Ernest Borgnine: All-American Badass
by Kurt SchlichterCompared to the generic twerps the Hollywood machine pumps out today and labels as “stars,” at 92, Ernest Borgnine remains the real deal. He is to the genetically-engineered robots like the Zac Effrons and Robert Pattinsons of the world what a shot of straight-up Jack Daniels is to a watered down cosmopolitan served with a straw. Borgnine has lived a real life, full of ups and down, and his face shows it. In contrast, today’s stars look like they were raised in protective cocoons after being genetically engineered to perfect their bone structure, dark eyebrows and pouting lips. And that’s just the guys.
Look at his life. Borgnine was born to Italian immigrant parents in 1917, spent 10 years in the Navy, including all of World War II, then bummed around as a second string character actor for another decade before snagging an Oscar in his first major role. The closest thing to life experience one of today’s stars has is a three week stint at $5,000-a-day rehab resort getting seaweed facials and talking about how his daddy never told him he loved him during group therapy while secretly gobbling the vicodins he smuggled in inside the liner of his Louis Vuitton cosmetics case.
You want retro cool? Forget posers like George Clooney and his pathetic attempts to relive the Old School dream with his Ocean movies, skinny ties and succession of cocktail waitress girlfriends. Ernest Borgnine is a 33rd Scottish Rite Mason, was in From Here to Eternity with Frank Sinatra, and was married to Ethel Merman. He married Ethel Merman! Try and top that for retro cool, George. Borgnine not only founded the Old School but is a Professor Emeritus.
What are his politics? Who knows? While his most recent political contribution was to George W. Bush in 2004, Borgnine comes from a time when actors concentrated on acting. He is very active in supporting Navy veterans, but you won’t hear him spouting off about his specific views. He’s a generic patriot – there’s probably a yellow ribbon on the back of his Caddy (you just know he drives a Cadillac) and anyone he sees messing with the flag can probably expect to feel one of those meaty Borgnine paws hard across his pie hole.
But can he act? Hell yes. There is that aforementioned Academy Award for 1955’s Marty. Marty is the heartbreaking story of a homely 30-ish meat cutter and his delicate romance with a plain-Jane schoolteacher. Borgnine is fearless as Marty, lashing out at his own looks and his inability to connect with women in a way no modern star ever could or would. It is a brave performance in a way you simply do not see today, and a performance that is a credit to both Borgnine’s talent and lack of ego.
Marty is about real people and real love, but if it were remade today – and lacking either vampires or a graphic novel pedigree it never would be – you can just imagine the Hollywood weasels’ notes:
Instead of this lonely butcher thing, which is a downer, how about making Marty a swinging TV reporter looking for The One?…And can we rename him Gavin? And let’s make the girl a model – is Kate Hudson busy? We’ll need a non-threatening gay friend for her. And let’s get Gerard Butler as Marty, I mean Gavin. Awesome. I think these changes are really going to test well.
Borgnine’s ten minute supporting role as the general who gives Lee Marvin his suicide mission at the beginning of The Dirty Dozen is like a master’s class in acting. In just a few minutes, he shifts from deadly serious to comic and back while holding his own against arguably the toughest guy ever on screen. Watch his face and his expressions and reactions, then compare his technique to that of today’s actors, whose “performances” seem to consist largely of them standing there staring vacuously and radiating their unnatural beauty. No contest.
–
Ernest Borgnine has been in classic Westerns like The Wild Bunch and Bad Day at Black Rock, got capsized in the original Poseidon Adventure and even showed up on SpongeBob SquarePants. Sometimes he was a maybe bit too versatile – this Italian-American portrayed “Ragnar” in The Vikings. Still, he epitomizes the concept of the working actor, with roles ranging from big budget films to parts in what only one grading on a generous curve would label as B movies. He’s had several TV series and a ton of guest shots, including a part in the finale of ER and a memorable appearance in a classic episode of The Simpsons. And if you check out his IMDB site, you’ll find over 200 entries and see that he has three more movies coming out. The dude is 92!
You can have the soulless, polished Berluti loafers that are the stars of today – I’ll take the scuffed character of the old bowling shoes reeking of spilled Budweiser and the feet of a hundred guys with names like Sal and Bob that is Ernest Borgnine.
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112 Comments
His Simpsons episode was indeed a classic. The writers and producers have nothing but praise for him on that episode's DVD commentary track.
