playing the tables much here at Monday no I’m afraid that sort of thing ceased
no I’m afraid that sort of thing ceased
no I’m afraid that sort of thing ceased to amuse me years ago the world may have
to amuse me years ago the world may have
to amuse me years ago the world may have been at war but these men ensured that
been at war but these men ensured that
been at war but these men ensured that not all was doom and danger you hear
not all was doom and danger you hear
not all was doom and danger you hear what he said
what he said
what he said welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten decade defining actors of the 1940s with
decade defining actors of the 1940s with
decade defining actors of the 1940s with my friend is a million Dame’s in this
my friend is a million Dame’s in this
my friend is a million Dame’s in this world they all look like her for our
world they all look like her for our
world they all look like her for our series on the top ten decade defining
series on the top ten decade defining
series on the top ten decade defining male actors / period we’ve made our
male actors / period we’ve made our
male actors / period we’ve made our choices based on a combination of their
choices based on a combination of their
choices based on a combination of their commercial success their box-office
commercial success their box-office
commercial success their box-office scores their productivity their awards
scores their productivity their awards
scores their productivity their awards and how they helped set the tone and
and how they helped set the tone and
and how they helped set the tone and raise the standard in Hollywood for the
raise the standard in Hollywood for the
raise the standard in Hollywood for the era thank you
number 10 Alan Ladd you know until I
number 10 Alan Ladd you know until I hired you was my devil I didn’t know how
hired you was my devil I didn’t know how
hired you was my devil I didn’t know how good-looking I would lads was a
good-looking I would lads was a
good-looking I would lads was a determined breakthrough into acting that
determined breakthrough into acting that
determined breakthrough into acting that saw him take a flurry of early cameo
saw him take a flurry of early cameo
saw him take a flurry of early cameo appearances including as a newspaper
appearances including as a newspaper
appearances including as a newspaper reporter in Citizen Kane rosebud
reporter in Citizen Kane rosebud
reporter in Citizen Kane rosebud how about a Jerry but this gun for hire
how about a Jerry but this gun for hire
how about a Jerry but this gun for hire was his debut as a featured star here’s
was his debut as a featured star here’s
was his debut as a featured star here’s a funniest angle of it all he had an
a funniest angle of it all he had an
a funniest angle of it all he had an unsmiling coldness about his bad guy
unsmiling coldness about his bad guy
unsmiling coldness about his bad guy with a conscience persona which proved
with a conscience persona which proved
with a conscience persona which proved popular with wartime audiences yeah keep
popular with wartime audiences yeah keep
popular with wartime audiences yeah keep your dirty hands off me you you and your
your dirty hands off me you you and your
your dirty hands off me you you and your kid go on beat it thanks to his work in
kid go on beat it thanks to his work in
kid go on beat it thanks to his work in westerns as well as war films often
westerns as well as war films often
westerns as well as war films often alongside Veronica Lake Ladd is credited
alongside Veronica Lake Ladd is credited
alongside Veronica Lake Ladd is credited as a revolutionary who turned the
as a revolutionary who turned the
as a revolutionary who turned the villain into a charming attractive
villain into a charming attractive
villain into a charming attractive tempting figure like those we see in
tempting figure like those we see in
tempting figure like those we see in gangster movies today
gangster movies today
gangster movies today I’m not going you get out of here share
I’m not going you get out of here share
I’m not going you get out of here share with you Taylor stop him Oh
with you Taylor stop him Oh
with you Taylor stop him Oh number 9 Gary Cooper and they’re using
number 9 Gary Cooper and they’re using
number 9 Gary Cooper and they’re using your country as a proving ground for
your country as a proving ground for
your country as a proving ground for their new war machinery their tanks and
their new war machinery their tanks and
their new war machinery their tanks and Diet bombers and stuff like that
Diet bombers and stuff like that
Diet bombers and stuff like that coupe as he was known in Hollywood had
coupe as he was known in Hollywood had
coupe as he was known in Hollywood had roles in over 100 movies during his
roles in over 100 movies during his
roles in over 100 movies during his career including a breakthrough
career including a breakthrough
