biographyAndrews acted in first film, William Wyler's The Westerner (1940; with Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan), in a supporting role. However, Lucky Cisco Kid (1940; with Cesar Romero and Mary Beth Hughes) was his first released film, and Andrews has a sizeable role in this B production. Due to his looks and excellent performances, Andrews moved out of B pictures quickly and was soon acting in such prestigious films as The Ox-Bow Incident (1943; with Henry Fonda and Mary Beth Hughes), Laura (1944; with Gene Tierney and Vincent Price), and State Fair (1945; with Jeanne Crain). However, probably his best film is the drama The Best Years of Our Lives (1946; with Myrna Loy and Fredric March). In addition, he helped his brother, actor Steve Forrest, get his acting career off the ground; the brothers appeared together in Crash Dive (1943; with Tyrone Power) and Sealed Cargo (1951; with Claude Rains), although Forrest appears uncredited in both films. Most often cast in westerns, film noir, and dramas, Andrews' career began to slide in the 1950s, due in part to his struggle with alcoholism. In the late 1950s and into the 1960s, Andrews began an association with horror and science fiction films, including the notable releases Curse of the Demon (1957; with Peggy Cummins), The Satan Bug (1965; with George Maharis and Anne Francis), Crack in the World (1965; with Kieron Moore and Janette Scott), and The Frozen Dead (1966; with Karel Stepanek). He also began doing quite a lot of television during this part of his career, often appearing in anthology series such as Playhouse 90 and The Dick Powell Show. In addition, he continued his long association with the Screen Actors Guild serving in many capacities, including a stint as president, from the late 1940s through the late 1960s. |
the films of dana andrewsKit Carson (1940)From the United Artists western Kit Carson, one of Andrews' first films, with Lynn Bari and Jon HallBerlin Correspondent (1942)Laura (1944)From the excellent noir thriller Laura with Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, and Judith AndersonFallen Angel (1945)LEFT: With Jimmy Conlin in Otto Preminger's terrific film noir thriller Fallen Angel, released by 20th Century-Fox. RIGHT: With co-star Linda DarnellCanyon Passage (1946)With Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward, and Patricia Roc in Universal's western release Canyon PassageBoomerang (1947)Andrews portrays prosecutor Henry Harvey who is out to prove a man's innocence in 20th Century-Fox's excellent film noir vehicle BoomerangDaisy Kenyon (1947)The Iron Curtain (1948)Duel in the Jungle (1954)Comanche (1956)Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)Andrews keeps an eye on dancer Barbara Nichols in the RKO film noir thriller Beyond a Reasonable DoubtWhile the City Sleeps (1956)LEFT: From the RKO film noir release While the City Sleeps with George Sanders and Sally Forrest. RIGHT: With Sally Forrest and Thomas MitchellZero Hour! (1957)From the Paramount nailbiter Zero Hour!, the film that was the inspiration for Airplane! (1980). LEFT: With Linda Darnell and Geoffrey Toone. RIGHT: With Linda Darnell and Peggy KingEnchanted Island (1958)Madison Avenue (1962)Crack in the World (1965)From the entertaining science fiction effort Crack in the World, one of several science fiction flicks in which Andrews starred in the 1960s. Here, Andrews creates a love triangle with Kieron Moore and Janette ScottThe Satan Bug (1965)From the United Artists science fiction thriller The Satan Bug with Anne FrancisThe Frozen Dead (1966)Images from the campy horror flick The Frozen Dead. LEFT: Andrews as mad scientist Dr. Norberg. RIGHT: 'Disarming' climactic scene with Karel StepanekHot Rods to Hell (1967)Andrews as the terrorized Tom Phillips in MGM's drama Hot Rods to Hell. This film marks Andrews' last screen pairing with Jeanne CrainThe Cobra (1968)later yearsBy the early 1970s, Andrews had won his battle with alcohol dependence and began doing public service announcements for The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, whose mission is to help counteract the stigma of alcoholism and other drug addictions and improve public awareness. Although less active than during his heydey in the 1940s and 1950s, Andrews continued acting in such films as Innocent Bystanders (1972; with Donald Pleasance) and Take a Hard Ride (1975; with Lee Van Cleef), in addition to more television work. By the mid 1980s, Andrews decided to retire from the screen. Sadly, in his last years, Andrews battled from Alzheimer's disease and passed away on December 17, 1992, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. |
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