William Holden

William Holden (April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1953 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974. One of the biggest box office draws of the 1950s, he was named one of the "Top 10 Stars of the Year" six times (1954–1958, 1961) and appeared on the American Film Institute's AFI's 100 Years…100 Stars list as #25.   Description above from the Wikipedia article William Holden, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

ClassicPowerfulDramaticEpic

The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson , the commander who supervised the bridge's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Lean
CAST:  William Holden  •  Alec Guinness  •  Jack Hawkins  •  Sessue Hayakawa

The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson , the commander who supervised the bridge's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Lean
CAST:  William Holden  •  Alec Guinness  •  Jack Hawkins  •  Sessue Hayakawa

Casino Royale (1967)

Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement to stop SMERSH. In order to trick SMERSH, James thinks up the ultimate plan - that every agent will be named 'James Bond'. One of the Bonds, whose real name is Evelyn Tremble is sent to take on Le Chiffre in a game of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston  •  Joseph McGrath  •  Ken Hughes  •  Val Guest  •  Robert Parrish
CAST:  David Niven  •  Peter Sellers  •  Ursula Andress  •  Orson Welles

Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement to stop SMERSH. In order to trick SMERSH, James thinks up the ultimate plan - that every agent will be named 'James Bond'. One of the Bonds, whose real name is Evelyn Tremble is sent to take on Le Chiffre in a game of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston  •  Joseph McGrath  •  Ken Hughes  •  Val Guest  •  Robert Parrish
CAST:  David Niven  •  Peter Sellers  •  Ursula Andress  •  Orson Welles

Network (1976)

Thought provokingInsightfulSuspensefulPowerful

When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Lumet
CAST:  Faye Dunaway  •  William Holden  •  Peter Finch  •  Robert Duvall

When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Lumet
CAST:  Faye Dunaway  •  William Holden  •  Peter Finch  •  Robert Duvall

Born Yesterday (1950)

Uncouth, loud-mouth junkyard tycoon Harry Brock descends upon Washington D.C. to buy himself a congressman or two, bringing with him his mistress, ex-showgirl Billie Dawn.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Cukor
CAST:  Judy Holliday  •  Broderick Crawford  •  William Holden  •  Howard St. John

Uncouth, loud-mouth junkyard tycoon Harry Brock descends upon Washington D.C. to buy himself a congressman or two, bringing with him his mistress, ex-showgirl Billie Dawn.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Cukor
CAST:  Judy Holliday  •  Broderick Crawford  •  William Holden  •  Howard St. John

Breezy (1973)

A free-spirited young woman, Breezy, hitches a ride with an aging real estate salesman, Frank. Sensing that she just wants to use him he tries to have nothing to do with her. She's not that easy to shake, however, and over time a bond forms between them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  William Holden  •  Kay Lenz  •  Roger C. Carmel  •  Marj Dusay

A free-spirited young woman, Breezy, hitches a ride with an aging real estate salesman, Frank. Sensing that she just wants to use him he tries to have nothing to do with her. She's not that easy to shake, however, and over time a bond forms between them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  William Holden  •  Kay Lenz  •  Roger C. Carmel  •  Marj Dusay

Our Town (1940)

Change comes slowly to a small New Hampshire town in the early 20th century. We see birth, life and death in this small community.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Wood
CAST:  William Holden  •  Martha Scott  •  Fay Bainter  •  Beulah Bondi

Change comes slowly to a small New Hampshire town in the early 20th century. We see birth, life and death in this small community.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Wood
CAST:  William Holden  •  Martha Scott  •  Fay Bainter  •  Beulah Bondi

Picnic (1955)

Labor Day in a small Kansas farm town. Hal, a burly and resolute drifter, jumps off a dusty freight train car with the purpose of visiting Alan, a former college classmate and son of the richest man in town.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Logan
CAST:  William Holden  •  Kim Novak  •  Betty Field  •  Susan Strasberg

Labor Day in a small Kansas farm town. Hal, a burly and resolute drifter, jumps off a dusty freight train car with the purpose of visiting Alan, a former college classmate and son of the richest man in town.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Logan
CAST:  William Holden  •  Kim Novak  •  Betty Field  •  Susan Strasberg

Rachel and the Stranger (1948)

A widowed farmer takes an indentured servant as his new wife, but the arrival of a passing stranger threatens their burgeoning relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Foster
CAST:  Loretta Young  •  Robert Mitchum  •  William Holden  •  Gary Gray

A widowed farmer takes an indentured servant as his new wife, but the arrival of a passing stranger threatens their burgeoning relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Norman Foster
CAST:  Loretta Young  •  Robert Mitchum  •  William Holden  •  Gary Gray

S.O.B. (1981)

A movie producer who made a huge flop tries to salvage his career by revamping his film as an erotic production, where its family-friendly star takes her top off.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  William Holden  •  Marisa Berenson  •  Larry Hagman

A movie producer who made a huge flop tries to salvage his career by revamping his film as an erotic production, where its family-friendly star takes her top off.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  William Holden  •  Marisa Berenson  •  Larry Hagman

Sabrina (1954)

CharmingClassicRomanticEnjoyable

Linus and David Larrabee are the two sons of a very wealthy family. Linus is all work – busily running the family corporate empire, he has no time for a wife and family. David is all play – technically he is employed by the family business, but never shows up for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  Humphrey Bogart  •  Audrey Hepburn  •  William Holden  •  Walter Hampden

