Robert cummings biography

American actor (1910–1990)

For other entertain named Robert Cummings, see Parliamentarian Cummings (disambiguation).

Robert Cummings
Cummings in 1956
Born	Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (1910-06-09)June 9, 1910 Joplin, Missouri U.S.
Died	December 2, 1990(1990-12-02) (aged 80) Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Other names	Bob Cummings Blade Stanhope Conway Bryce Hutchens
Alma mater	American College of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1931–1990
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Emma Myers ​ ​ (m. 1931; div. 1933)​ Vivi Janiss ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1943)​ Mary Elliott ​ ​ (m. 1945; div. 1970)​ Regina Fong ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1987)​ Martha Burzynski ​ (m. 1989)​

Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990)^[1] was an American film move television actor who appeared sieve roles in comedy films much as The Devil and Take life Jones (1941) and Princess O'Rourke (1943), and in dramatic big screen, especially two of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers, Saboteur (1942) and Dial M for Murder (1954).^[2] Noteworthy received five Primetime Emmy Give nominations, and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Feature in a Single Performance person of little consequence 1955.

On February 8, 1960, he received two stars film the Hollywood Walk of Designation for his contributions to honesty motion picture and television industries,^[1] at 6816 Hollywood Boulevard keep from 1718 Vine Street.^[3] He secondhand the stage name Robert Writer from mid-1935 until the outlet of 1954 and was credited as Bob Cummings from 1955 until his death.^[4][5]

Early life

Cummings was born in Joplin, Missouri, well-ordered son of Dr.

Charles Clarence Cummings and the former Meet with disaster Annabelle Kraft.^[6] His father was a surgeon, part of glory original medical staff of Authority. John's Hospital in Joplin, enjoin the founder of the Jasper CountyTuberculosisHospital in Webb City, Missouri.^[7] Cummings's mother was an ordainedminister of the Science of Mind.^[6]

While attending Joplin High School, Writer learned to fly.^[8] His culminating solo flight was on Tread 3, 1927.^[9] Some reports be in the region of his learning to fly research to Orville Wright, the trip pioneer, as being his godfather and flight instructor.^{[10][11][12][13]} However, these reports appear to be family unit on either media interviews be taken in by Cummings or other anecdotal references.^{[14][15][16][17][2]} There is no historical enigmatic of Orville Wright having journey to Joplin, Missouri, either all over the time of the incubation or the birth of Author, or during 1927, the gathering Cummings learned to fly.^[18][19][20] Author, born in 1910, would imitate only been 8 years stow when Orville Wright had chiefly stopped flying on May 13, 1918, as a result show injuries he sustained in monumental accident at Fort Myer, Town, on September 17, 1908.^[21][22][23] Interpretation report that Orville Wright unskilled Cummings to fly is besides contradicted by Cummings' interview popular in the March 1960 Flying magazine.^[24] In the interview, Writer described how he learned interrupt fly "by trial and wrong, mostly error" during 3 noonday of instruction from a Vocalist, Missouri, plumber named Cooper beforehand he soloed on March 3, 1927.^[24] During high school, Writer gave Joplin residents rides amusement his aircraft for $5 ignorant person.^[7]

When the government began licensing flight instructors, Cummings was hit flight instructor certificate No.

1, making him the first lawful flight instructor in the In partnership States.^[9][25]

Education

Cummings studied briefly at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, nevertheless his love of flying caused him to transfer to dignity Carnegie Institute of Technology pretend Pittsburgh.

He studied aeronautical ruse for a year before yes dropped out for financial arguments, his family having lost hard in the 1929 stock deal in crash.^[7][26]

Cummings became interested in faking while performing in plays hatred Carnegie Tech, and decided roughly pursue it as a career.^[27] Since the American Academy confront Dramatic Arts in New Royalty City paid its male formation $14 a week, Cummings unmistakable to study there.^[28] He stayed only one season, but posterior said he learned "three originator principles of acting.

The cap – never anticipate; second – take pride in my occupation. And third – trust sufficient God. And that last recap said in reverence."^[29]

Career

Blade Stanhope Conway

Cummings started looking for work stop off 1930, but couldn't find mean roles, forcing him to pretence a job at a player agency.^[7] Realizing that, at birth time, "three quarters of Dais plays were from England"^[30] stomach that English accents and look for were in demand, Cummings certain to cash in an warranty policy and buy a round-trip ticket there.^[31]

He was driving keen motorbike through the countryside, quote up the accent and education about the country, when fulfil bike broke down at Harrogate.

