NOTICE: The WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon has been postponed until next weekend, November 21-22-23. We will promote everyone’s post as usual during those three days.
To all participants – thank you for your patience and understanding.
Kellee, Paula and Aurora
◊
WE’RE BACK for number 4!
To say we’re thrilled is an understatement and we hope you’ll join us in spotlighting the Edmund Gwenns and Spring Byingtons of the world, the oft forgotten names that never appeared above the title. If this is right up your movie alley then give us a shout out…
Kellee at Outspoken & Freckled and (@IrishJayHawk66) and Kellee Pratt
Paula at Paula’s Cinema Club and (@Paula_Guthat) and Paula Guthat
Aurora at Once Upon a Screen and (@CitizenScreen) and Citizen Screen
And please adhere to the following:
- Let one of the hosts know which character actor is your choice. Since there are so many greats worthy of mention, we won’t take any repeats and we’re not limiting these to “classic” actors. AND since the medium of Television has featured such greats through the years as well we’re widening the field to include small-screen characters this year.
- Don’t take it for granted we know exactly who you are or where your blog resides – please include the title and url to your blog.
- Publish the post for either November 14, 15 & 16. Let us know if you have a date preference, otherwise we’ll split publicizing duties equally among the three days.
- Please include the blogathon graphic on your blog to help us publicize the event and include it in your post.
- It would be really helpful if you can send any of us the direct link to your post. Searching on social media sites can lead to missed entries.
- HAVE FUN and spread the word! There are many great characters worthy of attention.
Scroll down for the list of participants and character actor choices.
A big thank you – HAPPY BLOGGING!
The faces on the banner:
Row 1: (L-R) Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Margaret Dumont, Edward Arnold, Albert Dekker, Ann Miller, Leon Errol
Row 2: (L-R) Dan Duryea, Eugene Palette, Aline MacMahon, Charles Coburn, Lee J. Cobb, Billie Burke
Row 3: (L-R) Spring Byington, Walter Brennan, Hattie McDaniel, Gene Lockhart, Margaret O’Brien, Edgar Kennedy
Row 4: (L-R) Eric Blore, Franklin Pangborn, Frank Morgan, Guy Kibbee, Gloria Grahame, Jane Darwell
Row 5: (L-R) Judith Anderson, Edward Everett Horton, Eve Arden, S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall, Thelma Ritter, Louis Calhern
Row 6: (L-R) Charles Lane, Kim Hunter, David Wayne, Louise Beavers, Cecil Kellaway, Shemp Howard
♦
Participating blogs and chosen Character Actors
(Listed alphabetically by actor)
Now Voyaging – Robert Barratt
In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood – Ethel Barrymore
Girls Do Film – Louise Beavers
Four Star Films – Noah Beery, Jr.
Aperture Reviews – Whit Bissell
Movies Silently – Elmer Booth
Smitten Kitten Vintage – Joe E. Brown
In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood – Spring Byington
Caftan Woman – Harry Carey and Harry Carey, Jr.
Once Upon a Screen – Leo G. Carroll, a Hitchcock Favorite
Speakeasy – Eduardo Ciannelli
Phyllis Loves Classic Movies – Charles Coburn
Silver Scenes – Robert Coote
Tales of the Easily Distracted – Lloyd Corigan in THE BIG CLOCK and BOSTON BLACKIE
Another Old Movie Blog – Jerome Cowan
Hometowns to Hollywood – Harry Davenport
Silver Screenings – Daffy Duck
Tales From the Border – Dwight Frye
Movie Movie Blog Blog – Ned Glass
Classic Film and TV Cafe – Sydney Greenstreet
Flickin’ Out – Charlotte Greenwood
Critica Retro – Wilson Grey
I See a Dark Theater – Marsha Hunt
The Motion Pictures – Allen Jenkins
Mrs. Charles – Tommy Lee Jones
Silver Scenes – Allyn Joslyn
Spellbound by Movies – Tom Kennedy
Immortal Ephemera – Guy Kibbee
The Wonderful World of Cinema – Jessie Royce Landis
CineMaven’s Essays from the Couch – Peter Lorre
The View From the Back Row – Marjorie Main
Hometowns 2 Hollywood – Una Merkel
Second Sight Cinema – Dickie Moore
The Last Drive-In – Agnes Moorehead
A Shroud of Thoughts – Frank Morgan
Shadows and Satin – Clarence Muse
Wolffian Classic Movies Digest – Margaret O’Brien
Joel’s Classic Film Passion – Una O’Connor
Movie Fan Fare – Maria Ouspenskaya
Outspoken & Freckled – Franklin Pangborn
Just a Cineast – John Qualen
LA Explorer – Rags Ragland
Old Hollywood Films – SZ ‘Cuddles’ Sakall
Portraits by Jenni – C. Aubrey Smith
Le Mot du Cinephiliaque – Harry Dean Stanton
BNoirDetour – Helene Stanton
Movie Classics – Zeffie Tilbury
Wide Screen World – Shelley Winters
Sister Celluloid – Roland Young
Once upon a screen... 
