Ernest Borgnine Appreciation Thread

Flick James · April 15, 2011, 02:55:20 PM

lester was just talking about him in "Recent Viewings," and it made me feel like showing this great man some love.

Ernest Borgnine, born Ermes Borgnino (pronounced born-yee-no), having served ten years as a Gunner's Mate in the U.S. Navy, much of that during WWII, got out of the service having no direction and no wish to get a factory job, so he gave acting a shot, and fortunately so for us.

What a career. Here is a partial list of his filmography. Tell me he is not ripe for accolades from this board:

From Here to Eternity (1953)
Marty (1955)
The Vikings (1958)
Torpedo Run (1958)
Go Naked in the World (1961)
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
The Dirty Dozen (for crying out loud) (1967)
Ice Station Zebra (1968)
The Wild Bunch (for MORE crying out loud) (1969)
Willard (1971)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Convoy (1978)
The Black Hole (1979)
Super Fuzz (1980) (fellow b-movie fans)
Escape From New York (1981) (fellow b-movie fanatics)

This just scratches the surface of Mr. Borgnine's illustrious career. I grew up watching many of the above films via television rerun, and some of the later ones on the list as they came out. Ernest Borgnine's unique face and presence peppers generously my childhood and early adolescence. Ernest Borgnine is one of those actors that is a unique part of Americana. And he's still alive at the ripe age of 95 years. A few years ago he was given the rank of honorary Chief Petty Officer from Master Chief of the Navy Terry Scott.

Chief Borgnine, I salute you.

The Burgomaster · April 15, 2011, 03:37:59 PM

I remember watching him on McHALE'S NAVY when I was a little kid. When I saw WILLARD in the theater, I remember thinking, "Hey, that's McHale!"

He's certainly a likeable actor and he's in some of my favorite movies (MARTY and THE WILD BUNCH to name two).

About 25 years ago I was engaged to a girl whose father reminded a lot of people of Ernest Borgnine. He was thinner than Borgnine, but had a big, toothy smile and his eyes and eyebrows resembled Borgnine's. I never married that girl. I think I liked her family more than I liked her.

Jack · April 15, 2011, 04:01:47 PM

I probably remember him most for co-starring next to Jan-Michael Vincent in Airwolf. And of course from The Poseidon Adventure and The Black Hole where he actually got to play a bit of a bad guy for a change. The type of guy everybody would love to have for a grandpa

I salute you Ernest

Rev. Powell · April 15, 2011, 06:25:40 PM

Borgnine in EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE (I haven't seen it, but he plays a sadistic railroad bull).

JaseSF · April 15, 2011, 10:54:24 PM

He's one of those stars whos instantly recognizable and is often good even in small bit, supporting parts, the perennial familiar face and his face is certainly a most distinctive one. I have to say I think I liked his Cabbie character from Escape From New York perhaps the best but I also liked him in From Here To Eternity, The Black Hole, Laser Mission and in the Airwolf TV series I loved as a kid.

The Burgomaster · April 16, 2011, 10:43:47 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 15, 2011, 06:25:40 PM

Borgnine in EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE (I haven't seen it, but he plays a sadistic railroad bull).

I have the DVD . . . forgot about this one!

Bmeansgood · April 17, 2011, 08:08:08 PM

Wow, that was quite a run of some of my favorite movies from that time period:

The Black Hole (1979)
Super Fuzz (1980) (fellow b-movie fans)
Escape From New York (1981) (fellow b-movie fanatics)

ChocolateChipCharlie · April 17, 2011, 10:45:02 PM

He's also in BASEketball (a funny, intentionally bad movie) and Gattaca (a movie I actually enjoy as a good movie).

Hammock Rider · April 18, 2011, 10:55:37 AM

Ernest Borgnine is one of my heroes. He's been in everything from Bad day at Black Rock, to The Vikings to an episode of the Simpsons.He's a role model for every big, square-headed middle-aged guy out there. The most amazing thing about him is that he's in his 90's and still ticking. He just had a small role in the Bruce Willis movie, RED.

I read his autobiography and it was pretty entertaining. The guy has seen the entertainment industry through some wild swings and changes. He was also good friends with George "Goober" Lindsey.One of my favorite stories though, was Ernie explaining his personal philiosophy. He was in Central Park once and saw a roasted chestnut vendor with a sign that read: I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to keep my nuts warm. I think that's a fairly healthy attitude to have, especially in the show business world.

Allhallowsday · April 18, 2011, 08:24:57 PM

I'm always glad to see ERNEST BORGNINE particularly as a heavy like in BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK or FROM HERE TO ETERNITY... he's in THE DIRTY DOZEN, a movie I would have to class as perplexing or just dumb, but he enlightens it... I love 'im.

WilliamWeird1313 · April 21, 2011, 03:09:34 AM

No love for Devil's Rain. SHAME!

It's got a black-eyed William Shatner, a melted-face John Travolta, and a satan-worshipping goat-horned Borgnine. What's not to love?!?

Flick James · April 21, 2011, 09:29:58 AM

Quote from: WilliamWeird1313 on April 21, 2011, 03:09:34 AM

No love for Devil's Rain. SHAME!

It's got a black-eyed William Shatner, a melted-face John Travolta, and a satan-worshipping goat-horned Borgnine. What's not to love?!?

I only listed movies I've seen, but now that you mention this one I will put it on my "to see" list.

retrorussell · April 21, 2011, 06:00:04 PM

I always liked Ernest, as weird-looking as he is. One of my faves of his was a rather unknown 1974 flick VENGEANCE IS MINE. Great acting chops.

MrMari · April 24, 2011, 10:19:07 AM

Loved him in Poseidon Adventure. My friends and I still shout out "Preacher!!!!!" whenever we see a movie with him.

And who can forget his epic performance in Super Fuzz

SUPA SUPAAAAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sByx33TUGZU

Allhallowsday · April 24, 2011, 05:43:05 PM

Don't forget Cabbie in ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckvDo2JHB7o