Charley Grapewin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Charles Ellsworth Grapewin (December 20, 1869 – February 2, 1956) was an American vaudeville performer, writer and a stage and silent and sound actor, and comedian who was best known for portraying Aunt Em's husband, Uncle Henry in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's The Wizard of Oz (1939) as well as Grandpa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and Jeeter Lester in Tobacco Road (1941). He usually portrayed elderly folksy-type characters in a rustic setting, in all appearing in over 100 films. He was the oldest cast member of The Wizard of Oz. Born in Xenia, Ohio, Charles Ellsworth Grapewin ran away from home to be a circus acrobat which led him to work as an aerialist and trapeze artist in a traveling circus before turning to acting. He traveled all over the world with the famous P. T. Barnum circus. Grapewin also appeared in the original 1903 Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz, 36 years before he would appear in the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film version. After this he continued in theatre, on and offstage, for the next thirty years, starting with various stock companies, and wrote stage plays as a vehicle for himself. His sole Broadway theatre credit was the short-lived play It's Up to You John Henry in 1905. Grapewin married actress Anna Chance (1875–1943) in 1896, and they remained a devoted couple until her death some 47 years later. Two years after his first wife's death, Grapewin married Loretta McGowan Becker on Jan 10, 1945 ...

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The Wizard of Oz (1939)

ClassicFantasticalMusicalBeautiful

Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Fleming
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Frank Morgan  •  Ray Bolger  •  Bert Lahr

Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Fleming
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Frank Morgan  •  Ray Bolger  •  Bert Lahr

Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937)

Steve Raleight wants to produce a show on Broadway. He finds a backer, Herman Whipple and a leading lady, Sally Lee. But Caroline Whipple forces Steve to use a known star, not a newcomer. Sally purchases a horse, she used to train when her parents had a farm before ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roy Del Ruth
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Eleanor Powell  •  George Murphy  •  Binnie Barnes

Steve Raleight wants to produce a show on Broadway. He finds a backer, Herman Whipple and a leading lady, Sally Lee. But Caroline Whipple forces Steve to use a known star, not a newcomer. Sally purchases a horse, she used to train when her parents had a farm before ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roy Del Ruth
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Eleanor Powell  •  George Murphy  •  Binnie Barnes

Captains Courageous (1937)

Harvey, the arrogant and spoiled son of an indulgent absentee-father, falls overboard from a transatlantic steamship and is rescued by a fishing vessel on the Grand Banks. Harvey fails to persuade them to take him ashore, nor convince the crew of his wealth. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Fleming
CAST:  Freddie Bartholomew  •  Spencer Tracy  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Melvyn Douglas

Harvey, the arrogant and spoiled son of an indulgent absentee-father, falls overboard from a transatlantic steamship and is rescued by a fishing vessel on the Grand Banks. Harvey fails to persuade them to take him ashore, nor convince the crew of his wealth. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Fleming
CAST:  Freddie Bartholomew  •  Spencer Tracy  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Melvyn Douglas

The Good Earth (1937)

China, during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The arranged marriage between Wang Lung, a humble farmer, and O-Lan, a domestic slave, will endure the many hardships of life over the years; but the temptations of a fragile prosperity will endanger their love and the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Franklin
CAST:  Paul Muni  •  Luise Rainer  •  Walter Connolly  •  Tilly Losch

China, during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The arranged marriage between Wang Lung, a humble farmer, and O-Lan, a domestic slave, will endure the many hardships of life over the years; but the temptations of a fragile prosperity will endanger their love and the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Franklin
CAST:  Paul Muni  •  Luise Rainer  •  Walter Connolly  •  Tilly Losch

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

EpicPowerfulDramaticEmotional

Tom Joad returns to his home after a jail sentence to find his family kicked out of their farm due to foreclosure. He catches up with them on his Uncle’s farm, and joins them the next day as they head for California and a new life... Hopefully.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Ford
CAST:  Henry Fonda  •  Jane Darwell  •  John Carradine  •  Charley Grapewin

Tom Joad returns to his home after a jail sentence to find his family kicked out of their farm due to foreclosure. He catches up with them on his Uncle’s farm, and joins them the next day as they head for California and a new life... Hopefully.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Ford
CAST:  Henry Fonda  •  Jane Darwell  •  John Carradine  •  Charley Grapewin

The Petrified Forest (1936)

