GIG YOUNG: Master Farceur

Young once had handsome leads, like in the historical mystery THE WOMAN IN WHITE (1948) with Eleanor Parker, before evolving into a top “other man” farceur.
Gig, here with partner Al Lewis, won a supporting Oscar for his oily emcee role in the Depression-era drama They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969)

Films of the Golden Age,
Issue Number 101,
Summer 2020

“There are few great second leads in this business. It’s easier to play a lead — you can do whatever you want. If I’m good it always means the leading man has been generous.”

Debonair GIG YOUNG (1913-1978) had the 1940’s matinee looks that could have rivaled Robert Taylor or Tyrone Power given half the chance at Warner Bros. Instead, WWII mortally wounded his WB leading man career and, when he returned to the studio, found himself relegated to post-war “B” leads and/or a third wheel in “A” plush dramas. Given a second life as a master of stylish, screwball comedy playing the unlucky loser of Doris Day to the likes of Rock Hudson, Cary Grant and Clark Gable, Gig was nominated for three Oscars and won the trophy late in life (THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY?, 1969). Alcoholism left his career in ruins, leading to a tragic murder-suicide.

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