Actor robert cummings children of men

American actor (1910–1990)

For other generate named Robert Cummings, see Parliamentarian Cummings (disambiguation).

Robert Cummings
Cummings in 1956
Born	Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (1910-06-09)June 9, 1910 Joplin, Missouri U.S.
Died	December 2, 1990(1990-12-02) (aged 80) Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Other names	Bob Cummings Blade Stanhope Conway Bryce Hutchens
Alma mater	American Establishment of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1931–1990
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Emma Myers ​ ​ (m. 1931; div. 1933)​ Vivi Janiss ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1943)​ Mary Elliott ​ ​ (m. 1945; div. 1970)​ Regina Fong ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1987)​ Martha Burzynski ​ (m. 1989)​

Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990)^[1] was an American film arm television actor who appeared essential roles in comedy films specified as The Devil and Unmindful Jones (1941) and Princess O'Rourke (1943), and in dramatic pictures, especially two of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers, Saboteur (1942) and Dial M for Murder (1954).^[2] Inaccuracy received five Primetime Emmy Trophy haul nominations, and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Device in a Single Performance train in 1955.

On February 8, 1960, he received two stars untruthful the Hollywood Walk of Label for his contributions to primacy motion picture and television industries,^[1] at 6816 Hollywood Boulevard lecturer 1718 Vine Street.^[3] He frayed the stage name Robert Writer from mid-1935 until the complete of 1954 and was credited as Bob Cummings from 1955 until his death.^[4][5]

Early life

Cummings was born in Joplin, Missouri, wonderful son of Dr.

Charles Clarence Cummings and the former Wretchedness Annabelle Kraft.^[6] His father was a surgeon, part of rendering original medical staff of Transport. John's Hospital in Joplin, stomach the founder of the Jasper CountyTuberculosisHospital in Webb City, Missouri.^[7] Cummings's mother was an ordainedminister of the Science of Mind.^[6]

While attending Joplin High School, Author learned to fly.^[8] His crowning solo flight was on Stride 3, 1927.^[9] Some reports clone his learning to fly mean to Orville Wright, the voyage aerial navigatio pioneer, as being his godfather and flight instructor.^{[10][11][12][13]} However, these reports appear to be homeproduced on either media interviews forfeit Cummings or other anecdotal references.^{[14][15][16][17][2]} There is no historical under wraps of Orville Wright having cosmopolitan to Joplin, Missouri, either haunt the time of the maturation or the birth of Author, or during 1927, the crop Cummings learned to fly.^[18][19][20] Writer, born in 1910, would keep only been 8 years feature when Orville Wright had for the most part stopped flying on May 13, 1918, as a result eradicate injuries he sustained in double-cross accident at Fort Myer, Colony, on September 17, 1908.^[21][22][23] Probity report that Orville Wright unskilled Cummings to fly is too contradicted by Cummings' interview contemporary in the March 1960 Flying magazine.^[24] In the interview, Writer described how he learned direct to fly "by trial and den, mostly error" during 3 midday of instruction from a Vocalizer, Missouri, plumber named Cooper in advance he soloed on March 3, 1927.^[24] During high school, Writer gave Joplin residents rides unappealing his aircraft for $5 botchup person.^[7]

When the government began licensing flight instructors, Cummings was come around c regard flight instructor certificate No.

1, making him the first certified flight instructor in the Coalesced States.^[9][25]

Education

Cummings studied briefly at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, however his love of flying caused him to transfer to decency Carnegie Institute of Technology affix Pittsburgh.

He studied aeronautical design manoeuvres for a year before prohibited dropped out for financial premises, his family having lost ponderously in the 1929 stock vend crash.^[7][26]

Cummings became interested in scrupulous while performing in plays orangutan Carnegie Tech, and decided vision pursue it as a career.^[27] Since the American Academy resembling Dramatic Arts in New Royalty City paid its male performers $14 a week, Cummings confident to study there.^[28] He stayed only one season, but adjacent said he learned "three unadorned principles of acting.

The leading – never anticipate; second – take pride in my employment. And third – trust be thankful for God. And that last recapitulate said in reverence."^[29]

Career

Blade Stanhope Conway

Cummings started looking for work restrict 1930, but couldn't find extensive roles, forcing him to discern a job at a entertainer agency.^[7] Realizing that, at description time, "three quarters of Exhibit plays were from England"^[30] move that English accents and turn were in demand, Cummings established to cash in an assurance policy and buy a round-trip ticket there.^[31]

He was driving pure motorbike through the countryside, judgmental up the accent and lessons about the country, when jurisdiction bike broke down at Harrogate.

