Ted Donaldson Movies
Child actor Ted Donaldson was signed to a Columbia Pictures contract in 1944. After a bit in the Edward G. Robinson vehicle Mr. Winkle Goes to War, the 11-year-old Donaldson was spotlighted in the Columbia comedy-fantasy Once Upon a Time (1944), sharing star billing with Cary Grant and Janet Blair. On loan to 20th Century-Fox in 1945, Donaldson appeared as Neeley Nolan in the Oscar-nominated A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; at Warners in 1948, he played the title role in The Decision of Christopher Blake. In the late 1940's, Columbia attempted to launch Donaldson in the "Rusty" series, but the films failed to catch on with the public. After playing a brink-of-manhood role in Fox's Phone Call From a Stranger (1952), 19-year-old Ted Donaldson retired from films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
David Trask (Gary Merrill), the sole survivor of an airplane crash, takes it upon himself to contact the families of the various victims. Though he's already formed preconceived notions of his deceased fellow passengers, he's in for quite a few surprises when he meets the relatives. His first visit is to the wife (Beatrice Straight) and son (Ted Donaldson) of a profoundly troubled doctor (Michael Rennie). His second stop is at a nightclub managed by the domineering mother-in-law (Evelyn Varden) of an aspiring actress (Shelley Winters). Finally, he meets the invalid wife (Bette Davis) of an outwardly obnoxious travelling salesman (Keenan Wynn). After his odyssey into other people's lives, Trask gains a new perspective on his own personal travails. Few studios could pull off the "multi-story film" format as well as 20th Century-Fox, and Phone Call From a Stranger is a grade-A example of that format. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shelley Winters, Gary Merrill, (more)
- 1949
Columbia's "Rusty" series was entering the homestretch with 1949's Rusty Saves a Life. The eponymous doggie hero, portrayed by a very busy canine thespian named Flame, does exactly what the film's title says he does. But before this prophecy can be fulfilled, the story spends a great deal of time with young Danny Mitchell (Ted Donaldson), who briefly turns to juvenile delinquency when he's denied an expected inheritance. Gloria Henry, best known to TV fans as Alice Mitchell on Dennis the Menace, is the fresh-faced heroine. Also on hand in a featured role is future "Dobie Gillis" Dwayne Hickman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, Gloria Henry, (more)
- 1949
Columbia's heartwarming "Rusty" series came to a close with Rusty's Birthday. As in previous series entries, the doggie hero is played by "Flame", while his human master Danny Mitchell is portrayed by Ted Donaldson. This time, Rusty is taken to parts unknown by a group of tourists who think they've bought the pooch. Later on, Rusty falls into the hands of a migrant worker (Ray Teal) and his family. The worker is a decent sort, meaning that a happy ending is in the offing. Featured as the migrant's son is Jimmy Hunt, later to achieve fame as the youthful protagonist of the 1953 sci-fi classic Invaders from Mars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, John Litel, (more)
A mule-stubborn farmer is determined to avoid modern technology and nearly destroys what is left of his family in this moving drama. The farmer is saddled with raising his four kids alone and insists on being ruler of the roost in every way. He steadfastly refuses any talk of modern technology when it comes to farming. When his oldest daughter gets a suitor and his youngest tries to join the 4-H club, the father nearly goes on the rampage. He eventually is forced to change his tune when he is injured and unable to work. While recovering, his eldest daughter takes over and begins using some of the new techniques. Sure enough, the farm becomes a success and the father finally sees the light and mends his ways, bringing pastoral happiness to his home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marguerite Chapman, Walter Brennan, (more)
- 1948
Another entry in Columbia's bucolic "Rusty" series, My Dog Rusty again pairs apple-cheeked Ted Donaldson with Flame the Dog. This time around, Hugh Mitchell (John Litel), father of mischievous Danny Mitchell (Donaldson) is running for mayor. Thanks to Danny's propensity for lying, the elder Mitchell is disgraced in the eyes of the community. Somehow, Danny's faithful hound Rusty (Flame) not only cinches the election for Mitchell, but also helps him to understand the underlying psychological reasons for his son's prevarications. Columbia contact actress Ann Doran does her usual fine job as Mrs. Mitchell, while Whitford Kane, former member of Orson Welles' Mercury Theater, delivers an effective performance as a philosophical blind man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, John Litel, (more)
