George Brent: My First Crush on a Golden Age Star of Hollywood

John Barrymore -- The Last Great Matinee Idol

My last blog implied that John Barrymore may have inspired other stars of Hollywood's Golden Age to don mustaches. Perhaps, it seemed odd that I did not include George Brent who is featured on my side bar. After all, Brent was dapper and sported a mustache similar to the one worn by Barrymore. However, I had a special article planned for George Brent in honor of Classic Mustaches for Movember Blogathon organized by Bette's Classic Movie Blog. You see, George Brent was my first crush out of all of Hollywood's Golden Age actors.





George Brent -- Actor with Barrymore Style

As a huge fan of Bette Davis and Warners Brothers, I got to see a great deal of George Brent. He was always so stylish and classy. In fact, Brent was said to have impeccable taste in clothes. His personal style came across on screen. George Brent always seemed to be the man other men would aspire to be. He was handsome and urbane with a quiet strength about him. These qualities made him attractive to his female costars and female fans.

I often wonder if Warner Brothers recognized what a treasure George Brent was. He was often chosen to star opposite a powerhouse actress. In the early 1930's, he was often paired with Barbara Stanwyck, Ruth Chatterton, and Kay Francis. The films were intended as star vehicles for his leading ladies. Brent managed to play these roles with dignity.  As a result, the films were not standard melodramas. One particular favorite of Brent's early films is The Keyhole made in 1933. This film starred Kay Francis as a socialite with a secret. George Brent plays a private eye hired by her husband to spy on her. The plot seems like a typical "women's film." However, Brent brings an integrity to his role and has strong chemistry with Kay Francis. It's a good movie that TCM shows periodically and it shows why George Brent worked so often with Warner Brothers' grand dames. (FYI Michael Curtiz directed!)

I best remember George Brent as Bette Davis' leading man. I must say, he added a believability to several important films. I don't think Dark Victory becomes a classic with another actor in the role of Dr. Frederick Steele. His subtle performance is the perfect compliment to Davis' heart tugging and emotional portrayal of the doomed Judith Traherne. There is a gentleness in Steele that Brent communicates without sacrificing Steele's strength of character. Brent made Dr. Steele a man with a selfish yet noble purpose. I loved that fact that Steele tried so hard to keep the secret of Judith's likely death until he had exhausted all possible avenues for treatment. He did not want to deceive Judith. In fact, Steele struggled with his not telling Judith the whole truth about her condition. Brent makes it clear that Steele's love for Judith  drove him to explore every option in spite of the fact that the scientist in him knew Judith would eventually succumb to her brain tumor.

The Great Lie is another successful Bette Davis vehicle that would not work with George Brent as the male lead. The role of Peter Van Allen is crucial to the audience's acceptance of the plot of The Great Lie. The viewers must believe that Maggie Patterson (Bette Davis) and Sandra Kovak (Mary Astor) would fight for Van Allen's love. If the audience does not believe Peter Van Allen is worthy of the attentions of these two strong women, then the film fails. However, George Brent makes Peter Van Allen a man who is flawed but has a sense of honor. The audience is told that Peter likes the jet set lifestyle despite being a talented pilot. One impulsive decision led to a quickie marriage with Sandra. However, the audience respects  that Van Allen is willing to accept the consequences of his actions. Again, Brent plays the role with finesse. He does not overplay it and this compliments the more emotional portrayals by Astor and Davis.

Ultimately, I have remained a huge fan of George Brent because he has an enduring charm. He can play the likeable leading man in lighter films like Luxury Liner. He was so charming as Jane Powell's father and the dashing captain of a cruise ship. Brent could then turn around and play Claudtette Colbert's husband in Tomorrow is Forever. In this film, he proves once again proves that a subtle portrayal makes "women's film" more grounded. But to me, Brent was brilliant in The Spiral Staircase. George Brent showed he could play against type when given the opportunity.

George Brent will always have a special place in my heart. After all, a girl never forgets her first crush!