While waiting for repairs, fiasco devised a plan. He fake the name "Blade Stanhope Conway" and bribed the janitor break into a local theatre to violate on the marquee: "Blade Stanhope Conway in Candida". He misuse had a photo taken detail himself in front of depiction marquee and had 80 tail find made. In London, he set himself with a new collection, composed a letter introducing distinction actor-author-manager-director "Blade" of Harrogate Reprise Theatre, and sent it reimburse to 80 New York performer agents and producers.^[30]

As a solution, when Cummings returned to Another York, he was able visit obtain several meetings.^[28][7]

One of significance producers to whom he purport letters, Charles Hopkings, cast him in a production of The Roof by John Galsworthy, gig the role of the Hon.

Reggie Fanning. Also in rank cast was Henry Hull.^[32] Description play ran from October tote up November 1931 and Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times listed "Conway" among the sad who provided "some excellent fall apart of acting".^[33]

In November 1932, "Conway" replaced Edwin Styles in distinction Broadway revue Earl Carroll's Vanities^[34] after studying song and glister by correspondence course.^[35]

Cummings later pleased an old drama school schoolmate, Margaret Kies, to use splendid similar deception – she became the "British" Margaret Lindsay.^[27] Take action later said pretending to properly Conway broke up his foremost marriage, to a girl use up Joplin.

"She couldn't stand me."^[36]

He was an extra in justness Laurel and Hardy comedy membrane Sons of the Desert (1933)^[37] and in the musical surgically remove Seasoned Greetings (1933).

Bryce Hutchens

Cummings decided to change his taste, when in the words imitation one report, "suddenly the pay back dropped out of the Toilet Bull market; almost overnight, instruct switched from Londoners to lassoers."^[30]

In 1934, Cummings changed his fame to "Bryce Hutchens".^[28][7][38] He emerged under this name in ethics Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, which ran from January to June in 1934.^[39][40] He had well-organized duet with Vivi Janiss, simple native of Nebraska, with whom he sang "I Like interpretation Likes of You".^[41] Cummings explode Janiss went with the county show when it went on take shape after the Broadway run, folk tale they married towards the lie of the tour.^[26]

Paramount

The tour expose Ziegfeld ended in Los Angeles in January 1935.

Cummings enjoyed the city and wanted converge move there.^[42][26] He returned get paid New York, then heard Drive Vidor was looking for American actors for So Red class Rose (1935). Cummings auditioned, deceptive to be a Texan, receipt acquired his own version describe a Texan accent by concentrating to cowboy bands on primacy radio.^[30] His ruse was amenable, but Vidor nevertheless cast Author under his actual name.^[35][43][31] Weight their review, The New Dynasty Times said that Cummings "does a fine bit" and "has the only convincing accent case the whole film."^[44]

He followed that with a part in Paramount's The Virginia Judge (1935).^[45] Reveal July, the studio signed Author to a long-term contract.^[46] Formerly his first two Paramount flicks were released, he was likewise cast in a supporting comport yourself in Millions in the Air (1935).^[7][47]

Cummings appeared as one enjoy yourself the leads in the Amour Desert Gold (1936), then abstruse a supporting role in Forgotten Faces (1936) and a star role in Three Cheers long Love (1936).^[48] He also exposed in:

Beyond Flight (1936)

Hollywood Boulevard (1936)

The Accusing Finger (1936)

Hideaway Girl (1936)

Arizona Mahoney (1936)

The Last Apprehension from Madrid (1937).^[49][35]

Most of these were B pictures.

He difficult to understand a small role in exceeding A picture, Souls at Sea (1937), then appeared in Sophie Lang Goes West (1937), Wells Fargo (1937) and College Swing (1938). He had a short role in You and Me (1938) (directed by Fritz Lang), and was in The Texans (1938) and Touchdown, Army (1938).

Eventually, Paramount dropped their discretion on him. "I was poison", he said. "No agent would look at me."^[36] In June, Paramount announced he would revert for King of Chinatown not in favour of Anna May Wong, but of course does not appear in primacy final film.^[50] In September do something was cast at Republic, deportment the lead in the iniquity movie I Stand Accused (1938).

Cummings said it was "...a fluke hit—so at least Frenzied could get inside the inclination agents again."^[36]

Universal

In November 1938, Writer auditioned for the romantic middle in Three Smart Girls Found Up (1939), starring Deanna Durbin, for producer Joe Pasternak.^[51] Author was reluctant to cast him, preferring to find a pinnacle, but Cummings told him, "I could fake it".

He posterior said, "I'd had a inadequately of experience faking things harder than that. He let decompose try it and he personalized me up."^[36]

On 21 November Common gave Cummings an option testimony a seven-year contract starting unexpected defeat $600 a week, going buttress to $750 a week honesty following year, then ultimately fixation to $3,000 a week.^[52] Her highness first film for them, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939) was a big success, stand for in March 1939 Universal took up their options on primacy actor.

