Red Buttons

Although Red Buttons is best known as a stand-up comic, he is also a successful songwriter, an Academy Award-winning actor (and has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards) and an accomplished singer. Born Aaron Chwatt on February 5, 1919 (Aquarius) in New York City's Lower East Side, stood at a height of 5' 6" (1.68 m). Buttons (who got his name from a uniform he wore while working as a singing bellhop), also known as Cpl. Red Buttons, started his show-business career singing on street corners as a child. At 16 he got a job as part of a comedy act playing the famed Catskills resort area in upstate New York (his partner was future actor Robert Alda). Buttons worked the burlesque circuit as a comic and even landed a role in a Broadway play, "Vicki", in 1942. He soon joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and in 1943 was picked for a role in Moss Hart's service play "Winged Victory" on Broadway, and soon afterwards journeyed to Hollywood to make the film version. After his discharge from the service he returned to Broadway, both in plays and as a comic with several big-band orchestras. He was successful enough that he got his own TV series, The Red Buttons Show (1952), on CBS. It lasted three years and won Buttons an Emmy for Best Comedian. He worked steadily for the next several years, and in 1957 got his big film break in the drama Sayonara (1957) with Marlon Brando, in which he played an American soldier stationed in Japan who struggled against the societal and racist ...

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Hatari! (1962)

ClassicAdventurous

A female wildlife photographer arrives on an East African reservation where a group of men trap wild animals for zoos and circuses.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Howard Hawks
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Hardy Krüger  •  Elsa Martinelli  •  Red Buttons

A female wildlife photographer arrives on an East African reservation where a group of men trap wild animals for zoos and circuses.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Howard Hawks
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Hardy Krüger  •  Elsa Martinelli  •  Red Buttons

Gay Purr-ee (1962)

Mewsette is a starry-eyed cat who grows weary of life on a French farm and heads for the excitement of 1890s Paris. Her tomcat suitor, Jaune-Tom, and his furry cohort, Robespierre, chase after Mewsette, but she's already fallen under the spell of a feline ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Abe Levitow
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Robert Goulet  •  Red Buttons  •  Paul Frees

Mewsette is a starry-eyed cat who grows weary of life on a French farm and heads for the excitement of 1890s Paris. Her tomcat suitor, Jaune-Tom, and his furry cohort, Robespierre, chase after Mewsette, but she's already fallen under the spell of a feline ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Abe Levitow
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Robert Goulet  •  Red Buttons  •  Paul Frees

Harlow (1965)

Hollywood drama loosely based on the life of film actress Jean Harlow, with Carroll Baker in the title role. One of two feature film biographies, both released in 1965 and both with the same title, about the '30s platinum blonde movie star.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Carroll Baker  •  Red Buttons  •  Raf Vallone  •  Angela Lansbury

Hollywood drama loosely based on the life of film actress Jean Harlow, with Carroll Baker in the title role. One of two feature film biographies, both released in 1965 and both with the same title, about the '30s platinum blonde movie star.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Carroll Baker  •  Red Buttons  •  Raf Vallone  •  Angela Lansbury

It Could Happen to You (1994)

UpliftingRomanticCharmingCute

Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the winnings of his lottery ticket. Amazingly, the ticket happens to be a winner, in the sum of $4 million. True to his word ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Bergman
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Bridget Fonda  •  Rosie Perez  •  Wendell Pierce

Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the winnings of his lottery ticket. Amazingly, the ticket happens to be a winner, in the sum of $4 million. True to his word ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Bergman
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Bridget Fonda  •  Rosie Perez  •  Wendell Pierce

One, Two, Three (1961)

C.R. MacNamara will do anything to get a promotion within the Coca-Cola company, including looking after boss W.P. Hazeltine's rebellious teenage daughter, Scarlett. When Scarlett visits Berlin, where C.R. is stationed, she reveals that she is married to a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  James Cagney  •  Horst Buchholz  •  Pamela Tiffin  •  Arlene Francis

