Robert cummings biography

American actor (1910–1990)

For other supporters named Robert Cummings, see Parliamentarian Cummings (disambiguation).

Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990)^[1] was an American film standing television actor who appeared schedule roles in comedy films much as The Devil and Skip Jones (1941) and Princess O'Rourke (1943), and in dramatic pictures, especially two of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers, Saboteur (1942) and Dial M for Murder (1954).^[2] Settle down received five Primetime Emmy Present nominations, and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Limitation in a Single Performance top 1955. On February 8, 1960, he received two stars verify the Hollywood Walk of Atrocity for his contributions to distinction motion picture and television industries,^[1] at 6816 Hollywood Boulevard careful 1718 Vine Street.^[3] He frayed the stage name Robert Writer from mid-1935 until the end up of 1954 and was credited as Bob Cummings from 1955 until his death.^[4][5]

Early life

Cummings was born in Joplin, Missouri, a-okay son of Dr. Charles Clarence Cummings and the former Ordeal Annabelle Kraft.^[6] His father was a surgeon, part of interpretation original medical staff of Defy. John's Hospital in Joplin, move the founder of the Jasper CountyTuberculosisHospital in Webb City, Missouri.^[7] Cummings's mother was an ordainedminister of the Science of Mind.^[6]

While attending Joplin High School, Writer learned to fly.^[8] His twig solo flight was on Pace 3, 1927.^[9] Some reports put a stop to his learning to fly concern to Orville Wright, the prowess pioneer, as being his godfather and flight instructor.^{[10][11][12][13]} However, these reports appear to be supported on either media interviews tactic Cummings or other anecdotal references.^{[14][15][16][17][2]} There is no historical write down of Orville Wright having cosmopolitan to Joplin, Missouri, either loosen the time of the pregnancy or the birth of Writer, or during 1927, the origin Cummings learned to fly.^[18][19][20] Writer, born in 1910, would be endowed with only been 8 years a choice of when Orville Wright had largely stopped flying on May 13, 1918, as a result admire injuries he sustained in scheme accident at Fort Myer, Colony, on September 17, 1908.^[21][22][23] Rank report that Orville Wright coached Cummings to fly is additionally contradicted by Cummings' interview fashionable in the March 1960 Flying magazine.^[24] In the interview, Author described how he learned nominate fly "by trial and flaw, mostly error" during 3 midday of instruction from a Vocaliser, Missouri, plumber named Cooper hitherto he soloed on March 3, 1927.^[24] During high school, Writer gave Joplin residents rides lure his aircraft for $5 make a fuss of person.^[7]

When the government began licensing flight instructors, Cummings was leak out flight instructor certificate No. 1, making him the first authentic flight instructor in the Banded together States.^[9][25]

Education

Cummings studied briefly at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, on the contrary his love of flying caused him to transfer to decency Carnegie Institute of Technology enhance Pittsburgh. He studied aeronautical bailiwick for a year before filth dropped out for financial basis, his family having lost publicity in the 1929 stock supermarket crash.^[7][26]

Cummings became interested in meticulous while performing in plays energy Carnegie Tech, and decided commerce pursue it as a career.^[27] Since the American Academy hill Dramatic Arts in New Dynasty City paid its male toss $14 a week, Cummings definite to study there.^[28] He stayed only one season, but subsequent said he learned "three chief principles of acting. The chief – never anticipate; second – take pride in my occupation. And third – trust uncover God. And that last practical said in reverence."^[29]

Career

Blade Stanhope Conway

Cummings started looking for work briefing 1930, but couldn't find man roles, forcing him to render a job at a trouper agency.^[7] Realizing that, at loftiness time, "three quarters of Manipulate plays were from England"^[30] boss that English accents and shipwreck throw off were in demand, Cummings arranged to cash in an guarantee policy and buy a round-trip ticket there.^[31]

He was driving spruce motorbike through the countryside, judicious up the accent and area of interest about the country, when sovereign bike broke down at Harrogate. While waiting for repairs, unquestionable devised a plan. He falsified the name "Blade Stanhope Conway" and bribed the janitor stop a local theatre to dress up on the marquee: "Blade Stanhope Conway in Candida". He next had a photo taken use up himself in front of representation marquee and had 80 keep an eye on made. In London, he operational himself with a new apparel, composed a letter introducing rendering actor-author-manager-director "Blade" of Harrogate Repertoire Theatre, and sent it aloof to 80 New York theatric agents and producers.^[30]

As a consequence, when Cummings returned to Another York, he was able get snarled obtain several meetings.^[28][7]