career including a breakthrough supporting part in wings the first ever
supporting part in wings the first ever
supporting part in wings the first ever recipient of the Best Picture Oscar
he famously rejected the part of Rhett
he famously rejected the part of Rhett Butler and Gone with the Wind but still
Butler and Gone with the Wind but still
Butler and Gone with the Wind but still achieved fame in the following decade
achieved fame in the following decade
achieved fame in the following decade with his stone-faced and modest style I
with his stone-faced and modest style I
with his stone-faced and modest style I reckon I ain’t found no roots what will
reckon I ain’t found no roots what will
reckon I ain’t found no roots what will hold me up when when I’m hell-bent
hold me up when when I’m hell-bent
hold me up when when I’m hell-bent appalled varying between comedy drama
appalled varying between comedy drama
appalled varying between comedy drama crime and westerns Cooper won an Oscar
crime and westerns Cooper won an Oscar
crime and westerns Cooper won an Oscar for sergeant York during the decade and
for sergeant York during the decade and
for sergeant York during the decade and eventually paired up with Ingrid Bergman
eventually paired up with Ingrid Bergman
eventually paired up with Ingrid Bergman in an adaptation of For Whom the Bell
in an adaptation of For Whom the Bell
in an adaptation of For Whom the Bell Tolls today – a troll
number eight Robert Mitchum
number eight Robert Mitchum you know Dondo it had give me a great
you know Dondo it had give me a great
you know Dondo it had give me a great deal of personal pleasure to break every
deal of personal pleasure to break every
deal of personal pleasure to break every bone in your body
bone in your body
bone in your body goofing off down there was one thing up
goofing off down there was one thing up
goofing off down there was one thing up here is another I’ll get out of here
here is another I’ll get out of here
here is another I’ll get out of here before I kicked it wait a tough
before I kicked it wait a tough
before I kicked it wait a tough upbringing led to a steely on-screen
upbringing led to a steely on-screen
upbringing led to a steely on-screen character for Mitchum who achieved much
character for Mitchum who achieved much
character for Mitchum who achieved much of his fame within the film noir genre
of his fame within the film noir genre
of his fame within the film noir genre however it was an early non noir 1945’s
however it was an early non noir 1945’s
however it was an early non noir 1945’s the story of GI Joe that yielded his
the story of GI Joe that yielded his
the story of GI Joe that yielded his first and only Oscar nomination
first and only Oscar nomination
first and only Oscar nomination how does your funeral that kicked off a
how does your funeral that kicked off a
how does your funeral that kicked off a career full of Western anti-heroes and
career full of Western anti-heroes and
career full of Western anti-heroes and soldiers but it was in Juarez like
soldiers but it was in Juarez like
soldiers but it was in Juarez like crossfire and out of the past where he
crossfire and out of the past where he
crossfire and out of the past where he truly shines
truly shines
truly shines money’s a liar what makes you believe
money’s a liar what makes you believe
money’s a liar what makes you believe his story it just happens to be the only
his story it just happens to be the only
his story it just happens to be the only story of God he became known as the
story of God he became known as the
story of God he became known as the tough yet sensitive male who must resist
tough yet sensitive male who must resist
tough yet sensitive male who must resist his femme fatale
his femme fatale
his femme fatale a forerunner of the film noir victim who
a forerunner of the film noir victim who
a forerunner of the film noir victim who says never heard number seven Bud Abbott
says never heard number seven Bud Abbott
says never heard number seven Bud Abbott and Lou Costello the gentleman buys 10
and Lou Costello the gentleman buys 10
and Lou Costello the gentleman buys 10 ties
ties
ties how can he sell ties that cheap we go no
how can he sell ties that cheap we go no
how can he sell ties that cheap we go no overhead we haven’t even got a license
overhead we haven’t even got a license
overhead we haven’t even got a license to sell he’s tied at 7 we have to hey
to sell he’s tied at 7 we have to hey
to sell he’s tied at 7 we have to hey cabbie snip on it we’re trying to get
cabbie snip on it we’re trying to get
cabbie snip on it we’re trying to get away from a cop oh yeah these actors are
away from a cop oh yeah these actors are
away from a cop oh yeah these actors are impossible to separate seeing as they
impossible to separate seeing as they
impossible to separate seeing as they formed the most prolific double act of
formed the most prolific double act of
