Larry Gates (H.B. Lewis) in the movies.

While the "Big Daddy" of the Lewis family was doctor to the "Big Daddy" of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and got a taste of his own medicine from Sidney Poitier in "In the Heat of the Night", Larry Gates' film career is extremely broad, dating from the early 1950's through the early 80's. I keep discovering him in a variety of roles in movies, whether it be Agnes Moorehead's partner in "Jeanne Eagles" or as humilated president Herbert Hoover in "Backstairs at the White House", to just mention a few. I just re-discovered an old classic I had no idea he was in, "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?", where he has a large part (but billed deep down in the credits) as the patriarch of a middle class family who is bequested $100,000 from wealthy Charles Coburn. The film with mostly comic overtones shows how the family pretty much falls apart because of this, especially his social climbing wife (Lynn Bari). It is a charming look at the changing tides of the 1920's, and also stars Piper Laurie and Rock Hudson. Very much worth a look not only for fans of Larry, but for classic movie lovers as well! I give it an 8/***1/2 star rating here with a detailed review. The film is available on DVD in a box set of five Rock Hudson movies, and has an excellent print.

"Great theater makes you smile. Outstanding theater may make you weep."