Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan

[Dave (imported)]

AND Jimmy Stewart was a Brigadier General who flew umpteen combat missions--he was lifelong buddies with Henry Fonda, also a fine actor but of very different politics. Stewart wanted to be judged on his acting--

Jimmy Stewart was a true WW2 hero. He was the hero he portrayed on the screen in so many ways. Wikipedia can usually be trusted on things like this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Stewart

As for Henry Fonda: Fonda then enlisted in the Navy {in November 1942} to fight in World War II, saying, "I don't want to be in a fake war in a studio."[17] Previously, he and Stewart had helped raise funds for the defense of Britain.[18] Fonda served for three years, initially as a Quartermaster 3rd Class on the destroyer USS Satterlee. He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in Air Combat Intelligence in the Central Pacific and was awarded a Presidential Citation and the Bronze Star.[19][20]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_fonda

Not as distinguished a military career as Jimmy Stewart but still respectable.

I remember him as Gideon, as birdman, as Clarence Darrow, as Mr Roberts and as Frank the blue-eyed villain.

[DeaconBlues (imported)]

Deeky,

I called my Dad to see if he knew about Marvin's role in "Cross of Iron"...guess what?

Marvin wasn't in the cast. Sgt. Steiner was portrayed by the equally great (and equally late...RIP) James Coburn. Dad also waxed praiseful of another two fine actors in the movie...anyone care to guess whom? Hint: Initials M.S. and J.M.

Of course, all this means I have to invite the Popster over, copy of "Cross..." in his clutches, and watch it with him in the home theater in the big house.

I guess it's 'bout the German Army...right? Instead of popcorn I'll serve Bratwurst und Bier

Fraulein Yoli

Daughter of The Dad Who Knows Everything (or so he thinks.)

OH HOW EMBARRASSING! I stand soooooooooo corrected! Thankyou FUBG and Dave for pointing out the airror of my weighs. Well, you gotta admit that James Coburn DOES look a bit like Lee Marvin... so sorry that I got them confused, I watched the movie "Cross of Iron" more that twenty years ago and just got my facts screwed up over all the years. You will probably just LOVE THE ORAL PENECTOMY SCENE from that movie, I know I sure did... I loved seeing the snotty little SS prick get just what he deserved. The other scene I most remember from that movie, was when the Russian boy gave Sgt. Steiner his harmonica, that was a heart wrenching scene, to see the boy killed after Steiner had done so much to save his life.

Well Yoli, as for "J.M." If you like his work, and I do very very much, I would tell you of the very often overlooked and forgotten spy-drama thriller "Five Fingers" in which James Mason portrays the valet/personal butler of a high ranking British diplomat stationed in Ankara, Turkey during WW II. The move is "based on real events" (not too sure about the historical accuracy though) and I tell you, I so liked the movie that I bought it and have it on DVD.... If you ever meander westward from Texas and on over to Arizona, we can watch it together.... (I know, I know... "in yer dreeeeeeemz deeekeee!")

Another fine role played oh so well by James Mason was "General Von Kluggerman" in the movie "The Blue Max." I was very impressed with the way James Mason pulled that off, very very like a real general thinks. I am serious, when officers get promoted to that level, it is like their thought process mysteriously changes and they think much more on a strategic "war winning" level than the tactical "battle winning" level. James Mason's acting of the cool headed (and beguiling) general as he orders the young Lt. Schtockel(sp?) to his death... " and Schtockel, let's see some real flying!" was really well done.

Now a little obscure bit on Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. James Stewart... This is one of my most most most favorite videos:

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayC

The "B-58 Hustler" is old, and I am sure any Air Force officer today will tell you it is antiquated when compared to the B-2 or F-117, but it is undeniably one of the sexiest looking aircraft to ever grace the sky with her magnificent form. And, if you look closely at the video at about the 4:24 to 4:39 point, you see Jimmy Stewart. Not too sure that he actually piloted the aircraft shown in this video, but the video and the music still make this one of my most favorite videos.

[moi621 (imported)]

Lots of Hollywood went off to war, and not just entertaining the troops.

