Handsome is as Handsome Does Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cornel Wilde

Cornel Wilde, of the dark brown twinkling eyes and robust physique, was born in Hungary. His family came to America when he was seven years old. Cornel Wilde, an intelligent and talented man, completed his undergraduate pre-med course in three years rather than the four generally required.

He was offered a scholarship to study medicine at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, which he declined. He also relinquished his place on the U.S. Olympic Fencing Team. In 1940, he enrolled in New York's Irvine Studio to study acting. Sir Lawrence Olivier hired Cornel as his fencing teacher for his upcoming Broadway role in "Romeo and Juliet". From this teaching stint, Cornel obtained a small role in Olivier's play, from which Wilde's acting career blossomed. Playing the role of Sebastian in "The Greatest Show on Earth" was a highlight of his career.

Answer: Montgomery Clift

Researching the life of the young, comely Montgomery Clift became, for me, a sad endeavor. Much of what is written about him gives due credence to his superb acting talents, such as his fine portrayal of Pruitt in "From Here to Eternity". However, most frequently his biographical information centers on Clift's emotional instability, and his dependency on drugs. Having enjoyed Clift in many of his movies, I believe the accolades he received were well deserved.

He had four Oscar nominations as Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The four movies for which he earned the nominations were "The Search" (1949), "A Place in the Sun", (1952) "From Here to Eternity" (1954) and "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961).

Answer: William Holden

Debonair William Holden won the Oscar for his role of Sefton in the movie, "Stalag 17". He was the smoldering, handsome dancing partner of Kim Novak in the movie, "Picnic" and an understanding lover of Jenifer Jones in, "Love is a Many Splendored Thing".

Other fine movies to his credit are "Sunset Boulevard", "Bridge Over the River Kwai", and one of my favorites, though not as well known, "The Counterfeit Traitor". In this movie Holden is in a dangerous liaison with actress Lili Palmer, who plays a French underground agent during World War II.

Despite his successful career, Holden saw it as "just a job". He was more interested in wild animal preservation and opened his own Wild Life Sanctuary in Africa.

Answer: Lee Marvin

Lee Marvin, though not defined as a "handsome Hollywood leading man", had a quixotic smile and a dare-devil appeal. These physical characteristics seemed to enhance his role as the Training Officer of a group of military misfits in the movie, "The Dirty Dozen".

In his own personal life, while in the US Army during World War II, Marvin suffered a wound to his sciatic nerve during the Battle of Saipan. A story, later proven to be untrue, was that as Marvin was being carried on a stretcher down the hillside, Bob Keeshan, (Captain Kangaroo), placed a cigarette in Marvin's mouth. Marvin went on to win the Oscar for his role in "Cat Ballou" and enjoyed a successful movie career. Lee Marvin is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 7 Lot 176.

Answer: Glenn Ford

Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford, (Glenn Ford), was born in Quebec City, Canada. Glenn chose his stage name from his father's hometown, Glenford, Canada. Glenn's family traces their ancestry back to Ford's being a great-nephew of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister.

The family moved to California when Glenn was seven years old. A naturalized American citizen, Glenn was drafted into the Marine Corp. He was on Active Duty during World War II. He also served in the US Coast Guard and the US Naval Reserves.

His tour of duty halted his acting career which had been on the rise prior to his induction into the Service. Ford's role opposite Rita Hayworth in the film "Gilda", (1946), promoted his post-war career. Glenn Ford, a roguishly handsome man, with a great grin, went on to give fine performances in films such as, "Blackboard Jungle" and "The Big Heat".

He starred in several westerns as well as film noir. From the movie "Gilda", the song "Put the Blame on Mame" was popularized. From the film, "Blackboard Jungle", the song "Rock Around the Clock, (Bill Hayley and the Comets), also became popular. With his charming insouciance and natural acting skills, Glenn Ford provided much entertainment for movie audiences.

Answer: Louis Jourdan

A suave cosmopolitan man with great charm, Louis Jourdan was born in France and educated there, as well as in Turkey and Britain. Prior to coming to the United States, Jourdan was well known to French audiences. Jourdan was successfully cast as a dashing leading man in French romantic comedies.

After France fell to the Axis powers, Jourdan's career came to a halt when he refused to act in German propaganda films. Louis Jourdan and his brother, Pierre, joined the French Resistance, publishing and distributing underground newspapers. Jourdan came to the United States of America at the behest of David O.Selznik, who cast Jourdan in the movie, "The Paradine Case".

It was Jourdan's role in the movie "Gigi" that brought him much recognition. Because of Louis Jourdan's continental charm he was typecast and his Hollywood career dwindled. Jourdan eventually returned to his homeland. Upon retirement he and his wife, Quiqui moved to the town of Vielle, France. Louis has been known to say that he never watches his own films, and has accepted that he will always be known as a French Hollywood cliche.