Ironically, I just watched Disney's The Black Hole (1979) and I had no idea Borgnine was in it. It was a bit weird seeing him hung by wires doing a weightless routine on a spaceship.
I'm still conflicted by the film's ending but that's another story.
I never really cared for Borgnine as an actor until I started to realize that he was in many of my favorite movies and I always liked his work.
The essence of an old school actor. Worked hard – played hard and didn't blame anybody. I saw the TCM interview – he said that it was McHales Navy that made him an icon, and Ethel was a psycho – I think the marriage lasted a weekend. Funny guy and a great talent.
I love The Black Hole! Great sound track, fun concept, nice execution. I agree though about the ending, I'm never sure if I like it or not. It always struck me as a Disney version of 2001.
Considering that Borgnine played opposite 2 Jewish actors in "The Vikings," that was almost typecasting! It's a fun movie, and we Viking enthusiasts laugh about it, but generally admit we love it. And nothing about it do we love more than Borgnine's performance.
I love this guy. Borgnine has made everything he participates in better. But you should've given an open nod to
"McHale's Navy." That was a great show, with a very funny cast. (Tim Conway, Carl Ballantine, Joe Flynn, etc.) And BTW, if you read Merman's biography, there is a chapter called "My Marriage To Ernest Borgnine", the entire chapter is a single blank page!
"You kids probably best remember me from my role as Fatso Judson in 'From Here to Eternity'" (quoting from memory).
One of the funniest lines in the history of "The Simpsons."
I regularly post (and try to blog) on Film Score Monthly's website and a CD of John Barry's complete score for this film is considered one of the "holy grails" of soundtrack collectors.
I thought the movie was fun. It was one of the last (if not THE last) movies where the visual effects were done by an in-house crew at the studio, whereas today visual effects are farmed out to other facilities, like ILM.
And I believe it was the last theatrical film with an overture (beating Star Trek: The Motion Picture by two weeks).
Okay, nerd mode off.
Per the commentary, Borgnine actually asked the producers, "Would these kids really know who I am?" Nothing like The Simpsons in its prime.
My favorite character actor of all time, maybe my favorite actor. A legend. Nearly everything I thought was "cool" growing up had Ernest Borgnine. "The Wild Bunch?" Borgnine. "Airwolf?: Borgnine. The man is living, breathing classic Hollywood. The good Hollywood.
Great man. Great actor. I long for a real male (a man) actor in a real movie.
I LOVE the soundtrack and I've been trying to find it anywhere for some time, but the last I knew it was no longer in print anywhere!
Have you got a link to where you blog?
Very Spooky Chump, I was about to say the exact same things!!!!
So. . . ditto.
One of the last Real Men in Hollywood. Brutally honest, heart of gold….he must be doing something right, if his beautiful wife Tova is any indication. As a middle-aged woman, I would pick his craggy face and winsome smile over any of the pansy-assed so-called "leading men" of today.
The Wild Bunch was awesome! Poseidon Adventure. . . Dirty Dozen. . . Flight of the Phoenix.
Amen.
Hey! Don't knock Ragnar! He was terrific as Ragnar! I saw that movie when I was a teenager and went back twice more, and Ragnar was my favorite character. Tony Curtis is no Viking. Kirk Douglas was good, but Ragnar was a VIKING'S VIKING! God bless Borgnine.
He had also been a fixture in Milwaukee's annual Circus Parade, dressed as a clown. When he couldn't walk, he'd be driven in a golf car, smiling and giving the crowd a ton of the old Borgnine charm.
Great article!! Mr. Borgnine is a true icon. I've liked everything he's done, and I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that gravely voice coming from a Spongebob episode my son was watching.
He can truly do it all. Comedy, drama, action. The equivalent of a 5 tool baseball player.
Borgnine! he added something to every movie he has been in. The taxi driver in Escape from New York. He was Kat in the remake of All quiet on the Western front. I could go on.
BTW Mchales navy was meant to be a dramady. The problem was that the new producer thought the show should be St Bilko in the navy. When you have comic geniuses like Joe Flynn and Tim Conway it had to be a comedy. Which explains why the show was so strange.
Borgnine was surprised to learn that the show ecouraged so many people to enlist in the navy.
McHale's Navy!!! The All-time greatest classic TV series ever put together
(yep, better than Gilligan's Island 
) .. only wish it had lasted longer so I would have more reason to watch the Hulu site…
Great. My reply vanished. Sounds like the glitch has returned.
