I know that's what the part called for, but it also seems like every movie he's in, he plays this gullible doofus, ignorant, dull, weak, almost pathetic, like such a sucker and ham. I guess they typecast for a reason....
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Sic vis pacem para bellum.
That's not at all how I see him. He usually plays doctors, politicians (FDR twice), and authority figures. I didn't see him as cloddish in this either, he was just playing a laid back, filthy rich Oklahoma oil man.
shareHmm. That's an interesting take. I guess what I'm picking up on is that regardless of the title/name of character he plays, he seems to always portray that person the same way. I think it has to do with the delivery in particular. The way he presents on screen seems to me to be oafish and a bit backwards. So while he might be portraying a rather high calibre person at times, the method in which he goes about saying his lines, the cadence with which he speaks, and his demeanor,-- all are strongly suggestive of a dim-wittedness.
So whether the person is filthy rich, a politician, or regular ol' Joe next door, it still has to do with how he speaks. But hey, that's what makes the world go 'round, that different people can watch the same thing on-screen and take away different interpretations.
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And I stepped on the ping pong ball!
No, I see your point and you're probably right. Look what I found while I was reading his obit in the NY Times: "A turning point occurred in 1942 when he spotted a script on a producer's desk with this notation: 'Wealthy oilman from Southwest -- able, but simple and naive. Typical Ralph Bellamy part.'" Maybe I'm just used to seeing him in his more intellectual roles.
shareHe’s supposed to be cloddish. A country bumpkin, etc. and great foil for New York elites. Same role he played in HIS GIRL FRIDAY. He’s great at comedy and plays it perfectly.
shareThere's a line in 'His Girl Friday' where Grant refers to Hildy's new boyfriend as a 'Ralph Bellamy type.' Which is funny because her boyfriend was played by Ralph Bellamy.
Clearly he was already type cast at that stage in his career.