MovieChat Forums > The Robe (1953) Discussion > Caligula - Jay Robinson

Caligula - Jay Robinson

posted 17 years ago by flan99
17 replies | jump to latest

Excellent performance - but then he stumbled:

From IMDB:

"After his movie bow, Jay went on to reprise the "Caligula" character in Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) with Mature and Susan Hayward, and offered typically eye-catching supporting turns in The Virgin Queen (1955) starring Bette Davis, and My Man Godfrey (1957) with David Niven and June Allyson.

It was at this juncture, however, that things started going horribly wrong for Jay. His newly found celebrity went to his head and made him extremely difficult to work with. In addition, the volatile actor began experimenting recklessly with drugs. In 1958 he was booked for possession of narcotics (methadone) and sentenced to a year in jail. Freed on bail, the incident and resulting notoriety ruined his career.

After scraping up work outside the entertainment industry as a cook and landlord, he recovered from his drug addiction and married. Resuming work in obscure bit parts, he had another career relapse when he was forced to spend 15 months in jail after an old warrant was served on him."

[–] MrPie7 17 years ago

Remember him from the Star Trek episode "Elaan of Troyus"? He was the Troyan embassador to was supposed to teach Elaan manners and courtesey.

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

He seemed like he was pretty screwed up for a while. He was a great actor. In The Robe and especially Demetrius and the Gladiators, he "was" Caligula.

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Agreed. " Then by the Gods you SHALL!!!!" heh, heh. "They're going to a better place! They're going to a BETTER place!"

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

That moment in the end when he is yelling is classic. I loved how Diana told him right out what she thought of him and she kept going until he yelled, "Stop it!" lol It was funny.

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Yes the "Then, I will PROVIDE evidence... I have no desire to live in an empire ruled by YOU!" bit. Great stuff!

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

I liked the end. People say it was depressing. I don't think it was. They were "going to their kingdom."

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Yup. It actually showed them entering heaven.

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

Yeah, it was the great how they were walking out unafraid of death. They defied Caligula to the very end.

[–] alexautourdumonde 16 years ago

Am I the only one who didn't like his acting? I personally found his interpretation of Caligula quite awful. Did the man know there is more than one way to express evil or madness? Always shouting like that, with his high pitched voice... I didn't find that very good :-S
Anyway, everything else made this picture quite nice! And of course, I love Richard Burton.
Marcellus and Diana walking toward the Kingdom of Jesus was beautiful.

[–] alxnrth 15 years ago

Is it at all possible he was related to Andy Robinson, so good as the laughing maniac in DIRTY HARRY, who hijacked the busload of school children?

Dale

[–] emp1966 14 years ago

Bob Dorian of the OLD AMC, said after a double header of both films about 20 some years ago, said that after these movies, Robinson had difficulty separating himself from Caligula, and because his identification with him, he had would have major difficulties professionally since. It's true, you can see it in many of his later work. Even in the kids Sid and Marty Krofft schtick "Dr. Shrinker" some of his Caligula performance is in the way he did the title role. By the way, John Hurt was as convincing in the role in "I, Claudius" in 1976. The good news is that he at least didn't let it go to his head.

[–] hachmom-1 14 years ago

I know theres a certain amount of 50's over the top acting here, but didnt particularly like his Caligula either and found myself wishing fervantly for John Hurt, or even Malcom Mcdowell

It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices

[–] cwente2 14 years ago

"Over the top acting" can be seen in films from the 30's, 40's, 60's, 70's, 80's . . . to last Tuesday. And I'm not so sure it is exemplified in Robinson's Caligula as you suggest. Seems to me it would be hard to find "over the top acting" watching an actor create a character who is a young homicidal maniac, selfish & vengeful to a fault, thinks of himself as the most powerful god in the pantheon, and is the most powerful man in the world all at the same time. It's safer, I think, to call that an "over the top" character.

[–] generalusgrant 14 years ago

I frankly can't believe anyone would enjoy Jay Robinson's acting. He was painfully ridiculous! Hilariously overacting in every scene. (So was the dreadful ham, Burton). For people who claim (falsely), "Oh, everyone overacted back then," just watch Jean Simmons. She gives the only sane and understated performance in the film.

[–] cwente2 14 years ago

Can't agree with you. They all impressed me. The most impressive performance in the film, however, was Victor Mature's. I think that was the opinion of Burton as well.

[–] dcgalloway1956 11 years ago

I discussed Jay Robinson with my mother as a child and she told me that he was affected mentally by his performance as Caligula in "The Robe" and he developed a drug habit which nearly destroyed his film career. I believe a similar thing happened to Heath Ledger after his performance as The Joker in the recent Batman film. He took drugs to cope with the darkness of the role and died from an overdose as a result.

David C. Galloway

[–] RichN36 11 years ago

Dcgalloway1956 wow that is an interesting comparison You may be onto something. But still Jay Robinson for me made the movie interesting and well worth a few hours of my time watching it on Christmas day this year.

There is more Gravy about you then the Grave. Scrooge.