You can find it on iTunes but it's simply the remastered LP tracks, not the whole thing. Apparently, it was the first digitally-recorded score and there have been some compatibility issues with today's technology. I take that with a grain of salt.
I keep getting stuck in moderation. You might have to simply Google "Film Score Monthly", then scroll down till you get to an entry titled "Flying the Friendly Skies." That's me. Click on my name (Scott…) and you can see the rest of my entries. I have no formal music knowledge or training. I'm just a geek.
I've always been a fan…the man is about as versatile as they come. Some of my favorites; The Flight of the Phoenix, Bad Day at Black Rock (great scene in the diner with Spencer Tracy) Vera Cruz, of course the Wild Bunch and Marty.
great soundtrack indeed; that and the much unloved 'King Kong' (1978) are two very good Barry scores that are difficult to find. Peter Ellenshaw, who did all the Disney matte work- we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing when he promoted "Black Hole'. At a theater in Chicago he showed his amazing surrealist art; from the astral skyscapes of space to the Mary Poppin's late 1800's England skylines- all the work in that film was on a soundstage and every sky was one of his paintings… he passed soon after.
One of our favorite memories…
…let me third or fourth "McHales's Navy", it was must see TV for me when I was a kid. It was in syndication by then and if I ran home from school I could beat my sisters to the TV and be spared "Family Affair". His body of work is legendary and his dedication to our country is unmatched.
his work in 'The Dirty Dozen' , short as it may be, is amazing… Lee Marvin, George Kennedy, Robert Ryan and Robert Webber- several of them real WWII decorated veterans- and Borgnine steals the scene. Not easy to do in one of the best films ever made…
He did a lot of the James Bond music too — great stuff there.
I guess this is for the room…
So what does an actor have to do to prove his badass-ness today? Military experience isn't a prerequisite (but I'm sure it helps). I blame it more on the movies that are being made. My friend and I have been doing sort of a year in review for movies and in the 80s, you had your Die Hards, your Rambos, Predator, and your Van-Damme, Norris, and Seagal movies, plus many, many more. They don't make movies like that much anymore. (God bless Stallone – I can't wait for The Expendables.)
I also realize this doesn't apply to just action movies either.
So how is this problem to be rectified? Thoughts? I'm sure some blame the "feminization" of men but I am not intelligent or well-read enough to elaborate on that point.
The geeks shall inherit the Earth…..or something like that…..
Me too, Aggie. No slicked up metro-sexual for me. I can't stand a man who uses more "product" than I do in front of the mirror. I don't like a man who even knows what the term "product" refers to.
Not very handsome, but a good actor. Not one of the "Pretty Boys" today who spend more time flexing their muscles than acting.
The Dirty Dozen still ranks as one of my favorite war movies.
I read his autobiography that came out last year. The guy was a WORKING actor. He knew the meaning of hungry,.hell he was a depression baby.
The Hilarious line was his picking up Ethel Mermans autobiography and seeing his name on a chapter.
It was a blank page and next page was a new chapter.
I cant even fathom a guy that can do McHales navy and a Sam Peckinpah classic at the same time.
So what does an actor have to do to prove his badass-ness today hmm.. you know that's a good question…
Let's see… Bad-ass actors proving it today…
1) Jason Statham
)
2) Bruce Willis (STILL!)
3) Sylvester stallone (Depending on expendables)
4) Vinnie Jones (even though he's almost always a bad guy of sorts…)
5 Robert DeNiro (in pretty much anything
Trying to think who else would still fall in that category…
as career 007 fans- his adventures fueled our febrile young mind and helped shape our career path- we are intimately fmiliar with Mr Barry's Bond scores. Also, too they have all been digitally re-mastered and most have previously unreleased bits… 'Thunderball', 'You Only Live Twice' and 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' are all terrific. His score for Michael Cain'e Harry Palmer film 'The Ipcress File' is another fave…
We could go on…
I would add Vin Deisel to that.
In terms of rectifying it, first, start hiring men and stop hiring boys — pretty boys especially, but also man-children like Shia Lebouf and anyone in a Judd Aptow film. You can't look like a hero if people think you're going to (1) stop to put on make up or (2) whip out a pop tart on your way home to your mom's basement.
I have a copy on LP that is still mint. I remember listening to it repeatedly as a young boy. The movie has its moments, but it still brings back fond memories of childhood.
