Paul Douglas

With his husky build and gruff delivery, actor Paul Douglas was an unlikely choice for a leading man in 1950s Hollywood. A one-time professional footballer and radio sports commentator, Douglas began his acting career on the Broadway stage, earning rave reviews for his performance as tycoon Harry Brock in the original 1946 production of Garson Kanin's "Born Yesterday." He quickly made the transition to feature films in 1949, appearing as the pragmatic Porter Hollingsway in director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's witty social comedy "A Letter to Three Wives" (1949). But Douglas found his true niche in baseball films, and drew upon its explosive personalities to essay loud-mouthed yet ultimately good-natured characters such as catcher Monk Lanigan (1949's "It Happens Every Spring") and manager "Guffy" McGovern (1951's "Angels in the Outfield"). While he continued to be a popular draw for moviegoers well into the 1950s, Douglas made his biggest impact on television later in his career, with memorable guest appearances on programs like "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," among others. On September 11, 1959, just days after being cast as Jeff Sheldrake on director Billy Wilder's classic 1960 comedy "The Apartment," Paul Douglas died of a heart attack. Douglas's part ultimately went to actor Fred MacMurray.

Filmography

Life Events

Photo Collections

A Letter to Three Wives - Lobby Cards

Here are a few Lobby Cards from Fox's A Letter to Three Wives (1949). Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

The Mating Game - Scene Stills

Here are a few scene stills from The Mating Game (1959), starring Debbie Reynolds and Tony Randall.

Executive Suite - Group Publicity Stills

Here is a series of publicity stills taken of the all-star cast of Executive Suite (1954). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Angels in the Outfield - Publicity Stills

Here are a number of stills taken to help publicize MGM's Angels in the Outfield (1951), starring Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

It Happens Every Spring - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Fox's It Happens Every Spring (1949), starring Ray Milland. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

The Gamma People - Lobby Card

Here is a Lobby Card from Columbia Pictures' The Gamma People (1956). Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Green Fire - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Here are a few photos taken behind-the-scenes during location shooting (in Columbia, South America) of MGM's Green Fire (1954), starring Grace Kelly, Stewart Granger, and Paul Douglas.

Fourteen Hours - Lobby Card

Here is a Lobby Card from Fox's Fourteen Hours (1951), starring Paul Douglas and Richard Basehart. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.