Classic Film Journeys: Clifton Webb
Clifton Webb was a gifted actor of Hollywood’s Golden Age who achieved success in various film genres. He was born Webb Parmelee Hollenbeck on November 19, 1889 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Jacob and Mabel Hollenbeck. His parents separated shortly after Webb’s birth.
A few years later, Webb’s mother took the name Mabelle and moved to New York City with her son. There she married the copper founder Green B. Raum.
In his teens, Webb adopted the stage name Clifton Webb and worked as a professional ballroom dancer. His Broadway debut took place The Purple Street in 1913, with his mother being a fellow performer. After a string of successes in Broadway shows, particularly comedy and musical revues, he also worked in vaudeville shows and silent films. One of his early silent film roles was in new toys (1925), although for many years he focused on a stage career.
Webb grew in popularity in Broadway theater, particularly in musicals. He has had the distinction of presenting “Easter Parade”, “I’ve Got a Crush on You”, “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan” and more on stage.
Webb’s breakthrough performance came in laura (1944). Against objections dated 20th Century Fox CEO Darryl Zanuck and director Otto Preminger cast Webb as Waldo Lydecker. At this point, Webb was in his mid-fifties, and Preminger wanted an actor in the role who would really surprise audiences. His performance was unforgettable and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Because of this positive response, Webb signed with Fox and worked for them for the duration of his film career. Webb appeared in other dramas such as The Dark Corner (1946) and The razor’s edge (1946) and in the latter received another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Webb also turned to comedy films, playing Mr. Belvedere Sit pretty (1948). This role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The film was followed by sequels Mr. Belvedere Go to college (1949) and Herr Belvedere rings the bell (1951). He would also appear as the family patriarch in Cheaper in dozens (1950), which did well at the box office and also appeared briefly in the film’s sequel, beauties on their toes (1952). His last box office success was playing an angel For heaven’s sake (1950).
Webb appeared in the lead role as John Philip Sousa Stars and Stripes Forever (1952). He also performed Three coins in the fountain (1954), The man who never was (1956), The remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959) and more. Fox worked on the creation Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) with Webb in mind, but Webb had to drop out of the project due to illness. His last role was in Satan never sleeps (1962).
Webb died of a heart attack on October 13, 1966 and was buried next to his mother in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. He was 76 years old.
Today, some landmarks related to Webb’s life have survived. He was born near Brookville Rd. in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1900 he lived with his mother and stepfather at 101 17 in New Yorkth St., New York, New York. Until 1910 he resided at 214 W. 83approx St., New York, New York while working as a singer. These houses are no longer standing.
In 1925 Webb lived at 205 W. 57th St., New York, New York. He is listed as Head of Household at this time. The building still stands today.
In 1955, Webb maintained a home at 1005 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills, California. The house is no more.
Webb was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work on motion pictures. His star is located at 6850 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California.
Since 1969, the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television has offered the Clifton Webb Scholarship in Webb’s honor.
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–Annette Bochenek for Classic Movie Hub
Annette Bochenek writes our monthly Classic Movie Travels column. Here you can read all articles from Annette’s Classic Movie Travel.
Annette Bochenek, from Chicago, Illinois, is a graduate student at Dominican University and an independent scholar of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She manages the blog Hometowns to Hollywood, where she writes about her travels exploring the legacies and hometowns of Golden Age stars. Annette also hosts the Hometowns to Hollywood film series in the Chicago area. She has appeared in Turner Classic Movies and is the President of the Chicago chapter of TCM Backlot. Not only does she write for Classic Movie Hub, but also for Silent Film Quarterly, nostalgia digestand Magazine of the Chicago Art Deco Society.
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