Playing the romantic lead in horror movies is a thankless task, because if the charismatic monster is doing his job, the audience is rooting for him to end up with the girl. David Manners was a good enough actor to make you not mind that the girl went home with him at the end of the movie. And I have huge respect for anyone who realizes when it's time to stop chasing one dream and start following another.
Back in the 70s, I had a friend who use to correspond with old movie actors & one of them was David Manners. He received several letters from David, plus a signed copy of "Look Through," which I remember reading -- but don't remember much about it! He seemed like a very down-to-earth man, willing to talk to a couple of high school kids -- perhaps because we were Canadian! David Manners -- nice guy! wsj
Manners was always a rather passive screen presence, which is likely why he was typically cast in roles which were demanding of little more than a handsome face. That said, it's good to know that he bowed out of the film industry with quiet dignity, and was able to live true to himself. RIP.
I wasn't expecting that to be his birth name either! I always love seeing what they were called before fame. David Manners was always a highlight in Universal horrors!
Loved this one, as I do all your videos, Carlotta. I might be the only person who remembers this, but near the end of his life, he (or someone acting in his name or maybe pretending to be him) showed up on the social media or the time, which was IIRC Yahoo groups or one of their predecessors. My recollection of the few peripheral interactions I had with him (or whoever) is that he had come to terms with being remembered only for his horror movies, which had been reported amongst horror movie fans to be a major resentment since I started getting involved in fandom in the 1970s, and was interested in connecting with the fans who still recalled him fondly. And then, he was gone. I do hope that was him, and that he left this world with whatever resentments that might have been remained from his time at Universal resolved.
A 1997 issue of Scarlet Street Magazine (#26) features a wonderful interview with 97-year-old David Manners conducted by the late author and Broadway documentarian Rick McKay. Also in the issue is a great article on the life and work of director James Whale.
I thought his best performance was in "The Black Cat", it gave him a chance to show a sense of humor. Especially the scene when he says "Next time I go to Niagara Falls!"
Great video Antonia. The supporting players in classic movies are such a big part of making making those movies so great. If you decide to do any more, i would love to see you do a video on Nan Gray. I've only seen her in a few supporting roles, but i always seem to adore her characters. For the favorite David Manners role, for me its The Black Cat. He seemed to perform with more confidence in that role. Thanks for another excellent video.
Had a crush on DM forever. Thank you for this! P.S. I always thought he was at his best in Mystery of Edwin Drood and had a rare chance to be effortlessly charming in The Death Kiss, a very fun whodunnit.
Also he recollected that during the Filming of Dracula (1931) that Director Todd Browning didnt say much on the set, however Cinematographer Karl Fruend was very Outspoken According 2 Manners.
Hi Carlotta. I found your video quite informative. I saw him recently on TCM in The Death Kiss. He certainly was handsome. Happily he found other career paths and interests beyond the film industry.
I liked his performance in The Black Cat the best. He was good in The Mummy. His performance in Dracula was a bit cheesy but they were paving the way back then so I have to give him somewhat of a pass for it
I have mixed feelings about David Manners. He certainly provided cringey and unintentional comic relief in the Universal films. It was like he had walked out of a melodramatic romance film and entered a horror picture. Some people might see this as a fault, but it somehow makes him endearing. In The Black Cat, one could see traces of darkness and acrimony in his performance. Had Universal given him more diverse roles, he could have thrived.
IMDb says the star was removed after he rejected a role opposite Joan Crawford. If that is untrue, I would appreciate someone elucidating the site to the truth.
In the past, I've tried to edit or delete inaccurate information from iMDB and they've seemed uninterested in the truth. I take most user-input bios and trivia from iMDB with a grain of salt, and usually look for additional sources to back up whatever I find on there.
Thumbs up to you, as always, Antonia. David Manners? Well, let's just say that when I watch Lugosi's Dracula, I fast forward when Manners is on the screen. His petulant man-child portrayal of Johnathan Harker is unwatchable. Fun fact: According to David J. Skal, Manners never saw Dracula. In a interview in the 90s, Manners derided the film and was a shocked by anybody that the Universal Horror movies became classics. To each his own, I guess.
@@h.calvert3165 See David Manners in "Man Wanted" (1933), with Kay Francis. He displayed fine comedic talent. It's a shame he didn't get more such roles, although his best dramatic role was that of the blind man beloved by Barbara Stanwyck in "Miracle Woman" (1931). It's great that he led a long, fulfilling life.
Great leading man in the Universal horror films.
Great tribute to David Manners.
Handsome, and a competent actor, usually quite natural. Always happy to see him in a flick.
I love him in Dracula. He's so clueless to what's going on around him. I love his performance.
Playing the romantic lead in horror movies is a thankless task, because if the charismatic monster is doing his job, the audience is rooting for him to end up with the girl. David Manners was a good enough actor to make you not mind that the girl went home with him at the end of the movie. And I have huge respect for anyone who realizes when it's time to stop chasing one dream and start following another.