C.R. MacNamara will do anything to get a promotion within the Coca-Cola company, including looking after boss W.P. Hazeltine's rebellious teenage daughter, Scarlett. When Scarlett visits Berlin, where C.R. is stationed, she reveals that she is married to a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Billy Wilder
CAST:  James Cagney  •  Horst Buchholz  •  Pamela Tiffin  •  Arlene Francis

Sayonara (1957)

Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver (Marlon Brando) is reassigned to a Japanese air base, and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Logan
CAST:  Marlon Brando  •  Miyoshi Umeki  •  Ricardo Montalban  •  Miiko Taka

Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver (Marlon Brando) is reassigned to a Japanese air base, and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joshua Logan
CAST:  Marlon Brando  •  Miyoshi Umeki  •  Ricardo Montalban  •  Miiko Taka

The Longest Day (1962)

The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that when the Allied invasion ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Annakin  •  Bernhard Wicki  •  Andrew Marton
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Robert Mitchum  •  Henry Fonda  •  Sean Connery

The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that when the Allied invasion ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Annakin  •  Bernhard Wicki  •  Andrew Marton
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Robert Mitchum  •  Henry Fonda  •  Sean Connery

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

When their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ronald Neame
CAST:  Gene Hackman  •  Ernest Borgnine  •  Red Buttons  •  Carol Lynley

When their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ronald Neame
CAST:  Gene Hackman  •  Ernest Borgnine  •  Red Buttons  •  Carol Lynley

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Michael Sarrazin  •  Susannah York  •  Gig Young

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Michael Sarrazin  •  Susannah York  •  Gig Young

Viva Knievel! (1977)

The legendary stuntman plans his most incredible stunt yet while battling the mob in this action-adventure.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Evel Knievel  •  Gene Kelly  •  Lauren Hutton  •  Red Buttons

The legendary stuntman plans his most incredible stunt yet while battling the mob in this action-adventure.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Evel Knievel  •  Gene Kelly  •  Lauren Hutton  •  Red Buttons

Pete's Dragon (1977)

Pete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend a lovable, sometimes invisible dragon named Elliott! When they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora, and her father, Elliott's prank playing lands them in big trouble. Then, when ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Chaffey
CAST:  Jim Dale  •  Mickey Rooney  •  Red Buttons  •  Shelley Winters

Pete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend a lovable, sometimes invisible dragon named Elliott! When they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora, and her father, Elliott's prank playing lands them in big trouble. Then, when ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Chaffey
CAST:  Jim Dale  •  Mickey Rooney  •  Red Buttons  •  Shelley Winters

The Ambulance (1990)

Josh meets a young woman who shortly afterwards collapses and is rushed to hospital in an ambulance. He follows after her only to find that there is no record her being admitted, and he soon learns that her roommate also vanished after being picked up by the same ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Cohen
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  James Earl Jones  •  Megan Gallagher  •  Red Buttons

Josh meets a young woman who shortly afterwards collapses and is rushed to hospital in an ambulance. He follows after her only to find that there is no record her being admitted, and he soon learns that her roommate also vanished after being picked up by the same ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Cohen
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  James Earl Jones  •  Megan Gallagher  •  Red Buttons

Your Cheatin' Heart (1964)

The story of the country and western singer Hank Williams.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Nelson
CAST:  George Hamilton  •  Susan Oliver  •  Red Buttons  •  Arthur O'Connell

The story of the country and western singer Hank Williams.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gene Nelson
CAST:  George Hamilton  •  Susan Oliver  •  Red Buttons  •  Arthur O'Connell

C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979)

A young man invents a robot dog that has super strength, x-ray vision and can detect crimes being committed. A greedy businessman tries to steal the boy's invention from him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Chaffey
CAST:  Valerie Bertinelli  •  Red Buttons  •  Conrad Bain  •  Wesley Eure

A young man invents a robot dog that has super strength, x-ray vision and can detect crimes being committed. A greedy businessman tries to steal the boy's invention from him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Chaffey
CAST:  Valerie Bertinelli  •  Red Buttons  •  Conrad Bain  •  Wesley Eure

