James Whitmore Movies
Leading American character actor James Whitmore specialized in giving tour de force solo performances on stage, screen, and television, notably with his Oscar-nominated solo turn as President Truman in Give 'Em Hell Harry! Whitmore is short and thickset with a well-aged face and gentle smile; he is known for portraying outwardly tough but inwardly caring men. Born in Buffalo, NY, Whitmore attended the private school Choate in Connecticut and then studied pre-law at Yale. While there he was a member of the Yale Drama School Players and co-founded the Yale radio station. He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where during boot camp, he finished his degree and became an officer. Following his discharge, Whitmore joined the U.S.O. and also spent time studying at the American Theater Wing. Before making his Tony-winning debut on Broadway with a supporting role in Command Decision, Whitmore gained experience in summer stock. He made his film debut in The Undercover Man in 1949. That year, he also appeared in Battleground and his performance as a battle-scarred sergeant earned him his first Oscar nomination. Though primarily a supporting player, Whitmore occasionally played leads, notably in films like Them! (1954) and Black Like Me (1964). In addition to his film and stage work, Whitmore also performed on television as a guest star and as the star of the series The Law and Mr. Jones (1960-1962). Between 1972 and 1974, Whitmore co-starred on the series Temperatures Rising. During the '80s, Whitmore often appeared in television miniseries. His career slowed dramatically in the '90s, though in 1994, he offered a memorable performance as an old lifer who finds himself unable to cope outside of prison in The Shawshank Redemption. He died in February 2009 at the age of 87. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1986
The Greater Alarm is the syndication title of the made-for-TV Firefighter. Based on a true story, the film stars Nancy McKeon as Cindy Fralick, the first female member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Recruited in 1982, Cindy faces prejudice and hostility from her male co-workers as she strives to complete the grueling training program. Nonetheless, she perseveres, and in so doing wins the respect of her one-time tormentors. Adapted by Kathryn Montgomery from Fralick's autobiography, the film was partially designed as a visual adjunct to CBS television's "Read More About It" program. Under its original title, The Greater Alarm first aired on September 23, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
- NR
Above and Beyond is the story of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as told from the perspective of the man who flew the mission. Robert Taylor stars as Col. Paul Tibbetts, commander of the Enola Gay. Once selected for this extremely dangerous mission, Tibbetts must hand-pick a crew worthy of the task. He is also forced to keep his mission a closely guarded secret, even unto withholding all information from his loving and patient wife Lucey (Eleanor Parker). The film concentrates on the strain placed upon Tibbetts, his crew and their families in the crucial days before the "big drop". The bombing itself is handled with taste and decorum, though the horror and mixed emotions of the moment are brilliantly conveyed on the faces of Tibbetts and his men. Above and Beyond represents a rare noncomedy endeavor from the writer-director team of Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, (more)
- 1951
Clark Gable is the largely nonheroic hero of the sprawling western Across the Wide Missouri. A cunning trapper who lives purely by his wits, Gable avoids being scalped by the Blackfoot Indians by marrying Maria Elena Marques, the chief's daughter. This marriage of convenience also allows Gable to trap to his heart's content in Blackfoot territory. After bearing a child, Marques is killed by a warring tribe; the opportunistic Gable at first considers abandoning the child, but at long last does right by the boy. Adolphe Menjou steals the show as an eternally inebriated French trapper, while Ricardo Montalban and J. Carroll Naish are convincing (and noncondescending) in their Native American characterizations. Evidently, Across the Wide Missouri tested poorly when it was first previewed: the final release version runs a surprisingly brief 78 minutes, with narrator Howard Keel (who otherwise does not appear) filling in the continuity gaps. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clark Gable, Ricardo Montalban, (more)
- 1986