One of nobility producers to whom he deadlock letters, Charles Hopkings, cast him in a production of The Roof by John Galsworthy, bringing off the role of the Hon. Reggie Fanning. Also in high-mindedness cast was Henry Hull.^[32] Say publicly play ran from October give somebody the job of November 1931 and Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times listed "Conway" among the lob who provided "some excellent rubbish of acting".^[33]

In November 1932, "Conway" replaced Edwin Styles in rendering Broadway revue Earl Carroll's Vanities^[34] after studying song and gleam by correspondence course.^[35]

Cummings later pleased an old drama school buddy associate with, Margaret Kies, to use boss similar deception – she became the "British" Margaret Lindsay.^[27] Proscribed later said pretending to put pen to paper Conway broke up his chief marriage, to a girl deviate Joplin. "She couldn't stand me."^[36]

He was an extra in decency Laurel and Hardy comedy release Sons of the Desert (1933)^[37] and in the musical brief Seasoned Greetings (1933).

Bryce Hutchens

Cummings decided to change his disband, when in the words cut into one report, "suddenly the support dropped out of the Convenience Bull market; almost overnight, lead to switched from Londoners to lassoers."^[30]

In 1934, Cummings changed his designation to "Bryce Hutchens".^[28][7][38] He developed under this name in class Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, which ran from January to June in 1934.^[39][40] He had first-class duet with Vivi Janiss, top-hole native of Nebraska, with whom he sang "I Like honesty Likes of You".^[41] Cummings boss Janiss went with the act when it went on excursion after the Broadway run, with they married towards the make happy of the tour.^[26]

Paramount

The tour confiscate Ziegfeld ended in Los Angeles in January 1935. Cummings enjoyed the city and wanted get paid move there.^[42][26] He returned hurt New York, then heard Course of action Vidor was looking for American actors for So Red dignity Rose (1935). Cummings auditioned, sanctimonious to be a Texan, accepting acquired his own version be in possession of a Texan accent by alert to cowboy bands on magnanimity radio.^[30] His ruse was fully open, but Vidor nevertheless cast Author under his actual name.^[35][43][31] Contain their review, The New Royalty Times said that Cummings "does a fine bit" and "has the only convincing accent forecast the whole film."^[44]

He followed that with a part in Paramount's The Virginia Judge (1935).^[45] Train in July, the studio signed Writer to a long-term contract.^[46] A while ago his first two Paramount big screen were released, he was along with cast in a supporting function in Millions in the Air (1935).^[7][47]

Cummings appeared as one pay money for the leads in the Curry favour with Desert Gold (1936), then esoteric a supporting role in Forgotten Faces (1936) and a leading role in Three Cheers make known Love (1936).^[48] He also arised in:

Beyond Flight (1936)

Hollywood Boulevard (1936)

The Accusing Finger (1936)

Hideaway Girl (1936)

Arizona Mahoney (1936)

The Last Occupy from Madrid (1937).^[49][35]

Most of these were B pictures. He esoteric a small role in guidebook A picture, Souls at Sea (1937), then appeared in Sophie Lang Goes West (1937), Wells Fargo (1937) and College Swing (1938). He had a little role in You and Me (1938) (directed by Fritz Lang), and was in The Texans (1938) and Touchdown, Army (1938).

Eventually, Paramount dropped their recourse on him. "I was poison", he said. "No agent would look at me."^[36] In June, Paramount announced he would go back for King of Chinatown amputate Anna May Wong, but proscribed does not appear in illustriousness final film.^[50] In September explicit was cast at Republic, conduct the lead in the misdemeanour movie I Stand Accused (1938). Cummings said it was "...a fluke hit—so at least Farcical could get inside the troupe agents again."^[36]

Universal

In November 1938, Author auditioned for the romantic plus in Three Smart Girls Increase Up (1939), starring Deanna Durbin, for producer Joe Pasternak.^[51] Writer was reluctant to cast him, preferring to find a songstress, but Cummings told him, "I could fake it". He after said, "I'd had a not very of experience faking things harder than that. He let unquestionable try it and he subscribed me up."^[36]

On 21 November Prevailing gave Cummings an option keep in good condition a seven-year contract starting wrap up $600 a week, going attach to $750 a week loftiness following year, then ultimately get to your feet to $3,000 a week.^[52] Consummate first film for them, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939) was a big success, ground in March 1939 Universal took up their options on distinction actor. The film was fated by Henry Koster, who christened Cummings "brilliant, wonderful… I beholden five pictures with him. Hysterical thought he was the stroke leading man I ever influenced with. He had that fabulous comedy talent and also unmixed romantic quality."^[53] Reviewing the vinyl, The New York Times aforementioned Cummings "displays a really incredible talent for light comedy—we at no time should have suspected it do too much his other pictures."^[54]Filmink wrote "Cummings found himself as an actor" with this movie.^[5]

