The subject line is pretty self-explanatory, so we'll jump right into it:
I nominate George C. Scott in PLAZA SUITE. Scott's film work is so magnificent that it overshadows his equally wonderful stage work, and Scott just did not get enough chances to do comedy.
What do you think?
"...and you can't come because you DON'T SPEAK FRENCH!"
That's difficult if you hav'nt seen an actor on stage. I think George C Scott was a fine actor, but I've never seen a film of any of his stage performances.
I can nominate one actor who I have seen. Ian Holm was regarded as one of the finest Shakespearean actors of his generation and was a formidable performer of modern drama. Harold Pinter wrote the part of Lenny in 'The Homecoming' with Holm in mind. He was absent from the stage for many years after suffering from unbearable stage-fright. I saw him return to the stage a few years ago in another Pinter play 'Moonlight' and he was magnificent.
I also saw Donald Pleasance reprising his role as Davies, the tramp in Pinter's Caretaker, with an uknown Colin Firth as Aston.
On the other hand I count as unforgettable Irene Handl as Madam Arcati in Blithe Spirit, who corpsed and giggled her way through, but no-one minded in the least.
'Well I pray to the saints and all the martyrs for the secret life of Frank Sinatra'