Birthday:
07-04-1902
Deathday:
05-03-1992 (89 years)
Birthplace:
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Biography
George Murphy was an American dancer and stage, screen, and television actor, as well as a United States Senator. Murphy was a song-and-dance leading man in many big-budget Hollywood musicals from 1930 to 1952. He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946, and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1951. Murphy served from 1965 to 1971 as U.S. Senator from California, the first notable U.S. actor to be elected to statewide office in California, predating Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the only United States Senator represented by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In movies, Murphy was known as a song-and-dance man and appeared in many big-budget musicals such as Broadway Melody of 1938, Broadway Melody of 1940 and For Me and My Gal. He made his movie debut shortly after talking pictures had replaced silent movies in 1930, and his career continued until he retired as an actor in 1952, at the age of 50. During World War II, he organized entertainment for American troops.
In 1951, he was awarded an honorary Academy Award. He was never nominated for an Oscar in any competitive category.
He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946. He was also a vice president of Desilu Productions and of the Technicolor Corporation. He was director of entertainment for presidential inaugurations in 1953, 1957 and 1961.
In movies, Murphy was known as a song-and-dance man and appeared in many big-budget musicals such as Broadway Melody of 1938, Broadway Melody of 1940 and For Me and My Gal. He made his movie debut shortly after talking pictures had replaced silent movies in 1930, and his career continued until he retired as an actor in 1952, at the age of 50. During World War II, he organized entertainment for American troops.
In 1951, he was awarded an honorary Academy Award. He was never nominated for an Oscar in any competitive category.
He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946. He was also a vice president of Desilu Productions and of the Technicolor Corporation. He was director of entertainment for presidential inaugurations in 1953, 1957 and 1961.
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Battleground
Act like 'Pop' Stazak
event1949 star_border 6.7
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Members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division are fighting for their country amidst the rugged terrain of Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. Holley and his American compatriots have already seen one of their own, Roderigues, perish under enemy fire. The men try to rebuff another series of Nazi attacks, but what they really need is a change in the weather. Without clear skies, they'll never get the air support they need.
The Hoaxters
Act like Narrator (voice)
event1952 star_border 4.2
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A 1952 American documentary film written by Herman Hoffman, about the threat posed by communism to the American way of life.
For Me and My Gal
Act like Jimmy K. Metcalf
event1942 star_border 6.4
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Two vaudeville performers fall in love, but find their relationship tested by the arrival of WWI.
Border Incident
Act like Jack Bearnes
event1949 star_border 6.8
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The story concerns two agents, one Mexican (PJF) and one American, who are tasked to stop the smuggling of Mexican migrant workers across the border to California. The two agents go undercover, one as a poor migrant.
The Arnelo Affair
Act like Theodore 'Ted' Parkson
event1947 star_border 5.3
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A neglected wife gets mixed up with an hypnotic charmer and murder.
Step Lively
Act like Gordon Miller
event1944 star_border 6
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Fly-by-night producers dodge bill collectors while trying for one big hit.
Bataan
Act like Lt. Steve Bentley
event1943 star_border 6.4
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During Japan's invasion of the Philippines in 1942, Capt. Henry Lassiter, Sgt. Bill Dane and a diverse group of American soldiers are ordered to destroy and hold a strategic bridge in order to delay the Japanese forces and allow Gen. MacArthur time to secure Bataan. When the Japanese soldiers begin to rebuild the bridge and advance, the group struggles with not only hunger, sickness and gunfire, but also the knowledge that there is likely no relief on the way.
This Is the Army
Act like Jerry Jones
event1943 star_border 5.7
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In WW I dancer Jerry Jones stages an all-soldier show on Broadway, called Yip Yip Yaphank. Wounded in the War, he becomes a producer. In WW II his son Johnny Jones, who was before his fathers assistant, gets the order to stage a knew all-soldier show, called THIS IS THE ARMY. But in his pesonal life he has problems, because he refuses to marry his fiancée until the war is over.
Broadway Melody of 1940
Act like King Shaw
event1940 star_border 6.7
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Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to, gives him the name of his partner.
Little Nellie Kelly
Act like Jerry Kelly
event1940 star_border 6
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Nellie Kelly, the daughter of Irish immigrants, patches up differences between her father and maternal grandfather while rising to the top on Broadway.
Broadway Melody of 1938
Act like Sonny Ledford
event1937 star_border 6.2
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Steve Raleight wants to produce a show on Broadway. He finds a backer, Herman Whipple and a leading lady, Sally Lee. But Caroline Whipple forces Steve to use a known star, not a newcomer. Sally purchases a horse, she used to train when her parents had a farm before the depression and with to ex-vaudevillians, Sonny Ledford and Peter Trott she trains it to win a race, providing the money Steve needs for his show.