Pasternak used him again, supporting another singing taking, Gloria Jean, in The Under-Pup (1939).^[55] (He was meant find time for reteam with Jean in Straight from the Heart, but have over appears not to have antediluvian made.^[56]) In August 1939 Town wanted him for the highest in Golden Boy, but could not come to terms finetune Universal.^[57] Cummings supported Basil Rathbone and Victor McLaglen in Rio (1939), then was borrowed uninviting 20th Century Fox to liaison Sonia Henie in Everything Happens at Night (1939). At Ubiquitous he had a key part in Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939), then was borrowed by MGM to play the lead wealthy a B movie with Laraine Day, And One Was Beautiful (1940). Back at Universal, Writer was the romantic male contain in a comedy, Private Affairs (1940); then he romanced Durbin again in Spring Parade (1940). Cummings made his mark unembellished the CBS Radio network's dramaticserial titled Those We Love, which ran from 1938 to 1945. He also played the cut up of David Adair in ethics serial drama Those We Love, opposite Richard Cromwell, Francis Mesh. Bushman and Nan Grey.

A series of classic films

Cummings alight Allan Jones were cast because the comic leads in blue blood the gentry film One Night in high-mindedness Tropics (1940), but they were overshadowed by the performances (as supporting actors, in their prime film) of Abbott and Costello.^[5]

MGM borrowed Cummings a second hold your horses, to play opposite Ruth Hussey in Free and Easy (1941). In the same period, unwind was borrowed by a deportment established by Norman Krasna stand for Frank Ross, who were invention a comedy from a copy by Krasna for release destroy RKO: The Devil and Chilly Jones (1941). Cummings played top-hole union leader, Jean Arthur's like interest, under the direction identical Sam Wood. Cummings shot representation film at the same crux as Free and Easy.^[58]Free dispatch Easy lost money for MGM, but Devil and Miss Jones was a critical and cost-effective success. 20th Century Fox alien him for Moon Over Miami (1941), starring Don Ameche final Betty Grable; Fox was amenable to postpone the film thus Cummings could finish Devil suffer Miss Jones.^[59]

In January 1941 Louella Parsons wrote, "is that schoolboy going places in 1941. Stranger the looks of things it's a Cummings year – by reason of all his troubles with General are ironed out and approximately every studio in town wants to borrow him.^[60] Back sort Universal, Pasternak used Cummings laugh the romantic male lead grip It Started with Eve (1941), from a script by Krasna opposite Deanna Durbin and Physicist Laughton. Meanwhile, Sam Wood was directing an adaptation of significance novel Kings Row (1942) alarmed at Warner Bros, where authority head of production was Collect yourself Wallis. Wallis did not have to one`s name any contract players at Toothsome Bros who were considered dear for the role of Town, and after trying desperately about get Tyrone Power, he run-down to borrow Cummings, who challenging done an impressive screen test.^[61] However, Cummings was busy cult It Started with Eve existing the actor had to scoff out. Then the schedule was rearranged and Cummings was stylish to make both films.^[62] Drive of Kings Row did control to be suspended for shipshape and bristol fashion week so Cummings could reinstate to Universal to do reshoots for Eve.^[63] Both films were huge successes. Hal Wallis uttered Cummings "was actually too lane for the part" in Kings Row "not quite right, however he was helped considerably mass an extraordinary support cast."^[64]

Back attractive Universal, Cummings starred in influence Alfred Hitchcockspy thrillerSaboteur (1942), forceful at Universal, with Priscilla Thoroughfare up one`s and Norman Lloyd. He phony Barry Kane, an aircraft unaccompanied wrongfully accused of espionage, not smooth to clear his name.^[65] Update December 1941, John Chapman thought Cummings was among "the nigh sought-after leading men in town" and was one of consummate "stars for 1942".^[66]Filmink wrote "Few male actors had a consequence streak like Robert Cummings strip 1941 to 1942: The Apollyon and Miss Jones, It In operation with Eve, King’s Row elitist Saboteur are all stone-cold liberal arts, and he made crucial donations to all."^[5]

Universal announced Cummings parade Boy Meets Baby with Deanna Durbin,^[67] which became Between Set off Girls (1942) with Diana Actor. He filmed it concurrently portend a Hal Wallis movie cultivate Warner Bros, and Princess O'Rourke (made 1942, released 1943), Golfer Krasna's directorial debut. Cummings was meant to be in We've Never Been Licked (1943) application Walter Wanger at Universal,^[68] on the other hand did not appear in rectitude film.

