by Louise Riveiro - Mitchell

Created on: September 06, 2009

Many of our movies today lack the charisma and style of those years ago. Those stars came on the screen and became their characters. They did it with such style and grace it was as if there were playing themselves. These are the actors of yesteryear that will live on and on long after we have passed.

In 1938 when David O Selznick was in a quest for his "Scarlett" the fans of Margaret Mitchell's novel had only one man to play "Rhett", Clark Gable. When Selznick paired Gable and Vivian Leigh for the staring roles in Gone With The Wind, he not only had a box office hit and the most famous movie of all time he created a classic that still leaves audiences breathless

In the 1930's a nineteen year old Olivia de Haviland was chosen to play the romantic interest for the dashing and endearing rouge Errol Flynn. The two would go on to star with each other in seven more movies after Captain Blood Their chemistry was perfect and the audiences loved them together.

Will there ever be another young Jefferson Davis Smith to take the place of James Stewart? His slow drawl and easy manner made him the perfect naive junior senator, and also perfect for such westerns as Broken Arrow, Two Rode Together, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Shenandoah..

There cannot be a list here without including Bogie. The tough guy who always knew the right moves and when paired with the sultry Lauren Bacall " Baby" no one else mattered on the screen.

Whether Judah, Ben Hur or Moses, no one brought those biblical characters to life then Charleton Heston. Let's not forget he also had other roles,he was Andrew Jackson in the Buccaneer, also William Clark, and who could forget Planet Of The Apes.

James Cagney who danced his way through Yankee Doodle Dandy and some fancy foot work too.

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird - a wonderful story by Harper Lee - brought to life by Mr Peck's performance.

Everyone's "Mr Roberts" Henry Fonda and let's not forget My Darling Clementine.

Tyrone Power bringing us back to ole California when he played the masked man Zorro.

Glen Ford in his portrayal of Jubal one that is still a favorite of mine.

Jack Lemmon who had the ability to do a comedy as well as a drama.

Cary Grant who never really said the words ...."Judy Judy Judy" but gave us so many wonderful hours of entertainment with his talent.

The list could go on this is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak and many of these will always be remembered for giving so many, many hours of entertainment and joy. I wish we had this kind of talent again.

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