Answer: Robert Walker

After a struggle with mental illness and a six month stay at the Menninger Clinic, Alfred Hitchcock resurrected the career of Robert Walker as Bruno Anthony, in the film "Strangers on the Train". Robert's past, including his parents' divorce when he was eleven years old, plus his rebellious teen years affected his emotional health.

A rich Aunt aided him and eventually paid for him to study acting at The American Academy of Art. At the age of 19, he married Phylis Isley who later took the stage name of Jennifer Jones. Robert and Jennifer were married eight years before the Producer, David O Selznik cast them as lovers in the film "Since You Went Away". O Selznik had a strong desire for Jennifer and this was known to all three of them when they did this movie together. Jennifer reciprocated O Selznik's feelings and divorced Robert after the film was completed. Devastated by the loss of his wife, Robert Walker increased his rash behavior and heavy drinking, and had long spells of depression. Hollywood, aware of Walker's problems, began casting him in light, frothy roles not suited to his strong acting capability. An example of this was Walker's role playing the composer Jerome Kern in the film, "As the Clouds Roll By". Robert Walker died at the age of 33 when, after given an injection of sodium amytal by his doctor, he had a fatal reaction to it.

Answer: Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum, a handsome virile actor, was cast as the "Reverend" Harry Powell in the movie "The Night of the Hunter". This tense, compelling film ,which was moderately successful, is now considered an icon for film noir movies. Mitchum had that lazy "I can wait to do it and it will get done eventually" quality which sustained the momentum and suspense in this movie.

This attribute was reflected in his devil-may-care lifestyle off screen. A troubled and rebellious youngster and a drifter in his late teens, Mitchum carried this into his adult life.

In the midst of his career he was incarcerated for a few months for possession of marijuana. Mitchum's older sister Julie, a California resident, encouraged him to join the Actors Guild and study acting.

After spending time as an extra or contracting for bit acting parts, Robert Mitchum, starred in the movie, "The Story of GI Joe" for which he received an Oscar nomination in the Supporting Actor Category. Mitchum became a popular and respected actor amongst the Hollywood film community.

The film noir category became a natural for this tall, handsome man with the laconic look. Mitchum's role in the movie "Cape Fear" established him in this genre. Robert Mitchum, married to his wife, Dorothy, for 57 years, died in 1997 from complications of lung cancer and emphysema.

Answer: Tyrone Power

Almost to the point of being called beautiful, very handsome Tyrone Power was the great-grandson of an 18th century Irish born actor and comedian Tyrone Power I. Following in his family's footsteps, after graduation from high school Tyrone Power joined his father, a professional actor, to learn this craft from him. Shortly after this, Tyrone Power Sr. died in his son's arms. Katherine Cornell, a famous Broadway actress, encouraged Tyrone and found bit parts on the stage for him. Noticed by Hollywood, Tyrone Power eventually signed a contract with 20th Century Fox.

It was only after the Hollywood Gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, saw Tyrone Power in the film "Lloyds of London" and praised him that his career took off. Tyrone Power was an established movie star when he was inducted into the US Marine Corp in 1943.

He was a Marine Pilot during WWII and flew supplies in and wounded Marines out of Iwo Jima. Ty Power (as he was known then) resumed his career after the war. Tyrone Power had many box office successes such as "The Razor's Edge", "Witness for the Prosecution" and swashbuckling films such as "Captain from Castile". Noted for his skill with a sword, in 1958 he accepted the starring role in the movie "Solomon and Sheba".

While filming a strenuous dueling scene, Tyrone Power suffered a heart attack on the movie set and died on the way to the hospital. As well as being a successful Hollywood actor, Tyrone power also remained in the US Marine Reserves and held the rank of Major at the time of his death.

Answer: Victor Mature

Cast by Cecil B.De Mille Victor Mature, a handsome, muscular man gave authenticity to his portrayal of Samson, the biblical strong man who believed his strength came from his hair. Playing opposite Hedy Lamarr and joined in this cast by Angela Lansbury and George Sanders, the movie was a box office success. Victor Mature was the son of Italian immigrants who, before joining the Pasadena Playhouse, had his own restaurant business.

In 1942, his stint as an actor was interrupted by his enlistment in the US Coast Guard during WWII. Honorably discharged in 1945, he resumed his acting career. Mature was successful in many varied films.

Some of his most notable roles came from starring in Biblical epics, such as "The Robe', "Demetrius and the Gladiators" and "The Egyptians".

It is reported that Mature said that his success in this type of role was because he could "make with the holy look".