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Classic screen star Karl Malden dies at 97
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Karl Malden in The Streets of San Francisco
(Photo: AP Photo/ABC, file)
Classic screen star Karl Malden dies at 97
Caught off guard I’d been debating putting together a birthday post today for Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn’s delightful co-star in so many Warner Brothers classics, and, of course eternally Melanie in Gone With the Wind, as the actress turned 93 today and is still with us. Unfortunately I was even more surprised to learn of yet another celebrity passing, this one from our world of classic movies, as Karl Malden died of natural causes at age 97.
I found it both a testament to Karl Malden’s career as well as a curious commentary on how pop culture works in this day in age that when I mentioned Mr. Malden’s passing to my father he only said, “Streets of San Francisco,” to which I replied, “Huh? Oh yeah.” The crime drama ran from 1972-77 and to the best of my knowledge has had limited recent run in syndication, though I’m sure there’s likely a DVD available. For me, the younger generation, Karl Malden is a major representative of the 1950’s.
Especially through his work with Elia Kazan, Malden carves out his legacy. Brando tops the bill in 2 of the 4 Kazan films with Malden, but they’re titanic classics in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951) and “On the Waterfront” (1954), but the Karl Malden I remember best is as Archie Lee, top billed in his last effort for Kazan, “Baby Doll” (1956). Despite kittenish Carroll Baker stealing the movie through pure sex appeal, you can’t help leaving “Baby Doll” without admiring what Malden has presented to us in the complicated form of Archie Lee, a man showing off a trophy that he’s not allowed to shine.
I’m not seeing word of it on the Turner Classic Movies site as of yet, but @TCMPR on Twitter (TCM Public Relations) sent out this Tweet at about 4 pm:
TCM plans tribute to Karl Malden on 7/10. On the Waterfront @8/7c, A Streetcar Named Desire @10/9c, Birdman of Alcatraz @12:15/11:15c
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