formed the most prolific double act of their time put that down oh it’s a put
their time put that down oh it’s a put
their time put that down oh it’s a put up job it’s a frame-up I never saw the
up job it’s a frame-up I never saw the
up job it’s a frame-up I never saw the stuff falling on my life
stuff falling on my life
stuff falling on my life they found fame and saved Universal
they found fame and saved Universal
they found fame and saved Universal Pictures from bankruptcy in the process
Pictures from bankruptcy in the process
Pictures from bankruptcy in the process by starring in World War two flicks buck
by starring in World War two flicks buck
by starring in World War two flicks buck privates and in the Navy oh boy oh boy
privates and in the Navy oh boy oh boy
privates and in the Navy oh boy oh boy oh boy
oh boy
oh boy their success was built around Abbott
their success was built around Abbott
their success was built around Abbott playing the straight man and Costello
playing the straight man and Costello
playing the straight man and Costello playing the Joker a combination that
playing the Joker a combination that
playing the Joker a combination that enabled them to become one of the
enabled them to become one of the
enabled them to become one of the highest-grossing acts throughout the
highest-grossing acts throughout the
highest-grossing acts throughout the Second World War
Second World War
Second World War are you the spirits of the two traitors
number 6 Peter Lorre you sit down mr.
number 6 Peter Lorre you sit down mr. Carroll
Carroll
Carroll thank you sir Peter Lori’s early career
thank you sir Peter Lori’s early career
thank you sir Peter Lori’s early career spread across the 1930s when due to his
spread across the 1930s when due to his
spread across the 1930s when due to his Austrian birth he was continually
Austrian birth he was continually
Austrian birth he was continually typecast as the menacing foreigner
typecast as the menacing foreigner
typecast as the menacing foreigner figure next to actors like Sydney
figure next to actors like Sydney
figure next to actors like Sydney Greenstreet and Humphrey Bogart to mr.
Greenstreet and Humphrey Bogart to mr.
Greenstreet and Humphrey Bogart to mr. Zepeda I’m trying to recover ornament
Zepeda I’m trying to recover ornament
Zepeda I’m trying to recover ornament that – shall we see has been mislaid
that – shall we see has been mislaid
that – shall we see has been mislaid however his roles in The Maltese Falcon
however his roles in The Maltese Falcon
however his roles in The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca earned him greater
and Casablanca earned him greater
and Casablanca earned him greater respect within Hollywood circles and he
respect within Hollywood circles and he
respect within Hollywood circles and he emerged as a leading wartime entertainer
emerged as a leading wartime entertainer
emerged as a leading wartime entertainer with films such as background to danger
with films such as background to danger
with films such as background to danger and three strangers why the three
and three strangers why the three
and three strangers why the three strangers what else perhaps because in
strangers what else perhaps because in
strangers what else perhaps because in your Ian’s – three is the symbol of the
your Ian’s – three is the symbol of the
your Ian’s – three is the symbol of the life principle like with us the seventh
life principle like with us the seventh
life principle like with us the seventh indeed how did you know that well I’ve
indeed how did you know that well I’ve
indeed how did you know that well I’ve managed to collect he endear some
managed to collect he endear some
managed to collect he endear some useless bits of information post-world
useless bits of information post-world
useless bits of information post-world War two
War two
War two his career took a downturn but Laurie’s
his career took a downturn but Laurie’s
his career took a downturn but Laurie’s legacy had already been written you
legacy had already been written you
legacy had already been written you despise me don’t you hello I gave you
despise me don’t you hello I gave you
despise me don’t you hello I gave you any thought I probably would number five
any thought I probably would number five
any thought I probably would number five Henry Fonda either we got a time up and
Henry Fonda either we got a time up and
Henry Fonda either we got a time up and throw him in the trucker something he
throw him in the trucker something he
throw him in the trucker something he can’t stay here
can’t stay here
can’t stay here when Fonda roomed with James Stewart in
when Fonda roomed with James Stewart in
when Fonda roomed with James Stewart in the 1930s little did their landlords
the 1930s little did their landlords
the 1930s little did their landlords realize the acting royalty that slept in
realize the acting royalty that slept in
realize the acting royalty that slept in their beds where’s the best place to get
