A Birthday Tribute to John Lund

Actor John Lund was born in Rochester, New York, on February 6, 1911.

His acting career started on Broadway, including writing the book and lyrics and starring in NEW FACES OF 1943 and later starring alongside Richard Basehart in THE HASTY HEART (1945).

He made his screen debut opposite Olivia de Havilland in TO EACH HIS OWN (1946), seen above, for which de Havilland won a Best Actress Oscar.

I've always felt Lund was underrated and like him a lot. He was equally adept in dramas and comedies, showing a real flair for humor.

Lund was a favorite of director Mitchell Leisen, who had directed TO EACH HIS OWN; their collaborations included the melodrama NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950) with Barbara Stanwyck, pictured above, and the romantic comedy THE MATING SEASON (1951) with Gene Tierney, seen below:

My favorite Lund film is probably NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES (1948) with Gail Russell, which I've watched several times.

Lund also had a good run at MGM in several '50s favorites such as DUCHESS OF IDAHO (1950) with Esther Williams, LATIN LOVERS (1953) with Lana Turner, and HIGH SOCIETY (1956) with Grace Kelly. He may have been stuck in the "Ralph Bellamy" role in these, but he was so engaging the viewer hopes he'll find his own happiness.

He also made a number of Westerns in the '50s, including Roger Corman's FIVE GUNS WEST (1955) opposite Dorothy Malone:

According to his New York Times obituary, Lund served as a vice president of the Screen Actors Guild throughout the '50s. He retired from acting after IF A MAN ANSWERS (1962), in which he played the father of Sandra Dee.

Lund was married to his wife Marie from 1942 until her death four decades later. He died at his Coldwater Canyon home in Los Angeles on May 10, 1992.

John Lund films reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: VARIETY GIRL (1947), A FOREIGN AFFAIR (1948) (also here), NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES (1948) (also here and here), MISS TATLOCK'S MILLIONS (1948), NO MAN OF HER OWN (1950), DUCHESS OF IDAHO (1950), THE MATING SEASON (1951), DARLING, HOW COULD YOU! (1951), THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS (1952), WOMAN THEY ALMOST LYNCHED (1953), LATIN LOVERS (1953), DAKOTA INCIDENT (1956), and IF A MAN ANSWERS (1962).

Other notable Lund films not mentioned above include THE PERILS OF PAULINE (1947), MY FRIEND IRMA (1949), BRIDE OF VENGEANCE (1949), WHITE FEATHER (1955), CHIEF CRAZY HORSE (1955), and THE WACKIEST SHIP IN THE ARMY (1960).

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