Eddie Albert, who lived down the street from Lee Marvin and my family, was in the Pacific and won a medal for heroic action in the line of fire.

I believe Clark Gable was a B-17 flying fortress gunner. Not sure.

I do not mean persons who served in WW2 and later became actors,

but, people who were successful in Hollywood and volunteered to be in the line of fire.

Again, I ask, where are the new, "not so pretty" men of Hollywood lately?

Ron Perlman is the only one I can think of.

Another note of interest to me, anyway -

Burt Lanchaster was a circus acrobat. Look at his muscles.

Nothing like the 'roided out meatballs we see today.

I miss natural muscles and hairy chests in leading actors. Kurt Jurgens, Charlton Heston seemed to have contracts making a hairy chest scene in every movie.

Moi The Nostalgic

[Dave (imported)]

...

Charlton Heston seemed to have contracts making a hairy chest scene in every movie.

Moi The Nostalgic

There is a delightful story about Heston and that scene at the end of the chariot race where Messala (Stephen Boyd) is laying injured on the table fighting to see Judah Ben Hur and is flexing and tugging at ropes in agony. In the movie this is the scene where Messala reveals his evil deeds and wants some sign from Judah Ben Hur...

Well the scene reeks of homoerotic overtones. It was obvious to the writers, directors, and Stephen Boyd that Messala wanted Judah Ben Hur sexually. Heston was such a straight arrow (no offense meant) that they never told him. They let him play the scene without the understanding that Messala is hot after his body. It makes the scene even more powerful in that Ben Hur does not react to the lust and desire that the audience sees in Messala.

Sorry to be so off topic.

[FianceeUvBigGuy (imported)]

Say what?

IMDB lists Unteroffizier / Feldwebel Rolf Steiner as being played by James Coburn and not Lee Marvin.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074695/

I loved Lee Marvin as the drunk gunfighter in CAT BALLOU

But he was "meatball" in the 1954's Caine Mutiny.

Alas and alack...Had you but read my post, above.

You'd have saved all that monitor ink

Yoli

[FianceeUvBigGuy (imported)]

But, Deeky.

What of the M.S. I mentioned?

One sexy man! I did see him in "Peter The Great" (and somehow just KNEW he has a great peter!:D)

Yoli

[Dave (imported)]

Alas and alack...Had you but read my post, above.

You'd have saved all that monitor ink

Yoli

Yeah, I read your comment after I posted my comment. I shouldn't be that linear. It's just a bad habit.

[DeaconBlues (imported)]

But, Deeky.

What of the M.S. I mentioned?

One sexy man! I did see him in "Peter The Great" (and somehow just KNEW he has a great peter!:D)

Yoli

OK, as for "M.S." I have only seen two of his movies, "Judgement at Nuremburg" and "The Odessa File." I remember his portrayal of the defense council in "Judgement at Nuremburg," which was well done, but I cannot even remember his work in "The Odessa File." When I first read "M.S." I thought you meant "Max Von Sydow," but by checking the cast on the IMDB page on "Cross of Iron" I saw that "M.S." had to be "Maximilian Schell," and I checked the IMDB film-bio on him... and my goodness, he made a lot of movies that I never ever saw... Sorry, just those two I mentioned above.

OK, NOW, PLEASE! Please please pretty please Yoli (and anyone else who watches "Cross of Iron"), do tell us; What did you think of the one scene? (you know damn well which one I am talking about!), you know, the penectomy scene! I liked it alot, and would like to know what others here thought of that scene and the movie.

[sheep79 (imported)]

It seems that that is a bit of an urban legend.

http://www.snopes.com/military/celebrit ... marvin.asp

Yeah Ramses I think I started this by forwarding an email I got. Sigh I USUALLY check them out but it sounded plausable soooooo hahahahaha. But on the flip side it got alot of good comments going. Dave

[FianceeUvBigGuy (imported)]

OK, NOW, PLEASE! Please please pretty please Yoli (and anyone else who watches "Cross of Iron"), do tell us; What did you think of the one scene? (you know damn well which one I am talking about!), you know, the penectomy scene!

Deekles,

I haven't even seen the movie yet. Dad will come over one of these days and we'll pop it in.

Yoli