Robert Ryan, studied acting in Hollywood and performed in small film parts during the early 1940s. In January 1944, after making a contract with RKO Radio Pictures, Ryan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, California. At Camp Pendleton, he became friends with writer and future director Richard Brooks.
Robert Ryan, often played hardened cops and ruthless villains. Ryan's first film performance was in Crossfire (1947), a film noir based on Brooks's novel. The film is about a man who is killed by a drunken, American soldier because he was Jewish. The film also shows the post-World War II issue of soldiers being released from the military with no training other than as soldiers. The role won Ryan his only Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor.
In the film, On Dangerous Ground (1951) he played a burnt-out city cop finding redemption while solving a murder.
Ryan went on to perform in the film, The Set-Up (1949), where he played an over-the-hill boxer. Other important films were: The Naked Spur, House of Bamboo, Bad Day at Black Rock, Odds Against Tomorrow, The Longest Day (1962), Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Dirty Dozen, King of Kings(1961) and Billy Budd (1962).
Another great post Dawn, how do you do it ? I'm lucky if I manage 2 posts a week on my movie blog.
ReplyDeleteGetting back to Robert Ryan I remember seeing The Set-Up on tv late one night and it's a film that's always stuck in my mind, and I've always enjoyed his work in westerns especially The Professionals and The Wild Bunch.
He was one of the best.
Thank you Paul, Monty and I are having an "End of Summer Blogathon." September, we will go back to our normal schedule. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree... I did not realize until I was writing this post how much I enjoyed Robert Ryan's movies. I think my favorites are: Crossfire (1947)and On Dangerous Ground (1951).