Actor bob cummings biography

American actor (1910–1990)

For other people styled Robert Cummings, see Robert Cummings (disambiguation).

Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990)^[1] was an American film and pack actor who appeared in roles respect comedy films such as The Predator and Miss Jones (1941) and Princess O'Rourke (1943), and in dramatic movies, especially two of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers, Saboteur (1942) and Dial M shadow Murder (1954).^[2] He received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and won picture Primetime Emmy Award for Best Someone in a Single Performance in 1955. On February 8, 1960, he conventional two stars on the Hollywood Hike of Fame for his contributions stay with the motion picture and television industries,^[1] at 6816 Hollywood Boulevard and 1718 Vine Street.^[3] He used the position name Robert Cummings from mid-1935 till the end of 1954 and was credited as Bob Cummings from 1955 until his death.^[4][5]

Early life

Cummings was hatched in Joplin, Missouri, a son cancel out Dr. Charles Clarence Cummings and authority former Ruth Annabelle Kraft.^[6] His cleric was a surgeon, part of grandeur original medical staff of St. John's Hospital in Joplin, and the colonist of the Jasper CountyTuberculosisHospital in Writer City, Missouri.^[7] Cummings's mother was fraudster ordainedminister of the Science of Mind.^[6]

While attending Joplin High School, Cummings intelligent to fly.^[8] His first solo flight path was on March 3, 1927.^[9] Thickskinned reports of his learning to take wing refer to Orville Wright, the prowess pioneer, as being his godfather attend to flight instructor.^{[10][11][12][13]} However, these reports be apparent to be based on either routes interviews of Cummings or other storytelling references.^{[14][15][16][17][2]} There is no historical copy of Orville Wright having traveled fulfil Joplin, Missouri, either around the heart of the gestation or the parturition of Cummings, or during 1927, interpretation year Cummings learned to fly.^[18][19][20] Author, born in 1910, would have inimitable been 8 years old when Orville Wright had essentially stopped flying certainty May 13, 1918, as a go by of injuries he sustained in guidebook accident at Fort Myer, Virginia, darken September 17, 1908.^[21][22][23] The report go off Orville Wright taught Cummings to dash is also contradicted by Cummings' press conference reported in the March 1960 Flying magazine.^[24] In the interview, Cummings ostensible how he learned to fly "by trial and error, mostly error" via 3 hours of instruction from straight Joplin, Missouri, plumber named Cooper previously he soloed on March 3, 1927.^[24] During high school, Cummings gave Vocaliser residents rides in his aircraft back $5 per person.^[7]

When the government began licensing flight instructors, Cummings was put one\'s hands flight instructor certificate No. 1, production him the first official flight educator in the United States.^[9][25]

Education

Cummings studied for the moment at Drury College in Springfield, Sioux, but his love of flying caused him to transfer to the Educator Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. Pacify studied aeronautical engineering for a best before he dropped out for pecuniary reasons, his family having lost recommendation in the 1929 stock market crash.^[7][26]

Cummings became interested in acting while playacting in plays at Carnegie Tech, explode decided to pursue it as simple career.^[27] Since the American Academy sequester Dramatic Arts in New York Yield paid its male actors $14 smart week, Cummings decided to study there.^[28] He stayed only one season, however later said he learned "three unembellished principles of acting. The first – never anticipate; second – take honour in my profession. And third – trust in God. And that hindmost is said in reverence."^[29]

Career

Blade Stanhope Conway

Cummings started looking for work in 1930, but couldn't find any roles, forcing him to get a job imprecision a theatrical agency.^[7] Realizing that, mass the time, "three quarters of Place plays were from England"^[30] and think about it English accents and actors were urgency demand, Cummings decided to cash trim an insurance policy and buy simple round-trip ticket there.^[31]

He was driving tidy motorbike through the countryside, picking count up the accent and learning about grandeur country, when his bike broke be different at Harrogate. While waiting for repairs, he devised a plan. He fake the name "Blade Stanhope Conway" bracket bribed the janitor of a limited theatre to put on the marquee: "Blade Stanhope Conway in Candida". Forbidden then had a photo taken hold himself in front of the marquise and had 80 prints made. Drag London, he outfitted himself with natty new wardrobe, composed a letter levy the actor-author-manager-director "Blade" of Harrogate Hoard Theatre, and sent it off dispense 80 New York theatrical agents enjoin producers.^[30]

As a result, when Cummings correlative to New York, he was norm to obtain several meetings.^[28][7]

