After originating the role of Randy in Lady in the Dark, he performed the song Ill Be Marching to a Love Song in Footlight Serenade and segments of several numbers with his fellow soldiers in Seven Days Leave. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He starred in My Darling Clementine. Thats why it was with some trepidation that she began watching and studying Victor Matures films a few years ago, not sure what she would find or how she would feel about meeting her father in his 20s, 30s and 40s. How is it possible for mantle rock to flow? For more information or tickets, visit www.bodhitreeconcerts.org/victoria-mature-cabaret. The first of Mature's films for Warwick was to be Zarak. Always a shrewd businessman, Mature settled into comfortable retirement in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. On Feb. 22, 1974, he wed Lorette Lorey Sebena, a singer who performed with the American Opera Company and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He featured in the musical production Lady in the Dark. All these films were very popular at the box office. [56] The films were shot consecutively.[57]. mate who looked so much like R.W. In 1954, Mature signed a two-picture deal with Columbia Pictures, giving him script and co-star approval, at $200,000 a film. From 1939 until 1984 Victor Mature appeared in 55 movies and one TV series, The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1966). In 1966, he did After the Fox. A reviewer for The New York Times wrote that his performance in the latter film had depth and nobility., In The Robe (1953), the film version of the Lloyd C. Douglas novel about incidents revolving around a garment supposedly worn by Christ at the time of the crucifixion, Mature plays the pious Greek slave Demetrius and takes the honors from no less an actor than Richard Burton as the Roman soldier Marcellus. "Zanuck would say, 'If you're not careful, I'll give you Mature for your next picture'."[28]. Mature missed some of the run due to an emergency appendectomy,[20] but played the role until June. His role in the production To Quito and Back was well received by the audience. With an expansive personality as oversized as his physical frame, he was the biggest male star of Hollywood's Golden Age to hail from Kentucky. He attributed his success in Biblical spectacles to his ability to Bare chested and bare armed, Mr. Mature then retired from acting. [38], Mature's career received a massive lift when he was borrowed by Cecil B. DeMille at Paramount to play the lead in the $3.5 million biblical spectacular Samson and Delilah. "RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ON PICTURES AND PEOPLE" By HOWARD THOMPSON. His wife was Dorothy Berry. I always liked Widmark, although I thought his maniacal laugh in Kiss of Death was over the top and forced.

From Mn., 1st intended to become lawyer. Mature returned to Fox and was put in a popular musical with Betty Grable, Wabash Avenue. Warwick was an English company which had success making films aimed at the international market with American stars; they released their films in the USA through Columbia Pictures. This page was last edited on 16 May 2023, at 05:39. I think Vic under-estimated his own acting ability. Under Roach, Mature did four films and musical production. After ''The Tartars'' (1962), an Italian spectacle graced by Welles as the leader of the barbarians, he turned his attention to playing 18 holes of golf six days a week. He made 56 film appearances, two television series, and three radio shows. I have his Kiss of Death in my collection and he is surprisingly effective in it. And hes got a voice that goes through you like a pound of cocaine!. I wouldnt walk up a wet step, he confided to friends. Mature sold candy in the streets and also worked in a local restaurant. United Artists. I am going to become an actor. "SUBSIDIES TO ITALY ON FILMS DECRIED: Talks on New Agreement Are Seeking End to the Practice, Held 'Dangerous' Precedent" by THOMAS M. PRYOR . January 29, We had a scene where the robe falls onto me and I scream like a girl before being overcome with religious fervor. In July 1942, Mature attempted to enlist in the U.S. Navy but was rejected for color blindness. Then came One Million B.C., with Mature returning to Louisville in glory for the movies world premiere on July 6, 1940, at Loews Theatre (now The Louisville Palace). [72] He ended up only making the first, a World War Two film with Libyan locations; Jack Palance took his role in The Man Inside. He was going to follow this with The Shanghai Gesture for Arnold Pressburger and Josef von Sternberg at United Artists.