Gabby, the waitress in an isolated Arizona diner, dreams of a bigger and better life. One day penniless intellectual Alan drifts into the joint and the two strike up a rapport. Soon enough, notorious killer Duke Mantee takes the diner's inhabitants hostage. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Archie Mayo
CAST:  Leslie Howard  •  Bette Davis  •  Genevieve Tobin  •  Dick Foran

Gabby, the waitress in an isolated Arizona diner, dreams of a bigger and better life. One day penniless intellectual Alan drifts into the joint and the two strike up a rapport. Soon enough, notorious killer Duke Mantee takes the diner's inhabitants hostage. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Archie Mayo
CAST:  Leslie Howard  •  Bette Davis  •  Genevieve Tobin  •  Dick Foran

They Died with Their Boots On (1941)

The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his death. He defies orders during the Civil War, trains the 7th Cavalry, appeases Chief Crazy Horse and later engages in bloody battle with the Sioux nation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raoul Walsh
CAST:  Errol Flynn  •  Olivia de Havilland  •  Arthur Kennedy  •  Charley Grapewin

The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his death. He defies orders during the Civil War, trains the 7th Cavalry, appeases Chief Crazy Horse and later engages in bloody battle with the Sioux nation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raoul Walsh
CAST:  Errol Flynn  •  Olivia de Havilland  •  Arthur Kennedy  •  Charley Grapewin

Three Comrades (1938)

A love story centered on the lives of three young German soldiers in the years following World War I. Their close friendship is strengthened by their shared love for the same woman who is dying of tuberculosis.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Borzage
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Margaret Sullavan  •  Franchot Tone  •  Robert Young

A love story centered on the lives of three young German soldiers in the years following World War I. Their close friendship is strengthened by their shared love for the same woman who is dying of tuberculosis.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Borzage
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Margaret Sullavan  •  Franchot Tone  •  Robert Young

Libeled Lady (1936)

When a major newspaper accuses wealthy socialite Connie Allenbury of being a home-wrecker, and she files a multi-million-dollar libel lawsuit, the publication's frazzled head editor, Warren Haggerty, must find a way to turn the tables on her. Soon Haggerty's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Jean Harlow  •  William Powell  •  Myrna Loy  •  Spencer Tracy

When a major newspaper accuses wealthy socialite Connie Allenbury of being a home-wrecker, and she files a multi-million-dollar libel lawsuit, the publication's frazzled head editor, Warren Haggerty, must find a way to turn the tables on her. Soon Haggerty's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Jean Harlow  •  William Powell  •  Myrna Loy  •  Spencer Tracy

Of Human Hearts (1938)

This is a story about family relationships, set in the time before and during the American Civil War. Ethan Wilkins is a poor and honest man who ministers to the human soul, while his son Jason yearns to be a doctor, helping people in the earthly realm. It is a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clarence Brown
CAST:  Walter Huston  •  James Stewart  •  Beulah Bondi  •  Gene Reynolds

This is a story about family relationships, set in the time before and during the American Civil War. Ethan Wilkins is a poor and honest man who ministers to the human soul, while his son Jason yearns to be a doctor, helping people in the earthly realm. It is a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clarence Brown
CAST:  Walter Huston  •  James Stewart  •  Beulah Bondi  •  Gene Reynolds

Crash Dive (1943)

A US Navy submarine, the USS Corsair, is operating in the North Atlantic, hunting German merchant raiders that are preying on Allied shipping. Its new executive officer, Lt. Ward Stewart, has been transferred back into submarines after commanding his own PT boat. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Archie Mayo
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Anne Baxter  •  Dana Andrews  •  James Gleason

A US Navy submarine, the USS Corsair, is operating in the North Atlantic, hunting German merchant raiders that are preying on Allied shipping. Its new executive officer, Lt. Ward Stewart, has been transferred back into submarines after commanding his own PT boat. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Archie Mayo
CAST:  Tyrone Power  •  Anne Baxter  •  Dana Andrews  •  James Gleason

That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire present more golden moments from the MGM film library, this time including comedy and drama as well as classic musical numbers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Kelly
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Gene Kelly  •  Judy Garland  •  Mickey Rooney

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire present more golden moments from the MGM film library, this time including comedy and drama as well as classic musical numbers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Kelly
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Gene Kelly  •  Judy Garland  •  Mickey Rooney

Anne of Green Gables (1934)

Anne Shirley, an orphan, is fostered by farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla, who were expecting a boy to be sent them to help with their farm work. They accept Anne, who quickly endears herself to them and to the local villagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Nichols Jr.
CAST:  Anne Shirley  •  Tom Brown  •  O. P. Heggie  •  Helen Westley

