Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sidekick: Edward Everett Horton

Perhaps one of my favorite character actors of all time, Edward Everett Horton was born in Brooklyn on March 18, 1886. He began his career on stage in 1906 before moving on to films in 1922. With his distinctive voice, Horton easily transitioned to talkies and his career took off. He most often played the role of the uptight businessman whose usual reaction to difficult predicaments was “Oh, dear”. When he added in a double take or a raised eyebrow, his true comedic genius shined through. His enigmatic personality lit up the big screen and the small screen for six decades. Cold Turkey, his last film, was released after his death on September 29, 1970.

Recommended Films:
Trouble in Paradise (1933)
The Gay Divorcee (1933)
Top Hat (1935)
Shall We Dance (1937)
Holiday (1938)
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Pocketful of Miracles (1961)






7 comments:

Nicole Newcomb said...

I always love watching him, he's hilarious. :)

Ginger Ingenue said...

Yeah, he's wonderful! :)

I think he really brightened up TOP HAT, which I'm not too wild about, in the grand scheme of Fred and Ginger pairings.

Genevieve said...

Ginger, most fans of Fred and Ginger would probably shoot you if you told them you didn't care for Top Hat. I wouldn't be one of those people : ) I usually put it as my 4th or 5th favorite of their films. I do think the character actors in it, including Horton, make it worth watching.

Unknown said...

I love EEH! His banter with Eric Blore in Shall We Dance makes for some of the funniest scenes in movie history, in my opinion! Susquehanna!

Genevieve said...

I agree Kate! Blore and Horton together are just hilarious : )

Expos 1983 Blog said...

Horton is a major favourite of mine as well.

one film I've always dreamed of seeing is San Diego I Love You (which also features good ol' Eric Blore, apparently!)

EEH never disappoints, and is wonderful in the Astaire/Rogers films, but my favourite of his roles, without question, is Nick Potter in (both versions of!) Holiday

Dave

Genevieve said...

I checked out "San Diego I Love You" and it seems very interesting, especially since both Horton and Blore are in it.

I totally forgot he was in both versions of Holiday! I have yet to see the earlier one : (