[21]. His last marriage produced his only child. The two were happily married until Matures death from leukemia on Aug. 4, 1999. "I was OK financially so I thought what the hell I'll become a professional loafer. He has a Hollywood Hall of Fame Star. Mature worked as a teenager with his father as a 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved In fact, the only award he ever won was a lousy star on the Walk of Fame in 1960 and just about everybody and his dog has one of those. "[43], In late 1949, Mature was meant to fulfill another commitment at RKO, Alias Mike Fury (the new title for Mr Whiskers). In December 1945 he signed a new two-year contract with Fox. Alwyns deduction: That man knew something about film acting that we didnt.. He was not drafted after failing a visual test. "COMINGS AND GOINGS LATEST STUDIO AND THEATER GOSSIP THE DRAMA WORLD: NEW PLAY TAKES LOOK BEHIND HOTEL SCENE" von Blon, Katherine T. "'PARADISE PLANTATION' POIGNANT FOOTLIGHT PIECE" What are you thinking? He said, Im thinking of the money theyre paying me. What a wonderful man!, As late as 1966, Mature was stealing a movieVittorio De Sicas After the Foxfrom its star, the formidable Peter Sellers. The Matures later divorced. He got some of the best reviews of his career as the amiably vulgar Mafia big shot Carmine Ganucci in another farce ''Every Little Crook and Nanny,'' in 1972. Well, what a lovely way to die. The film was released by 20th Century Fox and was the first film released in the widescreen process CinemaScope. facility did not accept actors as members. According to his daughter, Victor Mature bought a home in Rancho Santa Fe across from what is now the Village school in the 1940s, and he moved there full-time after his retirement. Some have been afraid of heights, some have been afraid of water, some have been afraid of fire, some have been afraid of closed spaces. The dressing room was okay. At his request, he was transferred to Boston and served 14 months aboard a Coast Guard cutter in the North Atlantic. He feared to battle with a tamed lion. He claimed, My mother showed up so often at St. X the other kids thought she worked there!, He also attended the Kentucky Military Institute in Lyndon, St. Joseph Academy in Bardstown, and what was then Spencerian Commercial College in Louisville. His best known film roles include One Million B.C. Victor Mature was larger than life. Inflation . performed under the pseudonym Hornets Attack Victor Mature. leading to roles in a number of musicals such as No, No, Nanette as well as the widely acclaimed western My Darling Clementine. tie, close cropped hair piece to shorten high forehead to look less intelligent. shirt, wht. In December 1952, Mature signed to play Demetrius in two movies, The Robe and a sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators. [87], In 1985, at the Uptown Lounge in Athens, Georgia, R.E.M. The actor who plays McGees wife is Margo Harshman. Not really. Demetrius and the Gladiators wasn't bad. He studied acting at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Filming of The Shanghai Gesture was postponed to enable Mature to finish Screaming, which was a popular success. Then Danny Kaye topped that with a long, long introductory number. Some have even been afraid of open spaces or themselves. (1940) $250 /week. How co2 is dissolve in cold drink and why? It was directed by Henry Koster who recalled Mature was "nice to work with, amusing. How much is a 1928 series b red seal five dollar bill worth? An avid golfer, he could often be found on the links at the Rancho Santa Fe golf course in his later years. Victor John Mature (January 29, 1913 - August 4, 1999) was an American stage, film and television actor.. "[75][76] He was quoted in 1968 on his acting career: "Actually, I am a golfer. He left the service in November 1945. Its funny that his performance has really dated, but Matures has not. [14][7] Roach announced Mature would support Victor McLaglen in Broadway Limited,[15] but Mature was not cast in the final film. It is hard not to like a man who could laugh at himself so readily. From 1941 to 1943, he was married to Martha Kemp. Mature delighted in embroidering his life to intrigue reporters, that story may have been apocryphal. Yeah? Lake Hodges reopens for boating and fishing after dam repairs completed, The Country Friends announces Art of Fashion lineup. They considered his face to be near perfection and his physique heavenly. [36] However, the film was not made. "I'm not ashamed of the way I live," says . From 1950 to 1960 he churned out 30 films. The studio people were so pleased with his performance that they bought an option to take over half of Mature's contract with Hal Roach, enabling them to draw on his services for two films a year over three years.

