Happy Birthday, William Holden! 10 Favorites from Old Hollywood’s Golden Boy

Pop open some bubbly…we have some celebrating to do this weekend!

April 17, 2022 marks the 104th birthdate anniversary of one of my favorite leading men: the underrated, uniquely talented, and terribly handsome William Holden.

There’s a reason, besides his breakout role, that Holden was called the Golden Boy – he never gave a bad performance. Even if the movies were subpar, his complexity, natural delivery, and star quality elevated the material to new heights.

Over the course of his lengthy career, Holden’s Midas touch brought him an Oscar, an Emmy, and made him one of the biggest stars of the 1950’s.

But underneath the fame and glitz was William Franklin Beedle Jr., a humble man with an insatiable curiosity for life. And it is his raw reflections of humanity that continue drawing us to his movies today.

I’ve selected 10 of my favorites to share with you, but this list is completely subjective. I have not seen Holden’s entire filmography, nor do I claim that these are his best movies; these are simply the ones I enjoy most.

The Remarkable Andrew (1942)

Amiable, honest bookkeeper Andrew Long (Holden) fights city corruption with the aid of his hero, a ghostly Andrew Jackson, (Brian Donlevy) in this charming comedy/fantasy with a snappy script by Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday).

The reason Andrew works is Holden.

Let’s face it, the plot sounds ri–diculous on paper. But a sincere actor with appeal can work wonders. As an audience, we not only find ourselves believing this implausible story, we find ourselves relating to Andrew and rooting for him.

If I wasn’t reading the opening credits, I would have easily attributed this film to Capra with its themes of justice, patriotism, and integrity. More evidence is supplied by the Mr. Smith-like soliloquy given powerfully by Holden at the film’s end.

Dear Ruth (1947)

A teenage girl (Mona Freeman) secretly writes to servicemen in hopes of boosting their morale, signing the amorous letters with the name of her beautiful elder sister, Ruth (Joan Caulfield).

Mayhem ensues when Lt. Seacroft (Holden) shows up at the family household eager to meet and possibly marry Ruth, who unbeknownst to him is already engaged to another man.

Holden is endearing and humorous as a love-sick soldier who’s favorite pastime is unashamedly kissing Ruth, no matter who happens to be around.

As delightful as Holden is, the supporting cast of Dear Ruth is its chief asset.

Edward Arnold plays Ruth’s exasperated but lovable father; Mary Phillips is his dutiful but befuddled wife; Billy de Wolfe is Ruth’s strait-laced fiancé; and Mona Freeman, with her scene stealing capabilities, might just be the star of the show as the instigator of the screwy romantic entanglements.

Rachel and the Stranger (1948)

All is fair in love and war when an old friend (Robert Mitchum) takes a shine to the neglected wife (Loretta Young) of David Harvey (Holden), stirring feelings Harvey never knew he had for his young bride.

According to Wikipedia, Rachel and the Stranger “was one of the few films to address the role of women in the pioneer west, as well as portray early America’s indentured servant trade.” Interestingly, it was also RKO’s highest grossing film of 1948.

After Harvey’s beloved wife dies, leaving him with a farm to run and a boy to raise, he buys a bondservant, Rachel, and marries her for the sake of propriety. He makes it clear this arrangement is strictly business, romance will not be part of their union.

Loretta Young’s portrayal of the bondwoman Rachel is multi-layered, dynamic, and moving. Holden is effective as a grieving widower, unable to let another woman into his life. Robert Mitchum brings levity as a free spirit with a song on his lips and an eye for the ladies.

Father is a Bachelor (1950)

Swindler and loafer Johnny Rutledge (Holden) finds his peaceful life upended by his paternal inclinations to five orphaned children.

Ever wondered how Holden would interact with kids on-screen? This film is your answer and it is a delight from start to finish!

With a solid supporting cast including Coleen Gray, Sig Ruman (Schultz in Stalag 17), Charles Winninger, Clinton Sunberg, and Dooley Wilson, there is no shortage of familiar faces. But the real heart of the film comes from the homey, small town atmosphere and Holden’s rapport with the child actors: Mary Jane Saunders, Gary Gray, Billy Gray, Wayne Farlow, and Warren Farlow.

The scene where Holden tries his hand at dressmaking for the little girl is a highlight.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

A silent screen star (Gloria Swanson) plans her ill-fated comeback with the help of an opportunistic screenwriter (Holden).

This raw expose on Hollywood has it all. A great story, terrific casting, and a wonderful script.

What hits me everytime is Holden’s performance. In the same vein as Hitchcock’s casting of Jimmy Stewart, another affable actor, Billy Wilder’s casting of Holden makes the darkness and depravity of this tragedy strangely palatable. Where we might look away if a smarmy or simpering lead were cast, we are compelled by Holden.

Born Yesterday (1950)

A crooked tycoon (Broderick Crawford) hires a journalist (Holden) to educate his illiterate girlfriend (Judy Holliday).

As much as I love Holden in dramas and heavy, complicated roles, I also love him in comedies.

As Paul Verrall, Holden had to combine wisdom with wit and infuse them subtly into his influential character. Although he’s surrounded by larger personalities on the screen, he never gets lost in the shuffle. His voice of reason and kindness stands on its own. A testament to his screen presence and wonderful characterization.

Sabrina (1954)

This was my first Holden film and it made me an instant fan. Holden’s easy charm and masculine grace is on full display as wealthy playboy, David Larrabee. Humphrey Bogart is his stuffy brother who tries to keep David’s mind off of Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn), their chauffeur’s daughter, with surprising results.

This film also made my list of 5 Classic Movies I Would Take to a Desert Island. You can read more about that here.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

At first glance, it looks like the visuals are the reason this one made the list. We’ve got Technicolor, two beautiful stars at the top of their game, and Academy Award winning special effects.

But no, The Bridges at Toko-Ri is a very human story about a man’s ambivalence toward war and his growing fear over the perilous military assignment he must face.

Picnic (1955)

Handsome drifter Hal Carter (Holden) makes a stop in a small Kansas town, seeking a job from his well to do friend Alan Benson (Cliff Robertson). His presence stirs up strong reactions from the local citizens, including Benson’s girlfriend (Kim Novak)..

Picnic looks like a standard romantic melodrama, but is actually a multi-dimensional character study.

Each time I watch this film, I notice something new. With a full cast of characters with different motivations, there’s so much to take in. Filmed on location, the visuals are appropriately beautiful and immersive, providing a glimpse into 1950’s small town life with its joys and sorrows.

The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

World weary artist Robert Lomax (Holden) is sworn off of women, but all that changes when fascinating, complicated Suzie Wong (Nancy Kwan) walks into his life. Robert is challenged morally and socially, while learning to open his heart to new horizons.

Nancy Kwan is phenomenal in her film debut. Her Suzie Wong is memorable and magnetic.

We see why Robert would fall for her despite the many forces keeping them apart. The moving performances are aided by the stunning location shooting in Hong Kong and the intelligent direction of Richard Quine.

Suzie Wong will take you on a romantic adventure as true love is discovered for the first time by two lonely people who need it most.

And now it’s over to you! What are your favorite William Holden movies?

…Let me know in the comments below…

This post is my contribution to The Golden Boy Blogathon hosted by The Wonderful World of Cinema, The Flapper Dame and Love Letters to Old Hollywood. Thank you for letting me participate, ladies! Click on the sites for more of the wonderful William Holden!