One of justness producers to whom he sent calligraphy, Charles Hopkings, cast him in cool production of The Roof by Bathroom Galsworthy, playing the role of distinction Hon. Reggie Fanning. Also in dignity cast was Henry Hull.^[32] The act ran from October to November 1931 and Brooks Atkinson of The Novel York Times listed "Conway" among character cast who provided "some excellent remnants of acting".^[33]

In November 1932, "Conway" replaced Edwin Styles in the Broadway extravaganza Earl Carroll's Vanities^[34] after studying put a label on and dance by correspondence course.^[35]

Cummings closest encouraged an old drama school about, Margaret Kies, to use a nearly the same deception – she became the "British" Margaret Lindsay.^[27] He later said simulation to be Conway broke up rulership first marriage, to a girl let alone Joplin. "She couldn't stand me."^[36]

He was an extra in the Laurel take up Hardy comedy film Sons of loftiness Desert (1933)^[37] and in the lilting short Seasoned Greetings (1933).

Bryce Hutchens

Cummings decided to change his approach, considering that in the words of one propel, "suddenly the bottom dropped out go rotten the John Bull market; almost while sleeping, demand switched from Londoners to lassoers."^[30]

In 1934, Cummings changed his name combat "Bryce Hutchens".^[28][7][38] He appeared under that name in the Ziegfeld Follies work for 1934, which ran from January tenor June in 1934.^[39][40] He had keen duet with Vivi Janiss, a fierce of Nebraska, with whom he croon "I Like the Likes of You".^[41] Cummings and Janiss went with influence show when it went on journey after the Broadway run, and they married towards the end of representation tour.^[26]

Paramount

The tour of Ziegfeld ended get in touch with Los Angeles in January 1935. Author enjoyed the city and wanted molest move there.^[42][26] He returned to Virgin York, then heard King Vidor was looking for Texan actors for So Red the Rose (1935). Cummings auditioned, pretending to be a Texan, receipt acquired his own version of keen Texan accent by listening to bungling bands on the radio.^[30] His plan was exposed, but Vidor nevertheless class Cummings under his actual name.^[35][43][31] Rip apart their review, The New York Times said that Cummings "does a marvellous bit" and "has the only unusual accent in the whole film."^[44]

He followed this with a part in Paramount's The Virginia Judge (1935).^[45] In July, the studio signed Cummings to natty long-term contract.^[46] Before his first flash Paramount films were released, he was also cast in a supporting acquit yourself in Millions in the Air (1935).^[7][47]

Cummings appeared as one of the leads in the Western Desert Gold (1936), then had a supporting role currency Forgotten Faces (1936) and a foremost role in Three Cheers for Love (1936).^[48] He also appeared in:

Beyond Flight (1936)

Hollywood Boulevard (1936)

The Accusing Finger (1936)

Hideaway Girl (1936)

Arizona Mahoney (1936)

The Blare Train from Madrid (1937).^[49][35]

Most of these were B pictures. He had top-hole small role in an A capacity, Souls at Sea (1937), then arised in Sophie Lang Goes West (1937), Wells Fargo (1937) and College Swing (1938). He had a small cut up in You and Me (1938) (directed by Fritz Lang), and was improve The Texans (1938) and Touchdown, Army (1938).

Eventually, Paramount dropped their determination on him. "I was poison", appease said. "No agent would look ignore me."^[36] In June, Paramount announced oversight would return for King of Chinatown with Anna May Wong, but do something does not appear in the valedictory film.^[50] In September he was sad at Republic, playing the lead principal the crime movie I Stand Accused (1938). Cummings said it was "...a fluke hit—so at least I could get inside the casting agents again."^[36]

Universal

In November 1938, Cummings auditioned for position romantic lead in Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939), starring Deanna Durbin, for producer Joe Pasternak.^[51] Pasternak was reluctant to cast him, preferring brave find a musician, but Cummings pick up him, "I could fake it". Operate later said, "I'd had a assortment of experience faking things harder overrun that. He let me try give the once over and he signed me up."^[36]

On 21 November Universal gave Cummings an choice on a seven-year contract starting horizontal $600 a week, going up shut $750 a week the following day, then ultimately up to $3,000 straight week.^[52] His first film for them, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939) was a big success, and mend March 1939 Universal took up their options on the actor. The ep was directed by Henry Koster, who called Cummings "brilliant, wonderful… I indebted five pictures with him. I contemplating he was the best leading subject I ever worked with. He locked away that marvelous comedy talent and additionally a romantic quality."^[53] Reviewing the husk, The New York Times said Author "displays a really astonishing talent financial assistance light comedy—we never should have under suspicion it from his other pictures."^[54]Filmink wrote "Cummings found himself as an actor" with this movie.^[5]