Well, as he famously was caught on tv a little while ago saying, his secret to long life is to masturbate a lot!
I considered putting Vin on there, Andrew.. but there's that "actor" (more than just an "Action Star") part of the statement *hehehe*. J/K to any Vin fans..
Cool piece. Love Mr. Borgnine
Great guy. In case y'all missed the fox interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5QwtZHkuBY
When I was a kid.. I used to have a collection of "disney movies in book format on tape'… and the soundtrack actually took up the first huge portion of the cassette of the "Black Hole". Go around with one of those portable tape recorders, playing just that part of the tape used to be a highlight of my grade school years
what do you mean inherit it, Hank.. we still own it, we're just loaning it out to the looneys
Oh, my gosh – YES!!!!!!
"Airwolf"!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had some movies on LP and a handful of Star Treks on LP.
LOL! Run Mark . . . run!
I still enjoy his role as "Cabbie" in Escape from New York. He was a great fit for the part, and he still got some of the best lines as well.
I've been a fan of Ernie Borgnine since I first saw him in McHale's Navy. I've seen over the years the great acting he can do. I like actors who can play a really bad "bad" guy. Ernie can do that. Want a believable bad guy? Call Ernie.
Can you see Ernie walking three steps behind the missus with the kids in tow, as that great icon of American manhood Brad Pitt does?
You want to freak out? Check out Borgnine's IMDB page. Jesus Xavier Rodriguez! He's been in almost as many classics as John Wayne! AND HE'S STILL WORKING!!!
I can't be the only one who loved Ice Station Zebra. ;^)
When in college a frequent pastime was to play the movie game while drinking. The object is to name the titles of movies in alpha beta order taking turns with however many were in the game. Aside from naming your title, you had to also name an actor, director, or producer. It seemed that Ernie Borgnine kept coming up in every other movie. On occasion, my friend Ron and I would run rounds where an Ernest Borgnine response would gain extra points.
That was about the time that I realized that there was so much more to this guy than McHale's Navy.
Mr Bornine is one of my favorites, too (along with the likes of Peter Ustinov) One of our family's favorite movies that he appears in is Jesus of Nazareth. His face reflects so much of the wonder and sorrow, the sympathy and suffering as he gazes upon the Crucified – and I've read that as the scene was shot, that cross was bare – he was hearing a reading of the Gospels of the Crucifixion read to him by the director and reacting to it.
Borgnine's homely, tough-guy face can convey more emotion in a few seconds than some of the half-shaven men-boys we have acting now. He and others like him have always made movies a real treat. His roles, no matter how short, have the effect of making a movie that much greater for his presence and his abilities. And his humility is a part of that, too. He just seems like an all 'round nice guy.
I think Mr. Borgnine has one of the greatest laughs on film. Also, I never thought he was so unattractive in real life to warrant the comments in the movie Marty. It was acting. Nor was the girl in the movie so unattractive but was made plain and never smiling freely played into the notion of unattractive. Maybe I see less of a persons outward appearance but I don't think so. Of course, your mention of Gerry Butler in anything grabs my attention and I could see him in the role of Marty but not Kate Hudson because she can't act.
I get depressed when I think of how many of the great ones have gone and how we are left with the neutered males who are now supposed to be leading men. Give me a Borgnine or a Jack Elam anytime.
Bad ass today means someone who trashes a hotel room and throws a hissy fit when his bottle of French mineral water isn't properly chilled. I'm pretty sure that most "bad asses" today would faint if faced with a real life tough guy experience.
HAIL RAGNAR ! HAIL RAGNAR'S BEARD!!!
I like your attitude, Schlichter. Agree 100% on current crop of pretty-boy actors — they bore! Both on-screen and off. Thanks for reminding me of Borgnine, gonna rent his movies and enjoy his performances all over again.
Borgi is all you say, but that piece in the ER finale was really among his best, look at it again, the man is an actor, and nailed it at the age of 91. He was a "tin can" destroyer sailor in WWII, and is quite active in vets affairs. I think Kerry's acting performance (I'm guessing Borgi knew Kerry is an actor) in the "Winter Soldier" show is what po'd a real sailor and a real man and a real actor, thus his support of W.