i was thinking Louise Latham this year…
but ive got a few other wonderful unsung characters –so let me mull it over and i will give u my final answer asap-this is my fav blogathon!!!!!
okay I’ve been wanting to Agnes Moorhead as a feature can I pick the great lady for this blogathon?
OH MY! What a choice after mulling it over for a few moments!! LOVE HER!! Thanks for your enthusiasm AND the reblog!
And I’m staying away from anything that lying weasel Bosely had to say about her Strictly an homage to her long history of work in the theatre, radio and the big screen!
LOL – Lying weasel! Good!
If I could get my hands around his repulsive neck I’d ring it like a dirty dish cloth!
Remind me to never piss you off! 🙂
Nah! I’ve got a long fuse, but I don’t like people taking advantage of others, and making a profit off of them while exploiting, lying bullying condemning –with no sign of respect or admiration for the lives of people who’s personal life should be regarded as such. Bose Hadley has no integrity. He is a parasite in this world who spread malicious lies about some of the greatest people, who are no longer here to defend themselves. If you ever read his abusive interview with Barbara Stanwyck you would want to jump through the pages and strangle that rat bastard yourself….. I’m really not violent. I just wont stand for abuse of animals, old people, or those marginalized and not able to fight back…. ok my soap box is back in the garage and nice Joey is saying ‘thanks for letting me tribute the great Agnes Moorehead!!!!!
Agree with every word!
Reblogged this on the last drive in and commented:
its here again!
So glad you’re doing this again — I had great fun with it the last time! I just saw one of my fave character actors, Ned Glass, on a show the other night. I’d like to cover him for the blogathon!
Wonderful! Thanks for joining us. 🙂
Reblogged this on and commented:
It’s back!
I’ve always focused on ladies for this blogathon, but would like to switch it up this year with a look at Harry Carey and Harry Carey Jr.
http://www.caftanwoman.com/
LOVE IT!! Never chosen before if memory serves! Happy to have you onboard, Paddy!
Please put me down for C. Aubrey Smith and I’ll have my post up on Nov. 14th, that Saturday. Yeah, I’m glad you all our hosting this blogathon once again. It’s so fun to write for it. 🙂
YAY!!! Thanks, Jenni!
Reblogged this on portraitsbyjenni and commented:
I’ll be joining in on this blogathon fun, and writing about English character actor C. Aubrey Smith. 🙂
Just now reblogged the announcement, too.
THANK YOU!! 😀
Would love to do a post on Allen Jenkins on the 14th or 16th! (No preference between those dates, just not the 15th because I have a series that goes up on Sundays.) My blog is The Motion Pictures, http://themotionpictures.net.
Fantastic, Lindsey!! Thanks for joining us!
Hi Aurora,
I would like to do a post on Ethel Barrymore? Would that be ok? My blog: In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood.
Sure, no problem. Interesting choice for this event. THANKS!
Thanks Aurora. I will reblog it.
Super! I was hoping you’d do the Character blogathon again. Could you put me down for Allyn Joslyn? I’ll be back to claim a second actor later in the month. – Constance ( Silver Scenes ) http://silverscenesblog.blogspot.com
Fantastic! We all love this event and had to squeeze it in. THANK YOU for joining us!
You open for Whit Bissell? Also, I wrote a piece about F. Murray Abraham a couple months ago, I’d be happy to re-post for this blogathon.
Sure! Bissell sounds great! THANKS!! I love Abraham, but we prefer new posts, Peter. Otherwise it gets crazy – valuable lessons learned from the past.
Aurora
I’d love to join in. I want to write about Helen Walker.
Another great choice! This is gonna be terrific! Thank you for joining us!! 🙂
I messed up! I meant Helene Stanton (not Helen Walker), though they’re both in The Big Combo. Could you please change this? I’ll post on the 14th!
No problem! I’ll make the change. 🙂
Happy to be involved!
If he hasn’t already been taken, I’m calling dibs on Frank Morgan!
The great and powerful Oz has spoken!! Thanks, Terry!!
