Dana Andrews

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A tribute to one of the most underrated and underappreciated actors of the 40s and 50s, Dana Andrews (1909-1992). He played many "average Joe" roles in his early career and was often the second male lead, the guy who "didn't get the girl", until he saw the opportunity to play the leading man in 20th Century Fox's production "Laura" (1944). While he knew it wouldn't be considered his greatest acting role, he knew that it would make him a star. A talented singer, he never used his real singing voice in films, keeping his vocal talents a secret, fearing that he would be typecast as a singer/actor and it would end his career. Interestingly enough, his contract was shared between Samuel Goldwyn and Fox, and this enabled him to go back and forth between studios and undoubtedly gave him opportunity to play a variety of roles. Film noir ("Laura", "Fallen Angel", "Boomerang!", "Where The Sidewalk Ends", "While The City Sleeps", "Daisy Kenyon"), dramas ("The Best Years Of Our Lives", My Foolish Heart", "I Want You"), musicals ("State Fair", "Up In Arms"), thrillers ("Night Of The Demon", "The Iron Curtain", "Beyond A Reasonable Doubt"), adventure ("Duel In The Jungle", "Elephant Walk"), war dramas ("A Wing And A Prayer", "Crash Dive", "The Purple Heart", "A Walk In The Sun", and "The Frogmen"), westerns ("The Westerner", "Belle Starr", "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Canyon Passage", "Comanche") and romantic comedy ("Ball Of Fire"). A New Year's baby, the son of a baptist minister, he was married twice (his first wife died), and had four children, one of whom died young in 1964. Alcohol was his vice and he spent years battling the disease until he finally beat it in the 70s and toured and lectured extensively on the dangers of alcoholism and drunk driving. He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1963 to 1965, and he went into semi-retirment from films in the 70s, making occasionally forays into television movies and a few big screen character roles. His final film was "Prince Jack" (1984). Alzheimer's disease struck him in his last years and he died in a nursing home of pnuemonia. Despite the high profile films he starred in early in his career, Andrews was never really given the credit he deserved. Certainly he was a handsome, talented and earthy leading man, but there was something else that set him apart, a kind of cynicism yet a kind of hopefulness, hardened but tender. He just seemed very natural and real, and I've never felt that he was just "acting". So here's a tribute to Dana, this wonderfully talented man who deserves the kind of following that most of his contemporaries have. Sarah Vaughn's "Star Eyes" sums up how I feel about him. Enjoy!

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[natasha2626100]

At 2:16 What film is this from?

[Muirmaiden]

@natasha2626100 , it's from "The Best Years Of Our Lives" (1946).

[lennhart]

Great vid with a great selection of vintage stills....the background vocal is an excellent choice. Who IS the vocalist?

[Muirmaiden]

Sarah Vaughn.

[HAPPYTHELEAF]

Great photo at 4:18 of Gene,Dana and vincent in the Autumn of their years nice to see them together once again, and Gene though no longer in the summer of life, not quite in the winter of life, still sparkled with beauty and elegance.Where did you source the picture.

[Muirmaiden]

I found it on Ebay.

[johnrunion]

great tribute to a great actor. thanks!

[AngledFedora]

this cat was both smooth and intense at once. great guy and enjoyed every interesting film he made. a real man's man.

[TheShanghaiLady1]

God he was soooo sexy!! Great tribute!

[BMark1966]

Another absolute superb video , Great work Colleen . Thank You for sharing !

[syzygy2539]

Dana Andrews, an all-around beautiful person. Of all the movie stars, he's the only one I would ever have wanted to meet. May he rest in peace. 

[1969SL]

That is actually very pretty video clip,thank you - saw him again in "The Best Years..." and liked him so much that I searched for "Laura" and others,what a star...

[katren184]

I just found this tribute to my father, Dana Andrews. It's a treat to see! How in the world did you ever find a photo of my dad hugging my brother and me - one that I have never seen before? I thought I'd seen everything! (He was a great, great hugger.) I wonder if there is any way that I could find that photo. I'd love to add it to our family's memorabilia cache. I think my father saved every letter ever sent to him and an enormous number of photos. Not that one, though.

[ohsnapitsme59]

@tallpaul521 WOW. Laura is one of my favorite films. I own it on VHS.

[ohsnapitsme59]

I have to say...not underrated in my household. My mother thought he was a sexy man and I do too. Great actor!

[tallpaul521]

@Terrikins4ever I met Mr. Andrews at a film festival in the late 1970's - don't know how old he would have been, but he was still quite dashing and handsome. Also met, Vincent Price, who co-starred in "Laura". The festival was in Houston, and Gene Tierney was living there at the time -- too bad she didn't attend, would have had 3 of the 5 main "Laura" stars. Miss Tierney is buried here in Houston.