He was an great actor on stage and screen. Even so, I had no idea of what his life was like. Read the Times obit. Just the World War II part is amazing. Charles Durning
Just the story of his early childhood, through his introduction to theatre through Burlesque, plus his WWII horror stories, followed by him finding his way out of that mental anguish through acting, is enough for a great movie.
For some reason 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom'--which, BTW, was based on the show "Ballroom", starring Dorothy Loudon & Vincent Gardenia--was an incredibly potent show for my 11 year-old, baby-gay self. For many years afterwards, Durning was "Al, from 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom'" to me.
And, as others have so truly noted, the only watchable part of the 'Best Little Whorehouse' film.
joined:6/29/05
Posted: 12/25/12 at 06:47am