MovieChat Forums > The Blue Knight (1973) Discussion > WIlliam Holden a deceptively damn good a...

WIlliam Holden a deceptively damn good actor

posted 16 years ago by sepiavelvet
3 replies | jump to latest

This WAS an amazing miniseries, authentic and real in comparison to how police stories were told on Tv back then, (I was 12) it wasnt your fathers DRAGNET. There was once a long running TV anthology show called Police Story that was the result of this miniseries. Police Story was a LONG running show and was VERY good at times, the old Angie Dickinson show Police Woman was an episode on the show. That old show I seem to remember spawned alot of other shows over the years. I've seen alot of Holden's movies lately, of all the stars of his time, I find that his performances have held the best. There arent many of his contemporaries that have had the staying power or the luck of having picked so many seminal iconic American films its a particularly strong filmography. Everytime I watch Sunset Boulevard I'm struck anew how good this guy was, made it look so easy and how he held the camera...what a shame he died the way he did, alone and drunk and bleeding out...what an ignoble end for a man who seemed to have led a charmed life.

"...I'll be your huckleberry."

ROBERT DOWNEY JR IS A SEX THIMBLE

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 10 years ago

I have to agree, I've only recently discovered Holden and what struck me about him was how unassuming and natural he was at playing anti heroes, cynical and sarcastic characters, yet he was very charming. Unlike other actors of his generation or earlier who played these types of roles with a lot of theatricality, Holden was the opposite. And you see this clearly playing opposite Norma Desmond, the over the top screen actress of the 20s on Sunset Blvd.

[–] gary_w_trott 9 years ago

It was a terrific mini-series and excellent adaptation of Joseph Wambaugh's novel. Holden was one of the best actors of all time and after thinking a little about what you said I think that you are correct about his making it look so easy...like he wasn't even acting. If you enjoy reading I'd recommend The Blue Knight which I read back before the mini-series, which I would also highly recommend, came out. The Blue Knight and Stalag 17 are my favorite Holden movies.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

When I think of William Holden, I think of Joseph Cotton and Robert Ryan. One is smooth and smart, the other is flinty and experienced. Put them together, you get Holden. Love William Holden. Sunset, Stalag 17, you name it. Another similar actor is Richard Widmark. Same era, same practical tough guy.