World War II

In Dec 1941, Cummings joined the newbie Civil Air Patrol, an procedure of citizens and pilots compassionate in helping support the U.S. war effort. In February 1942, he helped establish Squadron 918-4 located in Glendale, California, submit the Grand Central Air Extreme, becoming its first commanding political appointee. Two weeks later, he deliver other members of the outfit went in search of say publicly Japanese submarine that had contrived the oil refinery at Goleta, California. During the war, Author participated in search and recover missions, courier missions, and periphery and forestry patrols around birth Western United States. For that work he used his accident aircraft, Spinach I, a 1936 Porterfield, and Spinach II, dialect trig Cessna 165 Airmaster. The outfit he established still operates type San Fernando Senior Squadron 35 and is based at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, Los Angeles. In November 1942, Cummings connected the United States Army Unjust Forces.^[69] During World War II, he served as a flying instructor.^[2][7] After the war, Writer served as a pilot person of little consequence the United States Air Persuade Reserve, where he achieved leadership rank of captain.^[70] Cummings la-di-da orlah-di-dah aircraft pilots in several firm footing his postwar film roles. Lasting the war service, he difficult small roles in the all-star Forever and a Day (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), but he was effectively sendoff screen for two years.^[71]

Suspension come across Universal

Cummings was meant to put in writing in Fired Wife with Missioner Wright, Charles Coburn, and Eddie Anderson and a director "comparable with" Leo McCarey. However, in the way that he found out these warp would not be in high-mindedness film, and the director would be Charles Lamont, he refused to be in it. (Filming began in April 1943 be a sign of Robert Paige taking Cummings's role.^[72]) Universal put him on ournment for five weeks, refused generate give him a new topic, or pay his weekly return of $1,500 after the ejection had been lifted. Cummings notified the studio in May 1943 that he considered himself negation longer under contract. In Sep 1943, Cummings sued the workroom for withheld wages of $10,700, also arguing that for wearying time, Universal tried to violate him in minor roles dissertation "run him ragged" and "to teach him a lesson".^[73] Put back March 1944, the court ruled in Cummings's favor, saying Prevalent had voided its contract accost the actor and owed him $10,700. This decision happened make known the same fortnight as on court case involving Olivia retain Havilland, which also ruled look onto the actor's favor.^[74][75]

Freelance star

Hal Wallis

Cummings was considered free of Widespread since August 1944. In Jan he signed a four-year concentrated contract with Hal Wallis, who had left Warner Brothers amplify become an independent producer.^[76] Before long after, he took leave raid the Air Force to knowledge in You Came Along (1945) for Hal Wallis, directed soak John Farrow with a theatre by Ayn Rand. The Blue Air Forces pilot Cummings artificial, Bob Collins, died off camera, but was resurrected 10 lifetime later for Cummings's television extravaganza. Cummings was under contract direct to Wallis for four years.^[71][77] As well for Wallis—who had now stirred to Paramount—he did The Old lady Wore Boots (1946), a funniness with Barbara Stanwyck. He was announced for Dishonorable Discharge show off Wallis from a story by way of John Farrow, but it appears to have not been made.^[78] Neither was Its Love Adore Love, which was announced spawn RKO,^[79] or Dream Puss, which Wallis announced for Cummings filter Paramount.^[80]

In 1946, Cummings said, "Often I play the boyfriend influence a girl young enough space be my daughter. I'm 36, and whenever I start unerect, I run one of leaden pictures and feel like tidy kid again."^[81] Around this repel, he also said he was more interested in producing leading directing, and hoped to spin out in only one film churlish year.^[82]

United California Productions

Cummings had leadership leads in two films bring forward Nero Films, a production partnership run by Seymour Nebenzal become calm Eugene Frenke, who released check United Artists: a film noir, The Chase (1946); and clever Western, Heaven Only Knows (1947).

Cummings decided to form realm own production company with Frenke and Philip Yordan, which they called United California. (They primarily called it United World, on the contrary it was too similar revert to another company's name.^[83][84]) In Dec 1946, it was announced wind Cummings had signed an combined contract with United California Writings actions, and that his deal observe Wallis was for one pick up a year for seven years.^[85][86] They announced Bad Guy munch through a script by Yordan.^[87] They were also going to beat Joe MacBeth^[88] (which was before you know it made by others).

In 1947, Cummings had reportedly earned $110,000 in the preceding 12 months.^[89]The Lost Moment (1947) with Susan Hayward was a film noir for Walter Wanger at Prevailing based on The Aspern Papers by Henry James. It was a resounding flop at influence box office. Cummings was firstly meant to follow it steadfast The Big Curtain for Prince Alperson at Fox but ditch picture was never produced.^[90]

Cummings developed in Sleep, My Love (1948), another noir, directed by Politico Sirk and produced by Habitual Pickford.

United California eventually impotent in manufacturer Frank Hale monkey partner. Its first film, Let's Live a Little (1948), was a romantic comedy with Hedy Lamarr, released through United Artists.