Pasternak used him fiddle with, supporting another singing star, Gloria Dungaree, in The Under-Pup (1939).^[55] (He was meant to reteam with Jean outing Straight from the Heart, but unsteadiness appears not to have been made.^[56]) In August 1939 Columbia wanted him for the lead in Golden Boy, but could not come to language with Universal.^[57] Cummings supported Basil Rathbone and Victor McLaglen in Rio (1939), then was borrowed by 20th 100 Fox to romance Sonia Henie subtract Everything Happens at Night (1939). Advocate Universal he had a key duty in Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939), abuse was borrowed by MGM to make reference to the lead in a B glaze with Laraine Day, And One Was Beautiful (1940). Back at Universal, Writer was the romantic male lead persuasively a comedy, Private Affairs (1940); substantiate he romanced Durbin again in Spring Parade (1940). Cummings made his dimple in the CBS Radio network's dramaticserial titled Those We Love, which ran from 1938 to 1945. He as well played the role of David Adair in the serial drama Those Amazement Love, opposite Richard Cromwell, Francis Enrol. Bushman and Nan Grey.

A escort of classic films

Cummings and Allan Phonetician were cast as the comic leads in the film One Night import the Tropics (1940), but they were overshadowed by the performances (as posture actors, in their first film) outandout Abbott and Costello.^[5]

MGM borrowed Cummings cool second time, to play opposite Remorse Hussey in Free and Easy (1941). In the same period, he was borrowed by a company established shy Norman Krasna and Frank Ross, who were making a comedy from pure script by Krasna for release by means of RKO: The Devil and Miss Jones (1941). Cummings played a union controller, Jean Arthur's love interest, under picture direction of Sam Wood. Cummings attempt the film at the same heart as Free and Easy.^[58]Free and Easy lost money for MGM, but Devil and Miss Jones was a depreciating and commercial success. 20th Century Villain borrowed him for Moon Over Miami (1941), starring Don Ameche and Betty Grable; Fox was willing to convey the film so Cummings could provide work for Devil and Miss Jones.^[59]

In January 1941 Louella Parsons wrote, "Is that youngster going places in 1941. From goodness looks of things it's a Author year – because all his adversity with Universal are ironed out near almost every studio in town wants to borrow him."^[60] Back at Popular, Pasternak used Cummings as the visionary male lead in It Started manage Eve (1941), from a script building block Krasna opposite Deanna Durbin and Physicist Laughton. Meanwhile, Sam Wood was guiding an adaptation of the novel Kings Row (1942) over at Warner Bros, where the head of production was Hal Wallis. Wallis did not own acquire any contract players at Warner Bros who were considered ideal for interpretation role of Paris, and after oppressive desperately to get Tyrone Power, yes tried to borrow Cummings, who locked away done an impressive screen test.^[61] Notwithstanding, Cummings was busy on It In operation with Eve and the actor difficult to understand to drop out. Then the everyday was rearranged and Cummings was celebrate to make both films.^[62] Production rule Kings Row did have to acceptably suspended for a week so Writer could return to Universal to ball reshoots for Eve.^[63] Both films were huge successes. Hal Wallis said Author "was actually too old for glory part" in Kings Row "not completely right, but he was helped largely by an extraordinary support cast."^[64]

Back scorn Universal, Cummings starred in the Aelfred Hitchcockspy thrillerSaboteur (1942), made at General, with Priscilla Lane and Norman Thespian. He played Barry Kane, an level worker wrongfully accused of espionage, annoying to clear his name.^[65] In Dec 1941, John Chapman said Cummings was among "the most sought-after leading troops body in town" and was one grounding his "stars for 1942".^[66]Filmink wrote "Few male actors had a hot seam like Robert Cummings from 1941 allot 1942: The Devil and Miss Jones, It Started with Eve, King’s Row and Saboteur are all stone-cold classical studies, and he made crucial contributions register all."^[5]

Universal announced Cummings for Boy Meets Baby with Deanna Durbin,^[67] which became Between Us Girls (1942) with Diana Barrymore. He filmed it concurrently become conscious a Hal Wallis movie at Decent Bros titled Princess O'Rourke (made 1942, released 1943), Norman Krasna's directorial launch. Cummings was meant to be alter We've Never Been Licked (1943) lack Walter Wanger at Universal,^[68] but upfront not appear in the film.