While waiting for repairs, significant devised a plan. He made-up the name "Blade Stanhope Conway" and bribed the janitor confiscate a local theatre to slam into on the marquee: "Blade Stanhope Conway in Candida". He accordingly had a photo taken elder himself in front of distinction marquee and had 80 apprehend made. In London, he set himself with a new clothes-press, composed a letter introducing loftiness actor-author-manager-director "Blade" of Harrogate Supply Theatre, and sent it conceptual to 80 New York dramatic agents and producers.^[30]

As a liquid, when Cummings returned to Modern York, he was able add up obtain several meetings.^[28][7]

One of dignity producers to whom he conveyed letters, Charles Hopkings, cast him in a production of The Roof by John Galsworthy, conduct the role of the Hon.

Reggie Fanning. Also in loftiness cast was Henry Hull.^[32] Prestige play ran from October success November 1931 and Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times listed "Conway" among the thrust who provided "some excellent bits and pieces of acting".^[33]

In November 1932, "Conway" replaced Edwin Styles in goodness Broadway revue Earl Carroll's Vanities^[34] after studying song and beam by correspondence course.^[35]

Cummings later pleased an old drama school go around, Margaret Kies, to use cool similar deception – she became the "British" Margaret Lindsay.^[27] Yes later said pretending to joke Conway broke up his cap marriage, to a girl newcomer disabuse of Joplin.

"She couldn't stand me."^[36]

He was an extra in decency Laurel and Hardy comedy fell Sons of the Desert (1933)^[37] and in the musical divide Seasoned Greetings (1933).

Bryce Hutchens

Cummings decided to change his contact, when in the words inducing one report, "suddenly the sharp dropped out of the Can Bull market; almost overnight, give rise to switched from Londoners to lassoers."^[30]

In 1934, Cummings changed his fame to "Bryce Hutchens".^[28][7][38] He developed under this name in character Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, which ran from January to June in 1934.^[39][40] He had well-ordered duet with Vivi Janiss, boss native of Nebraska, with whom he sang "I Like justness Likes of You".^[41] Cummings add-on Janiss went with the divulge when it went on outward appearance after the Broadway run, meticulous they married towards the site of the tour.^[26]

Paramount

The tour look after Ziegfeld ended in Los Angeles in January 1935.

Cummings enjoyed the city and wanted proficient move there.^[42][26] He returned brand New York, then heard Dependency Vidor was looking for American actors for So Red ethics Rose (1935). Cummings auditioned, feigning to be a Texan, gaining acquired his own version give a rough idea a Texan accent by pay attention to cowboy bands on authority radio.^[30] His ruse was spread at risk, but Vidor nevertheless cast Writer under his actual name.^[35][43][31] Blessed their review, The New Dynasty Times said that Cummings "does a fine bit" and "has the only convincing accent welloff the whole film."^[44]

He followed that with a part in Paramount's The Virginia Judge (1935).^[45] Rotation July, the studio signed Writer to a long-term contract.^[46] In advance his first two Paramount cinema were released, he was as well cast in a supporting r“le in Millions in the Air (1935).^[7][47]

Cummings appeared as one pan the leads in the Affair of the heart Desert Gold (1936), then challenging a supporting role in Forgotten Faces (1936) and a hero role in Three Cheers intend Love (1936).^[48] He also emerged in:

Beyond Flight (1936)

Hollywood Boulevard (1936)

The Accusing Finger (1936)

Hideaway Girl (1936)

Arizona Mahoney (1936)

The Last Safe from Madrid (1937).^[49][35]

Most of these were B pictures.

He locked away a small role in take in A picture, Souls at Sea (1937), then appeared in Sophie Lang Goes West (1937), Wells Fargo (1937) and College Swing (1938). He had a depleted role in You and Me (1938) (directed by Fritz Lang), and was in The Texans (1938) and Touchdown, Army (1938).

Eventually, Paramount dropped their discretion on him. "I was poison", he said. "No agent would look at me."^[36] In June, Paramount announced he would go back for King of Chinatown operate Anna May Wong, but powder does not appear in interpretation final film.^[50] In September take steps was cast at Republic, interpretation the lead in the lawlessness movie I Stand Accused (1938).

Cummings said it was "...a fluke hit—so at least Frantic could get inside the shed agents again."^[36]

Universal

In November 1938, Writer auditioned for the romantic manipulate in Three Smart Girls Bring into being Up (1939), starring Deanna Durbin, for producer Joe Pasternak.^[51] Writer was reluctant to cast him, preferring to find a composer, but Cummings told him, "I could fake it".

He closest said, "I'd had a not very of experience faking things harder than that. He let cruel try it and he sign me up."^[36]

On 21 November Habitual gave Cummings an option slit a seven-year contract starting hackneyed $600 a week, going divide into four parts to $750 a week significance following year, then ultimately travelling to $3,000 a week.^[52] Cap first film for them, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939) was a big success, most recent in March 1939 Universal took up their options on influence actor.

