True Hollywood royalty passed away yesterday... Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. has died. Raised by his world famous iconic father and the legendary Mary Pickford... romantically involved with Marlene Dietrich and Tallulah Bankhead among others... married at one time to Joan Crawford... knighted by the British... he starred in some of the top films that both preceeded and followed World War II. Some of Father Geek's favorites are not necessarily his most famous. They include 1921's THREE MUSKETEERS (with his father), LITTLE CAESAR (1930), SCARLET DAWN (1932), RAGE OF PARIS (1938), CORSICAN BROTHERS (1941), and SINBAD THE SAILOR (1947). Of course I also love the really famous ones that make everyone's lists. My father was a real fan of Doug's and as a result I grew up watching his 50's TV series DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JUNIOR PRESENTS... , while Dad recounted the heroic tales of his war exploits.
During the second World War Doug was not content to stay at home making war effort films. Early in WWII Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was assigned to British Commando forces as part of the allied officer exchange program. He participated in several cross channel harrassment raids on the Nazi sea wall defenses from the Isle of Wright which
was the forward base for such activities. It was during these raids that naval Lieutenant
Fairbanks gained a true appreciation for the high military art of stealth and deception.
When he was re-attached to US command he was a leader in organizing and planning the operations of the US Navy Commando forces known as Beach Jumpers in North Africa and Italy. For his planning the diversion-deception operations that helped free Italy and
his active part in the amphibious assault on Southern France, Lieutenant Commander Douglas
Fairbanks, Jr., was awarded the U.S. Navy Legion of Merit with bronze V (for valor), The
Italian War Cross for Military Valor, the French Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de
Guerre with Palm and the British Distingusih Service Cross.
Commander Fairbanks was in the South Pacific working on deception schemes to support the scheduled British invasion
landings on Singapore when the war ended. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., retired as a Captain,
USNR.
One of Father Geek's favorite actors from the 30's and late 40's I will miss the fact that his spirit is no longer actively among us. I do, of course have dozens of his films to visit over and over, as well as his magnificant image on the beautiful SINBAD THE SAILOR 1-sheet poster that graces the hallway between our living room and Harry's bedroom that I walk pass everyday.
Here's what Uncapie had to say today about Sir Doug...
When he was re-attached to US command he was a leader in organizing and planning the operations of the US Navy Commando forces known as Beach Jumpers in North Africa and Italy. For his planning the diversion-deception operations that helped free Italy and
his active part in the amphibious assault on Southern France, Lieutenant Commander Douglas
Fairbanks, Jr., was awarded the U.S. Navy Legion of Merit with bronze V (for valor), The
Italian War Cross for Military Valor, the French Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de
Guerre with Palm and the British Distingusih Service Cross.
Commander Fairbanks was in the South Pacific working on deception schemes to support the scheduled British invasion
landings on Singapore when the war ended. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., retired as a Captain,
USNR.
One of Father Geek's favorite actors from the 30's and late 40's I will miss the fact that his spirit is no longer actively among us. I do, of course have dozens of his films to visit over and over, as well as his magnificant image on the beautiful SINBAD THE SAILOR 1-sheet poster that graces the hallway between our living room and Harry's bedroom that I walk pass everyday.
Here's what Uncapie had to say today about Sir Doug...
One of Father Geek's favorite actors from the 30's and late 40's I will miss the fact that his spirit is no longer actively among us. I do, of course have dozens of his films to visit over and over, as well as his magnificant image on the beautiful SINBAD THE SAILOR 1-sheet poster that graces the hallway between our living room and Harry's bedroom that I walk pass everyday.
Here's what Uncapie had to say today about Sir Doug...
Chief Uncapie plays taps for "Sergeant Ballantine."
Douglas Fairbanks, Junior has died at the age of 90.
Born, December 9, 1909, son of the great silent star, Douglas Fairbanks, he followed in his father's footsteps on to the silver screen gracing it with his charismatic charm, dashing looks and athletic ability.
His first marriage to Joan Crawford lasted only four years. He married twice after that and had three daughters.
Mr. Fairbanks was awarded the Silver Star for service beyond the call of duty during combat during World War II and was knighted by the Queen Of England, earning him the title of "Sir Douglas Fairbanks, Junior" for his furthering of "Anglo-American" activity in 1947.
Some of his famous roles were in "The Dawn Patrol", "The Fighting O'Flynn", "Ghost Story", as "Rupert Of Hentzau" the likable villain you loved to hate in the 1937 version of "The Prisoner Of Zenda" and "Sergeant Ballantine" in the immortal adventure, "Gunga Din."
A gentleman actor with a heart of gold that the likes of will live on the silver screen forever.
"You're a better man than I am, Douglas Fairbanks, Junior."
Uncapie
Now for a short sentiment from Mark...
I know that you are busy, but was hoping to see something on the site about the passing of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. today. I don't know if you can get any more cool than what he did in the Prisoner of Zenda, Gunga Din, Corsican Brothers, or when he teamed up with Howard Hawks in the Dawn Patrol.
Keep up the good work!
Mark
And here's a brief note from Shaft...
Best known as a swashbuckler. You might want to mention that he has passed on in the cool news, even though it ain't so cool.
Shaft
The Washington Post had this to say about him...
...Fairbanks may have inherited his screen legend father's broad, rakish smile and trim figure, but... the younger Fairbanks had a more sophisticated energy that enlivined scores of workmanlike dramas and light comedys of the 1930's... The vast majority of his movies where made before 1940 at which point Fairbanks began devoting his time to World War Two efforts... From 1939 to 41 he was a member of the British War Relief Association... In 1941 President Roosevelt appointed him as Special Envoy to several Latin American countries. In December of 1941 he entered active Naval duty... His assignments included serving in British Adm. Lord Louis Mountbatten's commando operations... He continued to act in stage plays, even into his later years... Fairbanks told the Washington Post in 1982... "Like any good gambler, I quit while I was ahead... I'd much rather have people ask me why I stopped acting instead of; Why don't you stop acting?"
Adam Bernstein
