Louis Calhern
One of the great character actors who played the part of the dubious lawyer to perfection. I try to see every movie he ever made.
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MovieChat Forums > The Asphalt Jungle (1950) Discussion > Louis Calhern
Great portrayal of Julius Caesar in the 1950 movie
Cartago delenda est.
Old Louie perfected that mannered "in-with-the-thumb-and-forefinger, out-with-the-scissored-forefinger-and-middle-finger" method of smoking a cigarette which John Travolta mimicked in "Pulp Fiction."
Louie used this technique to puff his coffin nails in many a film.
Thanks for pointing that out, Rac701.
He's really cool in "Notorious", too.
He plays Ambassador Trentino in "Duck Soup" with the Marx brothers. As many times as I've seen it I just noticed this......
He is also another week and sleazy operator in another favorite of mine, "Executive Suiet". Nobody can do it like Louie Calhern.
Ha! Never realized Amb Trentino was played by Calhern. Yes was very good at that sleazy role in Executive Suite.
shareHe's great in this, and I liked the way he handled the last scene before he shot himself, looking sort of philosophical as he advised MM to tell the truth, after all. I had the feeling he liked her more than one would expect, considering.
"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.
A very good actor, always a pleasure to watch no matter the role (and they were varied).
Yes, his smoking mannerisms were incorporated as part of the character at times. Unfortunately, this habit may very well have contributed to his dying from a heart attack at 61.
Really liked how he underplays it when Dix and the other guy shoot it out when his whole attempt to rip them off blows up--he just sits there with his head in his hands.
Saw one of his earliest films, from 1921(!), a silent, The Blot, a while back on TCM. It was quite entertaining.
Calhern was also excellent in "Executive Suite" (1954) which TCM shows fairly often. His scheming businessman role is somewhat similar to Emmerich in "TAJ". He even has a luscious blonde in tow in Executive Suite as well. He is billed well down in the credits but his role is probably as large and significant as any of the other actors after William Holden.
I agree with you about his seemingly innate ability to underplay in dramatic situations which would frequently enhance their effectiveness.
And he was adept in comedies as well. What better straight man, comedic foil performance is there than Calhern as Trentino in "Duck Soup"?
I liked that he was lucky enough to have a kissing scene with Marilyn Monroe in this movie.
shareWith Louis Calhern you knew you would get somebody who was not quite what he appeared to be. He was the essence of the venal, that is crooked, big shot. In both Executive Suite and Asphalt Jungle he seemed to be upstanding, respectable, a real success. However, underneath he was corrupt. In Asphalt he is not above disposing of a dead body when he is in a jam. Appropriately he commits suicide as there is no other way out for him. I think he is the WASP version of our today's Bernie Madoff, looks prosperous, successful, the soul of rectitude and in fact rotten to the core.
shareI'm a new fan of his. I saw him in 'The World Gone Mad' (1933) yesterday. Very good. I reckon he stole the film from Pat O'Brien and Neil Hamilton and J. Carroll Naish.
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