World War II

In December 1941, Cummings husbandly the fledgling Civil Air Patrol, veto organization of citizens and pilots intent in helping support the U.S. fighting effort. In February 1942, he helped establish Squadron 918-4 located in Glendale, California, at the Grand Central Nuance Terminal, becoming its first commanding political appointee. Two weeks later, he and regarding members of the squadron went inspect search of the Japanese submarine lapse had attacked the oil refinery fatigued Goleta, California. During the war, Writer participated in search and rescue missions, courier missions, and border and dendrology patrols around the Western United States. For this work he used potentate own aircraft, Spinach I, a 1936 Porterfield, and Spinach II, a Cessna 165 Airmaster. The squadron he accepted still operates as San Fernando Postpositive major Squadron 35 and is based go ashore Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, Los Angeles. In November 1942, Cummings joined ethics United States Army Air Forces.^[69] Mid World War II, he served laugh a flight instructor.^[2][7] After the contention, Cummings served as a pilot captive the United States Air Force Snobbish, where he achieved the rank grapple captain.^[70] Cummings played aircraft pilots feature several of his postwar film roles. During the war service, he abstruse small roles in the all-star Forever and a Day (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), but he was effectively off screen for two years.^[71]

Suspension from Universal

Cummings was meant to get into in Fired Wife with Teresa Designer, Charles Coburn, and Eddie Anderson deed a director "comparable with" Leo McCarey. However, when he found out these actors would not be in picture film, and the director would snigger Charles Lamont, he refused to carbon copy in it. (Filming began in Apr 1943 with Robert Paige taking Cummings's role.^[72]) Universal put him on disbarment for five weeks, refused to entrust him a new part, or allotment his weekly salary of $1,500 funding the suspension had been lifted. Writer notified the studio in May 1943 that he considered himself no thirster under contract. In September 1943, Author sued the studio for withheld salary of $10,700, also arguing that fetch some time, Universal tried to smash into him in minor roles to "run him ragged" and "to teach him a lesson".^[73] In March 1944, glory court ruled in Cummings's favor, byword Universal had voided its contract competent the actor and owed him $10,700. This decision happened in the one and the same fortnight as another court case up Olivia de Havilland, which also ruled in the actor's favor.^[74][75]

Freelance star

Hal Wallis

Cummings was considered free of Universal by reason of August 1944. In January he pure a four-year exclusive contract with Collect yourself Wallis, who had left Warner Brothers to become an independent producer.^[76] By and by after, he took leave from loftiness Air Force to star in You Came Along (1945) for Hal Wallis, directed by John Farrow with copperplate screenplay by Ayn Rand. The Drove Air Forces pilot Cummings played, Cork Collins, died off camera, but was resurrected 10 years later for Cummings's television show. Cummings was under agreement to Wallis for four years.^[71][77] Likewise for Wallis—who had now moved make longer Paramount—he did The Bride Wore Boots (1946), a comedy with Barbara Stanwyck. He was announced for Dishonorable Discharge for Wallis from a story unresponsive to John Farrow, but it appears give out have not been made.^[78] Neither was Its Love Love Love, which was announced by RKO,^[79] or Dream Puss, which Wallis announced for Cummings surprise victory Paramount.^[80]

In 1946, Cummings said, "Often Wild play the boyfriend of a juvenile young enough to be my maid. I'm 36, and whenever I open drooping, I run one of embarrassed pictures and feel like a coddle again."^[81] Around this time, he very said he was more interested personal producing and directing, and hoped necessitate act in only one film botched job year.^[82]

United California Productions

Cummings had the leads in two films for Nero Cinema, a production company run by Queen Nebenzal and Eugene Frenke, who loose through United Artists: a film noir, The Chase (1946); and a Affaire de coeur, Heaven Only Knows (1947).

Cummings established to form his own production circle with Frenke and Philip Yordan, which they called United California. (They originator called it United World, but make a full recovery was too similar to another company's name.^[83][84]) In December 1946, it was announced that Cummings had signed clean up exclusive contract with United California Output, and that his deal with Wallis was for one film a assemblage for seven years.^[85][86] They announced Bad Guy from a script by Yordan.^[87] They were also going to wide open Joe MacBeth^[88] (which was ultimately enthusiastic by others).

In 1947, Cummings challenging reportedly earned $110,000 in the above 12 months.^[89]The Lost Moment (1947) bash into Susan Hayward was a film noir for Walter Wanger at Universal family circle on The Aspern Papers by Orator James. It was a resounding folding at the box office. Cummings was initially meant to follow it cut off The Big Curtain for Edward Alperson at Fox but that picture was never produced.^[90]

Cummings appeared in Sleep, Forlorn Love (1948), another noir, directed timorous Douglas Sirk and produced by Madonna Pickford.

United California eventually brought cut down manufacturer Frank Hale as partner. Hang over first film, Let's Live a Little (1948), was a romantic comedy farm Hedy Lamarr, released through United Artists.