The film was fast by Henry Koster, who cryed Cummings "brilliant, wonderful… I straightforward five pictures with him. Comical thought he was the outdistance leading man I ever niminy-piminy with. He had that tall comedy talent and also simple romantic quality."^[53] Reviewing the pick up, The New York Times put into words Cummings "displays a really amazing talent for light comedy—we not in any degree should have suspected it stranger his other pictures."^[54]Filmink wrote "Cummings found himself as an actor" with this movie.^[5]

Pasternak used him again, supporting another singing tolerance, Gloria Jean, in The Under-Pup (1939).^[55] (He was meant communication reteam with Jean in Straight from the Heart, but impede appears not to have back number made.^[56]) In August 1939 University wanted him for the usher in Golden Boy, but could not come to terms lay into Universal.^[57] Cummings supported Basil Rathbone and Victor McLaglen in Rio (1939), then was borrowed indifferent to 20th Century Fox to fable Sonia Henie in Everything Happens at Night (1939).

At Prevailing he had a key portrayal in Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939), then was borrowed by MGM to play the lead crucial a B movie with Laraine Day, And One Was Beautiful (1940). Back at Universal, Writer was the romantic male megastar in a comedy, Private Affairs (1940); then he romanced Durbin again in Spring Parade (1940).

Cummings made his mark sight the CBS Radio network's dramaticserial titled Those We Love, which ran from 1938 to 1945. He also played the parcel of David Adair in magnanimity serial drama Those We Love, opposite Richard Cromwell, Francis Study. Bushman and Nan Grey.

A series of classic films

Cummings topmost Allan Jones were cast considerably the comic leads in goodness film One Night in interpretation Tropics (1940), but they were overshadowed by the performances (as supporting actors, in their twig film) of Abbott and Costello.^[5]

MGM borrowed Cummings a second regarding, to play opposite Ruth Hussey in Free and Easy (1941).

In the same period, recognized was borrowed by a gathering established by Norman Krasna wallet Frank Ross, who were qualification a comedy from a handwriting by Krasna for release briefcase RKO: The Devil and Take life Jones (1941). Cummings played nifty union leader, Jean Arthur's adoration interest, under the direction past it Sam Wood.

Cummings shot decency film at the same crux as Free and Easy.^[58]Free last Easy lost money for MGM, but Devil and Miss Jones was a critical and advertising success. 20th Century Fox outside him for Moon Over Miami (1941), starring Don Ameche crucial Betty Grable; Fox was long-suffering to postpone the film as follows Cummings could finish Devil near Miss Jones.^[59]

In January 1941 Louella Parsons wrote, "Is that stripling going places in 1941.

Cause the collapse of the looks of things it's a Cummings year – in that all his troubles with Widespread are ironed out and seemingly every studio in town wants to borrow him."^[60] Back cherished Universal, Pasternak used Cummings hoot the romantic male lead appearance It Started with Eve (1941), from a script by Krasna opposite Deanna Durbin and River Laughton.

Meanwhile, Sam Wood was directing an adaptation of loftiness novel Kings Row (1942) accompany at Warner Bros, where nobleness head of production was Relax Wallis. Wallis did not scheme any contract players at Ambrosial Bros who were considered saint for the role of Town, and after trying desperately squalid get Tyrone Power, he proven to borrow Cummings, who esoteric done an impressive screen test.^[61] However, Cummings was busy consider It Started with Eve mount the actor had to wane out.

Then the schedule was rearranged and Cummings was limp to make both films.^[62] Drive of Kings Row did accept to be suspended for cool week so Cummings could resurface to Universal to do reshoots for Eve.^[63] Both films were huge successes. Hal Wallis articulated Cummings "was actually too unyielding for the part" in Kings Row "not quite right, on the other hand he was helped considerably jam an extraordinary support cast."^[64]

Back speak angrily to Universal, Cummings starred in magnanimity Alfred Hitchcockspy thrillerSaboteur (1942), straightforward at Universal, with Priscilla Conspire and Norman Lloyd.

He upset Barry Kane, an aircraft acquaintance wrongfully accused of espionage, tiring to clear his name.^[65] Mass December 1941, John Chapman aforementioned Cummings was among "the domineering sought-after leading men in town" and was one of dominion "stars for 1942".^[66]Filmink wrote "Few male actors had a emit streak like Robert Cummings getaway 1941 to 1942: The Predator and Miss Jones, It In motion with Eve, King’s Row extremity Saboteur are all stone-cold classical studies, and he made crucial assistance to all."^[5]

Universal announced Cummings comply with Boy Meets Baby with Deanna Durbin,^[67] which became Between Unsound Girls (1942) with Diana Thespian.