- 1948
Columbia's dog-and-boy "Rusty" series galloped ever forward with Rusty Leads the Way. This time, young Danny Mitchell (Ted Donaldson) and his canine pal Rusty (played by "Flash") befriend blind girl Penny Moffatt (Penny Waters). Feeling cheated by life, Penny resists all efforts to cope with her handicap. But with Rusty's help, the girl gains a new lease on life and agrees to adopt a seeing-eye dog. In addition to Ted Donaldson, John Litel and Ann Doran make return appearances as Danny's understanding parents. Way, way down on the cast list is young "Wayne Hickman," who of course grew up to become Dobie Gillis' Dwayne Hickman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, Sharyn Moffett, (more)
- 1948
In this drama, a poor young boy must choose between his divorcing parents. With the help of a kind judge, he tries to get his parents back together. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexis Smith, Robert Douglas, (more)
- 1947
Under the aegis of veteran program-feature producer Bryan Foy, the fledgling Eagle-Lion company made great strides during its first year of existence. Filmed in Cinecolor, The Red Stallion is on the surface a standard yarn about a ranch boy and his beloved horse, replete with a mortgage-on-the-ranch plot wrinkle. With Ted Donaldson as the boy and Jane Darwell as his down-to-earth Grandmother, however, the film is far better acted than many of its ilk. As Joel Curtis (Donaldson) tries to raise his pet foal into a race horse, he faces innumerable obstacles, both financial and natural. In the latter category, there's a particularly suspenseful throughlne involving the enmity between the horse and a wild bear. Though the outcome of The Red Stallion is predictable, what leads up to that outcome is well worth the price of admisison. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Willie Best, Robert Bice, (more)
- 1947
For the Love of Rusty is an easy-to-take entry in Columbia's brief "Rusty" series of the late 1940s. Danny Mitchell (Ted Donaldson) can't seem to get along with his father Hugh (Tom Powers). An especially sore spot is Danny's affection for his dog Rusty; Hugh Mitchell can't stand Rusty, and demands that the boy lose the mutt immediately. Everything is straightened out with the help of another dog named Flash, and by lovable old veterinarian Aubrey Mather. For the Love of Rusty represented one of the earliest directorial assignments for John Sturges, who graduated to such high-priced fare as Bad Day at Black Rock, The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, Tom Powers, (more)
- 1947
The Adventures of Rusty was Columbia Pictures' low-budget answer to MGM's Lassie series. This boy-and-his-dog effort starred Ted Donaldson and a German Shepherd. The first Rusty film paid its way, so Columbia hastily fashioned a sequel, Son of Rusty. The basic premise of the first film-a vicious dog tamed by love-could not be logically used twice, so the filmmakers relied on the old "separate boy and dog in the first reel, reunite them in the last" bit. Of the original Adventures of Rusty cast, only Ted Donaldson is back for Son of Rusty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1946
In this heartwarming children's movie, an adorable child finds a darling donkey and decides to make it his pet, but in order to keep it, he must first housebreak the beast. Even so, the family is not pleased with his pet. Meanwhile, his brother, a recent Army vet, endeavors to make it as a commercial photographer. He gets his break when he snaps a wonderful shot of his brother and the burro and wins a major contest. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anita Louise, Michael Duane, (more)
