I was thinking last night...how many actors are so good and professional...no matter what they are in, they can't be blaimed for the cheese fondue that the scrip, direction, and other actors may be cooking?
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are two perfect examples. Pros all the way.
I'd add Richard, Jakel, Ernie Borgnine and Anthony Zerbe to that list. Jackel and Borgnine were good in "The dirty dozen", so we know what the can do with good material.
Any others?
Post Edited (03-03-04 10:15)
I'd have to add Christopher Plummer, who managed to turn in the only good performance in Star Crash. Can't say I've ever seen him give anything but his best. Hard to believe he comes from the same theatrical background as Bill Shatner.
Donald Pleasance would be another. Whether he's doing The Great Escape or Warrior of the Lost World, he's good. Of course, everyone looks like a good actor next to Persis Khambatta.
Post Edited (03-03-04 10:40)
Basil Rathbone.
I just saw him in The Magic Sword, a 1960s B-movie all the way, with by now laughable special effects, a silly story (young apprentice magician goes off to save a princess he's never met), and absurd characters -- siamese twins as comic relief and Vampira(!) as the the apprentices's foster mom.
Basil is great as the evil magician, far and away better than the movie.
Not quite the same thing. But for some reason I've always liked Kris Kristofferson. He always seems to stand above the movies he is in. Of course if you ever put him in a real movie he would suck rocks.
I'd defnitiely have to agree with you on those Brit actors. Cushing took a poverty row produced movie like Shockwaves and played it straight-faced, i can't think of many actors nowadays who could do that.
as for my own recommendations Harvey Keitel was the first actor that popped in my mind. Chicks think he's ugly so you know he's a good actor.
Yeah, Forgot Basil! And he could swing a mean sword, too.
How about James Mason? More proof of the power of Brit Wit.