I must apologize in advance for the skimpiness of detail in discussing my villains. Computer problems are preventing me from pulling up sites that I use to refresh memory and find information. If you are reading this at all, it means that I got lucky. Instead of a more comprehensive look at the actors, I offer this pictorial with the information I have in my memory. I have many favorite villains in movies, and I have picked five to share with you. I have chosen pictures of the actors in their roles, as well as the same actors as just themselves. It would be fun to hear from you about
your favorites:
#1 Henry Daniell as Lord Wolfingham in
The Sea Hawk (1940). As a slimy, deceitful Englishmen who spies for Spain, Daniell incurs the wrath of one of England's Sea Hawks (Errol Flynn). Daniell's wonderfully clipped, nasal British accent makes him a perfect villain who believes he will win in the end. He doesn't...
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Daniell could not swing a sword at all, and was doubled
in all fencing shots -- but who cares? He was a great villain!
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I'm not sure if he smiled much, but
he is distinguished and very proper! |
#2 Richard Widmark as Tommy Udo in
Kiss of Death (1947). Widmark became a star with his portrayal of the disgusting, giggling psychopath member of a crime mob. He would stop at nothing, and enjoyed his job.
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| Yes, Tommy Udo gleefully pushed the crippled lady down the stairs... |
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| Widmark ... handsome and well-liked by colleagues. |
#3 Jane Greer as Kathie in
Out of the Past (1947). Beautiful, slinky, a dame who epitomized female sociopaths in classic film noir, Jane Greer worked her deadly wiles on Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas. She almost got away with it ... almost...
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| Kathie is ready to do anything to get what she wants... |
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| Jane washing her hair like any other woman... |
#4 Steve Cochran as "Big Ed" in
White Heat (1949). Scheming and cocky, Big Ed plans to take over crime operations led by the insane gangster Cody Jarrett (James Cagney). He also plans to take over Cody's wife Verna (Virginia Mayo). Big Ed gets his in the end...
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Big Ed with Verna.
Love the way he spits out his gum before he kisses her... |
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| Steve Cochran looking handsome and friendly in real life... |
#5 Claude Rains as Victor Grandison in
The Unsuspected (1947). Rains can play anything, and he does a tour de force performance in a rather flawed movie. He plays Victor Grandison, a smooth-voiced, gentle and smiling radio writer and performer. In reality, he is a killer who plans to knock off his loving ward and anybody else who gets in the way.
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Dear, sweet "Grandy" comforts his ward as he plots
to kill her for her money... |
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| Rains ... a great actor respected by all... |
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