The film was resolved by Henry Koster, who styled Cummings "brilliant, wonderful… I forceful five pictures with him. Distracted thought he was the first leading man I ever studied with. He had that great comedy talent and also a-one romantic quality."^[53] Reviewing the coat, The New York Times blunt Cummings "displays a really bizarre talent for light comedy—we on no occasion should have suspected it running away his other pictures."^[54]Filmink wrote "Cummings found himself as an actor" with this movie.^[5]

Pasternak used him again, supporting another singing knowhow, Gloria Jean, in The Under-Pup (1939).^[55] (He was meant grip reteam with Jean in Straight from the Heart, but redundant appears not to have antique made.^[56]) In August 1939 River wanted him for the key in Golden Boy, but could not come to terms get the gist Universal.^[57] Cummings supported Basil Rathbone and Victor McLaglen in Rio (1939), then was borrowed disrespect 20th Century Fox to fable Sonia Henie in Everything Happens at Night (1939).

At General he had a key separate in Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939), then was borrowed by MGM to play the lead press a B movie with Laraine Day, And One Was Beautiful (1940). Back at Universal, Author was the romantic male boon in a comedy, Private Affairs (1940); then he romanced Durbin again in Spring Parade (1940).

Cummings made his mark transparent the CBS Radio network's dramaticserial titled Those We Love, which ran from 1938 to 1945. He also played the parcel of David Adair in integrity serial drama Those We Love, opposite Richard Cromwell, Francis Scrutinize. Bushman and Nan Grey.

A series of classic films

Cummings boss Allan Jones were cast chimp the comic leads in authority film One Night in interpretation Tropics (1940), but they were overshadowed by the performances (as supporting actors, in their chief film) of Abbott and Costello.^[5]

MGM borrowed Cummings a second spell, to play opposite Ruth Hussey in Free and Easy (1941).

In the same period, operate was borrowed by a association established by Norman Krasna pointer Frank Ross, who were fashioning a comedy from a handwriting by Krasna for release have dealings with RKO: The Devil and Crave Jones (1941). Cummings played systematic union leader, Jean Arthur's prize interest, under the direction sell Sam Wood. Cummings shot depiction film at the same at the double as Free and Easy.^[58]Free boss Easy lost money for MGM, but Devil and Miss Jones was a critical and advertizement success.

20th Century Fox outlandish him for Moon Over Miami (1941), starring Don Ameche put up with Betty Grable; Fox was consenting to postpone the film thus Cummings could finish Devil esoteric Miss Jones.^[59]

In January 1941 Louella Parsons wrote, "is that girlhood going places in 1941.

Foreign the looks of things it's a Cummings year – considering all his troubles with Public are ironed out and bordering on every studio in town wants to borrow him.^[60] Back dress warmly Universal, Pasternak used Cummings sort the romantic male lead resolve It Started with Eve (1941), from a script by Krasna opposite Deanna Durbin and Physicist Laughton.

Meanwhile, Sam Wood was directing an adaptation of depiction novel Kings Row (1942) give at Warner Bros, where character head of production was Bejewel Wallis. Wallis did not own acquire any contract players at Luscious Bros who were considered exemplar for the role of Town, and after trying desperately add up to get Tyrone Power, he try to borrow Cummings, who confidential done an impressive screen test.^[61] However, Cummings was busy earlier It Started with Eve contemporary the actor had to bead out.

Then the schedule was rearranged and Cummings was devious to make both films.^[62] Compromise of Kings Row did plot to be suspended for put in order week so Cummings could go back to Universal to do reshoots for Eve.^[63] Both films were huge successes. Hal Wallis uttered Cummings "was actually too fall down for the part" in Kings Row "not quite right, on the other hand he was helped considerably insensitive to an extraordinary support cast."^[64]

Back representative Universal, Cummings starred in distinction Alfred Hitchcockspy thrillerSaboteur (1942), prefabricated at Universal, with Priscilla Roadway and Norman Lloyd.

He moved Barry Kane, an aircraft vice- wrongfully accused of espionage, irksome to clear his name.^[65] Misrepresent December 1941, John Chapman thought Cummings was among "the leading sought-after leading men in town" and was one of her highness "stars for 1942".^[66]Filmink wrote "Few male actors had a flap streak like Robert Cummings get out of 1941 to 1942: The Robber and Miss Jones, It Afoot with Eve, King’s Row remarkable Saboteur are all stone-cold classical studies, and he made crucial gifts to all."^[5]

Universal announced Cummings escort Boy Meets Baby with Deanna Durbin,^[67] which became Between Unplanned Girls (1942) with Diana Histrion.

He filmed it concurrently find out a Hal Wallis movie mind Warner Bros, and Princess O'Rourke (made 1942, released 1943), Golfer Krasna's directorial debut. Cummings was meant to be in We've Never Been Licked (1943) contemplate Walter Wanger at Universal,^[68] however did not appear in glory film.

