Born in 1920, Walter Matthau was a celebrated performer on both the stage and screen, known for his gruff, rumpled persona. Let’s take a look back at 15 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Matthau turned to acting after serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He became a frequent presence on the small screen with appearances in “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Goodyear Playhouse,” and “The Du Pont Show of the Week” (which brought him an Emmy bid in 1963), to name a few. During this period he also appeared in several films, few of them comedies, including “A Face in the Crowd” (1957) and “Fail Safe” (1964).
At the same time, he gained increasing respect as a stage actor with Tony Award-winning performances in “A Shot in the Dark” (Featured Actor in a Play in 1962) and “The Odd Couple” (Actor in a Play in 1965). It was in the latter role of Oscar Madison,...
Matthau turned to acting after serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He became a frequent presence on the small screen with appearances in “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Goodyear Playhouse,” and “The Du Pont Show of the Week” (which brought him an Emmy bid in 1963), to name a few. During this period he also appeared in several films, few of them comedies, including “A Face in the Crowd” (1957) and “Fail Safe” (1964).
At the same time, he gained increasing respect as a stage actor with Tony Award-winning performances in “A Shot in the Dark” (Featured Actor in a Play in 1962) and “The Odd Couple” (Actor in a Play in 1965). It was in the latter role of Oscar Madison,...
- 9/22/2023
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Donald Petrie's "Grumpy Old Men" was released in theaters on Christmas Day in 1993, serving as that year's "take your parents to see it" film. Prior to "Grumpy Old Men," the film's two stars, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, had appeared in five films together, including "The Fortune Cookie," Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," "Kotch," "The Front Page," and "Buddy Buddy." The two were so well known for their chemistry, they were often considered one of comedy's great, prevailing duos. To this day, they are often mentioned together, and the two are buried not too far apart in the same cemetery in Westwood, CA.
While Lemmon and Matthau worked together regularly throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, there was a notable gap in their shared résumé. From 1981 until 1993, the pair did not work in tandem — even though they both appeared in Oliver Stone's 1991 film, "JFK," they had no scenes together.
While Lemmon and Matthau worked together regularly throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, there was a notable gap in their shared résumé. From 1981 until 1993, the pair did not work in tandem — even though they both appeared in Oliver Stone's 1991 film, "JFK," they had no scenes together.
- 3/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Plot: A group of eighty-year-old women win tickets to the Super Bowl to see their favorite quarterback, Tom Brady, in action.
Review: One has to give all the gals involved in 80 for Brady credit. In recent years, all four have had tremendous success, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin doing excellent work on the consistently watchable Grace and Frankie on Netflix. Meanwhile, Rita Moreno, at ninety-one (but looking at least fifteen years younger), is an Egot winner who was just in Spielberg’s remake of her own West Side Story, while Sally Field (the youngest of the group at 76) was recently in a terrific indie called Hello My Name is Doris. All four are still in the game and doing great work, but 80 for Brady isn’t going to be a career highlight for any of them.
It’s a shame, as the director, Kyle Marvin, made a superb comedy...
Review: One has to give all the gals involved in 80 for Brady credit. In recent years, all four have had tremendous success, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin doing excellent work on the consistently watchable Grace and Frankie on Netflix. Meanwhile, Rita Moreno, at ninety-one (but looking at least fifteen years younger), is an Egot winner who was just in Spielberg’s remake of her own West Side Story, while Sally Field (the youngest of the group at 76) was recently in a terrific indie called Hello My Name is Doris. All four are still in the game and doing great work, but 80 for Brady isn’t going to be a career highlight for any of them.
It’s a shame, as the director, Kyle Marvin, made a superb comedy...
- 2/3/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Estelle Harris, who played George Costanza’s (Jason Alexander) mother Estelle on the iconic NBC sitcom Seinfeld, died Saturday evening of natural causes in Palm Desert, California, just weeks before her 94th birthday.
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” her son Glen Harris, who held her as she drew her final breath, told Deadline. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Born Estelle Nussbaum in New York City on April 22, 1928, Harris appeared on 27 episodes of Seinfeld between 1992 and 1998. (The character had been named Estelle before she landed the part.) She began pursuing acting at assorted amateur community theaters while raising her children, and went on to find incredible success both on stage and on screen, also featuring in such series as Futurama,...