Anne Shirley, an orphan, is fostered by farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla, who were expecting a boy to be sent them to help with their farm work. They accept Anne, who quickly endears herself to them and to the local villagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Nichols Jr.
CAST:  Anne Shirley  •  Tom Brown  •  O. P. Heggie  •  Helen Westley

Huddle (1932)

Tony, the son of Italian immigrants, works in a smoky steel mill in Gary, Indiana. He wins a company scholarship which will enable him to attend Yale college. Over the four years of his college career he learns about football, love, and class prejudice.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Wood
CAST:  Ramon Novarro  •  Madge Evans  •  Una Merkel  •  Ralph Graves

Tony, the son of Italian immigrants, works in a smoky steel mill in Gary, Indiana. He wins a company scholarship which will enable him to attend Yale college. Over the four years of his college career he learns about football, love, and class prejudice.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Wood
CAST:  Ramon Novarro  •  Madge Evans  •  Una Merkel  •  Ralph Graves

The Washington Masquerade (1932)

An honest, talented and well respected attorney defeats a corrupt incumbent U.S. Senator. After a very good start he has to face the subtle temptations and innocent looking traps of Washington.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Brabin
CAST:  Lionel Barrymore  •  Karen Morley  •  Diane Sinclair  •  Nils Asther

An honest, talented and well respected attorney defeats a corrupt incumbent U.S. Senator. After a very good start he has to face the subtle temptations and innocent looking traps of Washington.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Brabin
CAST:  Lionel Barrymore  •  Karen Morley  •  Diane Sinclair  •  Nils Asther

Sinner Take All (1936)

A young lawyer is determined to identify who is murdering members of a wealthy New York publishing family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Errol Taggart
CAST:  Bruce Cabot  •  Margaret Lindsay  •  Joseph Calleia  •  Stanley Ridges

A young lawyer is determined to identify who is murdering members of a wealthy New York publishing family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Errol Taggart
CAST:  Bruce Cabot  •  Margaret Lindsay  •  Joseph Calleia  •  Stanley Ridges

Bad Guy (1937)

A power-company troubleshooter has his brother get him out of prison by running high voltage to the bars of his cell.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward L. Cahn
CAST:  Bruce Cabot  •  Virginia Grey  •  Edward Norris  •  Jean Chatburn

A power-company troubleshooter has his brother get him out of prison by running high voltage to the bars of his cell.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward L. Cahn
CAST:  Bruce Cabot  •  Virginia Grey  •  Edward Norris  •  Jean Chatburn

Between Two Women (1937)

Allen Meighan, an intern, assures himself residency at 'General Hospital', when he saves the life of a man trapped in an explosion. Allen is in love with student nurse, Claire Donahue, and she with him, but, she is married to Tom a physically abusive husband.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George B. Seitz
CAST:  Franchot Tone  •  Maureen O'Sullivan  •  Virginia Bruce  •  Leonard Penn

Allen Meighan, an intern, assures himself residency at 'General Hospital', when he saves the life of a man trapped in an explosion. Allen is in love with student nurse, Claire Donahue, and she with him, but, she is married to Tom a physically abusive husband.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George B. Seitz
CAST:  Franchot Tone  •  Maureen O'Sullivan  •  Virginia Bruce  •  Leonard Penn

Burn 'Em Up O'Connor (1939)

An auto mechanic suspects sabotage in a recent series of fatal racecar accidents.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Sedgwick
CAST:  Dennis O'Keefe  •  Cecilia Parker  •  Nat Pendleton  •  Harry Carey

An auto mechanic suspects sabotage in a recent series of fatal racecar accidents.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Sedgwick
CAST:  Dennis O'Keefe  •  Cecilia Parker  •  Nat Pendleton  •  Harry Carey

Two Alone (1934)

Mazie, a poor orphan girl, is mistreated by cruel farmer Slag and his wife for whom she works. Mazie, who is growing into a woman, does not like they way Slag has been looking at her lately.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elliott Nugent
CAST:  Jean Parker  •  Tom Brown  •  Zasu Pitts  •  Arthur Byron

Mazie, a poor orphan girl, is mistreated by cruel farmer Slag and his wife for whom she works. Mazie, who is growing into a woman, does not like they way Slag has been looking at her lately.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elliott Nugent
CAST:  Jean Parker  •  Tom Brown  •  Zasu Pitts  •  Arthur Byron
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