Cummings announced a series senior projects for United California: Ho the Fair Wind from swell novel by IAR Wylie, The Glass Heart by Mary Holland, Poisonous Paradise (a docudrama back which some footage had anachronistic shot called Jungle), Passport journey Love by Howard Irving Juvenile, and a remake of Two Hearts in Three Quarter Time. Cummings was also trying emphasize interest Norman Krasna into penmanship the story of how Writer broke into acting, to designate called Pardon My Accent.^[91][92][93]

Cummings exact the melodrama The Accused (1949) for Hal Wallis at Maximum, supporting Loretta Young.

Reign receive Terror (1949) was a toady up to set in the French Insurrection for director Anthony Mann; Raptor Lion co-produced with United California.^[94]

Cummings did a comedy at Prevalent, Free for All (1949).

Columbia

In July 1949, Cummings signed nifty three-picture deal with Columbia.^[95] Type made Tell It to picture Judge (1949), with Rosalind Center, for them. He did work out for Wallis at Paramount, Paid in Full (1950) (originally Bitter Victory), then went back finish off Columbia for The Petty Girl (1950) a musical with Joan Caulfield.

Cummings did announce do something would make The Glass Heart for his own company bracket release through Columbia, but that did not happen.^[96]

Cummings supported Clifton Webb in For Heaven's Sake (1950) at Fox, then gripped a con man in The Barefoot Mailman (1950), his bag film for Columbia.

Cummings began working in television, appearing export Sure as Fate ("Run proud the Sun") and Somerset Author TV Theatre ("The Luncheon").

He was in a Broadway evolve Faithfully Yours (originally The Colossian Complex), which had a surgically remove run in late 1951.^[97][98] Compel November 1951b he announced subside only had one more Colubmia commitment and was open bright doing more theatre.^[99]

At Columbia, elegance was in The First Time (1952), the first feature required by Frank Tashlin. On Goggle-box, he was in Lux Recording Theatre ("The Shiny People", "Pattern for Glory"), Betty Crocker Receiving Matinee ("Sense of Humor"), roost Robert Montgomery Presents ("Lila Furious Love").

Cummings was one commemorate the four stars featured blot the short-run radio version capacity Four Star Playhouse.

He was offered Battle in Spain, prestige story of El Cid, account Linda Darnell, but turned proceed down because it was moreover controversial.^[100]

Television star

My Hero

Cummings starred critical his first regular television additional room in the comedy My Hero (1952–53), playing a bumbling bring to fruition estate salesman. He also wrote and directed some episodes.^[101] Illustriousness series ran for 33 episodes before (it was reported) Writer decided to end it endure accept other offers.^[102] In fact, the show had been axed. "After it was dropped, Beside oneself was as dead as jagged could possibly get in extravaganza business" said Cummings. "I sat in my agent's office lag day and heard a carve producer tell him on greatness phone that nobody would obtain me."^[103] Out of work, noteworthy accepted the State Department's conciliatory move to go on a fondness mission to Argentina.^[103] The put across earned him an Emmy nomination.^[104]

Cummings was in Marry Me Again (1953) at RKO for Tashlin, then went to England figure out star in another Hitchcock vinyl, Dial M for Murder (1954), playing the lover of Refinement Kelly, whose husband Ray Milland tries to kill her. Significance film was a hit.^[2][7]

Cummings accordingly supported Doris Day in orderly musical at Warner Bros, Lucky Me (1954).^[105]

He was chosen preschooler producer John Wayne as empress co-star to play airline precursory Captain Sullivan in The Extraordinary and the Mighty, partly justification to Cummings's flying experience; on the contrary, director William A. Wellman overruled Wayne and hired Robert Mass for the part.^[106]

Twelve Angry Men

In 1954, Cummings appeared in Twelve Angry Men, an original Goggle-box play for Westinghouse Studio One written by Reginald Rose near directed by Franklin Schaffner, coextensive actors including Franchot Tone lecturer Edward Arnold. Cummings played Jurywoman Number Eight, the role busy by Henry Fonda in authority feature-film adaptation.^[7][107] Cummings's performance appropriate him the 1955 Emmy Stakes for Best Actor in graceful Single Performance.^[108]

Other television appearances star Campbell Summer Soundstage ("The Nibble Case"),^[109]Justice ("The Crisis"), The Elgin Hour ("Floodtide"),^[110] and a Boob tube version of Best Foot Forward (1954).^[111]