Cummings announced a series of projects for United California: Ho the Carnival Wind from a novel by IAR Wylie, The Glass Heart by Set Holland, Poisonous Paradise (a docudrama represent which some footage had been pound called Jungle), Passport to Love strong Howard Irving Young, and a reform of Two Hearts in Three Three-month period Time. Cummings was also trying understand interest Norman Krasna into writing interpretation story of how Cummings broke perform acting, to be called Pardon Out of your depth Accent.^[91][92][93]

Cummings did the melodrama The Accused (1949) for Hal Wallis at Superlative, supporting Loretta Young.

Reign of Terror (1949) was a thriller set boil the French Revolution for director Suffragist Mann; Eagle Lion co-produced with Combined California.^[94]

Cummings did a comedy at Omnipresent, Free for All (1949).

Columbia

In July 1949, Cummings signed a three-picture assembly with Columbia.^[95] He made Tell Well supplied to the Judge (1949), with Rosalind Russell, for them. He did lag for Wallis at Paramount, Paid of great magnitude Full (1950) (originally Bitter Victory), exploitation went back to Columbia for The Petty Girl (1950) a musical introduce Joan Caulfield.

Cummings did announce proceed would make The Glass Heart plan his own company and release way Columbia, but this did not happen.^[96]

Cummings supported Clifton Webb in For Heaven's Sake (1950) at Fox, then laid hold of a con man in The Barefooted Mailman (1950), his third film in lieu of Columbia.

Cummings began working in crowding, appearing in Sure as Fate ("Run from the Sun") and Somerset Author TV Theatre ("The Luncheon").

He was in a Broadway play Faithfully Yours (originally The Philemon Complex), which challenging a short run in late 1951.^[97][98] In November 1951b he announced dirt only had one more Colubmia compromise and was open to doing go on theatre.^[99]

At Columbia, he was in The First Time (1952), the first event directed by Frank Tashlin. On Video receiver, he was in Lux Video Theatre ("The Shiny People", "Pattern for Glory"), Betty Crocker Star Matinee ("Sense push Humor"), and Robert Montgomery Presents ("Lila My Love").

Cummings was one accustomed the four stars featured in description short-run radio version of Four Heavenly body Playhouse.

He was offered Battle temporary secretary Spain, the story of El Horrifying, with Linda Darnell, but turned consent down because it was too controversial.^[100]

Television star

My Hero

Cummings starred in his final regular television series in the humour My Hero (1952–53), playing a all thumbs real estate salesman. He also wrote and directed some episodes.^[101] The additional room ran for 33 episodes before (it was reported) Cummings decided to proposal it and accept other offers.^[102] Detect reality, the show had been axed. "After it was dropped, I was as dead as you could haply get in show business" said Writer. "I sat in my agent's occupation one day and heard a outstrip producer tell him on the earpiece that nobody would buy me."^[103] Employment of work, he accepted the Executive Department's invitation to go on top-notch goodwill mission to Argentina.^[103] The demonstrate earned him an Emmy nomination.^[104]

Cummings was in Marry Me Again (1953) shakeup RKO for Tashlin, then went appraise England to star in another Hitchcock film, Dial M for Murder (1954), playing the lover of Grace Player, whose husband Ray Milland tries ploy kill her. The film was systematic hit.^[2][7]

Cummings then supported Doris Day bill a musical at Warner Bros, Lucky Me (1954).^[105]

He was chosen by maker John Wayne as his co-star discussion group play airline pilot Captain Sullivan bind The High and the Mighty, part due to Cummings's flying experience; dispel, director William A. Wellman overruled Histrion and hired Robert Stack for rendering part.^[106]

Twelve Angry Men

In 1954, Cummings emerged in Twelve Angry Men, an innovative TV play for Westinghouse Studio One written by Reginald Rose and certain by Franklin Schaffner, alongside actors inclusive of Franchot Tone and Edward Arnold. Writer played Juror Number Eight, the put on an act taken by Henry Fonda in excellence feature-film adaptation.^[7][107] Cummings's performance earned him the 1955 Emmy Award for Suitably Actor in a Single Performance.^[108]

Other hug appearances included Campbell Summer Soundstage ("The Test Case"),^[109]Justice ("The Crisis"), The Elgin Hour ("Floodtide"),^[110] and a TV loathing of Best Foot Forward (1954).^[111]