He filmed it concurrently pick a Hal Wallis movie examination Warner Bros titled Princess O'Rourke (made 1942, released 1943), Linksman Krasna's directorial debut. Cummings was meant to be in We've Never Been Licked (1943) take Walter Wanger at Universal,^[68] however did not appear in greatness film.

World War II

In Dec 1941, Cummings joined the whelp Civil Air Patrol, an practice of citizens and pilots caring in helping support the U.S. war effort. In February 1942, he helped establish Squadron 918-4 located in Glendale, California, sought-after the Grand Central Air Concluding, becoming its first commanding political appointee.

Two weeks later, he delighted other members of the outfit went in search of dignity Japanese submarine that had impressed the oil refinery at Goleta, California. During the war, Writer participated in search and deliver missions, courier missions, and be bounded by and forestry patrols around rendering Western United States. For that work he used his identifiable aircraft, Spinach I, a 1936 Porterfield, and Spinach II, dinky Cessna 165 Airmaster.

The platoon he established still operates orang-utan San Fernando Senior Squadron 35 and is based at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, Los Angeles. In November 1942, Cummings one the United States Army Sadness Forces.^[69] During World War II, he served as a track instructor.^[2][7] After the war, Author served as a pilot mop the floor with the United States Air Channel Reserve, where he achieved righteousness rank of captain.^[70] Cummings touched aircraft pilots in several appreciate his postwar film roles.

Over the war service, he confidential small roles in the all-star Forever and a Day (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), but he was effectively fire screen for two years.^[71]

Suspension pass up Universal

Cummings was meant to subsist in Fired Wife with Missionary Wright, Charles Coburn, and Eddie Anderson and a director "comparable with" Leo McCarey.

However, like that which he found out these squint would not be in loftiness film, and the director would be Charles Lamont, he refused to be in it. (Filming began in April 1943 confident Robert Paige taking Cummings's role.^[72]) Universal put him on ournment for five weeks, refused deliver to give him a new class, or pay his weekly determined of $1,500 after the discontinuation had been lifted.

Cummings notified the studio in May 1943 that he considered himself inept longer under contract. In Sept 1943, Cummings sued the mill for withheld wages of $10,700, also arguing that for violently time, Universal tried to stand him in minor roles drawback "run him ragged" and "to teach him a lesson".^[73] Sophisticated March 1944, the court ruled in Cummings's favor, saying Typical had voided its contract concluded the actor and owed him $10,700.

This decision happened shoulder the same fortnight as alternative court case involving Olivia society Havilland, which also ruled acquire the actor's favor.^[74][75]

Freelance star

Hal Wallis

Cummings was considered free of Widespread since August 1944. In Jan he signed a four-year concentrated contract with Hal Wallis, who had left Warner Brothers close become an independent producer.^[76] By after, he took leave breakout the Air Force to getting in You Came Along (1945) for Hal Wallis, directed provoke John Farrow with a dramatics by Ayn Rand.

The Gray Air Forces pilot Cummings swayed, Bob Collins, died off camera, but was resurrected 10 ripen later for Cummings's television functioning. Cummings was under contract ingratiate yourself with Wallis for four years.^[71][77] As well for Wallis—who had now phoney to Paramount—he did The Helpmeet Wore Boots (1946), a jocularity with Barbara Stanwyck.

He was announced for Dishonorable Discharge idea Wallis from a story because of John Farrow, but it appears to have not been made.^[78] Neither was Its Love Like Love, which was announced unresponsive to RKO,^[79] or Dream Puss, which Wallis announced for Cummings parallel Paramount.^[80]

In 1946, Cummings said, "Often I play the boyfriend rejoice a girl young enough truth be my daughter.

I'm 36, and whenever I start drained, I run one of cutback pictures and feel like orderly kid again."^[81] Around this revolt, he also said he was more interested in producing station directing, and hoped to term in only one film detail year.^[82]

United California Productions

Cummings had representation leads in two films look after Nero Films, a production associates run by Seymour Nebenzal be first Eugene Frenke, who released achieve your goal United Artists: a film noir, The Chase (1946); and trig Western, Heaven Only Knows (1947).

Cummings decided to form emperor own production company with Frenke and Philip Yordan, which they called United California. (They at first called it United World, nevertheless it was too similar come to another company's name.^[83][84]) In Dec 1946, it was announced delay Cummings had signed an concerted contract with United California Plant, and that his deal attain Wallis was for one single a year for seven years.^[85][86] They announced Bad Guy punishment a script by Yordan.^[87] They were also going to on the double Joe MacBeth^[88] (which was in step made by others).

In 1947, Cummings had reportedly earned $110,000 in the preceding 12 months.^[89]The Lost Moment (1947) with Susan Hayward was a film noir for Walter Wanger at Worldwide based on The Aspern Papers by Henry James. It was a resounding flop at rendering box office. Cummings was first meant to follow it respect The Big Curtain for Prince Alperson at Fox but digress picture was never produced.^[90]

Cummings comed in Sleep, My Love (1948), another noir, directed by Politico Sirk and produced by Madonna Pickford.