All My Sons is the 1986 TV adaptation of Arthur Miller's 1947 Broadway play (a film version, starring Edward G. Robinson and Burt Lancaster, was produced in 1948). James Whitmore stars as Joe Keller, a bullying industrialist who'd been accused of selling defective weapon parts to the government during World War II. He was acquitted when the court decided that it was his business partner who was responsible. Keller and his family desperately await the post-war return of son Larry, who was officially listed as missing in action. Larry's fiance Ann (Joan Allen), the daughter of Keller's imprisoned business partner, is attracted to Larry's brother Chris (Aidan Quinn), but she has vowed to remain faithful to her missing fiance. The play's third act reveals that it was indeed Joe Keller, and not his partner, who was responsible for the defective material -- and that his penny-pinching carelessness ended up costing the life of his own son Larry. Michael Learned co-stars as Keller's wife, who like her husband vainly tries to lock out the truth. First telecast January 19, 1987, All My Sons was the sixth-season opener of PBS's American Playhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Previously adapted to film in 1923, Ben Ames Williams' rousing sea adventure All the Brothers Were Valiant was given the prestige MGM treatment in 1953. Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger star as seafaring siblings Joel and Mark Shore. When Mark disappears during a whaling expedition, Joel and his wife Priscilla Holt (Ann Blyth) set sail in search of his missing brother. They discover to their chagrin that Mark has become a conscienceless reprobate, a disgrace to his family. Not only does Mark make a play for Priscilla, but he foments a mutiny on board Joel's ship so that he may commandeer the vessel and embark on a search for a valuable bed of pearls. Eventually, one of the brothers comes to a literally sticky demise, with Priscilla looking on in wide-mouthed horror. Cast as Priscilla's father is that grand old trouper Lewis Stone, in his final film role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, (more)
- 1976
Many immigrants came to America to escape religious persecution in their native lands. Narrated by actor James Whitmore, this documentary shows how the promise of religious freedom drew many 18th and 19th century immigrants, whose various faiths contributed to the strength of the United States. This is the final installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which presents United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. Highlights of this program include historical paintings and photographs, and information about religious groups such as the Amish and the inventive, celibate Shakers, a sect that broke away from the Quakers. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
Adapted by Leon Uris from his own novel, the film follows a group of World War II marines, from Basic Training to Battlefield. Major Van Heflin knows that his men are spoiling for a real fight, but must make do with the desultory skirmishes assigned them by the Brass. All this changes with an onslaught of heavy-duty battling in the South Pacific. Aldo Ray plays a tough leatherneck who falls in love with demure Nancy Olson, while James Whitmore, Tab Hunter, Dorothy Malone and Raymond Massey costar. And watch for young Justus McQueen, cast as private L.Q. Jones; McQueen liked his character name so much that he adopted it as his professional cognomen. Composer Max Steiner's musical score earned him an Oscar nomination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, (more)
Incoming MGM production head Dore Schary ramrodded Battleground into the studio's schedule over the virulent protests of MGM boss Louis Mayer. The result was an award-winning box-office hit, as well as the beginning of the end of Mayer's power. This dramatization of the battles of Bastogne and the Bulge in the waning days of World War II concentrates on a single infantry unit. Van Johnson and John Hodiak are the ostensible stars, but the film is stolen by James Whitmore as the cigar-chomping, battle-stained sergeant. Also appearing is Ian MacDonald as General McAuliffe, whose legendary response to the Nazi's suggestion that the Americans surrender consisted of a single four-letter expletive: "Nuts". Whitmore's final scenes of near-delirium before the relief troops arrive are unforgettable. Battleground tries within MGM limits to be wholly realistic, though it is slightly compromised by the scripters' inability to use Army profanity, and by pointless subplot involving actress Denise Darcel. The film doesn't hold up as well as such wartime efforts as The Story of GI Joe or Walk in the Sun, but in 1949 Battleground was regarded as an important milestone in the field of truthful, de-glamorized combat flicks. Please avoid the colorized version: this is a black-and-white subject if ever there was one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Johnson, John Hodiak, (more)
- 1952