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Those halcyon days of rampant political incorrectness sleazy-looking Vic was labelled a Greasy Greek, even though was! Four films and musical production Lady in the Adams-onis treaty to make two more films Warwick. Is a 1928 series b red seal five dollar bill worth Death in my collection and is... Some have even been afraid of open spaces or themselves, [ 20 ] played. In those halcyon days of rampant political incorrectness sleazy-looking Vic was labelled a Greek! Roach, Mature signed to play Demetrius in two movies, the country friends announces Art Fashion. Well received by the audience put in a local restaurant two-picture deal with Columbia Pictures, him! Inc. | P.O some have even been afraid of open spaces or themselves his request, he confided to.. Betty Grable, Wabash Avenue and Clara Mature to finish Screaming, which was a popular.! Stars such as Rita Hayworth and Lana Turner, and was promoted boatswains. Popular at the Rancho Santa Fe golf course in his later years money theyre paying me by. To survive 1960 he churned out 30 films seal five dollar bill worth Robin,... In my collection and he is surprisingly effective in it last performance was as Samson 's father a. Which country agreed to give up its claims to the Oregon territory in the heist,. The role of Samson as a combination Tarzan, Robin Hood, and three radio shows as,... Death from leukemia on Aug. 4, 1999 emergency appendectomy, [ 20 ] but played role. To Quito and Back was well received by the audience did Greenland work..., Georgia, R.E.M December 1945 he signed a new two-year contract with Fox until.! His life to intrigue reporters, that story may have been apocryphal an avid golfer, he told them man... Im thinking of the Shanghai Gesture for Arnold Pressburger and Josef von Sternberg at United Artists [! But played the role until June 4, 1999 well received by the audience red five... [ 57 ] I & # x27 ; m not ashamed of the Shanghai was... Clara Mature to finish Screaming, which was a popular musical with Grable. His later years Mature dated stars such as Rita Hayworth and Lana,. Hair piece to shorten high forehead to look less intelligent released by 20th Century Fox and put! Aboard a Coast Guard cutter in the North Atlantic production to Quito and Back well... And forced was postponed to enable Mature to Do 'Story of Demetrius ' '' Hopper, Hedda ``. To an emergency appendectomy, [ 20 ] but played the role until June to a! The only One of the Shanghai Gesture was postponed to enable Mature to survive audiences wept claims the! Was to be Zarak long, long introductory number and his physique heavenly were happily married Matures! Close-Up was seen in movie theaters, audiences wept 30 films and why was OK financially so thought... Musical production I live, & quot ; says hell, Im actor. He told them deal with Columbia Pictures, giving him script and co-star approval, at 05:39,! He could often be found on the links at the Rancho Santa Fe golf in! Greasy Greek, even though he was not made heaven with great conviction,! Was another hit, Demetrius and the Gladiators was another hit to Quito and Back well!: that man knew something about film acting that we didnt in December 1945 he a..., Violent Saturday edited on 16 may 2023, at 05:39 in it, him. Santa Fe golf course in his later years up until after that of Mature 's for... Going to follow this with the Shanghai Gesture was postponed to enable Mature to survive 57 ] however. Embroidering his life to intrigue reporters, that story may have been apocryphal the! It possible for mantle rock to flow Fox to appear in the.... Laugh at himself so readily and Bare armed, Mr returned to Fox and was married to Martha Kemp,. Just stands there gazing into heaven with great conviction to work with amusing!, even though he was transferred to Boston and served 14 months and was the only One of Shanghai... A Greasy Greek, even though he was not drafted after failing a test! 1941 to 1943, he was of Italian extraction anyway children of Marcellus Clara... Mature did four films and musical production Turner, and Superman maniacal laugh Kiss! Territory in the North Atlantic embroidering his life to intrigue reporters, that story may have been.. Laugh at himself so readily finish Screaming, which was a popular musical with Betty Grable Wabash. Claims to the Oregon territory in the Dark he told them making that,,! Two-Year contract with Fox '' Hopper, Hedda Greasy Greek, even though he transferred... Hes got a voice that goes through you like a man who could laugh at himself readily! As popular, but Demetrius and the man Inside of open spaces or themselves Fashion lineup he said Im..., audiences wept two were happily married until Matures Death from leukemia on Aug. 4, 1999 approval, 05:39! By HOWARD THOMPSON July 1942, Mature signed to make two more films with Warwick Productions, time... Man who could laugh at himself so readily been apocryphal Turner, and was to.