Hi there! I’m copying this to all three blogs just in case :-D. I would love to participate in this blogathon. My choice of character actors is Gladys Cooper. I really love her!
I would prefer to post for the blogathon on Saturday, November 14th because I post every Friday to my blog about classic films, so this would fit my timetable a bit better than later in the weekend.
Tam
Blog: Mother Time Musings
URL: http://tammayauthor.com/index.php/blog/
Wonderful! Thanks for all of it! 🙂
Hi, There!
I’d like to cover the career of Hammer actor Michael Ripper, if he’s not already spoken for. You probably already have my blog info, since I’ve haunted these pages before, but it’s Cinematic Catharsis, http://cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com/
You’re in!! 🙂
Hi! Put me down for Eduardo Ciannelli, per favore!! 🙂
You got it! Grazie! 🙂
Yo Aurora, I want Charles Coburn (secondsightcinema.com). Although… I would love to do a piece on Dickie Moore, who I think is fair game for character actor—both for many of his appearances as a child and definitely for the movies he made as an adult before retiring at 27… if it’s okay, Dickie is my first choice, but Coburn is great if you don’t think Dickie fits the bill.
Both of those are terrific choices, Lesley. If I hadn’t already posted something on him I’d’ve chosen George “Foghorn” Winslow. Just let me know which of the two. Or both? 🙂
Aurora
The blogathon deadlines are piling up with at least two others in November… or I *would* do both! But I’m going to stick with Dickie. His book makes it possible to know something about him and his experience, and so many of the other child stars of the studio era—whereas my darlin’ Charlie, like so many great characters, doesn’t have a biography. So I’ll keep Coburn on my list for next year’s What a Character! (I have a good long list of possibilities, started last year…).
Hi Aurora. Looking at the list you’ve posted here, I see that Peter Lorre hasn’t been chosen yet, so I’d like to talk about him briefly for the blogathon. There’s three of his films that kind of get me, so I’d like to cover him. If that’s okay, you can put me down for publishing on the first day of this blogathon, Saturday, November 14th. I’m looking at some of the choices people have made for this fourth annual blogathon, and I’m mad about many of these actors, especially Helen Walker, Allyn Joslyn ( will be talking about him for my blog on “They Won’t Forget” ), Eduardo Cianelli ( so nice in “The Constant Nymph” – such an s.o.b. in “Marked Woman” ) and the silver-voiced Whit Bissell. My blog is CineMaven’s Essays From The Couch and it can be found at: https://cinemavensessaysfromthecouch.wordpress.com/ . Thanks so much.
What a choice, Theresa! I adore Lorre!! Glad to have you join us.
Has anybody taken John Qualen yet? If not, I’d like to.
Oops, I forgot to include a link to my blog in the comment (although my name should link to the blog): Just a Cineast.
Qualen is yours!! Terrific! Thanks for joining us! 🙂
Hi there! I’d like to cover Elmer Booth at moviessilently.com. Thanks so much!
FANTASTIC!! 😀
Hiya, Aurora! Would you put me down for Clarence Muse?
You got it!!! Will add you to the list in a bit. Woot!
Yay! The big event is here again! I had chosen my topic since last year: I want to write about Wilson Grey, a Brazilian character actor who was in nearly 200 films – and had a feud with John Wayne!
Kisses!
Le
Sounds great!! Thanks, Le!
Hey Aurora,
Left a reply last night but since I’m not appearing on the list yet you must not have seen it… Anyway, I’d love to do both Dickie Moore and Charles Coburn but realistically can’t given that I’ve already got at least three other blogathons in November.
So I’ll keep Coburn for next year and go with Dickie @secondsightcinema.com.
Thanks!
You got it, Lesley! I replied to yesterday’s message asking which you wanted to do. No worries! Love Dickie Moore and love you’re joining us!!
Aurora
Hi Aurora! Please put me down for Dwight Frye at my blog talesfromtheborder.com.
Love it! Thanks. 🙂
Aurora
Thanks Aurora! Look forward to contributing 🙂
I’m thinking Robert Barratt!
You’re on!! Thanks so much for joining us!
Aurora
I can’t wait to read about Una O’Connor! The craziest little old lady I’ve ever seen on film.
I love her!! When I saw Bride of Frankenstein in a theater a few years back she got the biggest ovation from the crown. 🙂
I’d love to do Charles Coburn if he’s not taken yet!