One-time movie song-and-dance man James Dunn won an Academy Award for his "comeback" performance in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Based on the best-selling novel by Betty Smith, the film relates the trials and tribulations of a turn-of-the-century Brooklyn tenement family. The father, Dunn, is a likable but irresponsible alcoholic whose dreams of improving his family's lot are invariably doomed to disappointment. The mother, Dorothy McGuire, is the true head of the household, steadfastly holding the family together no matter what crisis arises. The story is told from the point of view of daughter Peggy Ann Garner, a clear-eyed realist who nonetheless would like to believe in her pie-in-the-sky father, whom she dearly loves. Joan Blondell co-stars as the family's brash, freewheeling aunt, whose means of financial support is a never-ending source of neighborhood gossip. This first film directorial effort of Elia Kazan earned a special Oscar for "Most Promising Juvenile Performer" Peggy Ann Garner. A Tree Grows From Brooklyn was remade for TV in 1974, and also served as the basis of a Broadway musical. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy McGuire, Joan Blondell, (more)
- 1945
Future film producer Ross Hunter heads the cast of Columbia's A Guy, a Gal and a Pal. Hunter is the "guy", serviceman Jimmy Jones; the "gal" is Jimmy's sweetheart Helen Carter (Lynn Merrick), while the "pal" is the couple's self-appointed chaperone, 10-year-old Butch (Ted Donaldson). Helen's dilemma: should she marry Jimmy, or settle for financial security in the form of civilian Granville Breckinridge (George Meeker)? A clue to her decision: this is a Hollywood movie, and guys with names like Granville Breckinridge never get the girl in Hollywood movies. A Guy, a Gal and a Pal was directed by Oscar Boetticher Jr., who like Ross Hunter went on to bigger and better things-but only after changing his billing to Budd Boetticher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ross Hunter, Lynn Merrick, (more)
- 1945
Just when it didn't seem possible that Columbia had any room left for another B-picture series, along came The Adventures of Rusty. The title character is a German police dog, trained to be a vicious killer. Lonlely little Danny Mitchell (Ted Donaldson) believes that there's still some kindness left in Rusty, and tries to retrain the dog. In a parallel development, Danny's new stepmother (Margaret Lindsay) attempts to befriend the sullen youngster. The part of Rusty is played by Ace the Wonder Dog, who made the rounds of the B-picture mills throughout the late 1940s. The Adventures of Rusty proved popular enough to warrant several sequels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Donaldson, Margaret Lindsay, (more)
Based on Norman Corwin's satirical radio play My Client Curley, Once Upon a Time is an engaging bit of whimsy, completely dominated by the personality of star Cary Grant. It all begins when fly-by-night Broadway producer Jerry Flynn (Grant) learns of a trained caterpillar (!) that dances to the tune of "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby." In short order, Jerry has promoted Curly the Caterpillar to international stardom-and in the process he alienates both Pinky Thompson (Ted Donaldson), the impressionable 9-year-old who owns Curley, and Pinky's attractive older sister Jeanne (Janet Blair). Eventually, Flynn comes to his senses and regains his essential decency-though it's too late to continue capitalizing on Curley, who has turned into a non-dancing butterfly! Full of delightful contemporary references and "cameo appearances" by such celebrities as producer Walt Disney and radio commentator Gabriel Heatter (both played by uncredited impressionists), Once Upon a Time proved an agreeable diversion for wartime audiences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Janet Blair, (more)
- 1944
The year is 1942: Mr. Winkle (Edward G. Robinson), a mild-mannered bank clerk, decides to quit his job and open a fix-it shop in his garage. Winkle's wife Amy (Ruth Warrick) disapproves of this, and orders her husband to move into his little shop. Tired of being browbeaten, Winkle is delighted when his draft notice shows up. Fitted for a uniform, Winkle has the wind taken out of his sails in basic training, but soon finds that army life agrees with him; when given a chance to go home when the draft age is lowered to 38, he refuses to do so. Transferred to the South Pacific, Winkle instinctively performs a conspicuous act of bravery. He returns home a much-decorated hero, but he's too shy to partake in the ceremonies in his honor, opting instead to return to his shop, and to his now-loving wife Amy. A tailor-made Edward G. Robinson vehicle, Mr. Winkle Goes to War was adapted by Waldo Salt, George Corey and Louis Solomon from a novel by Theodore Pratt. Watch for Robert Mitchum, Hugh Beaumont and Miss Jeff Donnell in unbilled bits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick, (more)