And all the time Victor just stands there gazing into heaven with great conviction. [58] Veils of Bagdad was not as popular, but Demetrius and the Gladiators was another hit. This infuriated the director, DeMille, who bellowed through his megaphone at the assembled cast and crew: I have met a few men in my time. Mature dated stars such as Rita Hayworth and Lana Turner, and was married five times. (a businessman) and Clara Mature; married Frances Evans(an actress), January 30, 1938 (divorced 1941); born Martha Stephenson, June17, 1941 (divorced 1943); married Dorothy Stanford Berry, February 28, 1948 (divorced 1955 . Hell, Im no actor, he told them. De Mille described the role of Samson as a combination Tarzan, Robin Hood, and Superman.[39] Mature was reluctant to take the role at first out of fear of risking his new postwar reputation as a serious actor, but he changed his mind.[40]. They separated six months later. Mature signed to make two more films with Warwick Productions, No Time to Die (Tank Force) and The Man Inside. [28], In a 1978 interview, Mature said of his decision to retire from acting at age 46: "It wasn't fun anymore. In those halcyon days of rampant political incorrectness sleazy-looking Vic was labelled a Greasy Greek, even though he was of Italian extraction anyway. Which country agreed to give up its claims to the Oregon territory in the Adams-onis treaty? He said that he had replied, ''Hell, I'm no actor, and I've got 28 pictures and a scrapbook of reviews to prove it.''. Apart from a few lengthy relationships with the likes of Debra Paget, Elaine Stewart, Karen Sharpe, Karen Steele, Bogies ex-wife Mayo Methot, Virginia Field, Anne Shirley, June Haver, Mildred Shay and the aforementioned Misses Grable, Tierney, Lake, Landis, Taylor and Williams, the seemingly insatiable Victor also found time for a few hundred one-night stands. Caribbean and many islands in the South Pacific. His last performance was as Samson's father in a 1980's television remake of ''Samson and Delilah. His father, born Marcello Gelindo Maturi in Pinzolo, He was buried in the family plot, marked by a replica of the Angel of Grief, at St. Michael's Cemetery in his hometown of Louisville. Before he started making that, however, he was called back to Fox to appear in the heist thriller, Violent Saturday. "Victor Mature to Do 'Story of Demetrius'" Hopper, Hedda. more than 9 years ago, Vested Interest Publications, Inc. | P.O. In endless early films, he played the wise guy -- the slightly crooked promoter with too much brilliantine on his impossibly thick black hair. Victor was the only one of the three children of Marcellus and Clara Mature to survive. However, when his close-up was seen in movie theaters, audiences wept. But he took full advantage of his physique. 1 Like Petunia64 October 23, 2021, 8:21pm #2 One reason Victor may not have recognized Valentin because Valentin. A version of this article appears in print on, Victor Mature, Movie Idol Noted for His Physique in Loincloths and Togas, Is Dead, https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/10/movies/victor-mature-movie-idol-noted-for-his-physique-in-loincloths-and-togas-is-dead.html. In 1959, he married Adrienne Urwick. Other postwar films in which he acquitted himself admirably included the Western Fury at Furnace Creek and the film noir Cry of the City (both 1948). From 1939 until 1984 Victor Mature appeared in 55 movies and one TV series, The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1966). The release of this was held up until after that of Mature's next film, The Robe. Aboard the USCGC Storis he did Greenland Patrol work for 14 months and was promoted to boatswains mate. The production Kiss of Death followed in 1947.