Robert Mitchum

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Robert Mitchum, born August 6, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, became the preeminent Hollywood antihero of the Golden Age, an emblem of effortless cool and on-screen magnetism.

 

Mitchum's first credited feature film role was in the western Border Patrol (1943) and it marked the beginning of a prolific career. His breakthrough role in The Story of G.I. Joe (1945) earned critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, propelling him into the limelight.

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Mitchum established himself as a versatile actor, as at home in the dark alleys of film noir as he was in the open plains of the Wild West. His deep voice and nonchalant style captivated audiences and solidified his status as a Hollywood legend. 

 

Off-screen, Mitchum's rebellious nature and disdain for Hollywood's pretences set him apart. Despite brushes with the law and controversies, his authenticity and independent spirit garnered admiration. His legacy spans over five decades, marked by an array of memorable roles that showcased his unique talent.

 

Despite rumours of affairs with several high-profile actress he remained married to Dorothy Spence from 1940 until his death on July 1, 1997. Mitchum was an actor who defied norms and left an unforgettable imprint on cinema. 

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Lillian Gish

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Lillian Gish, born in Springfield, Ohio on October 14, 1893, was a pioneering silent film icon known as the ‘First Lady of American Cinema’. She began performing onstage with her sister Dorothy at a young age before graduating to the fledgling film industry in the second decade of the 20th Century. 

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Her collaborations with director D.W. Griffith became legendary, including the controversial The Birth of a Nation (1915) and the influential Intolerance (1916). Gish was celebrated for her emotive performances, often portraying fragile, innocent characters. 

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Once the silent era transitioned into the ’talkies, Gish appeared on screen less frequently, but she continued to captivate audiences with roles in movies like Duel of the Sun (1946) and The Night of the Hunter (1955).

 

She received a Special Academy award in 1971 for ‘superlative artistry and for distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures’ and became a high-profile advocate for the preservation of silent film. She passed away in 1993 having appeared in over 100 films across a period of 75 years

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Charles Laughton

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Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire on 1st July 1899, Charles Laughton was a celebrated thespian who graduated from London’s West End onto Broadway and then Hollywood in the 1930s where he worked with the likes of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Gary Cooper.

 

His brilliance as a performer was evidenced in a diverse array of iconic roles, showcasing his unparalleled talent for character immersion. He received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the hunchbacked bellringer in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and a menacingly intense Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). 

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Laughton made one foray behind the camera with the hauntingly atmospheric film noir, The Night of the Hunter (1955,). Now considered a masterpiece, the poor reception it received upon release meant he never directed a film again. Charles Laughton passed away on 15 December 1962, aged 63.

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He was one of the most successful and respected British actors during Hollywood’s Golden Age with an enviable filmography that will ensure his talents are remembered for a long time to come.