The Final Line Project: Clark Gable

CLARK GABLE
February 1, 1901 - November 16, 1960

Select Filmography:
The Painted Desert
A Free Soul
Possessed
Red Dust
It Happened One Night
Mutiny on the Bounty
Gone with the Wind
Boom Town
Run Silent Run Deep
The Misfits

Random Fact: Adolf Hitler held Gable in such high esteem that he went so far as to offer an award to anyone who delivered Gable unscathed to him.

Final Film Performance: The Misfits - Gay Langland, 1961.

THE FINAL LINE

"Just head for that big star straight on. The highway's under it. It'll take us right home."

Reflections: Gable's final line is, surprisingly enough, said in response to Marilyn Monroe's final line. And while it would be incredibly easy to read it from a literal point of view, I enjoy both from a more interpretational side. You see, following Gone with the Wind it was never easy for Gable to get back into the swing of things. Sure he had lots of other films, but few big successes. And I like that his final line contains some notion of finding his way back to stardom. Finding his way back to the big screen home which he so rightfully belonged. For that alone I appreciate this line. If not for the great strength in charm, laced in sex appeal, he brought to each performance.

The Final Line Project: Jack Lemmon

JACK LEMMON
FEBRUARY 8, 1925 - JUNE 27, 2001

Select Filmography:
Mister Roberts
Some Like It Hot
The Apartment
Days of Wine and Roses
Irma La Douce
The Great Race
The Odd Couple
The Out-of-Towners
Save the Tiger
The China Syndrome
Glengarry Glen Ross
Grumpy Old Men

Random Fact: Before shooting every take, Lemmon would say "It's magic time."

Final Film Performance: The Legend of Bagger Vance - uncredited - Narrator/Old Hardy Greaves, 2000.

THE FINAL LINE

"I play for the moments yet to come, looking for my place in the field."

Reflections: There is arguably no actor I truly enjoy watching perform more than Lemmon. From the quote he began each take with, to every movement displayed, he was truly a one of a kind performer. Charismatic, without being obnoxious. Charming, without being annoying. Theatrical, without being comically so. He carried films in such a way that almost no actor has been able to duplicate. A true staple to the craft of performing. A legend in more ways than most could ever dream of being.


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The Final Line Project: Marilyn Monroe

MARILYN MONROE
June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962

Select Filmography:
The Asphalt Jungle
All About Eve
Clash By Night
Niagra
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
How to Mary a Millionaire
The Seven Year Itch
Bus Stop
Some Like it Hot
The Misfits

Random Fact: Her signature platinum blonde hair wasn't easy to come by. No, in fact Marilyn tried on a whopping 9 different shades of blonde before ultimately settling on the now infamous look.

Final Film Performance: The Misfits - Roslyn Taber, 1961

THE FINAL LINE

"How do you find your way back in the dark?"

(submitted by: Andy of Fandango Groovers)

Reflections: With over 600 books written about her life, Marilyn Monroe is one of the most documented women in the history of cinema. Add to that the dark underlying struggles of her life, and you get a final quote well worth remembering. An individual so torn in depression, you on some level wish it was a question asked in real life. Something someone could answer, and help her with. The short decade she was huge in cinema is a highlight for many. Her presence near unmatched, and her charm infinite. Truly one of the great stars of the silver screen.


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Want to help add to the Final Line Project? Click here to find out how!

Final Line Project: Jimmy Stewart

JAMES "Jimmy" STEWART
May 20, 1908 - July 2, 1997

Select Filmography:
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Philadelphia Story
It's a Wonderful Life
Rope
Winchester '73
Harvey
Rear Window
Vertigo
Anatomy of a Murder
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Random Fact: During World War 2 Jimmy Stewart rose to the rank of Colonel in the Air Force. After the war he would eventually attain the rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserves.

Final Film Performance: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West - Voice Actor - Wylie Burp, 1991.

THE FINAL LINE

"But if you ride yonder... head up, eyes steady, heart open... I think one day you'll find that you're the hero you've been looking for."

Reflections: There's a very good reason this began with Jimmy Stewart. It was his final line, one I remember from the very first time I saw the film, that became the catalyst for me wanting to do this list. Something beautifully completing in a man who so embodied the ideal American hero, now telling a new generation to find the hero in themselves. Sure I'm looking into it too much, but with a spin that beautiful, who wouldn't be?


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Want to help add to the Final Line Project? Click here to find out how!

THE FINAL LINE PROJECT

Univarn here, and I need your help. A few weeks back I proposed on twitter the creation of a brand new list. One I've never really seen before, but belive is aching to be made. It's not a list counting down (or up). Rather a list of homage. A list serving as a tribute to the many actors and actresses that passed on throughout the years of cinema.

The final line. Their final line. From the triumphant calls, to the silent ramblings, and simple farewells. My goal is to compile the ultimate list of final lines delivered by screen performers in cinema. But, as you can imagine, there's way too many! So, I need your help, and badly!

Here's what you can do. Pick as many favorite actors/actresses as you can, and get to watching their final movie next chance you get. Once they deliver their final line, write it down. And toss me an email (lifeinequinox@gmail.com), or leave it in the comments section of this post. Once I get them I'll begin to compile them into one massive list!

Here are the rules:

• The movie must have had a theatrical release (sorry, not including made for TV movies).
  
• The actor must have played an active role in its creation (i.e. no sole use of archive footage/voice work).
  
• In the case of two different submissions I'll serve as judge. Or put it to vote if I can't come to a decision.
  
• In the case that the final line is only a couple of words long, a previous line or two can be added on to apply context.

Some considerations:

• Vocal performances in animated films do qualify.
  
• If their final line was performed during a musical number it also qualifies.
  
• If the performer died during production, use your best judgment on what is the final line spoken via their voice.
  
• Even if they are listed as uncredited in IMDB, or a small Cameo role, if they are in the film, and have a speaking role, it qualifies.
• If in doubt, use the release date to determine what someone's actual last film was. I know this isn't the best measure, but the list is based on the final line deliver too the audience. Not said by themselves (if both can be done, it's all for the better).
  

Submission Format:
Performer Name: "Quote" (Film Title)

List of Performers Currently Done:
Jack Lemmon
Jimmy Stewart
Edward G. Robinson
Spencer Tracy
Buster Keaton
Henry Fonda
Marilyn Monroe
Clark Gable
Heath Ledger
John Candy (requested)


I'll be constantly working on this list, and once it's big enough (I'm thinking 30-50minimum) I'll begin to publish it and see just how big this gets. It's not something that's going to stop tomorrow either. So just submit it whenever you can, and I'll keep on compiling (with appropriate citations of course)!

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to your submissions!