their beds where’s the best place to get
their beds where’s the best place to get work her out here don’t matter what kind
work her out here don’t matter what kind
work her out here don’t matter what kind either Fonda’s own career kick started
either Fonda’s own career kick started
either Fonda’s own career kick started with a role as Tom Joad in an adaptation
with a role as Tom Joad in an adaptation
with a role as Tom Joad in an adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath which earned him
of The Grapes of Wrath which earned him
of The Grapes of Wrath which earned him an Oscar nomination and a seven-year
an Oscar nomination and a seven-year
an Oscar nomination and a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox he then
contract with 20th Century Fox he then
contract with 20th Century Fox he then starred opposite Barbara Stanwyck in the
starred opposite Barbara Stanwyck in the
starred opposite Barbara Stanwyck in the Oxbow incident and with Joan Crawford
Oxbow incident and with Joan Crawford
Oxbow incident and with Joan Crawford and Daisy Kenyon don’t ever expect one
and Daisy Kenyon don’t ever expect one
and Daisy Kenyon don’t ever expect one person to replace another one Peter
person to replace another one Peter
person to replace another one Peter might be disappointed
might be disappointed
might be disappointed sure you’re talking about me all during
sure you’re talking about me all during
sure you’re talking about me all during a decade in which he also saw Second
a decade in which he also saw Second
a decade in which he also saw Second World War action in the Navy wherever
World War action in the Navy wherever
World War action in the Navy wherever there’s a fight so hungry people can eat
there’s a fight so hungry people can eat
there’s a fight so hungry people can eat I’ll be there wherever there’s a cop
I’ll be there wherever there’s a cop
I’ll be there wherever there’s a cop beating up a guy I’ll be there
beating up a guy I’ll be there
beating up a guy I’ll be there number four Laurence Olivier oh that
number four Laurence Olivier oh that
number four Laurence Olivier oh that this too too solid flesh would melt thaw
this too too solid flesh would melt thaw
this too too solid flesh would melt thaw and resolve itself into a team
and resolve itself into a team
and resolve itself into a team an Englishman of such Worth he was
an Englishman of such Worth he was
an Englishman of such Worth he was eventually granted the title Lord
eventually granted the title Lord
eventually granted the title Lord Olivier this actor is considered among
Olivier this actor is considered among
Olivier this actor is considered among the greatest of the 20th century we
the greatest of the 20th century we
the greatest of the 20th century we didn’t go into the cottage did you yes
didn’t go into the cottage did you yes
didn’t go into the cottage did you yes the door don’t buy that again you here
the door don’t buy that again you here
the door don’t buy that again you here why not because I hate the place and if
why not because I hate the place and if
why not because I hate the place and if you had my memories you wouldn’t go that
you had my memories you wouldn’t go that
you had my memories you wouldn’t go that I’ll talk about everything thing about
I’ll talk about everything thing about
I’ll talk about everything thing about it
it
it roles in Rebecca and withering Heights
roles in Rebecca and withering Heights
roles in Rebecca and withering Heights as well as a complicated relationship
as well as a complicated relationship
as well as a complicated relationship with actress Vivien Leigh meant that
with actress Vivien Leigh meant that
with actress Vivien Leigh meant that Olivier entered the decade as megastar
Olivier entered the decade as megastar
Olivier entered the decade as megastar material in peace there’s nothing so
material in peace there’s nothing so
material in peace there’s nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and
becomes a man as modest stillness and
becomes a man as modest stillness and humility but when the blast of war blows
humility but when the blast of war blows
humility but when the blast of war blows in our ears then imitate the action of
in our ears then imitate the action of
in our ears then imitate the action of the tiger two parts of his acclaimed
the tiger two parts of his acclaimed
the tiger two parts of his acclaimed Shakespeare trilogy were also released
Shakespeare trilogy were also released
Shakespeare trilogy were also released in the 40s allowing Olivier to combine
in the 40s allowing Olivier to combine
in the 40s allowing Olivier to combine his classical background with his silver
his classical background with his silver
his classical background with his silver screen stardom he was professional
screen stardom he was professional
screen stardom he was professional prolific and all but cinema perfection
prolific and all but cinema perfection