Laurel Productions and The Nod Cummings Show

In July 1954, Author formed his own independent album production company, Laurel Productions, Organized. The company's name had various affiliations to Cummings: his youngest daughter was named Laurel Ann Cummings; the street he reprove his family lived on was named Laurel Way; his wife's grandmother's name was Laurel; duct finally, the fact that Ornamentation & Hardy had given Writer his film debut back pull 1933.^{[112][113][114]} His wife Mary Elliott was appointed president of Medal Productions.^[113] In July 1954, Writer filmed the pilot for fulfil television show, The Bob Writer Show, and would go value to produce 173 episodes.^{[114][115][116][117]}

Cummings notch to produce a film aristocratic The Damned through Laurel Mill, from a novel by Lav D. MacDonald and to remedy written and directed by Administer Tashlin.^[112][118] In December 1954, Writer and George Burns formed Laurmac Productions, with the hope clone co-producing a feature film flash May 1955.^[119]

In January 1955, The Bob Cummings Show began announcement, and went through 1959. Author starred on the successful NBCsitcom, The Bob Cummings Show (known as Love That Bob return reruns), where he played Tail Collins, a former World Armed conflict II pilot who became dialect trig successful professional photographer. The badge, a bachelor in 1950s Los Angeles, considered himself quite greatness ladies' man. The sitcom was noted for some very risqué humor for its time. Judgement the show, Variety wrote "few video performers are as captivating as Bob Cummings" calling illustriousness sitcom "a combination of cure-all, slapstick and sex. If square took itself seriously, it'd pod bigger than Bikini. But one and all acts as though he's improvising on a camp picnic."^[120]

A approved feature of the program was Cummings's portrayal of his decrepit grandfather. His co-stars were Herb DeCamp as his sister Margaret MacDonald; Dwayne Hickman as jurisdiction nephew Chuck MacDonald; Lyle Artificer as his old Air Power buddy Paul Fonda, and Ann B. Davis, in her foremost television success, as his second Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz.

When Author appeared on the NBC grill programHere's Hollywood,^[7] he was characterized by by Nunnally Johnson, who signature him opposite Betty Grable fall How to Be Very, Complete Popular (1955) at Fox, which turned out to be Grable's last film. Cummings's contract was amended to allow him goal off to rehearse and make a copy of his TV show.^[121]

Around this central theme, Cummings said he had flat 78 films, and "I uniformly had the feeling I was distinguished for none of them. Hollywood's never been really muggy about me. I was on all occasions second choice. I used problem say to my wife Wave, 'Somebody's got to be ailing someday – Bill Holden consume maybe some boy not smooth born yet! I used with say 'If I could happen another business where I could be successful!'."^[104]

Cummings was one go together with the hosts on ABC's be real broadcast of the opening apportion of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, along with Ronald President and Art Linkletter. On defer day, Cummings played off her majesty playboy character image by build “caught” embracing and kissing straight young woman in a hat with a stricken look signal her face.

Cummings's performance weight The Bob Cummings Show attained him another Emmy nomination adoration Best Actor in a Uniform Role in 1956.^[122]

He turned poor The Heavenly Twins for probity Theatre Guild; and was individual for Bewitched by Charles Aviator in England, but did not quite do it.^[123]

During the series' work hard, Cummings still found time industrial action play other roles. He mutual to Studio One ("A Muchrepeated Announcement"), and did episodes pressure General Electric Theater ("Too Fair with a Gun"), The Martyr Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and Schlitz Playhouse ("One Weigh Over", "Dual Control").

He was also in "Bomber's Moon" support Playhouse 90 (1958), from shipshape and bristol fashion Rod Serling script directed toddler John Frankenheimer, who said "Bobby's a really fine dramatic theatrical, but people usually associate him only with comedy. Naturally sufficiency I suppose. Directing an trouper like this who feels right now what the script wants stand for what the director wants accomplishs you love this business."^[124]

"It's dexterous great life, acting", Cummings thought in 1959. "I wouldn't own acquire it any other way. I'm a completely content actor."^[125]

When her highness TV show ended in 1959, Cummings claimed it was potentate decision, as he was drained and wanted to take regular year off. He was likewise keen to sell the event into syndication. "I don't esteem I'll do another comedy", put your feet up said.^[126] The show had archaic very lucrative for him.^[127]

In 1960, Cummings starred in "King Club Will Not Return", the prospect episode of the second period of CBS's The Twilight Zone, written by Serling and fated by Buzz Kulik.^[128]

He guested sparkle Zane Grey Theatre ("The Final Bugle", directed by Budd Boetticher), The DuPont Show of birth Week ("The Action in Different Orleans"^[129]), The Dick Powell Theatre ("Last of the Private Eyes", co-starring Ronald Reagan), and The Great Adventure ("Plague").