Linus and David Larrabee are the two sons of a very wealthy family. Linus is all work – busily running the family corporate empire, he has no time for a wife and family. David is all play – technically he is employed by the family business, but never shows up for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  Humphrey Bogart  •  Audrey Hepburn  •  William Holden  •  Walter Hampden

Stalag 17 (1953)

FunnyClassic

It's a dreary Christmas 1944 for the American POWs in Stalag 17 and the men in Barracks 4, all sergeants, have to deal with a grave problem—there seems to be a security leak.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  William Holden  •  Don Taylor  •  Otto Preminger  •  Robert Strauss

It's a dreary Christmas 1944 for the American POWs in Stalag 17 and the men in Barracks 4, all sergeants, have to deal with a grave problem—there seems to be a security leak.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  William Holden  •  Don Taylor  •  Otto Preminger  •  Robert Strauss

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

ClassicDarkBrilliantDramatic

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  William Holden  •  Gloria Swanson  •  Erich von Stroheim  •  Nancy Olson

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  William Holden  •  Gloria Swanson  •  Erich von Stroheim  •  Nancy Olson

The Dark Past (1948)

A gang hold a family hostage in their own home. The leader of the escaped cons is bothered by a recurring dream that the doctor of the house may be able to analyze.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rudolph Maté
CAST:  William Holden  •  Nina Foch  •  Lee J. Cobb  •  Adele Jergens

A gang hold a family hostage in their own home. The leader of the escaped cons is bothered by a recurring dream that the doctor of the house may be able to analyze.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rudolph Maté
CAST:  William Holden  •  Nina Foch  •  Lee J. Cobb  •  Adele Jergens

The Devil's Brigade (1968)

At the onset of World War II, American Lt. Col. Robert Frederick is put in charge of a unit called the 1st Special Service Force, composed of elite Canadian commandos and undisciplined American soldiers. With Maj. Alan Crown leading the Canadians and Maj. Cliff ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew V. McLaglen
CAST:  William Holden  •  Cliff Robertson  •  Vince Edwards  •  Andrew Prine

At the onset of World War II, American Lt. Col. Robert Frederick is put in charge of a unit called the 1st Special Service Force, composed of elite Canadian commandos and undisciplined American soldiers. With Maj. Alan Crown leading the Canadians and Maj. Cliff ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew V. McLaglen
CAST:  William Holden  •  Cliff Robertson  •  Vince Edwards  •  Andrew Prine

The Horse Soldiers (1959)

A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail supply center. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. The secret plan for the mission is overheard by a southern belle who ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Ford
CAST:  John Wayne  •  William Holden  •  Constance Towers  •  Judson Pratt

A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail supply center. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. The secret plan for the mission is overheard by a southern belle who ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Ford
CAST:  John Wayne  •  William Holden  •  Constance Towers  •  Judson Pratt

The Man from Colorado (1948)

Two friends return home after their discharge from the army after the Civil War. However, one of them has had deep-rooted psychological damage due to his experiences during the war, and as his behavior becomes more erratic--and violent--his friend desperately tries ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Levin
CAST:  Glenn Ford  •  William Holden  •  Ellen Drew  •  Ray Collins

Two friends return home after their discharge from the army after the Civil War. However, one of them has had deep-rooted psychological damage due to his experiences during the war, and as his behavior becomes more erratic--and violent--his friend desperately tries ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Levin
CAST:  Glenn Ford  •  William Holden  •  Ellen Drew  •  Ray Collins

The Towering Inferno (1974)

At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Guillermin
CAST:  Steve McQueen  •  Paul Newman  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Robert Vaughn

At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Guillermin
CAST:  Steve McQueen  •  Paul Newman  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Robert Vaughn

The Turning Point (1952)

Special prosecutor John Conroy hopes to combat organized crime in his city and appoints his cop father Matt as chief investigator. John doesn't understand why Matt is reluctant, but cynical reporter Jerry McKibbon thinks he knows: he's seen Matt with mob lieutenant ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Dieterle
CAST:  William Holden  •  Edmond O'Brien  •  Alexis Smith  •  Tom Tully

Special prosecutor John Conroy hopes to combat organized crime in his city and appoints his cop father Matt as chief investigator. John doesn't understand why Matt is reluctant, but cynical reporter Jerry McKibbon thinks he knows: he's seen Matt with mob lieutenant ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Dieterle
CAST:  William Holden  •  Edmond O'Brien  •  Alexis Smith  •  Tom Tully

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Boring

An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Peckinpah
CAST:  Ernest Borgnine  •  William Holden  •  Robert Ryan  •  Edmond O'Brien

An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Peckinpah
CAST:  Ernest Borgnine  •  William Holden  •  Robert Ryan  •  Edmond O'Brien

Union Station (1950)

Police catch a break when suspected kidnappers are spotted on a train heading towards Union Station. Police, train station security and a witness try to piece together the crime and get back the blind daughter of a rich business man.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rudolph Maté
CAST:  William Holden  •  Nancy Olson  •  Barry Fitzgerald  •  Lyle Bettger

Police catch a break when suspected kidnappers are spotted on a train heading towards Union Station. Police, train station security and a witness try to piece together the crime and get back the blind daughter of a rich business man.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rudolph Maté
CAST:  William Holden  •  Nancy Olson  •  Barry Fitzgerald  •  Lyle Bettger
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