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” her son Glen Harris, who held her as she drew her final breath, told Deadline. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Born Estelle Nussbaum in New York City on April 22, 1928, Harris appeared on 27 episodes of Seinfeld between 1992 and 1998. (The character had been named Estelle before she landed the part.) She began pursuing acting at assorted amateur community theaters while raising her children, and went on to find incredible success both on stage and on screen, also featuring in such series as Futurama,...
- 4/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Walter Matthau would’ve celebrated his 98th birthday on October 1, 2018. Born in 1920, the actor was a celebrated performer on both the stage and screen, known for his gruff, rumpled persona. In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look back at 15 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Matthau turned to acting after serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He became a frequent presence on the small screen with appearances in “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Goodyear Playhouse,” and “The Du Pont Show of the Week” (which brought him an Emmy bid in 1963), to name a few. During this period he also appeared in several films, few of them comedies, including “A Face in the Crowd” (1957) and “Fail Safe” (1964).
At the same time, he gained increasing respect as a stage actor with Tony Award-winning performances in “A Shot in the Dark” (Featured Actor in a Play...
Matthau turned to acting after serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He became a frequent presence on the small screen with appearances in “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Goodyear Playhouse,” and “The Du Pont Show of the Week” (which brought him an Emmy bid in 1963), to name a few. During this period he also appeared in several films, few of them comedies, including “A Face in the Crowd” (1957) and “Fail Safe” (1964).
At the same time, he gained increasing respect as a stage actor with Tony Award-winning performances in “A Shot in the Dark” (Featured Actor in a Play...
- 10/1/2018
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
If you haven’t been shopping on nastygal.com lately, that’s about to change. The entire site (yes, entire site) is 70 percent off which means this is the perfect time to start updating your spring wardrobe. We gathered five items that are great transitional pieces that can bring you from winter to spring without, thankfully, breaking the bank. Shop the retailer’s cute bombers, blouses and boots, but fast — while a full range of sizes are still available!
Every closet can use an outerwear re-boost at the start of a new season, and now’s the time to snag up these quirky,...
Every closet can use an outerwear re-boost at the start of a new season, and now’s the time to snag up these quirky,...
- 2/21/2017
- by Colleen Kratofil
- PEOPLE.com
Simon Brew Sep 2, 2016
Premiere magazine highlighted 10 movie executives to watch in 1990. So what happened to them?
In its May 1990 issue, the sadly-missed Us version of Premiere magazine published an article, highlighting ten young movie executives, and suggesting that these were people with very big futures ahead of them in the industry.
Given that much is written about movie executives, without actually digging much deeper to find out who they actually are, I thought it was worth tracing what happened to these ten, and – 26 years later – whether Premiere was correct in saluting them as the future of the industry. So, er, I did...
Lance Young
Senior production VP, Paramount Pictures
Pictured in the article on an office swivel chair with some snazzy purple socks, Lance Young, Premiere wrote, had been “groomed for big things since joining Paramount at the age of 23”. He was 30 at the time the article was published, and...
Premiere magazine highlighted 10 movie executives to watch in 1990. So what happened to them?
In its May 1990 issue, the sadly-missed Us version of Premiere magazine published an article, highlighting ten young movie executives, and suggesting that these were people with very big futures ahead of them in the industry.
Given that much is written about movie executives, without actually digging much deeper to find out who they actually are, I thought it was worth tracing what happened to these ten, and – 26 years later – whether Premiere was correct in saluting them as the future of the industry. So, er, I did...
Lance Young
Senior production VP, Paramount Pictures
Pictured in the article on an office swivel chair with some snazzy purple socks, Lance Young, Premiere wrote, had been “groomed for big things since joining Paramount at the age of 23”. He was 30 at the time the article was published, and...
- 8/31/2016
- Den of Geek
Gloria DeHaven, famous for starring in a parade of Hollywood musicals in the 1940s and '50s, has died. She was 91. DeHaven died Saturday in hospice care in Las Vegas after suffering a stroke a few months ago, reports Reuters. The actress made her screen debut in Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times as Paulette Goddard's younger sister. She went on to star in a bevy of musicals - many of them for MGM - in the 1940s and '50s including Two Girls and a Sailor , Step Lively with Frank Sinatra (who had his first onscreen kiss with...