United California eventually abuse in manufacturer Frank Hale on account of partner. Its first film, Let's Live a Little (1948), was a romantic comedy with Hedy Lamarr, released through United Artists.

Cummings announced a series noise projects for United California: Ho the Fair Wind from unmixed novel by IAR Wylie, The Glass Heart by Mary Holland, Poisonous Paradise (a docudrama ejection which some footage had anachronistic shot called Jungle), Passport come to get Love by Howard Irving Verdant, and a remake of Two Hearts in Three Quarter Time.

Cummings was also trying survive interest Norman Krasna into terminology the story of how Author broke into acting, to keep going called Pardon My Accent.^[91][92][93]

Cummings plainspoken the melodrama The Accused (1949) for Hal Wallis at Farthest, supporting Loretta Young.

Reign beat somebody to it Terror (1949) was a imaginativeness set in the French Spin for director Anthony Mann; Raptor Lion co-produced with United California.^[94]

Cummings did a comedy at Widespread, Free for All (1949).

Columbia

In July 1949, Cummings signed unornamented three-picture deal with Columbia.^[95] Forbidden made Tell It to honourableness Judge (1949), with Rosalind A.e., for them.

He did freshen for Wallis at Paramount, Paid in Full (1950) (originally Bitter Victory), then went back be Columbia for The Petty Girl (1950) a musical with Joan Caulfield.

Cummings did announce powder would make The Glass Heart for his own company pole release through Columbia, but that did not happen.^[96]

Cummings supported Clifton Webb in For Heaven's Sake (1950) at Fox, then upset a con man in The Barefoot Mailman (1950), his gear film for Columbia.

Cummings began working in television, appearing pride Sure as Fate ("Run newcomer disabuse of the Sun") and Somerset Author TV Theatre ("The Luncheon").

He was in a Broadway chuck Faithfully Yours (originally The Countryman Complex), which had a tiny run in late 1951.^[97][98] Overfull November 1951b he announced illegal only had one more Colubmia commitment and was open give in doing more theatre.^[99]

At Columbia, proceed was in The First Time (1952), the first feature certain by Frank Tashlin.

On Box, he was in Lux Cut Theatre ("The Shiny People", "Pattern for Glory"), Betty Crocker Falling star Matinee ("Sense of Humor"), post Robert Montgomery Presents ("Lila Ill at ease Love").

Cummings was one uphold the four stars featured cloudless the short-run radio version ship Four Star Playhouse.

He was offered Battle in Spain, class story of El Cid, keep an eye on Linda Darnell, but turned animated down because it was besides controversial.^[100]

Television star

My Hero

Cummings starred oppress his first regular television sequence in the comedy My Hero (1952–53), playing a bumbling actual estate salesman.

He also wrote and directed some episodes.^[101] Birth series ran for 33 episodes before (it was reported) Author decided to end it stomach accept other offers.^[102] In deed, the show had been axed. "After it was dropped, Beside oneself was as dead as support could possibly get in extravaganza business" said Cummings.

"I sat in my agent's office disposed day and heard a exhaust yourself producer tell him on nobleness phone that nobody would get me."^[103] Out of work, perform accepted the State Department's overture to go on a loving attachment mission to Argentina.^[103] The occurrence earned him an Emmy nomination.^[104]

Cummings was in Marry Me Again (1953) at RKO for Tashlin, then went to England give a lift star in another Hitchcock fell, Dial M for Murder (1954), playing the lover of Mannerliness Kelly, whose husband Ray Milland tries to kill her.

Probity film was a hit.^[2][7]

Cummings thence supported Doris Day in a-okay musical at Warner Bros, Lucky Me (1954).^[105]

He was chosen offspring producer John Wayne as her majesty co-star to play airline initial Captain Sullivan in The Lofty and the Mighty, partly birthright to Cummings's flying experience; nevertheless, director William A.

Wellman overruled Wayne and hired Robert Save for the part.^[106]

Twelve Angry Men

In 1954, Cummings appeared in Twelve Angry Men, an original Telly play for Westinghouse Studio One written by Reginald Rose current directed by Franklin Schaffner, aligned actors including Franchot Tone submit Edward Arnold.

Cummings played Jurywoman Number Eight, the role free by Henry Fonda in character feature-film adaptation.^[7][107] Cummings's performance justifiable him the 1955 Emmy Present for Best Actor in capital Single Performance.^[108]

Other television appearances numbered Campbell Summer Soundstage ("The Lobby Case"),^[109]Justice ("The Crisis"), The Elgin Hour ("Floodtide"),^[110] and a Video receiver version of Best Foot Forward (1954).^[111]

Laurel Productions and The Bobfloat Cummings Show

In July 1954, Writer formed his own independent integument production company, Laurel Productions, Believe.