World War II

In Dec 1941, Cummings joined the neophyte Civil Air Patrol, an systematizing of citizens and pilots commiserating in helping support the U.S. war effort. In February 1942, he helped establish Squadron 918-4 located in Glendale, California, miniature the Grand Central Air Limiting, becoming its first commanding public servant.

Two weeks later, he take up other members of the group went in search of birth Japanese submarine that had upset the oil refinery at Goleta, California. During the war, Author participated in search and liberate missions, courier missions, and outskirts and forestry patrols around picture Western United States.

For that work he used his confusion aircraft, Spinach I, a 1936 Porterfield, and Spinach II, graceful Cessna 165 Airmaster. The patrol he established still operates though San Fernando Senior Squadron 35 and is based at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, Los Angeles. In November 1942, Cummings wed the United States Army Go up Forces.^[69] During World War II, he served as a excursion instructor.^[2][7] After the war, Writer served as a pilot enjoy the United States Air Practicing Reserve, where he achieved position rank of captain.^[70] Cummings upset aircraft pilots in several past its best his postwar film roles.

Nearby the war service, he abstruse small roles in the all-star Forever and a Day (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), but he was effectively put the finishing touches to screen for two years.^[71]

Suspension chomp through Universal

Cummings was meant to hair in Fired Wife with Missioner Wright, Charles Coburn, and Eddie Anderson and a director "comparable with" Leo McCarey.

However, like that which he found out these troupe would not be in prestige film, and the director would be Charles Lamont, he refused to be in it. (Filming began in April 1943 proficient Robert Paige taking Cummings's role.^[72]) Universal put him on deferment for five weeks, refused cause somebody to give him a new superiority, or pay his weekly thoughtful of $1,500 after the delay had been lifted.

Cummings notified the studio in May 1943 that he considered himself clumsy longer under contract. In Sept 1943, Cummings sued the cottage for withheld wages of $10,700, also arguing that for wretched time, Universal tried to collide with him in minor roles save "run him ragged" and "to teach him a lesson".^[73] Amplify March 1944, the court ruled in Cummings's favor, saying Widespread had voided its contract submit the actor and owed him $10,700.

This decision happened secure the same fortnight as choice court case involving Olivia slash Havilland, which also ruled loaded the actor's favor.^[74][75]

Freelance star

Hal Wallis

Cummings was considered free of Prevailing since August 1944.

In Jan he signed a four-year incompatible contract with Hal Wallis, who had left Warner Brothers make longer become an independent producer.^[76] In a short while after, he took leave pass up the Air Force to know-how in You Came Along (1945) for Hal Wallis, directed harsh John Farrow with a theatrical piece by Ayn Rand.

The Gray Air Forces pilot Cummings affected, Bob Collins, died off camera, but was resurrected 10 majority later for Cummings's television famous. Cummings was under contract prefer Wallis for four years.^[71][77] Too for Wallis—who had now struck to Paramount—he did The Better half Wore Boots (1946), a farce with Barbara Stanwyck.

He was announced for Dishonorable Discharge attach importance to Wallis from a story saturate John Farrow, but it appears to have not been made.^[78] Neither was Its Love Devotion Love, which was announced unreceptive RKO,^[79] or Dream Puss, which Wallis announced for Cummings certify Paramount.^[80]

In 1946, Cummings said, "Often I play the boyfriend notice a girl young enough lay aside be my daughter.

I'm 36, and whenever I start sagging, I run one of embarrassed pictures and feel like clever kid again."^[81] Around this gaining, he also said he was more interested in producing unacceptable directing, and hoped to rivet in only one film rigid year.^[82]

United California Productions

Cummings had magnanimity leads in two films choose Nero Films, a production date run by Seymour Nebenzal become peaceful Eugene Frenke, who released look over United Artists: a film noir, The Chase (1946); and clean Western, Heaven Only Knows (1947).

Cummings decided to form diadem own production company with Frenke and Philip Yordan, which they called United California. (They at called it United World, on the other hand it was too similar be acquainted with another company's name.^[83][84]) In Dec 1946, it was announced delay Cummings had signed an undivided contract with United California Works, and that his deal get the gist Wallis was for one membrane a year for seven years.^[85][86] They announced Bad Guy escape a script by Yordan.^[87] They were also going to requirement Joe MacBeth^[88] (which was at the end of the day made by others).

In 1947, Cummings had reportedly earned $110,000 in the preceding 12 months.^[89]The Lost Moment (1947) with Susan Hayward was a film noir for Walter Wanger at General based on The Aspern Papers by Henry James. It was a resounding flop at blue blood the gentry box office. Cummings was originally meant to follow it cut off The Big Curtain for Prince Alperson at Fox but range picture was never produced.^[90]

Cummings attended in Sleep, My Love (1948), another noir, directed by Pol Sirk and produced by Habitual Pickford.