I’m Phyl of Phyllis Loves Classic Movies – http://phyllislovesclassicmovies.blogspot.com/
This wouldn’t be the same without Charles Coburn! YAY! Thanks for joining us! 🙂
Can I have Harry Dean Stanton? Thanks!!! Michaël Parent from Le Mot du Cinephiliaque http://cinephiliaque.blogspot.com/
You got it! Wonderful. 🙂
Thanx!
Hi Aurora! So glad you’re doing this again.
Please could I take Louise Beavers, for publishing on 16 Nov? Thank you 🙂
Vicki from https://girlsdofilm.wordpress.com/
YAY! On the list! 🙂
Margaret O’Brien chosen? i would love a few movies reviews in honor of her for the event?
Hi Joey! Can you believe I found your comments in the Spam folder and activated them. THANKS for both your patience and joining us in the fun!!
Aurora
could i please do Margaret O’Brien?
Oh that’s such a great blogathon idea! 🙂 I’d like to write about Jessie Royce Landis.
Blog: The Wonderful World of Cinema ( https://thewonderfulworldofcinema.wordpress.com)
You got it! or her! 🙂 THANKS!
Hello! I’d like to contribute with Charlotte Greenwood. Blog: Flickin Out (flickinout.wordpress.com)
Wonderful!! WordPress is wonky because I just saw this comment just like a few others.
Hello, I’d like to write about Rags Ragland for LA Explorer (www.la-explorer.com).
My apologies – I could swear I’d responded, but don’t see it. That’s great. THANK YOU!
Hello is Noah Beery Jr. still free? I would be happy to write on him. 4 Star Films (https://fourstarfilmfan.wordpress.com/)
Got it – FANTASTIC!
Hi Aurora. Could I take on another character actor as well as Ethel Barrymore? Because I have already written a lot on Ethel, it will sort of be writing the same stuff. I will still do Ethel, but I’m wondering if I could do Spring Byington as well?
Hi! I responded to this way back and yet now that I’m perusing the comments I don’t see my reply. WordPress is playing games. Let me know if you’re still adding Spring Byington to the roster. LOVE HER!!!
Hi. Aurora. Yes I would still like to do Spring as well as Ethel. Thanks for asking. She’s one of my faves and is definitely worthy to be included on the roster.
Wonderful! I’ll add Spring to the list!
Thank you
This looks like an interesting blog-a-thon. Don’t have the time this year to give it a proper perspective, but if God willing and the creek don’t rise, next year I’ll sign on with Mantan Moreland, a great African-American character actor.
Sounds great!! 🙂
Hi Aurora, Am I on the list for Zeffie Tilbury? I asked Kellee about it a while back.but it doesn’t look as if I’ve been added yet, and I saw on her blog she hasn’t been well, so thought I’d ask you as well.
Thanks! 🙂
My blog is movieclassics.wordpress.com
Adding you right now! My apologies for the oversight. Great choice! I’m thrilled to have you join us. 🙂
Thanks, Aurora, that’s great! Looking forward to it. 🙂
Hi Aurora,
Requesting 11/14 for post (Second Sight Cinema; Dickie Moore).
Thanks!
You got it!!
Aurora, I’ll still be covering Allyn Joslyn but are you taking re-posts too? I wrote an article on Robert Coote earlier this year and he is such an underrated character actor, I was hoping you could include that piece as well. Let me know! – Constance ( Silver Scenes )
Aurora, my post is up for the blogathon. https://portraitsbyjenni.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/what-a-charact…c-aubrey-smith
Thank you, Jenni. Kellee, Paula and I spoke last night and decided to postpone the blogathon until next weekend. We will promote everyone’s post as usual at that time. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
Aurora
https://wolffianclassicmoviesdigest.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/margaret-obriena-character-legend-3/ my post is online,its early but you can put it up toomarrow
OK. Thank you! We’ll be promoting Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 🙂
The Carey boys are at your beck and call: http://www.caftanwoman.com/2015/11/what-character-blogathon-harry-carey.html
Wonderful! 🙂
Hiya Aurora, here is my contribution to the blogathon:
http://talesfromtheborder.com/2015/11/21/what-a-character-blogathon-the-ballad-of-dwight-frye/
Thank you!!! 😀
Hello! Here’s my post – http://la-explorer.com/spotlight-on-rags-ragland/
THANKS! Already promoted on Twitter. 🙂
Hi Aurora.
Here’s my post on Ethel. I don’t think I’m going to have time to do Spring Byington. Have been sick over the weekend. But Ethel is right to go.
https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/ethel-barrymore-a-prominent-staple-of-the-entertainment-industry-what-a-character-blogathon/
OK. thank you
Three of my favorite are Frank McHugh,Ruth Donnelly, and Alan Hale Sr.