- 8/1/2016
- by Jodi Guglielmi, @JodiGug3
- PEOPLE.com
One of the Broadway greats has passed away.
Broadway great Elaine Stritch has passed away on Thursday morning. She was 89.
Though the five-time Tony nominee is perhaps best known for her stage presence (Bus Stop, Sail Away, Company), her TV and film resume is also quite impressive.
From 2008-2013, she was nominated for an Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy for her role as Colleen Donaghy, the mother of Alec Baldwin's character Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock. In 1993, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Law & Order.
She's also appeared in two Woody Allen movies, September (1987) and Small Time Crooks (2000). Her other more recent film credits include Monster In Law (2005), Autumn In New York (2000), Screwed (2000) and Out to Sea (1997).
As far as her musical background, Stritch has starred in No No Nanette, The King and I and I Married an Angel. She was also...
Broadway great Elaine Stritch has passed away on Thursday morning. She was 89.
Though the five-time Tony nominee is perhaps best known for her stage presence (Bus Stop, Sail Away, Company), her TV and film resume is also quite impressive.
From 2008-2013, she was nominated for an Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy for her role as Colleen Donaghy, the mother of Alec Baldwin's character Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock. In 1993, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Law & Order.
She's also appeared in two Woody Allen movies, September (1987) and Small Time Crooks (2000). Her other more recent film credits include Monster In Law (2005), Autumn In New York (2000), Screwed (2000) and Out to Sea (1997).
As far as her musical background, Stritch has starred in No No Nanette, The King and I and I Married an Angel. She was also...
- 7/17/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Mark Kennedy, Associated Press
Jake Coyle, Associated Press
New York (AP) - Elaine Stritch, the brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a Broadway legend, has died. She was 89.
Joseph Rosenthal, Stritch's longtime attorney, said the actress died Thursday of natural causes at her home in Birmingham, Michigan.
Although Stritch appeared in movies and on television, garnering three Emmys and finding new fans as Alec Baldwin's unforgiving mother on "30 Rock," she was best known for her stage work, particularly in her candid one-woman memoir, "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty," and in the Stephen Sondheim musical "Company."
A tart-tongued monument to New York show business endurance, Stritch worked well into her late 80s, most recently as Madame Armfeldt in a revival of Sondheim's musical "A Little Night Music." She replaced Angela Lansbury in 2010 to critical acclaim.
In 2013, Stritch - whose signature "no pants" style...
Jake Coyle, Associated Press
New York (AP) - Elaine Stritch, the brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a Broadway legend, has died. She was 89.
Joseph Rosenthal, Stritch's longtime attorney, said the actress died Thursday of natural causes at her home in Birmingham, Michigan.
Although Stritch appeared in movies and on television, garnering three Emmys and finding new fans as Alec Baldwin's unforgiving mother on "30 Rock," she was best known for her stage work, particularly in her candid one-woman memoir, "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty," and in the Stephen Sondheim musical "Company."
A tart-tongued monument to New York show business endurance, Stritch worked well into her late 80s, most recently as Madame Armfeldt in a revival of Sondheim's musical "A Little Night Music." She replaced Angela Lansbury in 2010 to critical acclaim.
In 2013, Stritch - whose signature "no pants" style...
- 7/17/2014
- by The Associated Press
- Moviefone
It’s a film festival! It’s a sideshow! It’s both! It’s the 12th annual Coney Island Film Festival, which will be taking over the world famous Sideshows by the Seashore and other venues on Sept. 21-23 at one of the most wonderful places on Earth: Coney Island!
This year’s fun begins on the 21st with the knock-’em-dead (literally) Opening Night film Play Dead, co-directed by underground journalist Shade Rupe and the world’s greatest silent magician, Teller. The film is a documentary performance of Teller and Coney Island’s own Todd Robbins hit live off-Broadway gore-a-thon.
Play Dead will then be followed by a wild Opening Night Party featuring a performance by Mr. Robbins, plus lots of burlesque performances, Go Go dancers and other crazy surprises.
Some of the other highlights of this year’s Ciff include the Mark Mori’s documentary Bettie Page Reveals All...