Little Miss Broadway
Act like Roger Wendling
event1938 star_border 6.6
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An orphan is provisionally adopted by the manager of a hotel populated by show business people. The hotel's owner doesn't like the entertainers and wants the girl returned to the orphanage.
Rise and Shine
Act like Jimmy McGonagle
event1941 star_border 6
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The college president, the head cheerleader and a gambling gangster try to keep a flunking football star in the game
Broadway Rhythm
Act like Johnny Demming
event1944 star_border 5.5
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Broadway producer Johnny Demming is only interested in big-name talent and scoffs that his sister, father and other small-time talent could be used in a successful show.
No Questions Asked
Act like Police Insp. Matt Duggan
event1951 star_border 6
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With the help of some seedy gangsters, young attorney Steve Keiver makes some quick cash by bending the law, and in the process, he impresses the mobsters so much that they invite him to work for them on a regular basis. But when Police Inspector Matt Duggan realizes that Steve is working as a middleman for the mob, the young lawyer finds himself in a life-threatening situation. In order to clear his name, he must betray the deadly crooks he's been working for.
It's a Big Country
Act like Mr. Patrick Callaghan
event1951 star_border 5.3
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Comprised of eight unrelated episodes of inconsistent quality, this anthology piece of American propaganda features some of MGM Studios' best directors, screenwriters and actors; it is narrated by Louis Calhern. Stories are framed by the lecture of a university professor. In one tale a Boston resident becomes angry when the census forgets to record her presence. Another sketch chronicles the achievements of African Americans while still another pays tongue-in-cheek tribute to Texas.
Tom, Dick and Harry
Act like Tom
event1941 star_border 5.5
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Janie is a telephone operator who is caught up in the lines of love of three men: car salesman Tom, Chicago millionaire Dick and auto mechanic Harry. But Janie just can't seem to make up her mind between them. While fantasizing about her futures with each of the men, Janie spends her time desperately trying to juggle between them until she can make a decision.
Talk About a Stranger
Act like Robert Fontaine Sr.
event1952 star_border 6.1
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Small-town gossips rage over the arrival of a mysterious stranger.
Two Girls on Broadway
Act like Eddie Kerns
event1940 star_border 6.8
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Eddie Kerns sells his song to a Broadway producer and also lands a job dancing in the musical. He sends for his dance partner-fiancée Molly Mahoney who brings her younger sister Pat. Upon seeing Molly and Pat dance, the producer picks Pat for the show and gives Molly a job selling cigarettes. A wealthy friend of the producer named "Chat" Chatsworth also has his eye on Pat. Pat is teamed with Eddie in the specialty number as Kerns and Mahoney. Pat and Eddie soon realize that they are in love and must tell Molly. Pat balks at hurting Molly and goes out with Chat who already has five ex-wives. Remake of The Broadway Melody (1929).
Walk East on Beacon
Act like Inspector James 'Jim' Belden
event1952 star_border 5.1
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An FBI agent works with a refugee scientist and the Coast Guard to crack a Soviet spy ring in Boston.
Letter of Introduction
Act like Barry Paige
event1938 star_border 5.9
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An aging actor, trying to make a comeback on Broadway, is surprised when his estranged daughter shows up. It seems that she is an actress and is also trying to make it on Broadway. He tries to re-establish his relationship with her while also trying to hide the fact that she is his daughter from the press.
The Navy Comes Through
Act like Lt. Thomas L. 'Tom' Sands
event1942 star_border 5.6
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A U.S. Navy crew aboard a merchant marine ship battle Nazis.
Tenth Avenue Angel
Act like Steve Abbutt
event1948 star_border 6.1
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Flavia's been told that her Aunt Susan's fiancé, Steve, has been on a trip around the world, but in truth he's finished his prison term. Steve wonders how he can make some money and is approached by his old associates. When Flavia discovers the truth about Steve, she loses all faith in her family and in God, and it will take a miracle to restore Flavia's belief and keep Steve out of trouble.
Ringside Maisie
Act like Francis X. 'Skeets' / 'Skeeter' Maguire
event1941 star_border 7
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Young undefeated boxer Terry Dolan, who's been lying to his invalid mother about his career, confides to Maisie that he hates and is terrified by boxing and wants out. Not wanting to let down his best friend and manager Skeets Maguire, who has hopes of him becoming the next champion, he is reluctant to bring up the subject with him. Maisie convinces Terry to tell Skeets, whose unexpected reaction induces him to step into the ring again.
Having Wonderful Crime
Act like Jake Justus
event1945 star_border 6.3
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Newlyweds (George Murphy, Carole Landis) drag their lawyer friend (Pat O'Brien) to a mountain resort on a search for a missing magician.
Cynthia
Act like Larry Bishop
event1947 star_border 5.9
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Sheltered by her conservative parents, a small-town teenager finally goes out on a date.