Back in the 70s, I had a friend who use to correspond with old movie actors & one of them was David Manners. He received several letters from David, plus a signed copy of "Look Through," which I remember reading -- but don't remember much about it! He seemed like a very down-to-earth man, willing to talk to a couple of high school kids -- perhaps because we were Canadian! David Manners -- nice guy! wsj
Great seeing some love for David Manners! Excellent video.
He was always solid if unremarkable in the horror films he was in.
Manners was always a rather passive screen presence, which is likely why he was typically cast in roles which were demanding of little more than a handsome face. That said, it's good to know that he bowed out of the film industry with quiet dignity, and was able to live true to himself. RIP.
Excellent Ms. Carlotta Excellent he is really forgotten about but not by US
I wasn't expecting that to be his birth name either! I always love seeing what they were called before fame. David Manners was always a highlight in Universal horrors!
Hard 2 believe David Manners ended up passing away after i was born
Loved this one, as I do all your videos, Carlotta. I might be the only person who remembers this, but near the end of his life, he (or someone acting in his name or maybe pretending to be him) showed up on the social media or the time, which was IIRC Yahoo groups or one of their predecessors. My recollection of the few peripheral interactions I had with him (or whoever) is that he had come to terms with being remembered only for his horror movies, which had been reported amongst horror movie fans to be a major resentment since I started getting involved in fandom in the 1970s, and was interested in connecting with the fans who still recalled him fondly. And then, he was gone. I do hope that was him, and that he left this world with whatever resentments that might have been remained from his time at Universal resolved.
What a lovely tribute. Your channel is tops with me! Your family's heritage is so worthy of preservation & recognition. 🌟
A 1997 issue of Scarlet Street Magazine (#26) features a wonderful interview with 97-year-old David Manners conducted by the late author and Broadway documentarian Rick McKay. Also in the issue is a great article on the life and work of director James Whale.
For those who want to read the article, you can find it here: scarletstreetmagazine.blogspot.com/2017/04/no-26-1997.html
I thought his best performance was in "The Black Cat", it gave him a chance to show a sense of humor. Especially the scene when he says "Next time I go to Niagara Falls!"
David Manners was the Zeppo of Universal horror.
What a PERFECT image! They even look a lot alike! 😮
Good observation!
Great video Antonia. The supporting players in classic movies are such a big part of making making those movies so great.
If you decide to do any more, i would love to see you do a video on Nan Gray. I've only seen her in a few supporting roles, but i always seem to adore her characters.
For the favorite David Manners role, for me its The Black Cat. He seemed to perform with more confidence in that role.
Thanks for another excellent video.
Didnt know about his real name! He lived a long life
Had a crush on DM forever. Thank you for this! P.S. I always thought he was at his best in Mystery of Edwin Drood and had a rare chance to be effortlessly charming in The Death Kiss, a very fun whodunnit.
I loved him in Death Kiss. My heart fluttered.
Also he recollected that during the Filming of Dracula (1931) that Director Todd Browning didnt say much on the set, however Cinematographer Karl Fruend was very Outspoken According 2 Manners.
Hi Carlotta. I found your video quite informative. I saw him recently on TCM in The Death Kiss. He certainly was handsome. Happily he found other career paths and interests beyond the film industry.
I liked his performance in The Black Cat the best. He was good in The Mummy. His performance in Dracula was a bit cheesy but they were paving the way back then so I have to give him somewhat of a pass for it
I have mixed feelings about David Manners. He certainly provided cringey and unintentional comic relief in the Universal films. It was like he had walked out of a melodramatic romance film and entered a horror picture. Some people might see this as a fault, but it somehow makes him endearing. In The Black Cat, one could see traces of darkness and acrimony in his performance. Had Universal given him more diverse roles, he could have thrived.
IMDb says the star was removed after he rejected a role opposite Joan Crawford. If that is untrue, I would appreciate someone elucidating the site to the truth.
In the past, I've tried to edit or delete inaccurate information from iMDB and they've seemed uninterested in the truth. I take most user-input bios and trivia from iMDB with a grain of salt, and usually look for additional sources to back up whatever I find on there.
Well, he did other things.
David Manners did not have any kids.
Thumbs up to you, as always, Antonia.
David Manners? Well, let's just say that when I watch Lugosi's Dracula, I fast forward when Manners is on the screen. His petulant man-child portrayal of Johnathan Harker is unwatchable.
Fun fact: According to David J. Skal, Manners never saw Dracula. In a interview in the 90s, Manners derided the film and was a shocked by anybody that the Universal Horror movies became classics.
To each his own, I guess.
Mygenes and dot and co and dot and nz.
Always interesting to find out when an actor is more interesting than the bland, generic hero roles he played 😆
They would almost have to be! Those parts were SO bland & boring! 🤣
@@h.calvert3165 See David Manners in "Man Wanted" (1933), with Kay Francis. He displayed fine comedic talent. It's a shame he didn't get more such roles, although his best dramatic role was that of the blind man beloved by Barbara Stanwyck in "Miracle Woman" (1931). It's great that he led a long, fulfilling life.