Bio
He was born to Maleta and Frederick MacMurray on August 30, 1908, Kankakee, Illinois. They moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin where he stayed until college. His parents divorced when he was five and he stayed living with his mother. He had a passion for painting that started at the young age of ten when he won a drawing contest. Living in Chicago as a kid, he was able to take classes at The Art Institute and seriously thought of becoming a commercial artist. He graduated high school lettering in 10 different athletic sports
Fred played several instruments, but mostly known for the saxophone. His influence of music came from his father who was a concert violinist. Fred was offered a full scholarship to Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He played in several bands, eventually leaving school before he graduated. He recorded a song, as lead vocalist, for the Gus Arnheim Orchestra in 1930 and went on to Broadway. MacMurray’s first film debut was as an extra in Girls Gone Wild in 1928. He wouldn’t get his first leading role until he stared in Grand Old Girl in 1935, just one year after signing a contract with Paramount in 1934.
Enjoyed one of
the longest careers in American filmmaking due to his all-purpose good looks.
Trivia
Artist C.C. Beck
created the comic book superhero Captain Marvel, in 1939, using Fred MacMurray
as his inspiration for the character design.
Fred MacMurray
was first person (and last) honored as a Disney legend for his many roles in
Disney movies.
MacMurray and
his wife, June Haver, established the
MacMurray Ranch in Northern California’s Russian River Valley in 1941 where
they raised
Prize-winning Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Definitely much more than meets the eye with MacMurray. His career shows his workman-like approach to acting--whatever roles the studios felt appropriate he was willing to take. Consequently, the "Shaggy Dog" type character he played in the latter part of his career hid his talents.
ReplyDeleteI had not seen this film prior to Tuesday. It was indeed a bit shocking to see MacMurray play a somewhat slimy role. Even before the murders, he hit on Phyllis pretty strong - which I didn't expect. I then expected her to throw a drink in his face but, perhaps because of the Noir vibe, instead she embraced it and used his interest to manipulate him.
ReplyDeleteLater, when Walter began treating Phyllis like a pawn in his plan, I thought 'Wow, he never treated his wife this way on My Three Sons."
I'll have to check out some more MacMurray titles to see what else he has up his sleeve.
-P_Korst-
The way that audiences read Fred MacMurray today is likely much different than they did when this movie had originally premiered.
DeleteThe younger generations that (I believe) all of us belong to, who grew up seeing MacMurray in peaceful domesticated roles in movies such as "The Shaggy Dog", "The Absent Minded Professor", and "The Son of Flubber" see him through the lens of this image, and to me, that intertextuality gave this movie and this role an interesting twist.
That being said - I must throw a caveat out there because MacMurray had starred in a lot of roles in the 15 years or so before "Double Indemnity" had come out, so he may have already had that wholesome image that the rest of us came to know him for.
A good place to start for his earlier career are is other titles with Stanwyck, "Remember the Night" and "There's Always Tomorrow". None are of Double Indemnity level, but still worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen MacMurray's work before. But I enjoyed his performance in "Double Indemnity". He was definitely not the usual bad guy. Even though in the beginning he is hurt and telling his account of the events, you hope once Phyllis hints at getting rid of her husband that he doesn't get involved.
ReplyDelete