MovieChat Forums > The World of Henry Orient (1964) Discussion > Tom Bosley

Tom Bosley

posted 19 years ago by Rob Petrie
19 replies | jump to latest

I have not watched this delightful film since its initial release, when I was too young to appreciate the deeper levels of what was going on and was only mildly captured by the humorous aspects. Still, something about this film has stayed with me years later and I have just enjoyed experiencing it all over again on TCM.

Along with all the praises that have been enumerated, including terrific performances from Tippy Walker, Merrie Spaeth, and the principles, smart writing and sensitive direction, how about a hand for an understated and moving performance from Tom Bosely, which makes the entire finale work. It's rather a shame that this fine actor (see also "Night Gallery" pilot) will likely be remembered only as Richie Cunningham's dad on "Happy Days."

[–] whitedogandharriet 19 years ago

It might be tough for Tom to behold his career, on the other hand he seemed like the philosophical type, very glad to be working, glad to be doing a bang up job no matter what. The Happy Days set was probably a hoot. Plus, it's not over yet. He also might have done a bunch of theater work between seasons or roles. I liked him as the sleuth priest, can't remember the name, with Tracy Nelson(?)(sorry).

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Rob Petrie 19 years ago

Wow! Thanks, Tippy (or, I guess it's Elizabeth--but Tippy is darned cute) for responding to my post. I'm indeed honored.

Mr. Bosley has much in his career he can be proud of, including his 1960 Best Actor Tony Award for the title role in Fiorello! The scene in TWOHO with the two of you up in your bedroom had me weeping before I even knew what was happening. It is so superbly written and played so masterfully by the two of you, it is genuinely moving without being manipulative.

Additionally, I'd like to concur with FilmSon and some of the others who adored you in this film and would love to see you on the screen again.

Thanks for all you've shared (and bared) in these posts. We appreciate you.

[–] whitedogandharriet 19 years ago

Yeah, I loved my name til I got (sorry) brutally raped in 83, all very karmic, and a spiritual woman told me that of all my names Elizabeth was the most positive so that was it, no more "Tippy" never, though my family is habituated and my old friends. It feels funny now to hear and see it, for along time I felt as though I didn't have a name, but Elizabeth is definitely it now. I tolerate "Lizabeth" , but none of the other shortenings, even Liz, nononono, I really don't like Liz, mm m, no.
I met with the guy who can and might do an audition tape this week, he's still into it but has to do a long series of drug taking for an illness he has so might not be up to it til the Spring, hh.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] gingerdee2003 19 years ago

I, too, am sorry to hear of this, Elizabeth.

Like Film Son, I apologize for using Tippy earlier. You were one of the reasons I took Elizabeth as a confirmation name.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] gingerdee2003 19 years ago

I do hope she posts again - because I would love the opportunity to tell her how much I liked her performance. I'm in a creative field, too, and it seems we have some things in common.

Thanks, FilmSon, you made MY day.

GingerDee

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] whitedogandharriet 19 years ago

Wow, I am truly flattered. But it is a nice name, if I can say that. What is your creative field?

[–] gingerdee2003 19 years ago

Writing, but also (in the past) videos, radio commercials, anything promotional, and singing (on the side). Nothing terribly exciting, but I've been able to make a living at it, more or less, and I was told when I was young that I never would. How horrible to discourage young people like that!

[–] whitedogandharriet 19 years ago

Agreed, never discourage anyone from anything creative, never, or any thing else for that matter. And it all sounds very exciting. So great you make a living. I'm not yet. Am about to launch into a novel finally--and finish some long stories, also started one recently about a group of people who cure things, want to put some imagery out there(can't spell), even this little place is a vast world, how do we know what's going on everywhere in every way. Been writing poetry and stories for some time now-as well as letters and speeches for different causes... then there's the visual art. Now that I'm older there's more pressure, doing my best to avoid it. I don't like the smooth confident thing, so get alot of flack from all sides. Things will eventually come around. Anyway, my voice wants me to write so I'm onto it. I like to sing too.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] profh-1 15 years ago

TWOHO may be my favorite of all of Tom Bosley's role. It's surprising to see him mad eup to look so much older (even as Angela Landsbury was when she starred much later in THE MIRROR CRACK'D).

For a man in his unfortunate situation, he's more "reasonable" than most people I could think of. The scene where Val comes home, it's wonderful how his first words were, "Are you all right?" As the scene progresses, it gets worse and worse with every line of dialogue that comes ouf of Isabelle's mouth. The first time I watched the film (about the 5th time tonight, I think), I kept almost screaming, "What is WRONG with that woman???" And then there's the looks exchanged between Val and her father-- when they BOTH know Isabelle is lying. And a moment later, when isabelle and her husband exchange looks-- and SHE knows that HE knows. All without words.

The next scene, between Val and her father, actually brought tears to my eyes watching it again tonight. Wow. I understand perfectly what Val meant when she said "happy in a sad sort of way." The closest I've ever seen to this scene in another film is in the film SIXTEEN CANDLES, when Molly Ringwald has a heart-to-heart with her father. (I was reminded of that a bit the first time I saw TWOHO.) 2 instances of very caring fathers, the kind I don't seem to see in film or on TV much these days.

[–] darkorion98 19 years ago

If I am not mistaken I think it was called 'Father Dowlings Mysteries'...God I watch too much TV

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] TongueFu 14 years ago

Good casting of Tom Bosley as the father. He played the role of the cuckold quite effectively in this movie without making the character maudlin or insipid. The best plot twist in the film was that, while the mother worried about her precocious teenage daughter carousing with the rakish protagonist, it was the mother herself who was ultimately seduced and nailed by Henry Orient.

[–] jrangers19 14 years ago

It's funny - I was just thinking the same thing after watching him this afternoon. Mr. Bosley underplays the role beautifully.

[–] profh-1 13 years ago

TongueFu wrote:
"while the mother worried about her precocious teenage daughter carousing with the rakish protagonist, it was the mother herself who was ultimately seduced and nailed by Henry Orient."

My mother, who suffered most of her life with mental illness, in a rare moment of clarity, once said to me (referring to my father), "When he says bad things about you he's really talking about himself." That's stuck with me all these years, I've found it so true about so many people.

In the case of the movie, Isabelle kept suspecting the worst of Val, for a very simple reason. She was seeing the world thru her OWN eyes. She'd cheated on her husband and gotten pregnant; she'd cheated on her husband with the piano player seen at the Christmas party (Val "dated" the guy in order to get the goods on him), and then she cheated on her husband with Henry Orient. And the whole time, she accuses Val of the worst because it's the kind of thing SHE's doing herself.

A friend from my last job put it another way: "People who don't trust aren't trustworthy."