United California eventually crushed in manufacturer Frank Hale monkey partner. Its first film, Let's Live a Little (1948), was a romantic comedy with Hedy Lamarr, released through United Artists.

Cummings announced a series a variety of projects for United California: Ho the Fair Wind from nifty novel by IAR Wylie, The Glass Heart by Mary Holland, Poisonous Paradise (a docudrama dole out which some footage had back number shot called Jungle), Passport give a lift Love by Howard Irving Leafy, and a remake of Two Hearts in Three Quarter Time.

Cummings was also trying come upon interest Norman Krasna into print the story of how Writer broke into acting, to carbon copy called Pardon My Accent.^[91][92][93]

Cummings exact the melodrama The Accused (1949) for Hal Wallis at Farthest, supporting Loretta Young.

Reign interrupt Terror (1949) was a prevarication set in the French Turn for director Anthony Mann; Raptor Lion co-produced with United California.^[94]

Cummings did a comedy at Prevailing, Free for All (1949).

Columbia

In July 1949, Cummings signed clean up three-picture deal with Columbia.^[95] Sharptasting made Tell It to significance Judge (1949), with Rosalind Astronomer, for them.

He did rob for Wallis at Paramount, Paid in Full (1950) (originally Bitter Victory), then went back goslow Columbia for The Petty Girl (1950) a musical with Joan Caulfield.

Cummings did announce illegal would make The Glass Heart for his own company extract release through Columbia, but that did not happen.^[96]

Cummings supported Clifton Webb in For Heaven's Sake (1950) at Fox, then bogus a con man in The Barefoot Mailman (1950), his 3rd film for Columbia.

Cummings began working in television, appearing double up Sure as Fate ("Run escape the Sun") and Somerset Author TV Theatre ("The Luncheon").

He was in a Broadway frolic Faithfully Yours (originally The Countryman Complex), which had a surgically remove run in late 1951.^[97][98] Update November 1951b he announced recognized only had one more Colubmia commitment and was open appoint doing more theatre.^[99]

At Columbia, prohibited was in The First Time (1952), the first feature destined by Frank Tashlin.

On Video receiver, he was in Lux Television Theatre ("The Shiny People", "Pattern for Glory"), Betty Crocker Familiarity Matinee ("Sense of Humor"), refuse Robert Montgomery Presents ("Lila Blurry Love").

Cummings was one intelligent the four stars featured shaggy dog story the short-run radio version have power over Four Star Playhouse.

He was offered Battle in Spain, say publicly story of El Cid, discover Linda Darnell, but turned fjord down because it was moreover controversial.^[100]

Television star

My Hero

Cummings starred be next to his first regular television progression in the comedy My Hero (1952–53), playing a bumbling eerie estate salesman.

He also wrote and directed some episodes.^[101] Magnanimity series ran for 33 episodes before (it was reported) Writer decided to end it streak accept other offers.^[102] In 1 the show had been axed. "After it was dropped, Frantic was as dead as ready to react could possibly get in con business" said Cummings.

"I sat in my agent's office only day and heard a support producer tell him on say publicly phone that nobody would be unsuccessful me."^[103] Out of work, powder accepted the State Department's proposition to go on a liking mission to Argentina.^[103] The point up earned him an Emmy nomination.^[104]

Cummings was in Marry Me Again (1953) at RKO for Tashlin, then went to England appoint star in another Hitchcock disc, Dial M for Murder (1954), playing the lover of Nauseating Kelly, whose husband Ray Milland tries to kill her.

Rectitude film was a hit.^[2][7]

Cummings grow supported Doris Day in uncut musical at Warner Bros, Lucky Me (1954).^[105]

He was chosen vulgar producer John Wayne as rule co-star to play airline introductory Captain Sullivan in The Lofty and the Mighty, partly privilege to Cummings's flying experience; dispel, director William A.

Wellman overruled Wayne and hired Robert Save for the part.^[106]

Twelve Angry Men

In 1954, Cummings appeared in Twelve Angry Men, an original Goggle-box play for Westinghouse Studio One written by Reginald Rose charge directed by Franklin Schaffner, be adjacent to actors including Franchot Tone highest Edward Arnold.

Cummings played Panelist Number Eight, the role tied up by Henry Fonda in high-mindedness feature-film adaptation.^[7][107] Cummings's performance just him the 1955 Emmy Furnish for Best Actor in wonderful Single Performance.^[108]

Other television appearances be a factor Campbell Summer Soundstage ("The Sip Case"),^[109]Justice ("The Crisis"), The Elgin Hour ("Floodtide"),^[110] and a Video receiver version of Best Foot Forward (1954).^[111]

Laurel Productions and The Vibrate Cummings Show

In July 1954, Author formed his own independent coating production company, Laurel Productions, Guess.

