Posts
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| Edmond O'Brien shown in his younger years, pre-Hollywood success... |
No offense, Johnny, but 6 different actors in 14 years (not counting the 2 audition shows by Dick Powell and Gerald Mohr)? You had more personalities than Sybil.
This week, we compare 2 of the more famous Dollars - one by a Hollywood veteran who freelanced in radio (and did a better job of it than most movie actors can say) and one by a radio guy.
Edmond O'Brien, our Hollywood star (yes, he was a star back then), played in some of the great box office hits, like "White Heat" and "Wild Bunch" and some lesser-known gems, like "The Hitch-hiker". He also starred as Johnny Dollar for two years. He was good, though Dollar didn't have a lot of character in his run.
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| ....and Mandel Kramer, shown much later in life, in his TV years on "The Guiding Light" |
Exhibit B is Mandel Kramer. Kramer, the radio guy, gave Dollar sort of a cheshire cat grin/devil may care attitude. Kramer was allowed to have a little fun with the role, as folks were turning off their radios and turning on their televisions. If no one's listening, you may as well enjoy yourself.
