Roddy McDowall

He represented gay Hollywood better than most.  Everyone suspected Roddy was gay from the time he was a child actor.  In observing him one might say well, if he's not gay, then he must be English.  As it turns out, he was both.   He never hid his gayness from his profession, never made up stories about himself but neither did he make a public announcement... not back in those days.  He just was.  Few actors, gay or not, were ever as popular with the acting community as Roddy McDowall. 

From the 1960's: Captain Newman, M.D.

1963 Military Drama Comedy
From Universal Pictures
Directed by David Miller

Starring
Gregory Peck
Tony Curtis
Angie Dickinson
Bobby Darin
Eddie Albert
Robert Duvall
Bethel Leslie
Larry Storch
James Gregory
Jane Withers
Dick Sargent
Robert F. Simon

Starring the Newmans

One of the most popular, charismatic, talented and glamorous screen pairings of all time is certainly Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.  The fact that they were also married sweetened the pie all the more.  Each would make famously lauded films without the other but we're highlighting the 10 big-screen films over five decades in which they acted with one another.  There is, however, even more to say about their professional relationship but we're saving that for the end

Movie Biographies: Love Me or Leave Me

1955 Musical Biography
From MGM
Directed by Charles Vidor

Starring
Doris Day
James Cagney
Cameron Mitchell
Robert Keith
Tom Tully
Harry Bellaver

Diane Baker

While she has worked through six decades, Diane Baker enjoyed her greatest success at the start of her acting career, from 1959-65.  She was a sweet-looking ingenue who blossomed into a swan as she aged.  Even her best years in films were spotty.  She tended to do better among large casts.  When she was (rarely) top-billed or even the leading lady to a male star, she and the films didn't fare so well.  I wonder why.

A Glittering Cast: The Best of Everything

1959 Romance Drama
From 20th Century Fox
Directed by Jean Negulesco

Starring
Hope Lange
Stephen Boyd
Suzy Parker
Martha Hyer
Diane Baker
Robert Evans
Brian Aherne
Brett Halsey
Sue Carson
Donald Harron
Ted Otis
Louis Jourdan
Joan Crawford

From the 1950s: No Down Payment

1957 Drama

From 20th Century Fox

Directed by Martin Ritt

Starring

Joanne Woodward

Sheree North

Tony Randall

Jeffrey Hunter

Cameron Mitchell
Patricia Owens

Barbara Rush

Pat Hingle

The Directors: Stanley Donen

He has been associated with some of the most innovative and magical Hollywood musicals of the late 1940's and 1950's.  It was decided he is the King of the Musicals and also Gene Kelly's invisible partner.  Stanley Donen was already a dancer himself when in 1941 he first teamed up with Kelly on Broadway.  They would go on to co-direct three successful musicals and Donen would later bring to life some sparkling romantic-comedies.

Guilty Pleasures: Where Love Has Gone

1964 Drama
From Paramount Pictures
Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Starring
Susan Hayward
Bette Davis
Michael Connors
Jane Greer
Joey Heatherton
George Macready
DeForest Kelley
Anne Seymour
Anthony Caruso
Willis Bouchey