Friday, 11 February 2011

Style Icon IV: Ronald Colman

Ronald Colman (1891-1958) was originally a stage actor; although he made a couple of early English silent films. Invalided out of the First World War, he reached the USA in 1920 where he again acted on the stage. However, he also made some silent films and the best remembered of these is probably Beau Geste in 1926. It was the coming of the talkies though that brought out his greatest strength, a wonderful speaking voice. The films came thick and fast, including: Bulldog Drummond and Raffles (1930); A Tale of Two Cities (1935); The Prisoner of Zenda and Lost Horizon (1937), and he gave an Oscar-winning performance in A Double Life.

Always displaying a carefree style, he has fan clubs to this day.
Posted by NJS at 09:35

1 comment:

  1. Jordan Marc14 February 2011 at 12:29

    During the filming of Lost Horizon Ronald Colman suggested to Frank Capra that tiny bells be fastened to the legs of a flock of birds who would be released while Conway explored the Valley of the Blue Moon with his co-star. There is a brief shot of the birds in flight, companioned by the faint tingle of bells. How Colman came up with the idea is anyone's guess, but it's a truly enchanting moment on screen for star-crossed lovers, brief but unforgettable.

    JMB

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