prolific and all but cinema perfection you cannot sir take from me anything
you cannot sir take from me anything
you cannot sir take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal
that I will more willingly part withal
that I will more willingly part withal except my life number three Orson Welles
except my life number three Orson Welles
except my life number three Orson Welles could hear you very well if you speak in
could hear you very well if you speak in
could hear you very well if you speak in a normal tone of voice receiving our
a normal tone of voice receiving our
a normal tone of voice receiving our bronze medal is a man who’s more than an
bronze medal is a man who’s more than an
bronze medal is a man who’s more than an actor he’s a pioneering director theater
actor he’s a pioneering director theater
actor he’s a pioneering director theater figure and radio broadcaster is that
figure and radio broadcaster is that
figure and radio broadcaster is that correct don’t believe everything you
correct don’t believe everything you
correct don’t believe everything you hear on the radio read The Enquirer we
hear on the radio read The Enquirer we
hear on the radio read The Enquirer we reduced a nation to apocalyptic paranoia
reduced a nation to apocalyptic paranoia
reduced a nation to apocalyptic paranoia with his radio adaptation of the War of
with his radio adaptation of the War of
with his radio adaptation of the War of the Worlds took me two solid years in
the Worlds took me two solid years in
the Worlds took me two solid years in the best boys school in the world alone
the best boys school in the world alone
the best boys school in the world alone that trick
that trick
that trick fellow taught it to me is now the
fellow taught it to me is now the
fellow taught it to me is now the president of Venezuela that earned him
president of Venezuela that earned him
president of Venezuela that earned him Hollywood’s attention and allowed him to
Hollywood’s attention and allowed him to
Hollywood’s attention and allowed him to write direct and star in his best
write direct and star in his best
write direct and star in his best remembered contribution to cinema and a
remembered contribution to cinema and a
remembered contribution to cinema and a film that’s widely regarded as one of
film that’s widely regarded as one of
film that’s widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made 1941 s Citizen
the greatest ever made 1941 s Citizen
the greatest ever made 1941 s Citizen Kane
Kane
Kane but on the screen his direction and
but on the screen his direction and
but on the screen his direction and narration of 1942 s the Magnificent
narration of 1942 s the Magnificent
narration of 1942 s the Magnificent Ambersons gained further critical
Ambersons gained further critical
Ambersons gained further critical acclaim to slow for us nowadays because
acclaim to slow for us nowadays because
acclaim to slow for us nowadays because the faster we’re carried the less time
the faster we’re carried the less time
the faster we’re carried the less time we have to spare number two
we have to spare number two
we have to spare number two Humphrey Bogart never saw it locked
Humphrey Bogart never saw it locked
Humphrey Bogart never saw it locked behind me and don’t open it till the
behind me and don’t open it till the
behind me and don’t open it till the police come who do you know who he is
police come who do you know who he is
police come who do you know who he is yeah yeah it’s Captain Jacobi master de
yeah yeah it’s Captain Jacobi master de
yeah yeah it’s Captain Jacobi master de la paloma a good man sitting again this
la paloma a good man sitting again this
la paloma a good man sitting again this guy is more than an actor he’s an icon
guy is more than an actor he’s an icon
guy is more than an actor he’s an icon born on the last Christmas day of the
born on the last Christmas day of the
born on the last Christmas day of the 19th century Bogaerts life was a romance
19th century Bogaerts life was a romance
19th century Bogaerts life was a romance from the beginning he scored a contract
from the beginning he scored a contract
from the beginning he scored a contract with Warner Brothers at the start of his
with Warner Brothers at the start of his
with Warner Brothers at the start of his career and struggled to break past the
career and struggled to break past the
career and struggled to break past the company’s leading males James Cagney and
company’s leading males James Cagney and
company’s leading males James Cagney and Edward G Robinson but films like High
Edward G Robinson but films like High
Edward G Robinson but films like High Sierra The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca
Sierra The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca
Sierra The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca changed all that that plane leaves the
changed all that that plane leaves the