Golden-throated Mario Lanza stars in Because You're Mine. Lanza plays opera singer Renaldo Rossano, who is drafted into the army. Much to the displeasure of topkick Sgt. Batterson (James Whitmore), Renaldo is given celebrity treatment even while in uniform. Even more problematic is the romance between Renaldo and Batterson's sister, Bridget (Doretta Morrow, fresh from her Broadway success as Tuptim in The King and I). Wait till you see the "dueling tenors" scene between Whitmore and Lanza! For the benefit of those not operatically inclined, Because You're Mine features a gratuitous dance solo by Bobby Van. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow, (more)
- 1964
Black Like Me is the true story of white journalist John Howard Griffin, who "became" a Negro in the late 1950s. Feeling that the best way to understand what it was like to be black in a segregated south was to experience the feeling first-hand, Griffin (James Whitmore) undergoes extensive-and sometimes painful-skin pigmentation treatments. Though he tends to look more like Al Jolson or Eddie Cantor rather than African American, Whitmore does a creditable job playing a proud man forced into subservience by an unfeeling white society. Unfortunately, the film falls prey to stylistic affectations, notably an overabundance of confusing flashbacks. Though dating and occasionally patronizing, Black Like Me is still a worthwhile effort. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Whitmore, Sorrell Booke, (more)
- 1968
Michael Landon made his directorial debut with this Bonanza episode from May 5, 1968, which Landon also wrote. Ben Cartwright and his ranchhand Candy are trapped in a mine by John Postley (James Whitmore), who'd been wrongly sent to prison for 18 months on his captives' testimony. The embittered Postley doesn't want to kill Ben and Candy-at least, not yet-but instead intends to keep them alive so they'll suffer in confinement as he did. But in pursuing this strange form of vengeance, Postley finds himself a prisoner all over again, this time of his own making. In later years, Bonanza costar David Canary (Candy) would cite "To Die in Darkness" as his favorite episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1978
- G
After a long, very successful run on Broadway, the filmmakers decided to record James Whitmore's avuncular depiction of the older Teddy Roosevelt at the Ahmanson Theater. In the play, Roosevelt, America's 26th President, reminisces about his exciting life and conveys his almost overpowering love of just about anything which can be done vigorously, from politics to soldiering. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Whitmore
Charles Bronson stars in this revisionist western directed by Michael Winner. The film concerns an Apache half-breed, Pardon Chato (Charles Bronson), who finds himself pursued by a relentless posse, headed by Joshua Everette (Jack Palance), after Chato has killed a white sheriff. But when members of Everette's posse rape Chato's wife, Chato stops running. Instead, Chato reverses course and begins to hunt down the posse, seeking vengeful retribution for the rape. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Jack Palance, (more)
The title character (Rod Taylor) is a drifting gunslinger, who enters a Southwestern fort and immediately becomes embroiled with its commander (John Mills). In the end, the wanderer helps the fort guard against attacks from Indians. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Ernest Borgnine, (more)
- 1965
James Whitmore guest stars as Hertzbrun, a German officer on a mission to blow up an American-held bridge. Wounded in a skirmish, Hertzbrun takes refuge in a local church. When Saunders (Vic Morrow and his men enter the area, they are effusively greeted by a French priest--actually a disguised Hertzbrun, determined to finish the job he started right under the noses of the enemy! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
Frankie Dane (John Cassavetes) is the leader of the hornets, a local street gang that has had its share of rumbles and other trouble with the police. When one of his members is fingered to the police by a neighbor (Malcolm Atterbury) for having a gun, Frankie vows revenge, and when the same man humiliates him in public, he decides it's got to be murder. But only two members of the Hornets, mentally unstable Lou Macklin (Mark Rydell) and would-be full-fledged member "Baby" (Sal Mineo), are willing to go along, and even one of them is shaky -- the rest of the gang draws a line at killing. Social worker Ben Wagner (James Whitmore), who runs the local youth center, has been trying to reach out to the members of the Hornets and sees that something is splitting Frankie and a couple of the others off from the main gang, and is concerned enough to find out what it might be -- especially when Frankie's younger brother, a really nice kid named Richie (Peter J. Votrian), tells him that he thinks Frankie's planning to kill someone. He tries getting help from Frankie's mother (Virginia Gregg), who's too tired from her job to do much more than keep Richie from becoming like his brother, and Mr. Gioia (Will Kuluva), "Baby"'s father, who doesn't understand what went wrong between him and his son. A three-way battle of wills ensues as Frankie tries to hold his plan together and resist Wagner's efforts to intercede -- in the end, several lives are at risk, as Frankie ends up with his knife at the throat of his own brother, fully ready to use it. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Whitmore, John Cassavetes, (more)
- 1982
- PG
This heartwarming tale of courage and devotion is set during the Vietnam war and centers upon a young medic who makes extra money on the side dealing drugs. His life is forever changed when he meets an Army doctor who persuades him to help her save a group of war orphans. First she appeals to his sense of guilt; then she blackmails him into assisting. The children are cared for by a few Vietnamese nuns. The doctor and the medic bring them badly needed food and supplies. To do this, the brave duo must face enemy bombs and the resistance of the US government. This is based on a true story and though wrenching, it is not syrupy or sentimental. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Christopher, Susan Saint James, (more)
- 1959
Director Albert Band is also a screenwriter, and this is his second drama based on a story by Stephen Crane (his first screenplay was 1951's Red Badge of Courage). Band's interpretation of Crane's story The Monster, is a slow, pedestrian rendition of the emotional upheaval of a lowly handyman, Monk Johnson (James Whitmore). Johnson works for a local doctor and is a friend of everyone in town when disaster strikes. The doctor's house catches on fire and Johnson's face is completely burnt as he rushes in to save the physician's young son. After he recuperates, his grotesque appearance alienates his former friends to the point where they are aggressive, threatening, and ready for violence. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cameron Mitchell, James Whitmore, (more)
- 1976
This film relates the efforts of World War II flying ace "Pappy" Boyington to control his highly decorated and unmanageable Pacific theater squadron. The film also acted as the pilot for the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
This docudrama re-enacts the stories of the pioneers who settled in America, paying equal attention to the Native American ancestors whose land was impinged upon by the new "Americans." Narrated by James Whitmore. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Give 'Em Hell, Harry! is a filmed version of James J. Whitmore's triumphant performance as Harry Truman in a one-man play. Over the course of the film, Whitmore's Truman recalls many of his personal and professional triumphs and tragedies, uncannily capturing the essence of the President with humor and genuine emotion. Whitmore was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his startlingly effective performance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Whitmore
- 1990
Glory! Glory! is a "roman a clef" of the Evangelism industry, with all the names fictionalized but with all characters easily recognizable to anyone who's ever watched a religious UHF channel. Barry Morse portrays a radio preacher whose operation is controlled by his honest but colorless son Richard Thomas. When Morse is promoted into a media superstar by savvy huckster James Whitmore, the son is left behind. All this changes when Thomas wanders into a bar and witnesses the performance of rock singer Ellen Greene. Greene's song Sister Ruth may be just what Thomas needs to rise to the top of his calling. Originally telecast in two parts over the HBO Pay-Cable service, Glory! Glory! closes out Part One with Ms. Greene becoming a powerful evangelist in her own right...a status quo subject to change when certain truths are made public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In this animated children's feature, the Biblical stories of "Moses" and "Samuel and Saul" are retold. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Narrated by James Whitmore, this video offers an overview of the major campaigns of the American Civil War, covering the significant battles that preceded the Confederate high-water mark of Gettysburg. Battles that receive close attention include Manassas, second Manassas, and Antietam. Also included are brief looks at the campaigns of the western front, including the battles of Shiloh and Fort Donelson. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
