Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy 85th Birthday Farley Granger

Farley Earle Granger II was born on July 1, 1925 in San Jose, California. Farley's father owned a Willy's Overland dealership. After the stock market crash the Grangers became alcoholics and were forced to sell both of their homes and posessions. They moved to Los Angeles where Farley's father worked for the Unemployment Office. He became friends with Harry Langdon and a neigbor of Donald O'Connor. These friendships helped Farley get into showbusiness. Farley auditioned and was given a part in 1943's “The North Star” and signed to a seven year contract for $100.00 a week. He joined the Navy during World War II and after the war he returned to MGM. Farley was given a 1940 Ford Coupe and an increase in salary to $200.00 a week. His landing a part in Hitchcock's “The Rope” in 1948 was his breakthrough to leading roles. Granger acted in both films and stage during the 1950s. During the 1960s Farley dedicated his acting talents to the stage and moved to Italy in the early 1970s. While in Italy Granger appeared in two Euro-westerns: “They Call Me Trinity” (1970) as Major Harriman and “The Man Called Noon” (1973) as Judge Niland. In the 1990s Granger appeared in several documentaries and in 2007 released his memoir “Include Me Out”. Today we celebrate Farley Granger's 85th birthday.

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