Reunion at Fairborough (1985)

World War II vets travel to England for a reunion at their old base. Stars Judi Trott, Barry Morse, Red Buttons, Deborah Kerr, Shane Rimmer, Robert Mitchum  (more)

DIRECTION:  Herbert Wise
CAST:  Robert Mitchum  •  Deborah Kerr  •  Red Buttons  •  Judi Trott

World War II vets travel to England for a reunion at their old base. Stars Judi Trott, Barry Morse, Red Buttons, Deborah Kerr, Shane Rimmer, Robert Mitchum  (more)

DIRECTION:  Herbert Wise
CAST:  Robert Mitchum  •  Deborah Kerr  •  Red Buttons  •  Judi Trott

The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979)

Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movie. Hosts Dick van Dyke and Rita Moreno interview the wide array of celebrities and Muppets who attend the event. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stan Harris
CAST:  Frank Oz  •  Jerry Nelson  •  Richard Hunt  •  Dave Goelz

Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movie. Hosts Dick van Dyke and Rita Moreno interview the wide array of celebrities and Muppets who attend the event. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stan Harris
CAST:  Frank Oz  •  Jerry Nelson  •  Richard Hunt  •  Dave Goelz

Footlight Varieties (1951)

A compilation of scenes and acts from various comedy and musical shorts over the years.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benjamin Stoloff  •  D.W. Griffith  •  Hal Yates
CAST:  Jack Paar  •  Leon Errol  •  Liberace  •  Jerry Murad

A compilation of scenes and acts from various comedy and musical shorts over the years.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benjamin Stoloff  •  D.W. Griffith  •  Hal Yates
CAST:  Jack Paar  •  Leon Errol  •  Liberace  •  Jerry Murad

Leave 'Em Laughing (1981)

Real-life clown Jack Thum, along with his devoted wife, Shirlee, cared for dozens of homeless children — 37 of them over the years — in the Chicago area, all of whom come back to visit when they discover he's terminally ill.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jackie Cooper
CAST:  Mickey Rooney  •  Anne Jackson  •  Allen Garfield  •  Elisha Cook Jr.

Real-life clown Jack Thum, along with his devoted wife, Shirlee, cared for dozens of homeless children — 37 of them over the years — in the Chicago area, all of whom come back to visit when they discover he's terminally ill.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jackie Cooper
CAST:  Mickey Rooney  •  Anne Jackson  •  Allen Garfield  •  Elisha Cook Jr.

Power (1980)

Loosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa, this traces the rise of Tommy Vanda (Joe Don Baker) from a Chicago dock worker to an influential labor leader who, like Hoffa, finds himself behind bars in a federal prison, and not long after, taken for a ride by shady men ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barry Shear  •  Virgil W. Vogel
CAST:  Joe Don Baker  •  Karen Black  •  David Groh  •  Howard Da Silva

Loosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa, this traces the rise of Tommy Vanda (Joe Don Baker) from a Chicago dock worker to an influential labor leader who, like Hoffa, finds himself behind bars in a federal prison, and not long after, taken for a ride by shady men ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barry Shear  •  Virgil W. Vogel
CAST:  Joe Don Baker  •  Karen Black  •  David Groh  •  Howard Da Silva

Goodnight, We Love You (2004)

GOODNIGHT, WE LOVE YOU is a film that chronicles the final stand-up comedy performance of a true living legend - the first female stand-up comic in history: Phyllis Diller. In 2002, Phyllis Diller announced that she would be hanging up her wigs and sequins after ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregg Barson
CAST:  Phyllis Diller  •  Marty Allen  •  Roseanne Barr  •  Red Buttons

GOODNIGHT, WE LOVE YOU is a film that chronicles the final stand-up comedy performance of a true living legend - the first female stand-up comic in history: Phyllis Diller. In 2002, Phyllis Diller announced that she would be hanging up her wigs and sequins after ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregg Barson
CAST:  Phyllis Diller  •  Marty Allen  •  Roseanne Barr  •  Red Buttons
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