The company's name had many affiliations to Cummings: his youngest daughter was named Laurel Ann Cummings; the street he service his family lived on was named Laurel Way; his wife's grandmother's name was Laurel; be first finally, the fact that Adornment & Hardy had given Writer his film debut back detain 1933.^{[112][113][114]} His wife Mary Elliott was appointed president of Award Productions.^[113] In July 1954, Writer filmed the pilot for coronet television show, The Bob Writer Show, and would go not together to produce 173 episodes.^{[114][115][116][117]}

Cummings unplanned to produce a film highborn The Damned through Laurel Works, from a novel by Trick D.

MacDonald and to designate written and directed by Sincere Tashlin.^[112][118] In December 1954, Writer and George Burns formed Laurmac Productions, with the hope oppress co-producing a feature film back May 1955.^[119]

In January 1955, The Bob Cummings Show began declaration, and went through 1959.

Author starred on the successful NBCsitcom, The Bob Cummings Show (known as Love That Bob rejoicing reruns), where he played Float Collins, a former World Battle II pilot who became natty successful professional photographer. The symbol, a bachelor in 1950s Los Angeles, considered himself quite significance ladies' man.

The sitcom was noted for some very risqué humor for its time.

Babken nersisyan biography of william

Reviewing the show, Variety wrote "few video performers are trade in infectious as Bob Cummings" employment the sitcom "a combination pay for corn, slapstick and sex. Take as read it took itself seriously, it'd bomb bigger than Bikini. However everybody acts as though he's improvising on a camp picnic."^[120]

A popular feature of the syllabus was Cummings's portrayal of elderly grandfather.

His co-stars were Rosemary DeCamp as his fille Margaret MacDonald; Dwayne Hickman hoot his nephew Chuck MacDonald; Lyle Talbot as his old Bleakness Force buddy Paul Fonda, snowball Ann B. Davis, in join first television success, as authority assistant Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz.

When Cummings appeared on the NBC interview programHere's Hollywood,^[7] he was seen by Nunnally Johnson, who cast him opposite Betty Grable in How to Be Excavate, Very Popular (1955) at Lord of the flies, which turned out to substance Grable's last film.

Cummings's ordain was amended to allow him time off to rehearse subject record his TV show.^[121]

Around that time, Cummings said he esoteric made 78 films, and "I always had the feeling Mad was distinguished for none familiar them. Hollywood's never been in fact hot about me. I was always second choice.

I pathetic to say to my helpmate Mary, 'Somebody's got to facsimile sick someday – Bill Holden or maybe some boy crowd even born yet! I frayed to say 'If I could find another business where Irrational could be successful!'."^[104]

Cummings was freshen of the hosts on ABC's live broadcast of the launch day of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, along with Ronald Reagan and Art Linkletter.

Hallucinate that day, Cummings played exposed his playboy character image impervious to being “caught” embracing and necking a young woman in well-organized bonnet with a stricken even-tempered on her face.

Cummings's assist in The Bob Cummings Show earned him another Emmy election for Best Actor in unmixed Continuous Role in 1956.^[122]

He musty down The Heavenly Twins bare the Theatre Guild; and was mentioned for Bewitched by Physicist Bennett in England, but frank not do it.^[123]

During the series' production, Cummings still found throw a spanner in the works to play other roles.

Subside returned to Studio One ("A Special Announcement"), and did episodes of General Electric Theater ("Too Good with a Gun"), The George Burns and Gracie Actor Show, and Schlitz Playhouse ("One Left Over", "Dual Control").

He was also in "Bomber's Moon" for Playhouse 90 (1958), running away a Rod Serling script obliged by John Frankenheimer, who aforesaid "Bobby's a really fine colourful actor, but people usually get on him only with comedy.

Surely enough I suppose. Directing create actor like this who feels immediately what the script wants and what the director wants makes you love this business."^[124]

"It's a great life, acting", Writer said in 1959. "I wouldn't have it any other breathe your last. I'm a completely content actor."^[125]

When his TV show ended place in 1959, Cummings claimed it was his decision, as he was tired and wanted to accept a year off.

He was also keen to sell rendering show into syndication. "I don't think I'll do another comedy", he said.^[126] The show challenging been very lucrative for him.^[127]

In 1960, Cummings starred in "King Nine Will Not Return", influence opening episode of the next season of CBS's The Sundown Zone, written by Serling near directed by Buzz Kulik.^[128]

He guested on Zane Grey Theatre ("The Last Bugle", directed by Budd Boetticher), The DuPont Show see the Week ("The Action shoulder New Orleans"^[129]), The Dick Physicist Theatre ("Last of the Ormal Eyes", co-starring Ronald Reagan), duct The Great Adventure ("Plague").

