Rocks that Move

This post is a part of Goatdog's 1927 Movie Blogathon. Graduate school presented an interesting challenge for me in blogging on movies from 1927. Frankly, I had not seen any movies from 1927, though several are on my list, and my time has been very limited. I study history, however, and so I considered this as a possible angle. What are the historical implications of 1927 and the movie industry? The birth of the "talkie" seemed like a dead horse to beat. "Metropolis" as an innovative moment in the history of science also seemed too typical of a topic. Buster Keaton? No. The birth of the Academy Awards? Been there. Done that. How else could I apply a historical angle to movies and 1927?

What else happened that year? Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs. British troops caused controversy by landing in China. The "Flatheads Gang" committed the first robbery of an armored car. The Great Mississippi Flood displaced 700,000 Americans in one of America's biggest natural disasters. Stalin took over the Soviet Union. Anarchists Sacco and Venzetti were excecuted in Massachusetts. And the BBC was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation. As far as movies were concerned, however, perhaps the most significant historical fact is that people, like they did before and continue to do, were still fucking one other. I mean that literally, not figuratively. People had sex in 1927. Some of the results would go on to become significant parts of movie history.

This is not, I might add, a list of actors and actresses born in 1927. It is a list of actors and actresses who may have been conceived in 1927. We are interested in the results of sex in 1927. Sex is good, and without it we would not have many of our favorite stars. My only regret is that this approach will exclude the great Sydney Poiter, born on a ship on the Caribbean heading for America, on February 20, 1927. I just mentioned him, though, so I feel better already. Janet Leigh, unless prematurely born, also just misses the list. She was born on July 6.

Peter Falk is my first subject, though he is borderline for my list. He was born in New York City on September 16, 1927, so if his parents conceived him on New Year's Day, he would have had to be born early. Maybe he was. In any case, he is not exactly a movie star, but he holds a special place in my heart for playing Fred Savage's grandpa in "The Princess Bride." He was also pretty cool in "Wings of Desire," playing himself. I wonder if he looks more like his mom or his dad? He's a funny lookin' guy.

Across the ocean in another major city called London, Roger Moore was born on October 14, 1927. Let's see... what was he famous for? For the life of me, I cannot remember. It must not have been something all that popular. Anyway, being more a Connery fan, the thing I like best about Roger Moore is his work with UNICEF, helping poverty stricken areas around the world. Now THAT is great secret-agent work.

Speaking of 007, actress Honor Blackman makes this list. Born in London on December 12, 1927, she had a long career in movies and television. Considering the theme of this article, it is ironic that her most famous role was that of "Pussy Galore" in the Bond Classic, "Goldfinger." That might be, perhaps, the worse name in movie history. Perfect.

For me, George C. Scott is the jewel of this list. Scott is one of my all-time favorites, though it is debatable whether he did a decent movie after 1970. Nonetheless, his roles in "Dr. Strangelove" and "Patton" are classics we would not have if not for the monkey business of George, Sr. and Helen Scott on October 18, 1927 in Wise, Virginia. Get it on! Woo!

Because we are dealing with conceptions, Jeanne Moreau makes our list, despite being born in 1928 on January 23. Moreau is one of France's all-time greatest actresses. I have only seen her in "Jules and Jim," and she was, indeed, the best part of the film; and also in 1990's "La Femme Nikita," playing the small part of Amande. That said, a number of her films are on my "I gotta see 'em" list: "The 400 Blows," "The Trial.," and the original "Dangerous Liasons." Amazingly, the 79 year old actress is still making films, with "Disengagement" coming out sometime next year.

Awwww.... she is so CUTE! Shirley Temple is easily the most famous child actress of all time. Sometime in the summer of 1927 her parents did the nasty, and we got "The Little Princess." Born on April 23, 1928, little Shirley also went on to become a Republican diplomat. Yuck. Though I admire any woman who makes a name in the political realm, I definitely like her "Animal Crackers" cuteness better.

Stanley Kubrick was born on July 26, 1928. I am not too certain what to say about him, being that he is one of the all-time great directors and has been written about extensively. All I know is that we would not have such classic films as "Paths of Glory," "Spartacus," "Dr. Strangelove," "Lolita," "Barry Lyndon," "2001," "A Clockword Orange," and "The Shining" if Dr. Jacques Kubrick and his darling wife, Gertrude, had not had a really good night sometime in November of 1927.

James Coburn is another favorite of mine, being born on August 31, 1928. Coburn had an enormous and diverse acting career, starting off playing small tough guy roles on television. He moved on up to movies in the 60s, with roles in "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape," and "Our Man Flint." The rest is history. He was one of my dad's favorites, and I remember sitting up late at night with pops watching "The Cross of Iron" on television. Coburn won an Oscar for his supporting role in 1998's "Affliction," but even the kiddies reading this know him. He was the voice of Henry J. Waternoose in "Monsters, Inc."

These are the greatest hits of 1927 sex, as far as movies are concerned. Tonight, when you're cuddled up in bed with your loved one, do not just fall asleep! A future Oscar-winning actor, prolific movie director, or Bond girl could be lost to future generations.

Other notable possible 1927 conceptions:

Birthdate: Name (Notable Movies)
Oct. 1, 1927: Tom Bosley (Confessions, O'Hara's Wife)
Oct. 31, 1927: Lee Grant (In the Heat of the Night, Valley of the Dolls, Muholland Drive)
Nov. 28, 1927: Chuck Mitchell (Porky's, Porky's Revenge)
Dec. 26, 1927: Alan King (Hit the Deck, Casino, Sunshine State)
Dec. 26, 1927: Denis Quilley (Anne of a Thousand Days, Murder on the Orient Express)
Jan. 26, 1928: Roger Vadim (Barbarella, Dangerous Liasons, Blood and Roses)
Mar. 19, 1928: Patrick McGoohan (Escape from Alcatraz, Ice Station Zebra, Braveheart)
Apr. 1, 1928: Jane Powell (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers)
Apr. 1, 1928: George Grizzard (Wonder Boys, Flags of our Fathers)
Apr. 7, 1928: James Garner (The Great Escape, Support Your Local Sheriff)
May. 23, 1928: Rosemary Clooney (White Christmas)
Jun. 19, 1928: Nancy Marchand (The Bostonians, Jefferson in Paris)
Jul. 5, 1928: Warren Oates (In the Heat of the Night, Dillinger, Blue Thunder)
Sep. 19, 1928: Adam West (Batman)
Oct. 1, 1928: George Peppard (Breakfast at Tiffany's)

For more blog posts from Goatdog's 1927 Blogathon, check out this link!
http://goatdog.com/blog/archives/the_1927_blogathon.html