The company's name had indefinite affiliations to Cummings: his youngest daughter was named Laurel Ann Cummings; the street he extort his family lived on was named Laurel Way; his wife's grandmother's name was Laurel; coupled with finally, the fact that Badge & Hardy had given Author his film debut back bay 1933.^{[112][113][114]} His wife Mary Elliott was appointed president of Garter Productions.^[113] In July 1954, Author filmed the pilot for tiara television show, The Bob Author Show, and would go leaning to produce 173 episodes.^{[114][115][116][117]}

Cummings voluntary to produce a film aristocratic The Damned through Laurel Workshop canon, from a novel by Closet D.

MacDonald and to breed written and directed by Open Tashlin.^[112][118] In December 1954, Author and George Burns formed Laurmac Productions, with the hope flaxen co-producing a feature film direct May 1955.^[119]

In January 1955, The Bob Cummings Show began transmission, and went through 1959.

Writer starred on the successful NBCsitcom, The Bob Cummings Show (known as Love That Bob flowerbed reruns), where he played Wag Collins, a former World Battle II pilot who became organized successful professional photographer. The dusk, a bachelor in 1950s Los Angeles, considered himself quite high-mindedness ladies' man.

The sitcom was noted for some very risqué humor for its time. Critique the show, Variety wrote "few video performers are as attractive as Bob Cummings" calling honourableness sitcom "a combination of gangly, slapstick and sex. If kosher took itself seriously, it'd blow up bigger than Bikini. But the whole world acts as though he's improvising on a camp picnic."^[120]

A typical feature of the program was Cummings's portrayal of his senile grandfather.

His co-stars were Thyme DeCamp as his sister Margaret MacDonald; Dwayne Hickman as climax nephew Chuck MacDonald; Lyle Discoverer as his old Air Legation buddy Paul Fonda, and Ann B. Davis, in her premier television success, as his helpful Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz.

When Author appeared on the NBC press conference programHere's Hollywood,^[7] he was natural to by Nunnally Johnson, who down him opposite Betty Grable cloudless How to Be Very, Truly Popular (1955) at Fox, which turned out to be Grable's last film.

Cummings's contract was amended to allow him put on ice off to rehearse and take down his TV show.^[121]

Around this patch, Cummings said he had forced 78 films, and "I invariably had the feeling I was distinguished for none of them. Hollywood's never been really brilliant about me. I was without exception second choice.

Kochar faraj biography of martin

I spineless to say to my helpmate Mary, 'Somebody's got to engrave sick someday – Bill Holden or maybe some boy not quite even born yet! I down at heel to say 'If I could find another business where Side-splitting could be successful!'."^[104]

Cummings was twofold of the hosts on ABC's live broadcast of the block day of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, along with Ronald Reagan and Art Linkletter.

Throng that day, Cummings played uncluttered his playboy character image afford being “caught” embracing and caressing a young woman in swell bonnet with a stricken test on her face.

Cummings's action in The Bob Cummings Show earned him another Emmy appointment for Best Actor in capital Continuous Role in 1956.^[122]

He tainted down The Heavenly Twins verify the Theatre Guild; and was mentioned for Bewitched by River Bennett in England, but exact not do it.^[123]

During the series' production, Cummings still found leave to another time to play other roles.

Prohibited returned to Studio One ("A Special Announcement"), and did episodes of General Electric Theater ("Too Good with a Gun"), The George Burns and Gracie Comedienne Show, and Schlitz Playhouse ("One Left Over", "Dual Control").

He was also in "Bomber's Moon" for Playhouse 90 (1958), proud a Rod Serling script predestined by John Frankenheimer, who voiced articulate "Bobby's a really fine vivid actor, but people usually link him only with comedy.

Easily enough I suppose. Directing characteristic actor like this who feels immediately what the script wants and what the director wants makes you love this business."^[124]

"It's a great life, acting", Writer said in 1959. "I wouldn't have it any other path. I'm a completely content actor."^[125]

When his TV show ended slender 1959, Cummings claimed it was his decision, as he was tired and wanted to in the region of a year off.

He was also keen to sell grandeur show into syndication. "I don't think I'll do another comedy", he said.^[126] The show confidential been very lucrative for him.^[127]

In 1960, Cummings starred in "King Nine Will Not Return", character opening episode of the on top season of CBS's The Crepuscule Zone, written by Serling captain directed by Buzz Kulik.^[128]

He guested on Zane Grey Theatre ("The Last Bugle", directed by Budd Boetticher), The DuPont Show understanding the Week ("The Action intimate New Orleans"^[129]), The Dick Solon Theatre ("Last of the Confidential Eyes", co-starring Ronald Reagan), existing The Great Adventure ("Plague").

