Friday, December 9, 2011

Remembering Broderick Crawford

William Broderick Crawford was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 9, 1911. He was a classic example of "overnight success" in Hollywood. The 1949 release of "All the King's Men," turned him into one of the most popular character leads in Hollywood after winning the Best Actor Oscar which lead to starring roles in other film such as, "Born Yesterday" (1950). However, it was 10 years working in routine supporting roles in more than 20 films that lead to his Oscar triumph. He continued to work as a lead in a number of films into the 1950's, typically playing tough guy characters, and was one of the biggest Hollywood stars of the era to jump to television in 1955, when he signed with ZIV TV to do the syndicated series, “Highway Patrol”. The series ran for three seasons and was a success, but following “Highway Patrol”, Crawford was unable to get movies or roles of the same quality that he had been offered in the early 50's. Crawford went to Europe and acted in another of films including three Euro-westerns, “Kid Rodelo” (1965), “The Texican” (1966) and “Mutiny at Fort Sharp” (1967).  Crawford continued to work into the 1980s before he passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, California after a series of strokes on April 26, 1986. Today we remember Broderick Crawford on what would have been his 100th birthday.

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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMay 21, 2023 at 7:14 PM

    I like Broderick Crawford as an actor. He reminds me so much of the fathers on 50s television shows who are rather strict but seldom show it. What I DIDN'T like was the way that he was dubbed in the Audie Murphy Western, "The Texican" from 1966. He sounded like he had a permanent head cold. Aldo Sambrell was also in that film and HIS dubbing was even worse. He sounded more like a Brooklyn native than he did a real cowboy. Now I understand why it was the only Spaghetti Western Audie Murphy ever worked on. When you put a World War II veteran in a Spaghetti Western with veteran actors and only half of them speak English, it's just bound to be a disaster. I heard that even Antonio Molino Rojo hadn't even heard of Audie Murphy prior to making this film. The only people who knew him were Broderick Crawford and the director Lesley Selander. The film was shot in both Almeria and Alicante, Spain for the outdoor scenes while the interiors were done in Madrid. It was a good film but if they ever remake it, I hope they don't dub anybody because THAT was terrible. Audie Murphy, if you're in Heaven listening, I'm sorry you had to go through that. And Mr. Crawford, would it kill ya to hire a better voice actor? That last one sucked like a child's lollipop! And as for Aldo Sambrell. Tell Sergio Leone I said hello and don't let El Indio find you around. I know he's watching. And Tuco. Blondie says thanks.

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