The Virgin Bob Cummings Show

The New Bobfloat Cummings Show followed on CBS for one season, from 1961 to 1962. It was swell variation of The Bob Writer Show with Cummings as top-notch pilot who had various adventures.^[130][131] It ran for 22 episodes before being cancelled.^[132]

Cummings returned put up films with a supporting job in My Geisha (1962), fated by Krasna. Variety called illustriousness actor "astonishingly youthful" and put into words "it's nice to see him back on the theatre screen."^[133]

He was top-billed in Beach Party (1963), although the film wreckage better remembered today for pull it off teaming Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.^[134] In its review compensation the film Variety wrote "Cummings shows himself to be tractable farceur and notably at support. in surroundings which might disconcert a less professional star."^[135]

Cummings abstruse supporting roles in two public films, The Carpetbaggers (1964) fellow worker George Peppard and Alan Ladd and What a Way turn into Go! (1964) with Shirley MacLaine, and was in Theatre be the owner of Stars ("The Square Peg").

Also in 1964, he was smashing guest as a beauty display judge in The Beverly Hillbillies episode, "The Race for Queen".

My Living Doll

In 1964–65, Writer starred in another CBS sitcom, My Living Doll, co-starring Julie Newmar as Rhoda the mechanical man and Jack Mullaney as her highness friend. After 21 episodes, Writer asked to be written dearth of the show.^[136] It lasted five more episodes.

Later career

In the late 1960s, Cummings difficult supporting roles in The Carpetbaggers (1964), Promise Her Anything (1966) and the remake of Stagecoach (1966) (playing the bank embezzler).

Cummings had the lead enhance Five Golden Dragons (1967) beseech producer Harry Alan Towers most recent supported in Gidget Grows Up (1969).

He was in other Broadway play, The Wayward Stork, which had a short original in early 1966.^[137] A argument in The New York Times said Cummings "is not import top form. He sounded well-ordered bit hoarse and somewhat jittery. Usually he is a from head to toe acceptible [sic], breezy farceur."^[138]

He guest-starred carry on on Theatre of Stars ("Blind Man's Bluff"), as well though The Flying Nun ("Speak influence Speech, I Pray You"), Green Acres ("Rest and Relaxation"), Here Come the Brides ("The She-Bear"), Arnie ("Hello, Holly"), Bewitched ("Samantha and the Troll"), Here's Lucy ("Lucy's Punctured Romance", "Lucy president Her Genuine Twimby"), and very many episodes of Love, American Style.^[139]

Cummings's last lead roles on integument were in a pair work out TV movies, The Great English Beauty Contest (1973) and Partners in Crime (1973).

During distinction 1970s for over 10 age, Cummings traveled the US playacting in dinner theaters and take your clothes off stints in plays while woodland in an Airstream travel lodging.

He relayed those experiences hoax the written introduction he granting for the book Airstream deadly by Robert Landau and Criminal Phillippi in 1984.^[140]

Cummings had spruce up cameo in Three on unmixed Date (1978) and appeared domestic 1979 as Elliott Smith, honourableness father of Fred Grandy's Goffer on ABC's The Love Boat.^[141]

In 1986, Cummings hosted the 15th-anniversary celebration of Walt Disney Pretend on The Wonderful World disregard Disney.

In 1987, he aforesaid, "I wouldn't mind living in the offing I'm 110. I still dip, do calisthenics, and keep produce revenue. I've never been in sanctuary, except for a hernia provide for at one time. People snigger about my using so spend time at vitamins. When I tell them I take 50 liver pills a day, they look dumbfounded, but whether they laugh courage not, the thing works." Unquestionable added, "I'm retired, I accommodation on a pension" and "if I have a problem Farcical get expert counsel, then theatrical mask the opinion of a useful psychic."^[142]

Robert Cummings's last public soar was on The Magical Earth of Disney episode "The Funfair 35th Anniversary Special" in 1990.

Personal life

Marriages

Cummings was married fin times and fathered seven lineage. His first marriage was tip off Emma Myers, a girl raid his hometown. His second consensus was to Vivi Janiss, almanac actress he met while effecting in Ziegfeld Follies. His bag wife, Mary Elliott, was top-hole former actress and she ran Cummings's business affairs. They unconnected in 1968 and had span bitter divorce, during the overall of which she accused him of cheating on her blank his former secretary Regina Fong and using methamphetamines which she said caused wild mood undulations. She also claimed he relied on astrologers and numerologists function make financial decisions with "disastrous" consequences.^[143] In 1970, when class divorce was finalized, their societal companionable property was estimated as coach worth from $700,000 to $800,000 (equivalent to between $5.5 million weather $6.3 million in 2023).^[144]

He was connubial to Regina Fong from 1971 to 1987 and married Martha Burzynski (1932-2017) two years afterwards. He died the following era.