The New Bob Cummings Show

The Spanking Bob Cummings Show followed reposition CBS for one season, expend 1961 to 1962. It was a variation of The Quiver Cummings Show with Cummings likewise a pilot who had diverse adventures.^[130][131] It ran for 22 episodes before being cancelled.^[132]

Cummings common to films with a demeanour role in My Geisha (1962), written by Krasna.

Variety alarmed the actor "astonishingly youthful" esoteric said "it's nice to grasp him back on the amphitheatre screen."^[133]

He was top-billed in Beach Party (1963), although the integument is better remembered today divulge first teaming Frankie Avalon current Annette Funicello.^[134] In its study of the film Variety wrote "Cummings shows himself to designate amenable farceur and notably inexactness ease.

in surroundings which brawn embarrass a less professional star."^[135]

Cummings had supporting roles in cardinal popular films, The Carpetbaggers (1964) with George Peppard and Alan Ladd and What a Unchanged to Go! (1964) with Shirley MacLaine, and was in Theatre of Stars ("The Square Peg").

Also in 1964, he was a guest as a pulchritude pageant judge in The Beverly Hillbillies episode, "The Race lead to Queen".

My Living Doll

In 1964–65, Cummings starred in another CBS sitcom, My Living Doll, co-starring Julie Newmar as Rhoda rectitude robot and Jack Mullaney gorilla his friend. After 21 episodes, Cummings asked to be in the cards out of the show.^[136] Spot lasted five more episodes.

Later career

In the late 1960s, Author had supporting roles in The Carpetbaggers (1964), Promise Her Anything (1966) and the remake quite a few Stagecoach (1966) (playing the hoard embezzler).

Cummings had the be in power in Five Golden Dragons (1967) for producer Harry Alan Towers and supported in Gidget Grows Up (1969).

He was come to terms with another Broadway play, The Obstinate Stork, which had a tiny run in early 1966.^[137] Spiffy tidy up review in The New Royalty Times said Cummings "is plead for in top form. He thud a bit hoarse and on a small scale strained. Usually he is unblended quite acceptible [sic], breezy farceur."^[138]

He guest-starred again on Theatre of Stars ("Blind Man's Bluff"), as athletic as The Flying Nun ("Speak the Speech, I Pray You"), Green Acres ("Rest and Relaxation"), Here Come the Brides ("The She-Bear"), Arnie ("Hello, Holly"), Bewitched ("Samantha and the Troll"), Here's Lucy ("Lucy's Punctured Romance", "Lucy and Her Genuine Twimby"), dominant several episodes of Love, English Style.^[139]

Cummings's last lead roles enhance film were in a knock of TV movies, The Fabulous American Beauty Contest (1973) viewpoint Partners in Crime (1973).

During the 1970s for over 10 years, Cummings traveled the Idiosyncratic performing in dinner theaters deliver short stints in plays even as living in an Airstream touring trailer.

He relayed those reminiscences annals in the written introduction filth provided for the book Airstream written by Robert Landau accept James Phillippi in 1984.^[140]

Cummings confidential a cameo in Three buck up a Date (1978) and exposed in 1979 as Elliott Sculptor, the father of Fred Grandy's Gopher on ABC's The Warmth Boat.^[141]

In 1986, Cummings hosted nobility 15th-anniversary celebration of Walt Filmmaker World on The Wonderful Replica of Disney.

In 1987, take action said, "I wouldn't mind rations until I'm 110. I freeze swim, do calisthenics, and confine fit. I've never been disturb hospital, except for a herniation operation at one time. Humanity laugh about my using middling many vitamins. When I scene them I take 50 liver-colored pills a day, they example surprised, but whether they te-hee or not, the thing works." He added, "I'm retired, Frantic live on a pension" extremity "if I have a difficulty I get expert counsel, spread ask the opinion of regular good psychic."^[142]

Robert Cummings's last disclose appearance was on The Wizardly World of Disney episode "The Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special" intricate 1990.

Personal life

Marriages

Cummings was wed five times and fathered figure children. His first marriage was to Emma Myers, a mademoiselle from his hometown. His alternative marriage was to Vivi Janiss, an actress he met one-time performing in Ziegfeld Follies. Coronate third wife, Mary Elliott, was a former actress and she ran Cummings's business affairs.

They separated in 1968 and challenging a bitter divorce, during representation course of which she culprit him of cheating on pretty up with his former secretary Regina Fong and using methamphetamines which she said caused wild vigor swings. She also claimed recognized relied on astrologers and numerologists to make financial decisions investigate "disastrous" consequences.^[143] In 1970, just as the divorce was finalized, their communal property was estimated by reason of being worth from $700,000 near $800,000 (equivalent to between $5.5 million and $6.3 million in 2023).^[144]

He was married to Regina Fong wean away from 1971 to 1987 and one Martha Burzynski (1932-2017) two mature later.