The Public Menace
Act like Edward Joseph "Red" Foster
event1935 star_border 5
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1935 comedy in which an immigrant (Jean Arthur), a reporter (George Murphy) and a gangster (Douglass Dumbrille) cross paths.
The Women Men Marry
Act like Bill Raeburn
event1937 star_border 5.5
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A newsman with a no-good wife exposes a religious racket with a newswoman who loves him.
Show Business
Act like George Doane
event1944 star_border 5
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Musical about vaudeville performers, from 1944.
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
Act like Claudius "Coffee Cup" Cup
event1941 star_border 4.7
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Steve is a shy quiet man who is an executive for a shipping firm. He meets Dot at the Opera where she had his seats and the next day she shows up as his temporary secretary. Then Coffee Cup comes to town to see Dot, his gal. When Steven is with Cecilia, everything is boring. When he is with Dot and Coffee Cup, everything is exciting and he falls for Dot. But Coffee is getting out of the Navy in a few days and he plans to marry Dot.
Up Goes Maisie
Act like Joseph Morton
event1946 star_border 6.7
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A showgirl working for an inventor battles crooks, who want to steal his ideas.
The Mayor of 44th Street
Act like Joe Jonathan
event1942 star_border 4
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In this drama, an ex-vaudevillian dancer opens up a dance band agency and help street kids at the same time by hiring them to help out. Unfortunately, the local gang of hood's leader resists his attempts. More trouble ensues when the dancer helps a convict gain parole by hiring him. It later turns out that the ex-con is only interested in trying to use the agency as a front for extortion. Songs include the Oscar nominated "When There's a Breeze on Lake Louise," "Your Face Looks Familiar," "Heavenly, Isn't He?" "Let's Forget It," "You're Bad For Me," and "A Million Miles From Manhattan."
Big City
Act like Patrick O'Donnell
event1948 star_border 7.2
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A young orphan in New York's Lower East Side is collectively adopted by three neighborhood men--a minister, a cantor, and a cop.
London by Night
Act like Michael Denis
event1937 star_border 6
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A newspaperman, his canine companion, and an adventurous socialite investigate an umbrella-wielding murderer who is terrorizing a London neighborhood.
Hold That Co-ed
Act like Rusty Stevens
event1938 star_border 6.3
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An egotistical politician believes he can win votes by turning a small college's hapless football squad into a championship team.
Hollywood Hobbies
Act like Self (uncredited)
event1939 star_border 5.6
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In this short film, two starstruck movie fans hire a tour guide and see a plethora of Hollywood stars.
1955 Motion Picture Theatre Celebration
event1955 star_border 6
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This short features theatrical trailers of original musicals released by MGM in 1955 and visits the sets of films still in production. At the end, William Gibson, author of the novel "The Cobweb," introduces the cast of the film adaptation of his book.
Kid Millions
Act like Jerry Lane
event1934 star_border 6.5
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A musical comedy about a Brooklyn boy who inherits a fortune from his archaeologist father, but has to go to Egypt to claim it.
Risky Business
Act like Dan Clifford
event1939 star_border 6
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Radio commentator Dan Clifford takes desperate chances to save the life of a young girl who has been kidnapped.
The Powers Girl
Act like Jerry Hendricks
event1943 star_border 6.5
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Two small-town sisters who've come to New York City for very different reasons find themselves competing for the affections of a brash magazine photographer. Comedy.
Public Deb No. 1
Act like Alan Blake
event1940 star_border 4.2
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When a waiter gives a society girl a public spanking for attending a Communist rally, her soup-tycoon uncle makes the waiter a vice-president of his company.
You're a Sweetheart
Act like Hal Adams
event1937 star_border 4
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A Broadway producer is in a quandary when he discovers that the opening of his newest big production coincides with that of a major charity event. He despairs that the show will close after opening night until an ingenious writer suggests that he simply give the production snob-appeal by making the tickets nearly impossible to get by fabricating a story that they were all purchased by a flamboyant Texas oil baron who is totally besotted by the show's star.
Top of the Town
Act like Ted Lane
event1937 star_border 5.2
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In this musical set in swingin' Manhattan, an heiress plans a ballet in the famous Moonbeam ballroom located atop a 100-story skyscraper. Unfortunately, the attending audience is quite bored until someone starts the place swinging. Musical numbers include: "Blame It on the Rhumba," "Where Are You?" "Jamboree," "Top of the Town," "I Feel That Foolish Feeling Coming On," "There's No Two Ways About It," "Fireman Save My Child"
Cole Porter in Hollywood: Begin the Beguine
event2003
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An overview of Cole Porter’s musical contributions to the film Broadway Melody of 1940.
