If you ask us, Kirk Douglas is one of the most remarkable of the Hollywood legends.
For example, he was a big Movie Star when he agreed to work with a young and relatively unknown director named Stanley Kubrick in Paths of Glory (1957). Or how about the time Douglas helped give blacklisted scriptwriter Dalton Trumbo proper screen credit for Spartacus (1960). Among other things, Douglas is also a philanthropist and author of 11 (!) books.
Today, we’re going to gush about Kirk Douglas, the actor. If you’re not familiar with him and are wondering why the fuss, you should see one of his films. He’s a handsome and charismatic screen presence, one who makes a good film even better.
We’ve been a Kirk Douglas fan ever since we first saw him in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). We watched this film on TV during our angst-ridden teenage years and, while we were impressed by the turtleneck-clad James Mason, we were enthralled with larger-than-life Douglas. His character has a Big Personality that gets him into Big Trouble.
Here’s a quick scene from the film:
Now, you’re likely wondering how one might become a such a legend, to do things like frolic in the ocean and get higher billing than James Mason.
Well, wonder no more. Here is the Recipe for Making a Kirk Douglas.
Ingredients
1 Dazzling Smile
2½ Doses of Ambition
10 Bushels of Talent
Directions
- Choose versatile roles and mix well. If you look at two of Douglas’ earliest roles in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) and Out of the Past (1947), you’ll see two very different characters. In Ivers, Douglas is a frustrated, troubled man who silences his conscience with hard liquor. In Past, he’s a charming underworld boss who slaps you on the back even as he plans to kill you.
- Fold in socially-conscious movies. In the early 1950s, Douglas played anti-heroes in films that are almost more relevant today than they were when first released. For example, in Ace in the Hole (1951), Douglas plays a manipulative journalist whose decisions lead to tragedy. In The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), he’s a narcissistic Hollywood studio executive who mercilessly uses and casts people aside.
- Add other heroes to your films, even if you get less screen time. Look at Douglas’ role in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), where he plays the self-destructive Doc Holliday to Burt Lancaster’s righteous Wyatt Earp. Douglas doesn’t overtake Lancaster in this film, even though he could have. Instead, he develops an on-screen partnership with his co-star, a technique he repeats in the 1964 political thriller Seven Days in May. In the latter film, Douglas portrays a conflicted army officer who nearly steals the movie when he confronts a traitorous Lancaster .
- Knead in television and character roles. In the 1970s, Douglas began making more television appearances, including Arthur Hailey’s The Moneychangers (1976) and, more recently, Empire State Building Murders (2008). Yet he continued making an impact on the big screen in films such as the Australian hit The Man from Snowy River (1982) and the intergenerational It Runs in the Family (2003).
- Sprinkle with awards. In addition to his Academy Award/Golden Globe nominations, Douglas has received many accolades, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild and – get this – the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
We hope that, on December 9, you’ll raise a glass in honour of a true Hollywood legend: the fabulous Kirk Douglas.
December 9, 2016 marks Kirk Douglas’ 100th Birthday. Photo: Parade
Notes:
This post is a very early contribution to the Kirk Douglas 100th Birthday Blogathon, hosted by Shadows and Satin. Click HERE to see all the fab entries!
Silver Screenings 
Kirk Douglas is one of my favorite old film stars! 🙂
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Mine too! I can’t think of one performance I don’t like.
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Um, I loved this! Kirk Douglas is one of my favorites and your post pointed out why beautifully. I think one of my most loved movie moments is when he performs “A Whale of a Tale” in 20,000 Leagues. So much fun.
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I agree – “A Whale of a Tale” is fabulous, as is Kirk himself. I’m glad Shadows & Satin is hosting a 100th B-day blogathon because I’ve been wanting to do a tribute to him for some time.
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o/t, but can I assume your NaNoRiWotzit will top the NYT bestsellers list this time next year? Inquisitive minds want to know. Eager fans are waiting for this news.
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Haha! Thanks for asking. No NYT bestseller in my future, but I did have a lot of fun. Ended up finishing 10 days early. The draft is a mess – a LOT of editing ahead – but I’m pleased with how it went. My goal is a non-preachy, socially-conscious YA novel with a bit of wit.
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Oh wow…what an original post. Brilliant.
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Thanks! I was trying to combine two of my favourite things – Kirk Douglas and food. 😉
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Ha! I love the gushing. I’ve only seen a few of these. More to my TBW pile. 😉
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There’s no such thing as too much gushing when it comes to Kirk Douglas.
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Wonderfully done on an actor near to the top when I’m pushed to pick all time faves. I too am gearing up for the birthday bash and look forward to the blogathon. https://mikestakeonthemovies.com/2016/12/03/celebrating-kirk-douglas/
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Thanks! I’ll be checking out your tribute today. So glad Karen at Shadows & Satin is hosting this blogathon. Kirk totally deserves it!
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A great post, Ruth, and very creative. Kirk Douglas is one of the few remaining great movie stars, and has earned the title of “star” in every sense. He’s one of those actors my eyes follow whenever he appears on screen. I hope he’s a healthy 100 years of age. I don’t read enough about him to know for certain.
PS … No mention of his cleft chin? I thought it was in his contact that whenever his name is mentioned, that cleft would be worked into the conversation — kinda like I just did. 🙂
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Haha! Yes, I should’ve mentioned the cleft chin.
I agree that Douglas is a Star in every way. He’s really given us some important, thought-provoking films – and not every actor can say that.
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Nicely done. Kirk Douglas’ entire life is a Whale of a Tale!
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Haha! That’s a great way to put it.
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Fantastic recipe! You were very clever as always. I’d only add a teaspoon of an unmistakeable chin to finish the dish 😉
Kisses!
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Haha! Thanks, Le. Yes, I should have added a dash of the famous chin. 🙂
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Looking at his list of films made me realize how many are among my favorites: Lust for Life, Ace in the hole, Paths of Glory, Out of the Past, The Bad and the Beautiful.
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Yes, me too! I didn’t realize that, either, until I started working on this post.
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What a cool idea for a post. I agree with John above…this made me realize how many of my favorite films Kirk Douglas is in…he’s actually one of my all-time favorite actors and I never knew it.
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Me too! I didn’t realize he was one of my all-time faves until I started working on this post. Funny how that is.
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Ingredient #3 is surely one of the most important and I love you example of SEVEN DAYS IN MAY, in which he plays a smaller–but no less pivotal role–than Lancaster and March.
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I’m so sorry to take FOREVER to read this, Ruth — I’ve been living la vida loca lately. But it was worth the wait! As always, you’ve presented a unique, creative, and interesting way to cover a topic, and as always, I’m left with an even deeper appreciation! Plus, you even managed to get me a little closer to checking out Seven Days in May! 😉 Thanks so much for taking time out from your novel writing to participate in the blogathon — you’re the best!
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Thanks, Karen! I enjoyed the Kirk Douglas Blogathon very much – fabulous idea. I added a few new films to my Must Watch List, and gained a greater appreciation for him, too. 🙂
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Reblogged this on WILDsound Writing and Film Festival Review.
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