Happy 95th Birthday to Kirk Douglas! I've put together a list of my 10 favorite films of his. Of course, 'Spartacus,' is on the list, but also a few more obscure movies that might not always get mentioned in a "best of" list. See the slideshow for images from each film.
10. 'The Man From Snowy River' (1982)
Douglas had two roles in this Australian western, as a crusty prospector and his intimidating brother. I haven't seen it since it came out, but I have very fond memories of him in it.
9. 'The Vikings' (1958)
It's easy to forget that Douglas was a fierce Viking warrior before he ever strapped on sword and sandals to play Roman slave Spartacus.
8. 'Lonely are the Brave' (1962)
In this low-key, modern-day western, Douglas plays a bullheaded cowboy fighting the system in trying to help a friend escape from jail.
7. 'The List of Adrian Messenger' (1963)
This highly enjoyable whodunit stars Douglas as a master of disguise who plots to knock off anyone in the way of his inheritance. Memorable for its all star (and also disguised) cameos from Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum and Tony Curtis.
6. 'Detective Story' (1951)
His New York cop is a typically hard-nosed Douglas character, one who's always got to be right but turns out to be very, very wrong.
5. 'Champion' (1949)
The movie that put Douglas on the map: His cocky, ambitious prizefighter doesn't have time for anyone else, not even devoted wife Ruth Roman.
4. 'Out of the Past' (1947)
Douglas was shorter than star Robert Mitchum, but as ruthless gangster Whit Sterling still managed to intimidate the hell out of him.
3. 'Paths of Glory' (1957)
One of Douglas's finest performances is as a French Colonel in World War I who is powerless to stop a horrific injustice when his superiors decide to blame ordinary soldiers for a failed attack.
2. 'Lust for Life' (1956)
He was born to play Vincent Van Gogh! The similarity is amazing and it's hard to believe that Douglas didn't go home with the Oscar for his performance. Instead, Anthony Quinn won for his supporting role as pal Gaugin.
1. 'Spartacus' (1960)
As the slave who inspires a nationwide revolt, Douglas was never better.
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