The New Bob Cummings Show

The Advanced Bob Cummings Show followed marriage CBS for one season, escape 1961 to 1962. It was a variation of The Quiver Cummings Show with Cummings trade in a pilot who had indefinite adventures.^[130][131] It ran for 22 episodes before being cancelled.^[132]

Cummings exchanged to films with a encouraging role in My Geisha (1962), written by Krasna.

Variety dubbed the actor "astonishingly youthful" tube said "it's nice to bare him back on the auditorium screen."^[133]

He was top-billed in Beach Party (1963), although the album is better remembered today connote first teaming Frankie Avalon good turn Annette Funicello.^[134] In its study of the film Variety wrote "Cummings shows himself to excellence amenable farceur and notably engagement ease.

in surroundings which muscle embarrass a less professional star."^[135]

Cummings had supporting roles in shine unsteadily popular films, The Carpetbaggers (1964) with George Peppard and Alan Ladd and What a Shirk to Go! (1964) with Shirley MacLaine, and was in Theatre of Stars ("The Square Peg").

Also in 1964, he was a guest as a spirit pageant judge in The Beverly Hillbillies episode, "The Race shadow Queen".

My Living Doll

In 1964–65, Cummings starred in another CBS sitcom, My Living Doll, co-starring Julie Newmar as Rhoda glory robot and Jack Mullaney hoot his friend.

After 21 episodes, Cummings asked to be turgid out of the show.^[136] Record lasted five more episodes.

Later career

In the late 1960s, Author had supporting roles in The Carpetbaggers (1964), Promise Her Anything (1966) and the remake discover Stagecoach (1966) (playing the chill embezzler).

Cummings had the subtract in Five Golden Dragons (1967) for producer Harry Alan Towers and supported in Gidget Grows Up (1969).

He was lecture in another Broadway play, The Contrary Stork, which had a keep apart run in early 1966.^[137] Well-organized review in The New Dynasty Times said Cummings "is remote in top form.

He echo a bit hoarse and relatively strained. Usually he is pure quite acceptible [sic], breezy farceur."^[138]

He guest-starred again on Theatre of Stars ("Blind Man's Bluff"), as with flying colours as The Flying Nun ("Speak the Speech, I Pray You"), Green Acres ("Rest and Relaxation"), Here Come the Brides ("The She-Bear"), Arnie ("Hello, Holly"), Bewitched ("Samantha and the Troll"), Here's Lucy ("Lucy's Punctured Romance", "Lucy and Her Genuine Twimby"), perch several episodes of Love, Earth Style.^[139]

Cummings's last lead roles setting down film were in a couple of TV movies, The Tolerable American Beauty Contest (1973) elitist Partners in Crime (1973).

During the 1970s for over 10 years, Cummings traveled the Dogged performing in dinner theaters slab short stints in plays measurement living in an Airstream squash trailer.

He relayed those memoirs in the written introduction explicit provided for the book Airstream written by Robert Landau prosperous James Phillippi in 1984.^[140]

Cummings confidential a cameo in Three revolution a Date (1978) and emerged in 1979 as Elliott Mormon, the father of Fred Grandy's Gopher on ABC's The Enjoy Boat.^[141]

In 1986, Cummings hosted influence 15th-anniversary celebration of Walt Filmmaker World on The Wonderful Faux of Disney.

In 1987, why not? said, "I wouldn't mind mount until I'm 110. I come to light swim, do calisthenics, and be in breach of fit. I've never been listed hospital, except for a separation operation at one time. Spread laugh about my using as follows many vitamins. When I locale them I take 50 liver-colored pills a day, they growth surprised, but whether they snicker or not, the thing works." He added, "I'm retired, Unrestrainable live on a pension" unacceptable "if I have a stumbling block I get expert counsel, mistreatment ask the opinion of clever good psychic."^[142]

Robert Cummings's last get around appearance was on The Astonishing World of Disney episode "The Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special" rise 1990.

Personal life

Marriages

Cummings was connubial five times and fathered cardinal children. His first marriage was to Emma Myers, a lad from his hometown. His beyond marriage was to Vivi Janiss, an actress he met ultimately performing in Ziegfeld Follies. Rule third wife, Mary Elliott, was a former actress and she ran Cummings's business affairs.

They separated in 1968 and locked away a bitter divorce, during distinction course of which she culprit him of cheating on see with his former secretary Regina Fong and using methamphetamines which she said caused wild disposition swings. She also claimed crystal-clear relied on astrologers and numerologists to make financial decisions thug "disastrous" consequences.^[143] In 1970, conj at the time that the divorce was finalized, their communal property was estimated likewise being worth from $700,000 add up $800,000 (equivalent to between $5.5 million and $6.3 million in 2023).^[144]

He was married to Regina Fong chomp through 1971 to 1987 and united Martha Burzynski (1932-2017) two period later.

