Hello everybody. Morella and Segers here.
The never before published photo of Alan Ladd which we ran yesterday — (he once said of himself that he had the face of an aging choirboy) — was taken by Donald Gordon in the early-to-mid 1940’s when Ladd was at the height of his reign as Paramount Pictures’ biggest male star. Although never a favorite of critics, Ladd was hugely popular with general audiences who flocked to see the seven movies he made with favorite costar, Veronica Lake, from 1942 to 1946. One of these — “The Blue Dahlia” with a screenplay by Raymond Chandler –is a film noir classic that stands up well to this day. Born in 1913 in Hot Springs, Ark., Ladd endured a hard scrabble childhood that more than occasionally left him malnourished. He was undersized as a result (his nickname was “Tiny”). At 5-foot-6-1/4-inches, the fully-grown Ladd was one of the shortest leading male figures in Hollywood history. All manner of devices — hidden platforms, low camera angles, shoe lifts — were employed during filming to mask Ladd’s diminutive stature especially relative to his leading ladies. Ladd is best known today for his role as the weary, gentle-spoken gun fighter in George Stevens classic 1953 western, “Shane.” (pictured above) Watch carefully how Stevens filmed the climatic gunfight scene showing Ladd squaring off against 6-foot-4-inch Jack Palance as the cold-blooded villain. However short in stature, Ladd enjoyed a lengthy career, appearing in more than 90 movies. He also had his share of problems towards the end. He eagerly sought the lead in “Lawrence of Arabia” that went to Peter O’Toole. A long second marriage to agent Sue Carol was showing signs of strain. Ladd embarked on an unhappy affair with June Allyson. He died in 1964 in Palm Springs, California, of an alcohol-barbiturate overdose. He was just 50 years old. (Final factoid: As a struggling actor, Ladd appeared in a small role as a newspaper reporter in Orson Welles 1941 masterpiece, “Citizen Kane.”)
We’re giving you another day to come up with those answers to the Bogie Quiz.
The film Shane has always been one of my favourite movies and I often let younger family members see it.
Alan Ladd had a great speaking voice – deep and rich and carves out a really believable character in Shane. At the end of the film you are wondering what will become of him as he reaches the top of the hill – A sequel may have worked with the right story line.
Like a lot of people I was deeply touched when he finally says goodbye to young Joey – such good acting. Pale Rider came close with Clint Eastwood.
Eamon Gaffney.
I loved the movie. Last scene one of my all time favourites. The
ride into town and the shoot out with Wilson. I thought it was a good deal better than Pale Rider. George Stevens direction superb. All that tension in the last scene. The kid was outstanding. Sorry I have forgotten his name.
Frank
His name was Brandon deWilde