Charlie Ruggles Movies
Whimsical, expressive comic actor Charles Ruggles was the son of a Los Angeles wholesale druggist. Intending to become a doctor, Ruggles was sidetracked into theatre, making his debut in a 1905 San Francisco stock company production of Nathan Hale. Because of his medium height and flexible facial and vocal expressions, Ruggles was able to play everything from teenagers to grandpas during his formative years in stock. In 1914, the actor first set foot on a Broadway stage in Help Wanted. One year later, he appeared in his first film, a now-lost adaptation of Ibsen's Peer Gynt. Though there would be a smattering of subsequent silent film appearances, Ruggles' heart remained in his stage work -- he starred in such long-running productions as The Passing Show of 1918 (1918), The Demi-Virgin (1921), Battling Butler (1923), and his biggest stage success, Queen High (1930). While appearing in the Rodgers and Hart musical Spring is Here (1929), Ruggles made his talking picture bow in Gentleman of the Press (1929), portraying the first in what would turn out to be a long line of drunken reporters. In 1932, Ruggles was teamed with Mary Boland in If I Had A Million. The two farceurs worked so well together that they would subsequently costar in such memorable film comedies as Six of a Kind (1934), Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), Early to Bed (1936), and Boy Trouble (1939). By the late 1930s, Ruggles was securely established as one of Hollywood's favorite befuddled comedy-relief players, though in such films as Exclusive (1937) and The Parson of Panamint (1941) he proved equally expert at straight dramatics. In 1949, Ruggles began a 12-year movie moratorium, returning to the stage and distinguishing himself in television. He headlined two early TV series, The Ruggles and The World of Mr. Sweeney, and lent his vocal skills (sans screen credit) to the "Aesop and Son" component of the classic cartoon weeklies "Rocky and His Friends" (1959-61) and "The Bullwinkle Show" (1961-62). He returned to films in 1961, recreating his award-winning Broadway role in The Pleasure of His Company. Ruggles' best-remembered TV work of the 1960s included his recurring role as Mrs. Drysdale's rakish father in the popular sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies." With the Disney film Follow Me, Boys! (1966) and the 1967 TV staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, Ruggles quietly brought his six-decade acting career to a close. A few years before his death in December of 1970, Ruggles was asked by a reporter what his future plans were. With the wry smile, twinkling eyes, and self-effacing humor that characterized his best screen work, Charlie Ruggles answered, "Forest Lawn, I guess. After you've played everything I have, there ain't no more." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1929
The great British stage star Gertrude Lawrence was seldom seen to her best advantage in films. In Paramount's Battle of Paris, Lawrence stars as Georgie, a British singer stranded in not-so-gay Paree during WWI. To keep food on the table, Georgie teams up with amiable pickpocket Zizi (Charlie Ruggles). Among the pockets picked are those of handsome artist Tony (Walter Petrie), with whom Georgie falls in love. Hired as Tony's model, our heroine soon becomes the "poster girl" for the French and British armies, which somehow leads to a barrage of musical numbers by Cole Porter (his first direct-to-screen score). Gertrude Lawrence tries hard, but is defeated by a so-so script and surprisingly tepid music. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gertrude Lawrence, Charlie Ruggles, (more)
- 1929
When blue-blooded widower Robert Rossiter (Walter Huston) announces his plans to marry salesgirl Joyce Roamer (Claudette Colbert), his family goes out of their way to stop the engagement. Despite their original suspicion that Joyce (Colbert) was only involved with their father for his money, however, the upper crust family eventually welcomes her as one of their own. The Lady Lies was directed by Hobart Henley and also features actors Charlie Ruggles, Patricia Deering, and Tom Brown. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Huston, Claudette Colbert, (more)
- 1929
In this dark drama, based on a play by Ward Morehouse, the life of a tough newspaperman is chronicled. The man is a work-a-holic, and the demands of his job cause him to miss all the pleasures of his life. Because he is working on a story, he misses the birth of his daughter. He is not there for her wedding, and when she dies in labor--he is not there. Later the reporter begins reflecting upon all he missed out on. When he is interviewed by a Yale graduate about his career, the newspaperman strongly advises the young student to get out of it, because it is a poisonous business. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Huston, Charlie Ruggles, (more)
- 1923
Agnes Ayres stars as Muriel Gray in the lightning-paced comedy Heart Raider. Described in an introductory title as "a speed girl," Muriel proves this assertion true as she chases after her wealthy boyfriend John Dennis (Mahlon Hamilton). Meanwhile, Muriel's father Reginald Gray (Frazer Coulter) is forced to take out an insurance policy, covering any damage wrought by his daughter in her zany pursuit of Dennis. The insurance company really has its hands full whenever the heroine gets behind the wheel of a roadster or speedboat. Such were the vagaries of Hollywood that, within 10 years after the release of Heart Raider, both of its leading players would be scrounging around for bit parts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Agnes Ayres, Mahlon Hamilton, (more)
- 1915
This first feature-length version of Henrik Ibsen's 1867 stage epic Peer Gynt was based on the recent Broadway staging by Oliver Morosco. Written in the form of a narrative poem, the story concerns a reckless, irresponsible young man who manages to find success in the world in a variety of colorful professions, only to lose everything due to his many character flaws. Returning home to die, the aged Peer Gynt discovers that his childhood sweetheart Solveig (Myrtle Stedman), whom he had betrayed and abandoned years earlier, is still waiting for him. Though well into middle age, Cyril Maude successfully re-created his stage role as Peer Gynt, fully realizing every nuance of this fascinatingly amoral character. The huge supporting cast included 25-year-old Charles Ruggles, making his first screen appearance in the important role of the Button Moulder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