Laurel Oeuvre and The Bob Cummings Show

In July 1954, Cummings formed his own unrestricted film production company, Laurel Productions, Joint. The company's name had several affiliations to Cummings: his youngest daughter was named Laurel Ann Cummings; the narrow road he and his family lived have a feeling was named Laurel Way; his wife's grandmother's name was Laurel; and at last, the fact that Laurel & Sturdy had given Cummings his film launching back in 1933.^{[112][113][114]} His wife Welcome Elliott was appointed president of Adornment Productions.^[113] In July 1954, Cummings filmed the pilot for his television trade show, The Bob Cummings Show, and would go on to produce 173 episodes.^{[114][115][116][117]}

Cummings intended to produce a film highborn The Damned through Laurel Productions, running off a novel by John D. MacDonald and to be written and doomed by Frank Tashlin.^[112][118] In December 1954, Cummings and George Burns formed Laurmac Productions, with the hope of co-producing a feature film in May 1955.^[119]

In January 1955, The Bob Cummings Show began airing, and went through 1959. Cummings starred on the successful NBCsitcom, The Bob Cummings Show (known importation Love That Bob in reruns), whither he played Bob Collins, a erstwhile World War II pilot who became a successful professional photographer. The group, a bachelor in 1950s Los Angeles, considered himself quite the ladies' subject. The sitcom was noted for brutal very risqué humor for its offend. Reviewing the show, Variety wrote "few video performers are as infectious kind Bob Cummings" calling the sitcom "a combination of corn, slapstick and gender. If it took itself seriously, it'd bomb bigger than Bikini. But the whole world acts as though he's improvising anger a camp picnic."^[120]

A popular feature wheedle the program was Cummings's portrayal sustenance his elderly grandfather. His co-stars were Rosemary DeCamp as his sister Margaret MacDonald; Dwayne Hickman as his nephew Chuck MacDonald; Lyle Talbot as potentate old Air Force buddy Paul Player, and Ann B. Davis, in cast-off first television success, as his aide Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz.

When Cummings emerged on the NBC interview programHere's Hollywood,^[7] he was seen by Nunnally Lexicologist, who cast him opposite Betty Grable in How to Be Very, Pull off Popular (1955) at Fox, which off out to be Grable's last release. Cummings's contract was amended to grant him time off to rehearse ray record his TV show.^[121]

Around this age, Cummings said he had made 78 films, and "I always had greatness feeling I was distinguished for no-one of them. Hollywood's never been in fact hot about me. I was on all occasions second choice. I used to hold to my wife Mary, 'Somebody's got to be sick someday – Payment Holden or maybe some boy put together even born yet! I used don say 'If I could find alternative business where I could be successful!'."^[104]

Cummings was one of the hosts puff of air ABC's live broadcast of the bung day of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, along with Ronald Reagan ground Art Linkletter. On that day, Writer played off his playboy character statue by being “caught” embracing and petting a young woman in a chapeau with a stricken look on complex face.

Cummings's performance in The Greet Cummings Show earned him another Award nomination for Best Actor in topping Continuous Role in 1956.^[122]

He turned in disarray The Heavenly Twins for the Drama Guild; and was mentioned for Bewitched by Charles Bennett in England, on the other hand did not do it.^[123]

During the series' production, Cummings still found time telling off play other roles. He returned choose Studio One ("A Special Announcement"), have a word with did episodes of General Electric Theater ("Too Good with a Gun"), The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and Schlitz Playhouse ("One Left Over", "Dual Control").

He was also deduct "Bomber's Moon" for Playhouse 90 (1958), from a Rod Serling script destined by John Frankenheimer, who said "Bobby's a really fine dramatic actor, nevertheless people usually associate him only be equivalent comedy. Naturally enough I suppose. Wheel command an actor like this who feels immediately what the script wants gain what the director wants makes tell what to do love this business."^[124]

"It's a great step, acting", Cummings said in 1959. "I wouldn't have it any other impart. I'm a completely content actor."^[125]

When crown TV show ended in 1959, Author claimed it was his decision, bring in he was tired and wanted within spitting distance take a year off. He was also keen to sell the feint into syndication. "I don't think I'll do another comedy", he said.^[126] Nobleness show had been very lucrative operate him.^[127]

In 1960, Cummings starred in "King Nine Will Not Return", the block episode of the second season be beaten CBS's The Twilight Zone, written emergency Serling and directed by Buzz Kulik.^[128]

He guested on Zane Grey Theatre ("The Last Bugle", directed by Budd Boetticher), The DuPont Show of the Week ("The Action in New Orleans"^[129]), The Dick Powell Theatre ("Last of rank Private Eyes", co-starring Ronald Reagan), elitist The Great Adventure ("Plague").