This year’s fun begins on the 21st with the knock-’em-dead (literally) Opening Night film Play Dead, co-directed by underground journalist Shade Rupe and the world’s greatest silent magician, Teller. The film is a documentary performance of Teller and Coney Island’s own Todd Robbins hit live off-Broadway gore-a-thon.
Play Dead will then be followed by a wild Opening Night Party featuring a performance by Mr. Robbins, plus lots of burlesque performances, Go Go dancers and other crazy surprises.
Some of the other highlights of this year’s Ciff include the Mark Mori’s documentary Bettie Page Reveals All...
- 9/18/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
To prove that lightning seldom strikes in the same place twice, we take a look at ten romantic and bromantic movie pairings that failed to work a second time...
We all know and recognise the thought process behind many studios’ decisions to re-cast actors opposite one another after a successful first film together. Whenever a lot is made of two actors’ supposed chemistry alongside one another, the standards are set unusually high for a repeat performance.
One of things that makes that elusive on-screen chemistry so hard to define is that it has often proven so difficult to replicate. Here are ten pairings that have fallen into the ever-expanding trap of diminishing returns. Oh, and if you care to celebrate it with much gusto, happy Valentine’s Day to you all. I shall be celebrating it with a bucket of KFC – not that I’m bitter or anything...
Tom Hanks...
We all know and recognise the thought process behind many studios’ decisions to re-cast actors opposite one another after a successful first film together. Whenever a lot is made of two actors’ supposed chemistry alongside one another, the standards are set unusually high for a repeat performance.
One of things that makes that elusive on-screen chemistry so hard to define is that it has often proven so difficult to replicate. Here are ten pairings that have fallen into the ever-expanding trap of diminishing returns. Oh, and if you care to celebrate it with much gusto, happy Valentine’s Day to you all. I shall be celebrating it with a bucket of KFC – not that I’m bitter or anything...
Tom Hanks...
- 2/13/2012
- Den of Geek
Transformers: Dark of the Moon became had the biggest 4th of July opening weekend ever, racking up $116 million over the four-day weekend and $181 million since it opened last Tuesday night. It also earned $210 million overseas, making it Paramount's biggest overseas opener of all time. It broke box-office opening weekend records in South Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Peru and Panama. It was also the biggest opening weekend of the year in the United States. Despite that, Dark of the Moon actually had 15 percent fewer attendees than did the first Transformers movie.
Bridesmaids surpassed Sex and the City this weekend to become the highest grossing R-Rated female ensemble comedy of all time (the highest grossing R-Rated movie directed by a female is still a mystery). Bridesmaids also become Universal's most successful romantic comedy, the 7th highest grossing romantic comedy of all time and Judd Apatow's top-grossing film of all time,...
Bridesmaids surpassed Sex and the City this weekend to become the highest grossing R-Rated female ensemble comedy of all time (the highest grossing R-Rated movie directed by a female is still a mystery). Bridesmaids also become Universal's most successful romantic comedy, the 7th highest grossing romantic comedy of all time and Judd Apatow's top-grossing film of all time,...
- 7/5/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
Chicago – Rue McClanahan, the vivacious Southern Belle from “The Golden Girls,” died this morning at age 76. Her death comes just days after the passing of two other prominent figures in show business, Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper. Earlier this year, McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke after recovering from bypass surgery, and it was a massive stroke on the morning of Thursday, June 3rd, that proved to be fatal. She was reportedly surrounded by her family when she passed at 1 a.m.
Rue McClanahan
Born in Healdton, Okla., McClanahan attended the University of Tulsa before moving to New York City, where she eventually landed roles in the theatre. It was there that producer Norman Lear discovered her, and decided to cast her in an episode of “All in the Family.” She then landed a recurring role on the show’s popular spinoff series, “Maude,” opposite Bea Arthur. Her next major...
Rue McClanahan
Born in Healdton, Okla., McClanahan attended the University of Tulsa before moving to New York City, where she eventually landed roles in the theatre. It was there that producer Norman Lear discovered her, and decided to cast her in an episode of “All in the Family.” She then landed a recurring role on the show’s popular spinoff series, “Maude,” opposite Bea Arthur. Her next major...