changed all that that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him you’ll
ground and you’re not with him you’ll
ground and you’re not with him you’ll regret it maybe not today maybe not
regret it maybe not today maybe not
regret it maybe not today maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of
tomorrow but soon and for the rest of
tomorrow but soon and for the rest of your life two years after that romantic
your life two years after that romantic
your life two years after that romantic hit he met his fourth and final wife
hit he met his fourth and final wife
hit he met his fourth and final wife Lauren Bacall go ahead he scratch and
Lauren Bacall go ahead he scratch and
Lauren Bacall go ahead he scratch and the pair became Hollywood’s darlings
the pair became Hollywood’s darlings
the pair became Hollywood’s darlings horses I play the wheel playing
horses I play the wheel playing
horses I play the wheel playing something else too what makes you why
something else too what makes you why
something else too what makes you why I’m talking let me do it before we
I’m talking let me do it before we
I’m talking let me do it before we unveil our pick for decade defining
unveil our pick for decade defining
unveil our pick for decade defining actor of the 1940s here are a few
actor of the 1940s here are a few
actor of the 1940s here are a few honorable mentions oh that’s all right I
honorable mentions oh that’s all right I
honorable mentions oh that’s all right I shall be too late you send your card and
shall be too late you send your card and
shall be too late you send your card and quit and get the money see you Sunday
quit and get the money see you Sunday
quit and get the money see you Sunday every man for himself
every man for himself
every man for himself Oh time to go home now
number one James Stewart
number one James Stewart I can promise you one thing I’ll do
I can promise you one thing I’ll do
I can promise you one thing I’ll do nothing to disgrace the office of the
nothing to disgrace the office of the
nothing to disgrace the office of the United States Senate Bogart and wells
United States Senate Bogart and wells
United States Senate Bogart and wells were influential but Jimmy Stewart stole
were influential but Jimmy Stewart stole
were influential but Jimmy Stewart stole the show in a decade when he also
the show in a decade when he also
the show in a decade when he also dedicated time to World War two military
dedicated time to World War two military
dedicated time to World War two military service Stewart’s roles as the average
service Stewart’s roles as the average
service Stewart’s roles as the average aspiring American resonated with and
aspiring American resonated with and
aspiring American resonated with and gave encouragement to just about
gave encouragement to just about
gave encouragement to just about everyone dust I’ll have a washroom thank
everyone dust I’ll have a washroom thank
everyone dust I’ll have a washroom thank me his natural style want him an Oscar
me his natural style want him an Oscar
me his natural style want him an Oscar for the Philadelphia Story having been
for the Philadelphia Story having been
for the Philadelphia Story having been previously nominated for Frank Capra’s
previously nominated for Frank Capra’s
previously nominated for Frank Capra’s mr. Smith goes to Washington
however he found everlasting Fame as
however he found everlasting Fame as George Bailey in it’s a wonderful life a
George Bailey in it’s a wonderful life a
George Bailey in it’s a wonderful life a captivating performance in a Christmas
captivating performance in a Christmas
captivating performance in a Christmas classic his was the highest standard
classic his was the highest standard
classic his was the highest standard during one of Hollywood’s highest points
during one of Hollywood’s highest points
during one of Hollywood’s highest points under Ella gets off now you right back
under Ella gets off now you right back
under Ella gets off now you right back to the ball before you turn into a
to the ball before you turn into a
to the ball before you turn into a pumpkin and six white mice combined do
pumpkin and six white mice combined do
pumpkin and six white mice combined do you agree with our list which 1940s
you agree with our list which 1940s
you agree with our list which 1940s actor do you think is the most iconic
actor do you think is the most iconic
actor do you think is the most iconic Jacob wait tell him you’re gonna dig
Jacob wait tell him you’re gonna dig
Jacob wait tell him you’re gonna dig latrines for every man in this company
latrines for every man in this company
latrines for every man in this company from here to Rome for more classic top
from here to Rome for more classic top
from here to Rome for more classic top 10s published every day be sure to
10s published every day be sure to
10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
”
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