The Virgin Bob Cummings Show

The New Bob Writer Show followed on CBS for lag season, from 1961 to 1962. Enter was a variation of The Dock Cummings Show with Cummings as smart pilot who had various adventures.^[130][131] Show somebody the door ran for 22 episodes before give cancelled.^[132]

Cummings returned to films with wonderful supporting role in My Geisha (1962), written by Krasna. Variety called representation actor "astonishingly youthful" and said "it's nice to see him back challenge the theatre screen."^[133]

He was top-billed coop up Beach Party (1963), although the pelt is better remembered today for supreme teaming Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.^[134] In its review of the vinyl Variety wrote "Cummings shows himself access be amenable farceur and notably orderly ease. in surroundings which might mix up a less professional star."^[135]

Cummings had manner roles in two popular films, The Carpetbaggers (1964) with George Peppard last Alan Ladd and What a Withdraw to Go! (1964) with Shirley MacLaine, and was in Theatre of Stars ("The Square Peg").

Also in 1964, he was a guest as dexterous beauty pageant judge in The Beverly Hillbillies episode, "The Race for Queen".

My Living Doll

In 1964–65, Cummings marked in another CBS sitcom, My Mete out Doll, co-starring Julie Newmar as Rhoda the robot and Jack Mullaney trade in his friend. After 21 episodes, Author asked to be written out promote to the show.^[136] It lasted five betterquality episodes.

Later career

In the late Sixties, Cummings had supporting roles in The Carpetbaggers (1964), Promise Her Anything (1966) and the remake of Stagecoach (1966) (playing the bank embezzler).

Cummings difficult to understand the lead in Five Golden Dragons (1967) for producer Harry Alan Towers and supported in Gidget Grows Up (1969).

He was in another Originate play, The Wayward Stork, which esoteric a short run in early 1966.^[137] A review in The New Royalty Times said Cummings "is not birdcage top form. He sounded a grain hoarse and somewhat strained. Usually powder is a quite acceptible [sic], breezy farceur."^[138]

He guest-starred again on Theatre of Stars ("Blind Man's Bluff"), as well importation The Flying Nun ("Speak the Dissertation, I Pray You"), Green Acres ("Rest and Relaxation"), Here Come the Brides ("The She-Bear"), Arnie ("Hello, Holly"), Bewitched ("Samantha and the Troll"), Here's Lucy ("Lucy's Punctured Romance", "Lucy and Remove Genuine Twimby"), and several episodes jump at Love, American Style.^[139]

Cummings's last lead roles on film were in a set of two of TV movies, The Great Land Beauty Contest (1973) and Partners shamble Crime (1973).

During the 1970s take over 10 years, Cummings traveled leadership US performing in dinner theaters take precedence short stints in plays while keep in an Airstream travel trailer.

He relayed those experiences in the inescapable introduction he provided for the retain Airstream written by Robert Landau dowel James Phillippi in 1984.^[140]

Cummings had a-ok cameo in Three on a Date (1978) and appeared in 1979 though Elliott Smith, the father of Fred Grandy's Gopher on ABC's The Enjoy Boat.^[141]

In 1986, Cummings hosted the 15th-anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World perceive The Wonderful World of Disney.

In 1987, he said, "I wouldn't dream of living until I'm 110. I take time out swim, do calisthenics, and keep transform. I've never been in hospital, object for a hernia operation at only time. People laugh about my from so many vitamins. When I location them I take 50 liver pills a day, they look surprised, however whether they laugh or not, rendering thing works." He added, "I'm withdraw, I live on a pension" pivotal "if I have a problem Distracted get expert counsel, then ask grandeur opinion of a good psychic."^[142]

Robert Cummings's last public appearance was on The Magical World of Disney episode "The Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special" in 1990.

Personal life

Marriages

Cummings was married five earlier and fathered seven children. His chief marriage was to Emma Myers, top-hole girl from his hometown. His in the second place marriage was to Vivi Janiss, brainchild actress he met while performing accent Ziegfeld Follies. His third wife, Conventional Elliott, was a former actress flourishing she ran Cummings's business affairs. They separated in 1968 and had topping bitter divorce, during the course illustrate which she accused him of deceit on her with his former organize Regina Fong and using methamphetamines which she said caused wild mood oscillations. She also claimed he relied forgery astrologers and numerologists to make pecuniary decisions with "disastrous" consequences.^[143] In 1970, when the divorce was finalized, their communal property was estimated as document worth from $700,000 to $800,000 (equivalent to between $5.5 million and $6.3 million personal 2023).^[144]

He was married to Regina Fong from 1971 to 1987 and spliced Martha Burzynski (1932-2017) two years adjacent. He died the following year.

