Classic Movies - Gary Cooper

Today, let’s talk Classic Movies of Gary Cooper! This film immortal has our vote for best actor of all time. With his tall, lanky frame, good looks, and “natural” acting ability, Gary Cooper, is considered one of the best actors to ever grace the silver screen. A two-time Academy Award winner for best actor, he played a wide-range of characters that began as “average Joes”, but proved to be much more than average by the end of the picture. There is an endearingly naïve and unassuming quality to Gary Cooper’s acting, whether he’s portraying a cowboy, war hero, sports legend, Legionnaire, or regular guy. Perhaps that is why he was and still is a screen favorite of both men and women.

Gary Cooper began his career in silent cinema in films such as The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926); It (1927); and Wings (1927). By the time “talkies” came along, he was a well-established star in Hollywood. His list of box-office hits is amazing and includes such enduring classics as The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935) with Franchot Tone, whose acting ability Gary Cooper most admired; The Plainsman (1936); Beau Geste (1939), our late father’s favorite movie; The Westerner (1940); The Pride of the Yankees (1942); For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943); and the sensational High Noon (1952) for which he won his second Academy Award. Two more classics we must recommend are Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and Meet John Doe (1941). These marvelous films offer two of Gary Cooper’s finest performances as “average Joes” who triumph over corruption and win victories for the down-trodden. Both are full of warmth, intense drama, romance, and plenty of humor.

The Gary Cooper classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which he played a real American hero of World War I. It also captured for him the first of his two best actor “Oscars”. Of course, that film is Sergeant York (1942) with Joan Leslie and Walter Brennan. As the hillbilly sharpshooter from Tennessee who became one of the most decorated heroes of “The Great War”, Gary Cooper was a perfect fit for the title character. He was, in fact, the only actor the real Sgt. Alvin York (who had to give his consent) would even consider for the role. We think you’ll agree that Gary Cooper is wonderful to watch as his character transforms from drunken rowdy to converted Christian and from “conscientious objector” to war hero. 'Alvin York' declares throughout the movie, “The Lord sure does move in mysterious ways”, a statement that rings true time and again in the extraordinary biographical story of Sergeant York. We love this film and think you will, too. (Note: This is one of eight pictures Gary Cooper made with supporting actor, Walter Brennan. Their films together as “sidekicks” are always enjoyable to watch.)

**Trivia Question for Today: Gary Cooper did receive a third “Honorary” Academy Award in 1961 for his many contributions through the years, but was too ill, due to cancer, to accept it himself. Do you know who accepted it on his behalf? Do you know who accepted on Mr. Cooper’s behalf when he earned his second Academy Award for High Noon? The answers will appear in our next blog, so check in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more of "Let’s Talk Classic Movies".

Trivia Answer for Previous Blog: Steve Martin starred in Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), a comical detective spoof that incorporates film clips of all the great “film noir” classics into the storyline. It’s fun to watch just to see how many films you recognize.