538015079182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-78378096011329855362012-09-27T13:30:39.158-04:002012-09-27T13:30:39.158-04:00Yvette, again you prove to be a gal after my own h...Yvette, again you prove to be a gal after my own heart, in this case with your fondness for wonderful character actors in general and ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT in particular! I also love that Conrad Veidt hated those Nazi scum as much as the rest of us in real life. (Glad you got a kick out of my 'Damon Runyon kicks Heinie" gag! :-) <br /><br />I love your descriptions of how our guy Frank "stood out and yet he blended," as well as your delightful description of his "squooshiness." Heck, Vinnie and I consider ourselves to be endearingly squooshy (or as Vinnie says, "pillowy") ourselves! :-) <br /><br />Furthermore, you nailed it when you said, "...have you noticed how many character actors go on to have long-lived marriages? Maybe it was the 'squooshiness'. Just sayin')" In fact, if you're able to get the Warner Bros./TCM Greatest Gangster Films DVD set, it includes commentary tracks, including a nice one for ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT by director Vincent Sherman and biographer Eric Lax as well as a swell featurette, "Call the Usual Suspects: The Craft of the Character Actor." Among other things, the interviewees - including Gary Cole, James Cromwell, and so many others - mention how being a character actor as opposed to a movie star has kept many of their marriages long and happy! No doubt the squooshiness didn't hurt either! :-) Beaucoup thanks for your comments and praise, my friend, as always!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-44794105745059786012012-09-27T11:53:13.409-04:002012-09-27T11:53:13.409-04:00Loved your post, Dorian.
I also love Frank McHugh...Loved your post, Dorian.<br /><br />I also love Frank McHugh. If he's in a movie - how bad could it be? I love ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT with its band of merry character actors stealing the show. And I love Conrad Veidt, my favorite movie villain even though in reality, he was vehemently anti-Nazi. (LOTS of love going on here.)<br /><br />I agree with you, Dorian, about Bogart's 'character' aspect. If he hadn't become a leading man, he probably would have had a long career playing various 'characters'. Kind of like Frank McHugh but without the laughs or rumply nature. :)<br /><br />McHugh had a wonderful quality - he stood out and yet he blended. He was also one of those actors who had a great squooshy aspect. Know what I mean? <br /><br />(And by the way, have you noticed how many character actors go on to have long-lived marriages? Maybe it was the 'squooshiness'. Just sayin')<br /><br />Frank McHugh was the perfect second or third banana. It sounds as if he came from a wonderful acting family. Some fun. It must have been a blast.<br /><br />'Damon Runyon kicks Nazi heinie in NYC.' HaHA!<br /><br /><br />Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-82596509916550193922012-09-26T08:26:18.813-04:002012-09-26T08:26:18.813-04:00John, thanks so much for your enthusiastic praise ...John, thanks so much for your enthusiastic praise for my Frank McHugh post! Frank was definitely one of a kind, and always a welcome presence in any movie. Anytime I watch one of his movies, he always leaves me with a big goofy smile on my face!<br /><br />Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate you on your CiMBA nomination! Bravo, my friend! DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-15459996108927450022012-09-25T22:54:13.191-04:002012-09-25T22:54:13.191-04:00Dorian,
You do justice to one of Warner Brother&#...Dorian,<br /><br />You do justice to one of Warner Brother's great character actors. McHugh always brightened up the screen in so many classic films. Like so many great character actors he had a distinctive face and personality. Great job as always!John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-19353787910890156402012-09-25T21:16:44.854-04:002012-09-25T21:16:44.854-04:00Le, both my husband and I have been trying to get ...Le, both my husband and I have been trying to get your translator to work. I was able to read the English translation, but when I tried to reply in English, I kept getting error messages and "Try again" responses that didn't work. At least I got to read your blogpost, and I very much enjoyed it! That picture of Mercedes McCambridge was hilarious; she looks cute, like a black bunny! Great post, Le!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-63717959714808493022012-09-25T19:50:28.410-04:002012-09-25T19:50:28.410-04:00Hey, Le, always nice to have you joining in the bl...Hey, Le, always nice to have you joining in the blogger fun! I think you'll be a big fan of Frank McHugh instantly, if you haven't already! :-) I'm looking forward to your blogpost about Walter Brennan in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT and Mercedes McCambridge, too! Thanks for your comments!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-63511105570808132022012-09-25T16:36:54.221-04:002012-09-25T16:36:54.221-04:00Nice to know more about him. I really want to watc...Nice to know more about him. I really want to watch the two James Cagney films in the photos and also The Mad Miss Manton, and I'll pay attention to Frank!<br />Don't forget to read my contribution to the blogathon! :)<br />Kisses! Lêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-87961857555095318922012-09-25T13:37:13.099-04:002012-09-25T13:37:13.099-04:00Jacqueline, many thanks for your positive feedback...Jacqueline, many thanks for your positive feedback about Frank McHugh in all his guises, from wise guys to priests and so much more! :-) Heck, I'd love to know more about the McHugh family's stock company, too; it sure sounds like a good way to keep a family together!