Ernie Borgnine you have to love the guy . He tore your Heart out in Marty and you wanted to throw Punches at the screen at him in From Here to Eternity. I agree with Lars Walker and Alkali Ike . I loved his Ragnar in The Vikings. The scene where he jumps into the Wolf Pit with a sword in his hand and Tony Curtis loses his hand because he gave it to him. Made me wrestle many a night with my pillow when I was a kid…Good Stuff. Sad that we don't see more Men of his caliber in film today, to much Testosterone. It offends The Great Tolerent Pansy Fraternity that have to much to say in Hollyweird… our loss . What a World.
A thousand times THANK YOU for saying what sorely needed to be said about the state of Hollywood's so-called finest today. There will NEVER be a Hollywood like the old days-the thirties, forties, fifties and early sixties. The current crop of stars are almost universally talent-free with the exception of folks like John Lithgow and Kathy Bates-IMHO, the two best actors working today. The youngsters are pitiful. I'll have to be content with my DVDs of classic Old Hollywood films because those days are gone forever. If you never saw any other work by Ernest Borgnine but his turn in "From Here to Eternity", you would have seen the best of the best in acting!!! His portrayal of "Marty" still chokes me up when I watch him. I did, however, require a mile-long piece of 'mental floss' after recently hearing Borgnine whisper on the Fox Morning Show that he frequently was 'Master of His Domain'. It was nearly as disturbing as having to coax my elderly, easily confused grandfather back into his clothes after finding him sitting on a couch wearing nothing but a smile.:o
Exactly!
Amen. The twinkle in his eye when he figured out that his senior officers were had by the Dozen is indelible to me. I always get a kick of seeing Mr. Borgnine in interviews (O'Reilly ran a short clip of his TV Icon interview yesterday), and he looks great. He's about the same age my dad would have been. Come to think of it, he even kinda looks like my dad, with his personality to boot.
Thanks, Kurt, for the post. You're bringing back memories of my dad.
Cheers, Frank
To get another good look at Ernie Borgnine's big screen work, check out Torpedo Run. He's opposite Glenn Ford and, I think, out does him.
Nope. Liked him there, also Huc.
No problem with loving "Ice Station Zebra" — so long as you don't watch it over and over again while wearing Kleenex boxes on your feet.
Best character actor in Hollywood history. He's in every genre, though my particular favorites are his sci-fi's and westerns.
I liked it, too. I'll watch anything with Patrick MacGoohan in it. He is greatly missed.
Borgnine is terrific. Has anyone else here seen the bizarre sight of Borgnine singing "I'm Too Sexy" in the movie Baseketball? A surreal moment in an underrated comedy.
EB is simply a magnificent artist. I wish they had done a bio pic of Coach Vince Lombardi since EB looked so much like the coach.
He is one of the most versatile actors of all time. Here he is again with Lee Marvin where they are playing thugs (can you think of any two actors that would be a better thug-team?) sent to intimidate Spencer Tracy in Bad Day at Black Rock. Classic!
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?cid=28035
I have always loved Ernest Borgnine, and growing up watching McHale's Navy, I thought he was cute—-so quite surprised when I first watched Marty.
As a mom of two young boys, he is also a part of my day with his role as Mermaidman on SpongeBob Squarepants—-the man is EVERYWHERE!
Kurt, Nicely and well written tribute article of an old school actor who still has a coveted excellent body of work. Mr. Borgnine is a class act and still contributes mightily when he works. Just remembering his emotional work done on the series conclusion to ER. Mr. Borgnine also keeps in contact with many on his Facebook section. Thanks again Kurt.
Maybe lowbrow for this crowd, but, please don't forget Mermaid Man!!
Anyone who can go from Marty to Emperor of the North to McHale's Navy is a truly great actor, IMO.
We watched the Dirty Dozen recently and made 2 observations. 1. Ernest Borgnine has been old for a long, long time. 2. Ernest Borgnine is all kinds of awesome and deserves more respected.
Then I added my standby observation that Lee Marvin is the sexiest thing that ever happened in the history of the world.
A few Borgie favs:
The Vikings, Marty, Wild Bunch, From Here to Eternity have been mentioned…
A Catered Affair
Violent Saturday (as an Amish farmer!)
The Flight of the Phoenix
Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?
Emperor of the North Pole
Crossed Swords
And one of the worst ever: Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders
[...] second this moton By datechguy I’m with Kurt, Ernest Borgnine is awesome. And Marty is one of the best movies you likely have never [...]
