Java's 10 Favorite Classic Movie Stars

These are Classic Movie Stars who made it big in Hollywood's Classic Era (1930s - mid1960s) and big on Java's list of 10 stars (among many) to watch.
[A nod to the Hollywood Dreamland blog for the idea].

In no particular order they are these:

10) Bob Hope

First Movie That I Saw Him In: Road To Morocco (1942)
Two Favorite Movies: Fancy Pants (1950), Give Me a Sailor (1938)

One Reason That I Enjoy His Work: This comedian seems rarely to rest on his jokes. He'll snap out a one-liner and then will proceed straight for the next before you've finished laughing. This means you end up rewatching the film to see what you've missed and fall in love with Hope all over again.

9) Thelma Ritter

First Movie That I Saw Her In: Pillow Talk (1959)
Two Favorite Movies: Father Was A Fullback (1949), A Letter To Three Wives (1949)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: This character actress can make any dialogue interesting, funny and relatable. She brings humanity and common sense to scenes that may otherwise seem false or overblown.

8)Bette Davis

First Movie That I Saw Her In: The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941)
Two Favorite Movies: All About Eve (1950), The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: Time and again, people write about the indomitable spirit of this actress. It is that presence that brings me back to her films. She can chew scenery and spit out dialogue like no one else.

7) Sidney Poitier


First Movie That I Saw Him In: To Sir, With Love (1967)
Two Favorite Movies: No Way Out (1950), In The Heat Of The Night (1967)

One Reason That I Enjoy His Work: "Dignity. Always dignity," as Don Lockwood says. Poitier's presence on screen is arresting. I'm forever watching his eyes wondering what he would really say if his character were allowed to say it. He retains his cool when, given the circumstances that his characters are often in, he must be burning up inside. Fascinating actor.

6) Jean Arthur

First Movie That I Saw Her In: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939)
Two Favorite Movies: The More The Merrier (1943), You Can't Take It With You (1938)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: She is very generous with her costars, never seems worried about outshining anyone, she's just naturally the person you follow on the screen. Plus her voice is so unique that you can't help but pay attention to whatever she's saying.

5)Martha Raye

First Movie That I Saw Her In: College Swing (1938)
Two Favorite Movies: Give Me A Sailor (1938), Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: She can keep up with and surpass any comic business her counterpart(s) dredge up. Infectious personality, that one.

4) Cary Grant

First Movie That I Saw Him In: The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Two Favorite Movies: His Girl Friday (1940), I Was a Male War Bride (1949)

One Reason That I Enjoy His Work: Sure, he looks good in a tux; he looks even better with a one-liner dangling from his lips. And I'm with Audrey: how does he shave in there?

3)Deanna Durbin

First Movie That I Saw Her In: It Started With Eve (1941)
Two Favorite Movies: It Started With Eve (1941), That Certain Age (1938)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: Even in her character's more dramatic situations, she will arch that eyebrow (showing that she's completely in control) which makes me smile.

2)Ann Miller

First Movie That I Saw Her In: On The Town (1949)
Two Favorite Movies: Hit The Deck (1955), Easter Parade (1948)

One Reason That I Enjoy Her Work: Effervescent personality, quick tongue and killer tap dancing skills (Ok, so that's more than one reason.)

1)Tyrone Power

First Movie That I Saw Him In: Jesse James (1939)
Two Favorite Movies: The Mark of Zorro (1940) , Witness For The Prosecution (1957)

One Reason That I Enjoy His Work: If ever a man buckled a swash, Tyrone would be one. Although he's known for playing hero parts, I'm often drawn to his bad boy exploits on film.