#robert sterling

[vintage-every-day]

Ann Sothern and Robert Sterling at a Hollywood Stars baseball game (1942).

[citizenscreen]

Robert Sterling (November 13, 1917 – May 30, 2006)

[kwebtv]

From the Golden Age of Television

Series Premiere

Topper - Topper Meets the Ghosts - CBS - October 9, 1953

Sitcom / Fantasy

Running Time: 30 minutes

Written by George Oppenheimer and Philip Rapp

Produced by John W. Loveton

Directed By Philip Rapp

Stars:

Anne Jeffreys as Marion Kerby

Robert Sterling as George Kerby

Leo G. Carroll as Cosmo Topper

Lee Patrick as Henrietta Topper

Buck as Neil

Lyle Talbot as Mr. Moulton

[gatutor]

Barbara Eden-Robert Sterling "Viaje al fondo del mar" (Voyage to the bottom of the sea) 1961, de Irvin Allen.

[famousdeaths]

Robert Sterling was an American actor. He was best known for starring in the television series Topper (1953–1955).

Link: Robert Sterling

[adamwatchesmovies]

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961)

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea has a certain nostalgic quality. You can tell this science fiction story comes from simpler times, that despite its serious plot and high stakes, the objective was to have fun. With solid special effects and a surprisingly sophisticated plot, it’s hard not to fall under its undersea charms.

A meteor shower is causing the global temperature to rise and leading to worldwide cataclysms. Though the UN’s chief scientist believes the problem will resolve itself, Scientific and engineering genius Admiral Harriman Nelson (Walter Pidgeon) isn't convinced. With his state-of-the-art nuclear submarine, he sets a course for the Mariana Islands: the one spot on Earth from which the Seaview's missiles can destroy the asteroids encircling the planet and save the world.

If you take a magnifying glass to the film, the science leans towards the dodgy side and there are several questionable actions from multiple people. The Seaview is the roomiest submarine I’ve ever seen. The interior is so relaxed people are even allowed to smoke - though to the film’s credit, this becomes a plot point later on. Then there’s the question of the global warming in effect. Professor Emilio Zucco (Henry Daniell) says the fire encircling our planet will burn itself out when it reaches 173 degrees. By my count, we’d all be cooked dead by then. Even the movie seems to acknowledge this, as there are many radio reports of polar ice caps melting, bodies of water drying up, entire regions of Europe becoming uninhabitable and Africa’s flora burning up. You might wonder if there will even be a planet to save by the time the Seaview arrives at its destination… but those are details far eclipsed by what the film does right.

While Harriman Nelson disregards the UN’s votes and even the President’s orders, the point is that he’s right. Our world is doomed (not through any fault of our own, mind you) unless the brave men (and women) on the high-tech submarine can make the harrowing journey to the Mariana Islands. Along the way, there are many dangers - outside and inside the submarine. Giant octopuses, land mines and government interference are just the beginning of their troubles. Not everyone aboard the Seaview believes Nelson is correct. Some think his plan will actually make things worse. Others believe this is the end of the world, that they should be allowed to go see their families one last time before it’s too late. Tensions escalate when Harriman clashes with his second-in-command, Captain Lee Crane (Robert Sterling). It all works because the characters are well-written. Even when someone becomes an antagonist or you don’t agree with their actions, you understand why they’re doing them. It might be stress, faith in someone other than their overconfident Admiral, or some saboteur’s plan leading them astray. These all keep the plot racing and the audience wondering what’s next.

Though this film is ultimately about its plot, not the characters, they’re given enough dimension for you to care about them. There are many, but the ensemble creates a nice balance of different views, and everyone serves a purpose at one point or another. Look forward to Joan Fontaine as psychologist Dr. Susan Hiller, Nelson’s on-board friend and fellow scientist, Commodore Lucius Emery (Peter Lorre), the Admiral’s secretary, Lieutenant Cathy Connors (Barbara Eden), one of the cataclysm’s first victims rescued by the Seaview, Miguel Alvarez (Michael Ansara), and more.

As for the special effects, they obviously don’t compare to what we can do with computers today, but the illusions are all fine. Some might even make you wonder how they managed them way back in the 60s. Considering they perfectly convey the information director Irwin Allen wanted them to. I’d say they hold up well.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea maintains steady tension throughout. Some of it might’ve been scientifically disproven since its release but it doesn’t matter too much because the ideas are there. It’s exactly the kind of movie you’d watch as a kid and would never get tired of, then revisit years later and be relieved to see holds up. Even if you’re watching it for the first time, it has a quaint charm that makes you feel nostalgic. (On Blu-ray, September 8, 2021)

[365filmsbyauroranocte]

A Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973)

[random-brushstrokes]

Robert Sterl - Farm in Hesse (1893-94)

[pernillecfcw]

The lads going out for sushi 💙🍣

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[opabinia-fan]

shoutout to the 2 Archer fans that still exist

Have some art (obviously inspired by the falsettos album cover)

[citizenscreen]

Patricia Medina, director Robert Z. Leonard, and Robert Sterling on set of THE SECRET HEART (1946).

[mudwerks]

(via JHALAL DRUT: Al Hirschfeld)

1973: Robert Altman's THE LONG GOODBYE with Elliot Gould, Nina Van Pallandt, & Sterling Hayden

[gatutor]

Marsha Hunt-Robert Sterling "I´ll wait for you" 1941, de Robert S. Sinclair.

[ofspacecrafts]

One of my favorite character tropes/dynamics is the leader/person of authority/older person who tries so hard to be against the team/groups reckless antics but they’re actually so supportive and have their peoples backs but are also very exasperated by them most of the time .

[theersatzcowboy]

The Long Goodbye (1973)

A deeply cynical neo-noir shot on the less-documented streets of 1970s Los Angeles.

Director: Robert Altman

Cinematographer: Vilmos Zsigmond

Starring: Elliott Gould, Sterling Hayden, Nina Van Pallandt, Jim Bouton, Mark Rydell, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.