After the Dance
Act like Jerry Davis
event1935 star_border 6
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Though he was protecting her when he accidentally killed a man, Mabel Kane (Thelma Todd) refuses to testify on behalf of her dance partner Jerry Davis (George Murphy), and he's sent to jail. In a riot, a hostile convict (Jack La Rue) forces Jerry to help him escape, so Jerry takes to the streets himself. Nightclub entertainer Anne Taylor (Nancy Carroll) meets him, and convinces her boss Louis (Arthur Hohl) to hire him as her partner.
That's Entertainment!
Act like (archive footage) (uncredited)
event1974 star_border 7.3
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Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50 year history.
Woman Trap
Act like Keat Shevlin
event1936
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A gangland murder is the motivating factor of this fast-moving crime drama. George Murphy stars as reporter Kent Shevlin, whose investigation of the murder leads to a tenure as a temporary FBI agent.
Rhumba Rhythm at the Hollywood La Conga
Act like Himself (uncredited)
event1939 star_border 3.5
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Two starstruck visitors to Hollywood sneak into the famous nightclub and end up in a Conga contest and get more than they expected.
They Died with Their Boots On
Act like Cavalryman (uncredited)
event1941 star_border 6.6
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The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his death. He defies orders during the Civil War, trains the 7th Cavalry, appeases Chief Crazy Horse and later engages in bloody battle with the Sioux nation.
I'll Love You Always
Act like Carl Brent
event1935 star_border 3
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Nora Clegg, an actress, marries Carl Brent, an unemployed young engineer, whose estimation of his worth and ability keeps him from getting a job. He finally acquires a position that will require him to go to Russia for a period of time, while Nora goes back to the stage during his absence. But he loses out on the job at the last minute, and rather than tell Nora he has failed again, he steals a roll of money from his prospective employer to buy some things for Nora and go out and have a good time before, she things, his departure. His departure is to jail rather than Russia and he hides the truth from Nora by having an acquaintance mail his letters from Russia. He then finds out that Nora is pregnant.
Jealousy
Act like Larry O'Roarke
event1934 star_border 4.7
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Larry O'Roark is a boxer who's insanely posssesive and jealous of his fiancee, Jo. the sight of her and her employer, Mr. Lambert, at ringside during his big fight distracts Larry and he is knocked out. He then promises never to be jealous again and marries Jo. When she realizes that they're broke she asks Lambert for a job (she had quit on marrying Larry.) One thing leads to another and Larry, enraged with jealousy, end up killing Lambert. He then wanders off in a daze, and Jo takes the rap for the murder. Larry descends from his amnesiac fog just in time to interrupt the announcement of the jury's verdict in Jo's trial. then it's off to the chair for Larry. Or is it?
Show-Business at War
Act like Self
event1943 star_border 7
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A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort.
Violets in Spring
Act like Charlie Hall
event1936 star_border 5.3
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Mary Jones and Charlie Hall have worked for four years in the same office at the Acme Carpet Sweeper Company, but they have never shown any interest in each other. At the suggestion of a janitor, the president of the company uses psychology to try to get them together.
That's Entertainment! III
Act like (archive footage)
event1994 star_border 6.9
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Some of MGM'S musical stars review the studios history of musicals. From The Hollywood Revue of 1929 to Brigadoon, from the first musical talkies to Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain.
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Act like Self
event1940 star_border 6.7
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This short documentary, presented and directed by MGM sound engineer Douglas Shearer, goes behind the scenes to look at how the sound portion of a talking picture is created.
Twenty Years After
Act like (archive footage)
event1944 star_border 6
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This short celebrates the 20th anniversary of MGM. Segments are shown from several early hits, then from a number of 1944 releases.
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
Act like Self
event1936 star_border 6
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Viewers are provided a visit to Ken Maynard's private circus; Bette Davis poses for her portrait; Frank McHugh plays with his children; a visit to the West Side Tennis Club affords glimpses of many stars.
That's Dancing!
Act like From 'Broadway Rhythm' (archive footage)
event1985 star_border 7
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A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from it's orgins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and 60s up to the break dance and the music videos from the 80s.
Frank Capra's American Dream
Act like Self (archive footage)
event1997 star_border 6.2
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A documentary looking at the life and career of film director Frank Capra. Hosted by Ron Howard.
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
(1 ep.)
event1958 star_border 5.3
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Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables.
The Thin Man
(1 ep.)
event1957 star_border 7.6
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Nick Charles was a private detective who married the wealthy Nora and decided to settle down and leave the good life. Unfortunately for the couple, Nick's past frequently caught up with him and got the couple involved in mystery after mystery. The series was based on the popular MGM series of movies of the 1930's starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk starred as the televison versions of Nick and Nora which ran on NBC for two seasons from 1957-59.
MGM Parade
Act like Host (5 ep.)
event1955
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The original concept of the show was to allow the viewer to see the inner workings of a movie studio and featured interviews with MGM stars and explanations of how movies were made. Later, the format changed to show edited versions of MGM films.
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