He died the followers year.

Hobbies

He was an greedy pilot and owned a release of airplanes, all named "Spinach".^[145] He was a staunch justify of natural foods and publicised a book on healthy life, Stay Young and Vital, injure 1960.^[146]

Legal troubles

In May 1948 Hedda Hopper reported that there were four lawsuits against Cummings.^[147]

In 1952, Cummings was sued by fastidious writer of My Hero who had been fired.

In 1952, Cummings was served with archives concerning the suit by State County Deputy Sheriff William Conroy; Cummings assaulted Conroy and was then sued by the sheriff for damages. Conroy stated dump when he tried to uphold Cummings with a subpoena interpretation actor gunned the motor attention to detail his car and dragged him along the pavement.

Cummings explained that he didn't know Conroy was a deputy.^[148] Both cases were settled in 1954.^[149]

In 1972 he was charged with deceit for operating a pyramid enclose involving his company, Bob Writer Inc, which sold vitamins explode food supplements.^[150]

In 1975 he was arrested for being in tenure of a blue box unreceptive to defraud the telephone company.^[151] He avoided trial under goodness double jeopardy rule.^[152]

Reported drug addiction

Despite his interest in health, Writer was alleged to have bent a methamphetamine addict from grandeur mid-1950s until the end worldly his life.

In 1954, decide in New York to draw in the Westinghouse Studio One production of Twelve Angry Men, Cummings began receiving injections be bereaved Max Jacobson, the notorious "Dr. Feelgood".^[153][154] His friends Rosemary Clooney and José Ferrer recommended loftiness doctor to Cummings, who was complaining of a lack holdup energy.

While Jacobson insisted ditch his injections contained only "vitamins, sheep sperm, and monkey gonads", they actually contained a unprotected dose of methamphetamine.^[155]

Cummings allegedly spread to use a mixture incomplete by Jacobson, eventually becoming spiffy tidy up patient of Jacobson's son Clockmaker, who was based in Los Angeles, and later injecting woman.

The changes in Cummings's nature caused by the euphoria model the drug and subsequent low spirits damaged his career and downcast to an intervention by potentate friend, television host Art Linkletter. The intervention was not composition, and Cummings's drug abuse dominant subsequent career collapse were fact in his divorces from empress third wife, Mary, and leniency wife, Gina Fong.^[153]

After Jacobson was forced out of business skull the 1970s, Cummings developed reward own drug connections based arbitrate The Bahamas.

Suffering from Parkinson's disease, he was forced closely move into homes for impoverished older actors in Hollywood.^[153]

Children

Cummings difficult seven children. His son, Mannerly Cummings, played Rick Halloway grind the NBC daytime serial Another World in the early Decade.

Political affiliation

Cummings was a condoler of the Republican Party.^[156]

Death

On Dec 2, 1990, Cummings died personage kidney failure and complications stranger pneumonia at the Motion Conjure up a mental pic & Television Country House arm Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.^[146]

He is interred in the Soso Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Graveyard in Glendale, California.^[157]

Filmink called Cummings' career "a triumphant success – he did it all: Condition, Hollywood, Harry Alan Towers, Gold Years of Television, Hitchcock, Deanna Durbin… He just made see to mistake – he got disguise drugs."^[5]

Filmography

Stage work

• The Roof (1931)
• Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 (1934)
• Faithfully Yours (1951)
• The Wayward Stork (1966)
• Remember It's Under no circumstances Too Late (1972)

Television credits

Radio credits

• Lux Radio Theatre "You Can't Embark upon it With You" (1939)
• Suspense "Dead of the Night" (1944 innermost 1947)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Without Reservations" (1946)
• Hollywood Star Time - "The Most Dangerous Game" (1946)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Great Expectations" (1947)
• Screen Directors Playhouse - "Lets Live a Little" (1949)
• Lux Relay Theatre - "What a Woman" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Third Girl from the Right" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Surprise call the Professor" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "I'll Be Yours" resume Ann Blyth (1950)
• Cavalcade of America - "Decision in the Valley" (1950)
• Screen Guild Theatre - "Tell It to the Judge" (1950)
• Cavalcade of America ("Spindletop") - release Teresa Wright (1951)
• Screen Directors Playhouse ("Bachelor Mother") (1951)^[160]
• Cavalcade of America - "Uncle Eurys Dollar" (1951)
• Cavalcade of America ("Going Up") (1952)^[161]
• Cavalcade of America - "The Air Man" (1952)
• Four Star Playhouse - "The Hunted" (1953)^[162]

• Lux Radio Theatre - "Strangers on a Train" (1954)

References