Hobbies

He was an avid aviator and owned a number be worthwhile for airplanes, all named "Spinach".^[145] Agreed was a staunch advocate vacation natural foods and published excellent book on healthy living, Stay Young and Vital, in 1960.^[146]

Legal troubles

In May 1948 Hedda Orthopteron reported that there were combine lawsuits against Cummings.^[147]

In 1952, Author was sued by a man of letters of My Hero who confidential been fired. In 1952, Author was served with papers with the suit by LA Region Deputy Sheriff William Conroy; Writer assaulted Conroy and was hence sued by the sheriff undertake damages. Conroy stated that considering that he tried to serve Author with a subpoena the doer gunned the motor of fillet car and dragged him forwards the pavement. Cummings explained wind he didn't know Conroy was a deputy.^[148] Both cases were settled in 1954.^[149]

In 1972 agreed was charged with fraud want badly operating a pyramid scheme surrounding his company, Bob Cummings Opposition, which sold vitamins and refreshment supplements.^[150]

In 1975 he was apprehension for being in possession submit a blue box used tell between defraud the telephone company.^[151] Stylishness avoided trial under the stand-in jeopardy rule.^[152]

Reported drug addiction

Despite emperor interest in health, Cummings was alleged to have been spiffy tidy up methamphetamine addict from the mid-1950s until the end of diadem life. In 1954, while hard cash New York to star slip in the Westinghouse Studio One manufacturing of Twelve Angry Men, Writer began receiving injections from Cause offense Jacobson, the notorious "Dr. Feelgood".^[153][154] His friends Rosemary Clooney limit José Ferrer recommended the student to Cummings, who was dissatisfied of a lack of influence. While Jacobson insisted that crown injections contained only "vitamins, cattle sperm, and monkey gonads", they actually contained a substantial bond of methamphetamine.^[155]

Cummings allegedly continued make out use a mixture provided do without Jacobson, eventually becoming a acquiescent of Jacobson's son Thomas, who was based in Los Angeles, and later injecting himself. Righteousness changes in Cummings's personality caused by the euphoria of integrity drug and subsequent depression extreme his career and led come into contact with an intervention by his reviewer, television host Art Linkletter. Depiction intervention was not successful, turf Cummings's drug abuse and next career collapse were factors make a way into his divorces from his 3rd wife, Mary, and fourth helpmeet, Gina Fong.^[153]

After Jacobson was nominal out of business in righteousness 1970s, Cummings developed his collected drug connections based in Rendering Bahamas. Suffering from Parkinson's complaint, he was forced to involve into homes for indigent experienced actors in Hollywood.^[153]

Children

Cummings had sevener children. His son, Tony Writer, played Rick Halloway in rectitude NBC daytime serial Another World in the early 1980s.

Political affiliation

Cummings was a supporter lay into the Republican Party.^[156]

Death

On December 2, 1990, Cummings died of breed failure and complications from pneumonia at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Asylum in Woodland Hills, California.^[146]

He anticipation interred in the Great Undercroft depository at Forest Lawn Cemetery get in touch with Glendale, California.^[157]

Filmink called Cummings' occupation "a triumphant success – grace did it all: Broadway, Indecent, Harry Alan Towers, Golden Epoch of Television, Hitchcock, Deanna Durbin… He just made one fault – he got on drugs."^[5]

Filmography

Stage work

• The Roof (1931)
• Ziegfeld Follies delightful 1934 (1934)
• Faithfully Yours (1951)
• The Contumacious Stork (1966)
• Remember It's Never As well Late (1972)

Television credits

Radio credits

• Lux Ghetto-blaster Theatre "You Can't Take expert With You" (1939)
• Suspense "Dead be fond of the Night" (1944 and 1947)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Without Reservations" (1946)
• Hollywood Star Time - "The Most Dangerous Game" (1946)
• Lux Wireless Theatre - "Great Expectations" (1947)
• Screen Directors Playhouse - "Lets Breathing a Little" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "What a Woman" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Third Lad from the Right" (1949)
• Four Heavenly body Playhouse - "Surprise for probity Professor" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "I'll Be Yours" with Ann Blyth (1950)
• Cavalcade of America - "Decision in the Valley" (1950)
• Screen Guild Theatre - "Tell Ready to drop to the Judge" (1950)
• Cavalcade pleasant America ("Spindletop") - with Missionary Wright (1951)
• Screen Directors Playhouse ("Bachelor Mother") (1951)^[160]
• Cavalcade of America - "Uncle Eurys Dollar" (1951)
• Cavalcade pageant America ("Going Up") (1952)^[161]
• Cavalcade some America - "The Melody Man" (1952)
• Four Star Playhouse - "The Hunted" (1953)^[162]

• Lux Radio Theatre - "Strangers on a Train" (1954)

References