“The best part of myself. That’s what you are. Do you think I’m going to leave it to the vulgar pawing of a second-rate detective who thinks you’re a dame? Do you think I could bear the thought of him holding you in his arms, kissing you, loving you?”
–Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker to Gene Tierney (Laura, 1944)
Webb Parmelee Hollenbeck, theatrical nom de plume Clifton Webb (1889 – 1966), is at first glance one of the unlikeliest of movie stars. Upon second thought, there have been many “unexpected” stars. Consider the fact that mere pretty boys had brief vogues. Think Tab Hunter, for instance. Actors with distinct, engaging, even features approaching ugliness, have fared better: snarling Edward G. Robinson; rugged Humphrey Bogart; craggy Lee Marvin and increasingly craggy Clint Eastwood, dimpled Kirk Douglas, sleepy-eyed Robert Mitchum; paunchy Wallace Beery; bald Yul Brynner and Telly Savalas; Richard Widmark, he of the maniacal laugh and extensive forehead; Anthony “every ‘ethnic’ character 
imaginable” Quinn; pock marked Richard Burton.
Webb does seem to be the oldest actor to have achieved film stardom. He was 54 when Laura was released in 1944. As the intriguingly-named Waldo Lydecker, Webb was a man obsessed with the young, beautiful title character (Gene Tierney) and rather she be dead than end up with a lowly detective (Dana Andrews) investigating her presumed death. For Laura, Webb received a Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination.
Born in Indianapolis in 1889, Webb became a song and dance man in theatrical revues and also performed in Noel Coward’s famous play Blithe Spirit. Hollywood, specifically 20th Century-Fox, beckoned as World War II wound down, and Webb spent his entire career with that studio. It served him well.
Frequently he had the best lines, as in The Dark Corner (1946): “I never confuse business with sentiment—unless it’s extremely profitable.”
Webb excelled at persnickety snobs in these early years. A prime fuss budget character was his Elliott Templeton in The Razor’s Edge (1946), and he scored a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and another Academy Award nomination for Supporting Actor.
In 1947 he was nominated for Best Actor by the Academy for his role as the fussy Mr. Belvedere in Sitting Pretty, the gentleman who became nanny for the three unruly children of parents played by Robert Young and Maureen O’Hara.
Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) was a popular favorite based on the successful 1948 semi-autobiographical book about the 14-member Gilbreth family in which Webb portrayed time-motion engineer Frank B. Gilbreth. Jeanne Crain, one of 
Fox’s biggest stars, played the eldest daughter, Hollywood icon Myrna Loy the wife.
Webb played the iconic march king John Philip Sousa in Stars and Stripes Forever (1952). In Titanic (1953), his well-heeled gentleman was at odds with his estranged wife over custody of their son. The wife was played by Hollywood icon Barbara Stanwyck, but such was Webb’s status at that time that he got first billing.
CinemaScope had been introduced at Fox that year with The Robe. The widescreen process was suitable not just for historical epics but contemporary films made in somewhat exotic or at least colorful locales. It was no hardship for Webb and the rest of the cast (Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Maggie McNamara, Louis Jourdan, Rossano Brazzi) to relocate to Italy for Three Coins in the Fountain (1954). The title song won the Academy Award and became a standard. The film was nominated for Best Picture. Webb was top-billed again.
The same year Webb headed up another powerful cast in Woman’s World (September, 1954). This time out he was owner of a car manufacturer looking for a new general manager. He evaluated three men—and their wives—to find the appropriate replacement.
It was no stretch for Webb to portray an Englishman in The Man Who Never Was (1956). As Lt. Commander Ewen Montagu, his character coordinated the ruse that confused the Germans about the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II.
According to Wikipedia, Webb was set to star in Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), but he became ill and James 
Mason took the role of the expedition leader.
Webb’s last film was with William Holden, Satan Never Sleeps (1962), a Cold War drama in which he played a missionary priest in China who sacrifices himself for others.
Clifton Webb died of a heart attack at the age of 76 in 1966. His legacy includes a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
References
Shipman, David. The Great Stars: The International Years. 1972.
Thomas, Tony. The Films of 20th Century-Fox: A Pictorial History. 1979.
You won’t be able to put this breezy, lighthearted, and hilarious fantasy down! It has lots of humor and heart, memorable characters and dialogue, and a perfect happily (or scrappily!) ever after. Plain but spunky Sophie is transformed by a curse into an old woman, and must enlist the help of the cowardly, wizard Howl. They butt heads, and bicker constantly, but there is a spark between them that Sophie can’t seem to extinguish. And Howl may need her help to break a curse of his own…
a product of the 70s than of 1996. It’s fun and funky, and easy to listen to over and over. Standout tracks include “Your New Cuckoo,” “Step On Me,” and the band’s very groovy cover of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.”
Pixar once again successfully tackles a big, heavy topic with humor and heart. Soul is about a Middle School music teacher/Jazz pianist and an unborn soul that grapple with finding purpose and living life fully. This movie is a must-watch for fans of Up or Inside Out.
Ever wonder why Pennsylvania and Delaware share a rounded border? Or what about all those perfectly square states out west? And why the heck is Rhode Island so tiny? If these questions interest you, then this History Channel series is perfect for you! It’s a super interesting show that explores why each state in the USA looks the way it does. Combining history, geography, and culture—host Brian Unger uncovers the stories behind the familiar shapes on our modern American map.
Based on Edith’s Nesbit’s 1906 novel of the same name, this 1970 film is a charming and episodic (in the most complimentary way) tale of the numerous childhood adventures of the Waterburys, trying to make due in Yorkshire after the father is falsely accused of spying and imprisoned.
All the classic fairytales in one place with a new twist. Enchanting and fun to watch for any fan of fantasy and fairytales. Makes for a great girls night; I used to watch this every Sunday in the fall and winter with my roommates and we loved it.
“Starr Carter navigates the perilous waters between her poor, black neighborhood and her prestigious, mainly white private school. This all changes when she finds herself in the middle of racial activism after her best friend is shot by police officers, and she’s forced to make a decision. Allow the media to skewer her friend to protect the status quo, or stand up and tell the truth in memory of Khalil?”
Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank brings more of a mainstream vibe without losing any authenticity.
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