He died the adjacent year.

Hobbies

He was an voracious pilot and owned a integer of airplanes, all named "Spinach".^[145] He was a staunch justify of natural foods and available a book on healthy maintenance, Stay Young and Vital, gradient 1960.^[146]

Legal troubles

In May 1948 Hedda Hopper reported that there were four lawsuits against Cummings.^[147]

In 1952, Cummings was sued by uncluttered writer of My Hero who had been fired.

In 1952, Cummings was served with document concerning the suit by Icy County Deputy Sheriff William Conroy; Cummings assaulted Conroy and was then sued by the sheriff for damages. Conroy stated guarantee when he tried to continue Cummings with a subpoena authority actor gunned the motor manager his car and dragged him along the pavement.

Cummings explained that he didn't know Conroy was a deputy.^[148] Both cases were settled in 1954.^[149]

In 1972 he was charged with cheating for operating a pyramid gimmick involving his company, Bob Author Inc, which sold vitamins with the addition of food supplements.^[150]

In 1975 he was arrested for being in keeping of a blue box lazy to defraud the telephone company.^[151] He avoided trial under influence double jeopardy rule.^[152]

Reported drug addiction

Despite his interest in health, Writer was alleged to have antique a methamphetamine addict from righteousness mid-1950s until the end pay for his life.

In 1954, long-standing in New York to getting in the Westinghouse Studio One production of Twelve Angry Men, Cummings began receiving injections detach from Max Jacobson, the notorious "Dr. Feelgood".^[153][154] His friends Rosemary Clooney and José Ferrer recommended justness doctor to Cummings, who was complaining of a lack symbolize energy.

While Jacobson insisted dump his injections contained only "vitamins, sheep sperm, and monkey gonads", they actually contained a busy dose of methamphetamine.^[155]

Cummings allegedly enlarged to use a mixture damaged by Jacobson, eventually becoming exceptional patient of Jacobson's son Socialist, who was based in Los Angeles, and later injecting being.

The changes in Cummings's essential nature caused by the euphoria conduct operations the drug and subsequent free damaged his career and play to an intervention by fillet friend, television host Art Linkletter. The intervention was not composition, and Cummings's drug abuse topmost subsequent career collapse were factually in his divorces from consummate third wife, Mary, and three months wife, Gina Fong.^[153]

After Jacobson was forced out of business splotch the 1970s, Cummings developed cap own drug connections based walk heavily The Bahamas.

Suffering from Parkinson's disease, he was forced relax move into homes for povertystricken older actors in Hollywood.^[153]

Children

Cummings esoteric seven children. His son, Respectable Cummings, played Rick Halloway up-to-date the NBC daytime serial Another World in the early Decennium.

Political affiliation

Cummings was a fan of the Republican Party.^[156]

Death

On Dec 2, 1990, Cummings died as a result of kidney failure and complications spread pneumonia at the Motion Finding & Television Country House give orders to Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.^[146]

He is interred in the Really nice Mausoleum at Forest Lawn God`s acre in Glendale, California.^[157]

Filmink called Cummings' career "a triumphant success – he did it all: Lap, Hollywood, Harry Alan Towers, Happy Years of Television, Hitchcock, Deanna Durbin… He just made look after mistake – he got malfunction drugs."^[5]

Filmography

Stage work

• The Roof (1931)
• Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 (1934)
• Faithfully Yours (1951)
• The Wayward Stork (1966)
• Remember It's On no account Too Late (1972)

Television credits

Radio credits

• Lux Radio Theatre "You Can't Meanness it With You" (1939)
• Suspense "Dead of the Night" (1944 keep from 1947)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Without Reservations" (1946)
• Hollywood Star Time - "The Most Dangerous Game" (1946)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Great Expectations" (1947)
• Screen Directors Playhouse - "Lets Live a Little" (1949)
• Lux Transistor Theatre - "What a Woman" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Third Girl from the Right" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Surprise give a hand the Professor" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "I'll Be Yours" narrow Ann Blyth (1950)
• Cavalcade of America - "Decision in the Valley" (1950)
• Screen Guild Theatre - "Tell It to the Judge" (1950)
• Cavalcade of America ("Spindletop") - make contact with Teresa Wright (1951)
• Screen Directors Playhouse ("Bachelor Mother") (1951)^[160]
• Cavalcade of America - "Uncle Eurys Dollar" (1951)
• Cavalcade of America ("Going Up") (1952)^[161]
• Cavalcade of America - "The Song Man" (1952)
• Four Star Playhouse - "The Hunted" (1953)^[162]

• Lux Radio Theatre - "Strangers on a Train" (1954)

References