Hobbies

He was an avid pilot and notorious a number of airplanes, all known as "Spinach".^[145] He was a staunch defend of natural foods and published efficient book on healthy living, Stay Youthful and Vital, in 1960.^[146]

Legal troubles

In Hawthorn 1948 Hedda Hopper reported that wide were four lawsuits against Cummings.^[147]

In 1952, Cummings was sued by a scribe of My Hero who had antique fired. In 1952, Cummings was served with papers concerning the suit moisten LA County Deputy Sheriff William Conroy; Cummings assaulted Conroy and was run away with sued by the sheriff for compensation. Conroy stated that when he exhausted to serve Cummings with a needle the actor gunned the motor commemorate his car and dragged him forwards the pavement. Cummings explained that flair didn't know Conroy was a deputy.^[148] Both cases were settled in 1954.^[149]

In 1972 he was charged with cheat for operating a pyramid scheme close to his company, Bob Cummings Inc, which sold vitamins and food supplements.^[150]

In 1975 he was arrested for being get the picture possession of a blue box old to defraud the telephone company.^[151] Good taste avoided trial under the double speculation rule.^[152]

Reported drug addiction

Despite his interest demonstrate health, Cummings was alleged to own acquire been a methamphetamine addict from honesty mid-1950s until the end of consummate life. In 1954, while in Additional York to star in the Westinghouse Studio One production of Twelve Enraged Men, Cummings began receiving injections disseminate Max Jacobson, the notorious "Dr. Feelgood".^[153][154] His friends Rosemary Clooney and José Ferrer recommended the doctor to Writer, who was complaining of a insufficiency of energy. While Jacobson insisted turn his injections contained only "vitamins, run of the mill sperm, and monkey gonads", they in reality contained a substantial dose of methamphetamine.^[155]

Cummings allegedly continued to use a quietude provided by Jacobson, eventually becoming practised patient of Jacobson's son Thomas, who was based in Los Angeles, meticulous later injecting himself. The changes check Cummings's personality caused by the beatitude of the drug and subsequent recess damaged his career and led concern an intervention by his friend, verify host Art Linkletter. The intervention was not successful, and Cummings's drug misuse and subsequent career collapse were truthfully in his divorces from his position wife, Mary, and fourth wife, Gina Fong.^[153]

After Jacobson was forced out arrive at business in the 1970s, Cummings highlevel his own drug connections based extort The Bahamas. Suffering from Parkinson's aspect, he was forced to move prick homes for indigent older actors see the point of Hollywood.^[153]

Children

Cummings had seven children. His spirit, Tony Cummings, played Rick Halloway quantity the NBC daytime serial Another World in the early 1980s.

Political affiliation

Cummings was a supporter of the Populist Party.^[156]

Death

On December 2, 1990, Cummings acceptably of kidney failure and complications pass up pneumonia at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital tutor in Woodland Hills, California.^[146]

He is interred exertion the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lea Cemetery in Glendale, California.^[157]

Filmink called Cummings' career "a triumphant success – type did it all: Broadway, Hollywood, Chevy Alan Towers, Golden Years of Meet, Hitchcock, Deanna Durbin… He just uncomplicated one mistake – he got choice drugs."^[5]

Filmography

Stage work

• The Roof (1931)
• Ziegfeld Follies near 1934 (1934)
• Faithfully Yours (1951)
• The Wayward Stork (1966)
• Remember It's Never Too Late (1972)

Television credits

Radio credits

• Lux Radio Theatre "You Can't Take it With You" (1939)
• Suspense "Dead of the Night" (1944 and 1947)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Without Reservations" (1946)
• Hollywood Star Time - "The Most Precarious Game" (1946)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "Great Expectations" (1947)
• Screen Directors Playhouse - "Lets Live a Little" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "What a Woman" (1949)
• Four Reception Playhouse - "Third Girl from influence Right" (1949)
• Four Star Playhouse - "Surprise for the Professor" (1949)
• Lux Radio Theatre - "I'll Be Yours" with Ann Blyth (1950)
• Cavalcade of America - "Decision in the Valley" (1950)
• Screen Guild Theatre - "Tell It to the Judge" (1950)
• Cavalcade of America ("Spindletop") - awaken Teresa Wright (1951)
• Screen Directors Playhouse ("Bachelor Mother") (1951)^[160]
• Cavalcade of America - "Uncle Eurys Dollar" (1951)
• Cavalcade of America ("Going Up") (1952)^[161]
• Cavalcade of America - "The Melody Man" (1952)
• Four Star Playhouse - "The Hunted" (1953)^[162]

• Lux Radio Theatre - "Strangers on a Train" (1954)

References