dual personalities

Readers of this blog may remember that How the West Was Won (1962) is one of my favorite movies, and that, indeed, it was one of the first movies I ever saw at the movies. I was six and I went to see it at the Cinerama movie theater with my friend Trudy Glick. (It was her birthday party.)

It had quite an effect on me. Anyway, Paul Zahl mentioned it in his list of movies to watch on TCM in April, and he specifically referenced the John Ford section of the film, and this got me thinking about George Peppard, who has a big, pivotal part in the movie.

He is actually in two of my favorite movies of all time. This is kind of weird since he is not really a favorite of mine.

He’s very handsome in a blue eyed/blonde kind of way, but he’s also kind of wooden. He reminds me of a taller Alan Ladd. He says his lines and doesn’t give much more. He almost seems a little embarrassed, like he’s wondering how did I get into this line of work anyway? You know, they pay me a lot of money, so okay, I’ll do it. But I think I’d prefer to sell insurance. When you think about it, there are actually quite a few famous actors that fall into that category. They got into acting and success came pretty easy and then they had to keep it up and they were expected to emote a lot. They had to pay the bills. Sheesh.

Once in awhile actors like Alan Ladd and George Peppard can really stand out when they land in the right role with the right director. We remember them for those parts. Other actors can make a mediocre movie watchable just by being in them. (I’m thinking John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Audrey Hepburn–you make your own list.) Those are the real stars.

Well, old George has re-entered my life recently for another reason. Before going to sleep at night, I have started watching old episodes of the TV show Banacek, that aired originally from 1972 to 1974. Banacek was a freelance investigator based in Boston,  who solved seemingly impossible thefts. He then collected from the insurance companies 10% of the insured value of the recovered property. (What a concept!) He was debonair and had a chauffeur, who was a real character (wink wink). He smoked cigars and was irresistible to women.

Guaranteed to send you to sleep in a jiffy! (Even better than Murder She Wrote!)

And guess what? There is a Simpson’s episode based on Banacek in season 29–voila! George Peppard again in all his Sansabelt ’70s glory!

The world is more than we know.

*Walt Whitman, “Thoughts”