Memorable Film and TV Characters (10): Uncle Charlie (SHADOW OF A DOUBT)

  The man in question, Charlie Oakley

I know I haven't did one of these in months...not since last October when I talked about one Fran Kubelik. So sorry everyone, my only excuse being busy at work and so many blogs that I contribute to. My apologies to Irene as well. But here I am with a brand spanking new post about one of my fave film characters ever...Uncle Charlie from Alfred Hitchcock's 1943 classic, Shadow of A Doubt. As played by Joseph Cotten, Uncle Charlie Oakley is the sophisticated and world traveler who is always on the mind of his niece, Charlotte "Charlie" Newton. Well Uncle Charlie also happens to be the Merry Widow killer, and heads home to visit his family while hiding out from the police.

The impressionable Charlotte and her Uncle Charlie enjoying a nice meal

Uncle Charlie is all polite and good manners, you just don't suspect him to be a murderer of women. But he is, much to the dismay of his niece. Uncle Charlie may be a monster, but he's so gosh darned charming too. So sincere and patient and kind. But can flip the switch just like that and become very menacing and physical. One of Hitch's best characters ever to grace the screen. Does every family have an Uncle Charlie? I mean not a murderer mind you, but someone so suave and smooth, that everyone just loves to death. Probably so.

It could happen to you..

Jean Simmons

January 31, 1929 - January 22, 2010

Passed away from lung cancer



It could happen to you..

Jennifer Jones

March 2, 1919 - December 17, 2009

breast cancer survivor

It could happen to you..

Paulette Goddard

June 3, 1910 - April 23, 1990 (heart failure)

Diagnosed with breast cancer in the 70's and was successfully treated



Memorable Film and TV Characters (9): Fran Kubelik (THE APARTMENT)

One of the screen's best characters has to be Fran Kubelik (played wonderfully by Shirley MacLaine). Fran is an elevator girl who had an affair with a married man named Sheldrake (played against type by Fred MacMurray). Up and comer C.C Baxter (played by Jack Lemmon) at the same insurance company where Sheldrake works meets Fran and they go out on a date. Everything is great until C.C. learns about Fran's affair with his boss and then things get complicated. Fran is so gosh darned lovable you just hate to see her used by Sheldrake when you see she would be better off with C.C. She may be slightly neurotic but that's one of the things you love about her.

Now I know audiences today maay claim Fran is too submissive and vulnerable but the time period is the 60's so I won't argue the point. But I do believe seeing Fran find true unconditonal love is well worth the wait and reward. I think she is one of the most memorable characters in film ever.

The Sunday Night Movie: SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)

Excellent film from Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot) about a struggling young screenwriter (Holden) who runs into former silent film star Norma Desmond (Swanson) who is dreaming of a comeback. She hires him to patch up her script so Cecil B. DeMille can direct her. The lady is a little around the bend, but the writer needs money so he takes the job. This is a marvelous film with great performances. And it holds up today beautifully. William Holden is great as Joe, the writer. It's one of his best parts ever. But it's Gloria Swanson who owns this picture. She is simply amazing. And the dialogue in this film is some of the best you will ever hear in a movie. Great stuff.

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Joe Gillis: There's nothing tragic about being fifty. Not unless you're trying to be twenty-five.

The Wicked Witch pleads for a little sympathy...

Just a random picture for the day....

We could have been friends if not for my whole trying to kill you thing....

It could happen to you..

Diahann Carroll

July 17, 1935

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998

Was treated successfully and is a breast cancer survivor

It Could Happen to you...

Jaclyn Smith

October 26, 1945

Diagnosed in 2002; lumpectomy and radiation treatment, made a full recovery and made a

cameo in 2003's Charlie Angels: Full Throttle

It could happen to you..

Christina Applegate

November 25, 1971

Diagnosed in 2008 and had a double mastectomy and made a full recovery as did her mom,

Nancy Priddy, a breast cancer survivor too.

And this year Christina gave birth to her first child, daughter Sadie Grace with husband Martyn LeNoble



It could happen to you..

Lois Chiles

April 15, 1947

Diagnosed in 2001 with breast cancer

Currently residing in New York with her husband Richard Gilder

Katharine Hepburn: Fall Time

Such a lovely fall pic of Kate in a beautiful field somewhere...

It could happen to you..

Richard Roundtree

July 9, 1942

Diagnosed in 1993 with a rare form of male breast cancer.

He underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy and currently living a full and rich life

It could happen to you..

Lynn Redgrave

March 8, 1943 - May 2, 2010

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and wrote a book with her youngest daughter called Journal: A Mother and Daughter's Recovery From Breast Cancer during this period of her life.

It could happen to you..

Hattie McDaniel

June 10, 1895 - October 26, 1952

Hattie died at the age of 57 from breast cancer



Claudia Cardinale and her little friend...

The lovely Claudia Cardinale and her little lamb..

Memorable Film and TV Characters (8): SHANE

Shane, one cool gunfighter...

I'm a big western fan and there is no greater character in westerns than of ex-gunfighter Shane (wonderfully played by Alan Ladd). Shane is looking to put his violent past behind him as he comes across rancher Joe Starrett and his family. The Starretts and other settlers are being bullied by cattleman Ryker and his cronies into giving up there land. Shane doesn't want to get involved but once he is pushed, there's no turning back.

Shane meeting Joe Starrett

Shane is a classic character with a dubious past that is trying to put those bad years behind him. And he is so mellow and low key, you really don't think of him as violent man. But once he straps on his pistols...let's just say old habits die hard. There is no doubt that Shane is a flawed man, but he is also kind and helpful. And doesn't like seeing good people being pushed around. When there is no other option, he jumps in to stop the bad guys from running off the settlers, or worse yet, killing them. He rather have the blood on his hands than the good settlers becoming what he is. It's a poetic character study and one that you will never forget.

Shane meeting Little Joey...

And the young Starrett kid calling "Shane, come back Shane!" gets me everytime.

It could happen to you..

Bette Davis

April 5, 1908 - October 6, 1989

Mastectomy in 1983 due to metastasized breast cancer

It Could Happen To You..

Ingrid Bergman

August 29, 1915 - August 29, 1982

due to lymphoma complications following a breast cancer operation

Memorable Film and TV Characters (6): Norman Bates (Psycho)

Norman in one of his quieter moments

Probably the most maladjusted young man you will ever meet. Norman Bates. As the young man who runs the Bates Motel, a run down place just off the main highway to California, Anthony Perkins is top notch in his performance. Norman is so quiet and nice, you wouldn't think he harbors a terrifying secret. Well when bank teller Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) steals money from her bank and high tails it out of town, she stops that night at The Bates Motel. She meets Norman, who tells her it's just him and his ailing mother who you sometimes hear calling for Norman to bring her something. Now for those who have never seen Psycho, I won't spoil how things turn out. Let's just say it's not pleasant.

Chatting with Marion..don't think Mother would approve

Norman is the type of guy when you first meet may seem a little odd, but is very gracious and understanding. A person who you could talk to and hng out but always say.."that Norman is a nice man, a little strange, but nice". Norman Bates is probably one of the best characters ever to grace a horror/thriller movie. And his film appearances run all the way from 1960 to 1986. Wow! So personally I guess I would talk to him in passing just to say hi, but I would definitely not spend a night at his hotel. I think I would keep on driving and find another spot.

Oh My God! Mother! What have you done?

The infamous Bates Motel