I liked Ernie Borgnine, I loved McHales Navy but..dang—-Dirty Dozen? Awesome flick!
Fun article.
I've been impressed by our new James Bond, Daniel Craig. As required by all 007's he kicks ass and does so with style. I know there's a little underground of dissatisfied Bond freaks out there, but I like both new movies. Beautiful women, cars, locations…that's what 007 is all about. Craig is better than I expected.
"never heard of it"…not the movie, the classically jerk line by Sutherland doing his "General" impersonation. My Dad is a retired Air Force officer and he just about hit the roof when he saw that line, he wasn't happy by the crappiness of it. I'd say he's lightened up since. D.D. is a classic.
Loved "The Vikings" and I say anybody still kicking at 92—god bless!
Scott –
I love that score as well. I searched for and wide in used records stores in Chicago before finally finding a LP in very good shape after I moved to LA. I love those early digital recordings.
Oh, and I've been reading FSM for, Christ, nearly 15 years.
Wasn't Peter Ellenshaw the older brother of Harrison Ellenshaw, he of early ILM fame?
Peter was Harrison's dad. He passed away in 2007.
He was AWESOME in Ice Station Zebra.
The interplay between him and McGoohan made that movie spark.
And yeah, McHale's Navy.
Nobody, but nobody, could've played that part but him.
Dirty Dozen speaks for itself in being a classic.
And he's a patriot. That makes him jake in my book.
Don't forget EB's performance as a rapist bad guy(in a trio with Jack Elam and Strother Martin) doomed to all be killed one at a time by Raquel Welch in leather pants, in Hannie Caulder
Before Ernie did Marty it was a TV drama starring Rod Steiger–another of the Kings of acting. Both of them were in the Navy in WW2. And my personal Actor is Frank Thring, who was the bad king in The Vikings and played bad kings in all those 50s-60s ancient spectacles. No one could throw his toga around him and look haughty like Frank. Ernie, Rod, and Frank.
Ernest Borgnine is great! Besides the Dirty D, Marty and McHale`s Navy! We would all have comfort knowing he had our backs! He ain`t begging, he`s buying. A Real Man! OT: Jon Scott interviewed a young college man who with his brother on Facebook promoted a Manly Day. The response they received was beyond their expectations. So, what do manly men do? They drink beer out of a can or bottle, burp, barbeque, talk about women, drink more beer and burp again!!!! These guys plan to promote and be on the calendar again in 2010. But since we`re discussing real men, besides Ernie, I go for Gregory Peck!
Watched "McHale's Navy" weekly when I was a tyke. That big, toothy grin in the opening credits is permanently etched in my brain.
Loved him in nearly every film I have seen him in. Every interview has shown a decent, humble man. Yes, he is "old school." And I love the man for that.
That fight scene with Spencer Tracy was a classic! Choreographed by Bruce Tegner (A prominent martial arts expert in the 1940s-70s. Tegner can be seen doubling for Tracy in a couple brief places in the scene). Was straight out of the WW2 H2H combat manuals. Very realistic.
I love his old stuff but the guy is still doing great work. The most recent movie I saw him in is Blueberry/Renegade. He was the perfect "Rolling Star".
-Guest
Could this guy act? You're damn right he could (and still can.) In 1953 he plays, Fatso Judon, one of the screens most memorable sadists, in "From Here to Eternity." In 1954 he plays two of the most evil henchmen you can name in "Johnny Guitar" and "Bad Day at Black Rock." In 1955 he gives us American cinemas greatest Everyman in "Marty." Borgnine's a guy who has been in great movies, good movies and the occasional stinker. But in every case he is both watchable and believable. "The Oscar" (1966) is a joyous stinkeroo with everyone in it swinging for the fences. Ernie dominates his scenes as an oily private eye and creates an actual character out of what should be caricature. And then there's "The Wild Bunch." The penulimtate scene with Bill Holden, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson and Borgnine strapping on their guns and walking to their doom is a poignant reminder what men in Hollywood were supposed to be like. I hope Borgnine lives to be 200.
