Jay Robinson puts in a memorable performance as the Roman emperor Caligula in 1953's "The Robe," which exports the Christian persecution narrative back to his reign.
Jay Robinson has got to be one of the best character actors ever on his Caligula performance alone.Without a doubt, one of the most powerful performances from any actor ever. only Morgan Freeman and Tim Robins in the Shawshank Redemption also Clint Eastwood in The Good The Bad and The Ugly and Charlton Heston in Ben Hur comes anywhere near.
@rokkasotilas After his release from jail, Robinson worked as a cook for a while and roles on TV and the movies were hard to find for Jay Robinson until friend Bette Davis put him in one of her movies in 1971. However, his career really took off when he was cast as Dr. Shrinker for that show in the Krofft Supershow in 1976. Along with Vincent Price, Robinson was one of the best, if not the best, at being in horror movies and in playing villains. Jay should have won the Oscar for Caligula.
There have been many perfomances by different actors over the years playing Caligula but this is the superlative performance by which all others must be judged. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
The fact the Jay Robinson was only 23 years old when he played Caligula. And that a 23 year old basically unknown actor could steal the show from Burton and Mature makes his performance even more incredible.
This brash newcomer with the high nasally voice and thin stick figure stole every scene he was in and overpowered the Big Boys, Burton, Mature, etc whenever they were in front of the camera together..
Such a shame his personal demons ruined his life and career.
Jay Robinson has got to be one of the best character actors ever on his Caligula performance alone.Without a doubt, one of the most powerful performances from any actor ever. only Morgan Freeman and Tim Robins in the Shawshank Redemption also Clint Eastwood in The Good The Bad and The Ugly and Charlton Heston in Ben Hur comes anywhere near.
gary611000 4 days ago
@rokkasotilas After his release from jail, Robinson worked as a cook for a while and roles on TV and the movies were hard to find for Jay Robinson until friend Bette Davis put him in one of her movies in 1971. However, his career really took off when he was cast as Dr. Shrinker for that show in the Krofft Supershow in 1976. Along with Vincent Price, Robinson was one of the best, if not the best, at being in horror movies and in playing villains. Jay should have won the Oscar for Caligula.
MrJayBBluejay 1 month ago
No one played crazed psychotic Roman rulers like Jay Robinson. Thanks Jay you know your craft very well.
goohgulliscia 2 months ago
He was just acting. The real ruler was even worse.
itsjustnopinionok 2 months ago
Caligula is like my Bank manager only kinder.
fabulousgerro66 3 months ago
Robinson was brilliant!!! He stole the movie, The Robe, and the sequel!
Monkofmagnesia 3 months ago
There have been many perfomances by different actors over the years playing Caligula but this is the superlative performance by which all others must be judged. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
saxon954 4 months ago
The fact the Jay Robinson was only 23 years old when he played Caligula. And that a 23 year old basically unknown actor could steal the show from Burton and Mature makes his performance even more incredible.
Kimberlyexpects 5 months ago
@alanbstard4
This brash newcomer with the high nasally voice and thin stick figure stole every scene he was in and overpowered the Big Boys, Burton, Mature, etc whenever they were in front of the camera together..
Such a shame his personal demons ruined his life and career.
Blahblobify 5 months ago
@alanbstard4 For years I thought Jay Robinson was an English actor. But he's a was born in California. American as apple pie.
gjohnsoningary 5 months ago