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-7954351233285577602012-09-25T12:56:30.382-04:002012-09-25T12:56:30.382-04:00Thanks for this fun post on Father Tim. Frank McH...Thanks for this fun post on Father Tim. Frank McHugh is one of those fellows we always recognize. I never knew much about his private life. Would love to know more about his stock company work. Great job.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-1043922211076360382012-09-24T16:38:18.261-04:002012-09-24T16:38:18.261-04:00Caftan Woman, thank you most kindly for your much-...Caftan Woman, thank you most kindly for your much-appreciated praise for our salute to our hero Frank McHugh! You had me smiling with: "'...he can't be known as 'Annabelle's husband', he's already known as 'Father Tim' from my frequent viewings of "Going My Way'". Ah, actors, always living a double life, or even a triple life! :-) <br /><br />I loved hearing that wonderful quote about Frank from his bud James Cagney, too. The general consensus from my research confirms that he was loved by all who knew him. Don't you love it when folks you like on stage and screen turn out to be swell folks, too? :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-20795446299856040892012-09-24T15:03:37.850-04:002012-09-24T15:03:37.850-04:00But he can't be known as "Annabelle's...But he can't be known as "Annabelle's husband", he's already known as "Father Tim" from my frequent viewings of "Going My Way". <br /><br />Frank's pal James Cagney had the greatest respect for McHugh's talent saying that he could take a nothing scene on paper and turn it into something memorable on screen. Cagney sure knew what he was talking about.<br /><br />Not only a wonderful choice, another wonderful article.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-23459088849746285812012-09-24T15:01:52.928-04:002012-09-24T15:01:52.928-04:00Oops! Of course I meant FOOTLIGHT PARADE! I typed ...Oops! Of course I meant FOOTLIGHT PARADE! I typed too fast! :-) Thanks again for the heads-up!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-32789439973112991992012-09-24T15:00:34.711-04:002012-09-24T15:00:34.711-04:00Kevin, with my love of film noir, I sometimes forg...Kevin, with my love of film noir, I sometimes forget that Dick Powell was a crooner first! Now I have to see Powell and our man Frank in FOOTLIGHT SERENADE; thanks for the tip! :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-11956238212808086872012-09-24T12:38:51.905-04:002012-09-24T12:38:51.905-04:00I've always loved Frank McHugh and Dick Powell...I've always loved Frank McHugh and Dick Powell serenading each other with "Ah the Moon is Here" during the rehearsal scenes of "Footlight Parade." Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-42816065329688344442012-09-24T11:48:32.483-04:002012-09-24T11:48:32.483-04:00Sarah, thanks for your kind words about my post ab...Sarah, thanks for your kind words about my post about Frank McHugh; I'm always happy to meet fellow Frank fans! Funny you should mention I LOVE YOU AGAIN, because I watched it for the first time recently. What a hoot - it's delightfully nutzoid! I confess this was the first time I'd seen Myrna Loy and William Powell in a film of their that WASN'T a THIN MAN movie! :-) DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-27425633257002136712012-09-24T11:36:56.206-04:002012-09-24T11:36:56.206-04:00Kristina, beaucoup thanks for your enthusiastic pr...Kristina, beaucoup thanks for your enthusiastic praise about my Frank McHugh post! I know what you mean, because when I first came across ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, I'd never heard of it, but I fell in love with it and felt like I'd discovered hidden treasure. I'm so glad you and I and other fans of great character actors and comedy-mysteries are discovering it, too! And like you, now that I know Frank had not only a talented brother in Matt, but an entire show biz family, I've been keeping an eye on the other McHughs, too. Isn't research wonderful? :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-51019147476714257552012-09-24T11:32:52.316-04:002012-09-24T11:32:52.316-04:00I'm so happy to see this post! I love McHugh. ...I'm so happy to see this post! I love McHugh. He is so lovable and just cracks me up. I first saw him in "I Love You Again" with my all time faves Myrna Loy and William Powell and immediately fell for him. He is funny! Since then, I seek out movies he's in. I've never seen an article about him though, until now. This is wonderful! Thank you!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06405546452488833090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-55968976965387322422012-09-24T07:44:33.564-04:002012-09-24T07:44:33.564-04:00real nice post & great pick, McHugh is another...real nice post & great pick, McHugh is another one of the lovable character actors that make you smile, the jolly buddy, also good at playing exasperated. Like you I am a huge fan of ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT! remember when first watching it, feeling like I just discovered an amazing Bogart movie nobody else seems to know about! big fan of that gif too, haha. Something I did not know about was the other McHughs, thanks for pointing that out, will be on the lookout for them now. all the best! Kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11659951781597698530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-509497574816685109.post-1924322630485154782012-09-23T21:32:55.230-04:002012-09-23T21:32:55.230-04:00Ruth, you're a gal after my own heart when it ...Ruth, you're a gal after my own heart when it comes to swell character actors! :-) I too found Frank McHugh all the more endearing when I discovered he'd been happily married to the same woman for 48 years - what a guy!<br /><br />Thanks a million for your praise of my goofy captions! They're a big part of the fun for me. Kudos also to my sweet hubby Vinnie, for his GIF skills! :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.com