Could this guy act? You're damn right he could (and still can.) In 1953 he plays, Fatso Judon, one of the screens most memorable sadists, in "From Here to Eternity." In 1954 he plays two of the most evil henchmen you can name in "Johnny Guitar" and "Bad Day at Black Rock." In 1955 he gives us American cinemas greatest Everyman in "Marty." Borgnine's a guy who has been in great movies, good movies and the occasional stinker. But in every case he is both watchable and believable. "The Oscar" (1966) is a joyous stinkeroo with everyone in it swinging for the fences. Ernie dominates his scenes as an oily private eye and creates an actual character out of what should be caricature. And then there's "The Wild Bunch." The penulimtate scene with Bill Holden, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson and Borgnine strapping on their guns and walking to their doom is a poignant reminder what men in Hollywood were supposed to be like. I hope Borgnine lives to be 200.
They did.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186300/
EB was awsome. A perfect casting.
When I think of Borgnine I think about all those old movies I grew up with. When I think about someone living to 92 and beyond I think of Jack La Lane who is also about 92, or some skinny old guy with good genes. Ernest Borgnine doesn't come to mind. Borgnine has always been a bit overweight. Here's news few like to hear. Overweight people don't live into their 90's (obviously Borgnine is one in a hundred million).
Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin – one of the great, unheralded screen teams.
Evil allies in BAD BAY AT BLACK ROCK
Brutal opponents in EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE
And VIOLENT SATURDAY – Lee Marvin as a violent killer vs Ernest Borgnine as a peaceful Amish farmer.
One of the great "Holy crap!" endings of all time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtzcBeye12M
Very good brief appearance in Gattaca.
Ian Fleming had always intended for his character to be blond. And though Craig fits the physical bill, his smirk is still a bit pansy-assed. He would do well to take lessons in that department from Bruce Willis or Dick Cheney
[...] About that Ernest fellow. [...]
[...] About that Ernest fellow. [...]
Kurt,
There's a great tribute to Borgnine at Tortilla Flats in the West Village (12th and Washington). Apparently, one night he came in with his wife and bought the entire bar (it's a VERY popular place) a round of drinks.
Also, everyone should check out ObamaPundit.com for the latest analysis on everything that is our 44th President.
http://www.ObamaPundit.com
Yes, that was weird. Reading the article I was thinking that he left out McHales Navy and Baseketball….
As a kid I used to watch a lot of old movies and I remember that Borgnine was always great and in quite a lot of them. Good to see he's still going and that youtube link in an earlier comment of him talking about the secret to a long life is one of the funniest things I've seen.
"Well, I'd like to say a few words over the dear, dead departed! And maybe a few hymns would be in order, followed by a church supper. With a choir!"
– The Wild Bunch
Yes! I was just going to say something about his role in that movie. The range of emotions he displays is wonderful. I was thinking particularly of the part where Jesus heals his servant, his face is so humble, and then when he hears his servant is well, he turns around to thank Jesus, but his other servants are urging him on to go back to his house. His look of gratitude says it all. I swear, I think I'm going to get misty.
Which accurately describes the length of their marriage. It ended almost as quickly as it started, and so far as I know, consisted almost entirely of arguments.
One of the many guest spots he's had on TV includes an episode of JAG from about ten years ago or so, "Yesterday's Heroes". Borgnine and two other actors played retired frogmen who wage their own war against a drug dealer. A wonderful episode that also had very hilarious moments involving those three guys. It's my favorite episode of JAG.
Before this Borgnine thread is closed, I looked in AllMovie for a list of his film credits, and found him playing the bad smokiebear who chased the truckers in Convoy, and who could forget him getting eaten by the rats in Willard. Mad magazine did one of their greatest movie satires trashing Willard. We love ya, Ernest.
Before this Borgnine thread is closed, I looked in AllMovie for a list of his film credits, and found him playing the bad smokiebear who chased the truckers in Convoy, and who could forget him getting eaten by the rats in Willard. Mad magazine did one of their greatest movie satires trashing Willard. We love ya, Ernest.
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Don't forget his role as Mr.Rogo(I hope I spelled that right) in the original Poseidon Adventure when he goes back and forth with Gene Hackman about the best way to get out of that ship.They were both fantastic in that movie.Plus he had that great voice that a previous post mentioned.He was the perfect actor for a hard nosed,gregarious role.
I was fortunate to meet Ernest Borgnine about 20 years ago in Alaska and he was such a nice guy. I told him I just wanted to shake his hand because everyone was bombarding him for autographs. I hope he reads this and knows that I still remember that day……..and hopes he enjoyed Alaska.
[...] his peers – Lee Marvin’s career had a lot in common with that of fellow all-American badass Ernest Borgnine. [...]
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