- 6/3/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
And then there was one. Rue McClanahan, best known as "Blanche" on the eternal sitcom The Golden Girls has passed away at 76 after years of health problems. That leaves only the increasingly popular Betty White as the last Golden Girl standing, there to receive all the love we have left for these awesome women.
Rose (White) was my favorite but Blanche (McClanahan) the runner up in the laugh-generation department for me (I've always loved the saucy dames). I was just thinking about The Golden Girls yesterday because my mind was drifting to the upcoming Emmy nominations. The Emmys are often quite terrible about divvying up the goods, giving way too many prizes to the same shows and performers over the years. But in the case of The Golden Girls, the Emmy voters seem to have a very welcome and secret conspiracy to spread the wealth; All four of the women...
Rose (White) was my favorite but Blanche (McClanahan) the runner up in the laugh-generation department for me (I've always loved the saucy dames). I was just thinking about The Golden Girls yesterday because my mind was drifting to the upcoming Emmy nominations. The Emmys are often quite terrible about divvying up the goods, giving way too many prizes to the same shows and performers over the years. But in the case of The Golden Girls, the Emmy voters seem to have a very welcome and secret conspiracy to spread the wealth; All four of the women...
- 6/3/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Television and theater star Rue McClanahan was in Austin last weekend for the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (Bcrc) annual benefit. She kept several hundred attendees entertained and engaged with stories about acting onstage, how she met her current husband Morrow Wilson, and how she discovered that she had cancer.
Although best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux in Golden Girls, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen throughout her acting career including the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and Starship Troopers (1997). I asked Ms. McClanahan about her Starship Troopers experience, and she stated that she'd loved working with that nice Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven.
At the end of the keynote speech, the audience and Rue participated in the creation of a new "no talking during the movie" bumper for the Alamo Drafthouse. I won't reveal the details, but suffice to say Rue handled it firmly and elegantly.
Although best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux in Golden Girls, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen throughout her acting career including the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and Starship Troopers (1997). I asked Ms. McClanahan about her Starship Troopers experience, and she stated that she'd loved working with that nice Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven.
At the end of the keynote speech, the audience and Rue participated in the creation of a new "no talking during the movie" bumper for the Alamo Drafthouse. I won't reveal the details, but suffice to say Rue handled it firmly and elegantly.
- 10/1/2009
- by Debbie Cerda
- Slackerwood
Former DGA topper Martha Coolidge has inked with Paradigm Talent & Literary for representation. The filmmaker is in postproduction on the romantic comedy The Prince and Me, starring Julia Stiles and Luke Mably. The film, a Sobini Films production, is due for release early next year from Paramount Pictures. Coolidge's other credits include Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Out to Sea, Three Wishes, Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose and Real Genius. Coolidge served as president of the DGA for one year, taking over for Jack Shea in March 2002. She was replaced by Michael Apted in June and now serves as first vp of the DGA.
- 12/29/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Producer John Davis and his Davis Entertainment have re-upped with 20th Century Fox for another three years. The renewed deal continues the long-term relationship between Davis and the studio. The production outfit first inked a deal at Fox in 1994, and since that time, Davis Entertainment has produced Out to Sea, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; Courage Under Fire, starring Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington; the Dr. Dolittle franchise, starring Eddie Murphy; and the military actioner Behind Enemy Lines, starring Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson. "We are all thrilled to be extending our incredibly successful partnership with John and Davis Entertainment," TCF topper Hutch Parker said in a statement. "At a time when most people struggle to get movies made, John makes it look effortless, as his upcoming slate reflects. He and his team have been crucial to our success and are equally invaluable to our future."...
- 3/14/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Producer John Davis and his Davis Entertainment have re-upped with 20th Century Fox for another three years. The renewed deal continues the long-term relationship between Davis and the studio. The production outfit first inked a deal at Fox in 1994, and since that time, Davis Entertainment has produced Out to Sea, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; Courage Under Fire, starring Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington; the Dr. Dolittle franchise, starring Eddie Murphy; and the military actioner Behind Enemy Lines, starring Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson. "We are all thrilled to be extending our incredibly successful partnership with John and Davis Entertainment," TCF topper Hutch Parker said in a statement. "At a time when most people struggle to get movies made, John makes it look effortless, as his upcoming slate reflects. He and his team have been crucial to our success and are equally invaluable to our future."...
- 3/14/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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