tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post180283187452379883..comments2024-03-27T08:00:18.425-04:00Comments on Poseidon's Underworld: The Incredible Shrinking CareerPoseidon3http://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-45667722765048832062021-08-18T10:34:18.409-04:002021-08-18T10:34:18.409-04:00At a risk of a bit of shameless self promotion, I ...At a risk of a bit of shameless self promotion, I hope you don't mind if I post a link to a YouTube video about Grant Williams that I created. It went live today, August 18, on what would be his 90th birthday. It seems right to mention it here since this blog is high on Google's search results as one of the few sources of information on him. He was a such a handsome, intelligent and talented actor that deserved better than what he was given for most of his short career. It would be shameful if he is forgotten. Rest in peace Grant Williams. https://youtu.be/Tc6Cw60idB0Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566269130578382806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-6700990159603419272021-08-16T13:54:46.668-04:002021-08-16T13:54:46.668-04:00I’m definitely coming late to this party. Every ti...I’m definitely coming late to this party. Every time I’ve seen “The Incredible Shrinking Man” I’ve felt the sadness that so many have expressed. He was such a beautiful man and should have had a bigger career. Imagine if “Call Me By Your Name” could have been made in the late fifties, if society had progressed faster than it did. (Good grief, society still very much a work in progress, of course.) If only Grant Williams, Anthony Perkins, Montgomery Clift and all the others could have been authentically themselves. MikeyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574754059178158710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-7187444403166756732020-09-19T03:55:00.558-04:002020-09-19T03:55:00.558-04:00I too remember him very well in the western red su...I too remember him very well in the western red sundown ( a favourite of mine) and thought his portrayal of the menacing gunman was spot on! A gunslinger with a chilling disposition and yet moments of courtesy which made for quite a complex character! I've seen Grant Williams in other films and TV shows like bonanza and always thought he gave good,honest performances.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11115931497286469341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-42972164383782707832020-09-16T19:49:49.873-04:002020-09-16T19:49:49.873-04:00Thank you for your very thoughtful and well worded...Thank you for your very thoughtful and well worded comments! I have no choice but to agree with everything you say! He remains a tragic figure for a couple of reasons and I wish there was a method for being certain of exactly what was going on with him. I think he just was a very conflicted person no matter what the truth was. It's very sad. Thankfully he did leave behind several intriguing performances not the least of which is his most famous one as the shrinking man. Best wishes and thanks again.Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/06317685234938531129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-88939511887772883112020-09-16T12:48:59.633-04:002020-09-16T12:48:59.633-04:00I recently found your insightful and well-written ...I recently found your insightful and well-written blog about actor Grant Williams (one of the few writings about him!) That then led me to purchase the Stampalia book. I thought after almost a year since the last comment here, I would add my own.<br /><br />For some unexplainable reason, I have had a fascination with Grant Williams since I, as a teenager, first saw him as The Incredible Shrinking Man most likely on Saturday night Creature Features. While it may have been the streaked blond tousled hair and piercing blue eyes (made even more striking by the darker makeup they used in the last half of the movie), the preoccupation seemed to go deeper than that. Even though it was science fiction, his character’s struggles, setbacks, and challenges seemed almost real to me. When he finally liberates himself from his basement hell only to become a minute object that blends into the background, a fate he accepts, I found myself with a sense of grief. Now after learning what I could about the actor, that strange grief I have felt is really for Williams himself.<br /><br />While Stampalia seems determined to make the case that Williams was not gay, due to lack of evidence, he continually mentions inner conflicts and personal turmoil that Willams internalized. It forces us to read between the lines. While not someone that always looks to “out” every Hollywood star, I believe that everyone deals with their own situation in their own way. Whether it’s in a healthier way, like his then-contemporaries George Nader, or less so as with Rock Hudson, Grant Williams must have decided to just bury it. I’ve seen what deeply organized religion can do to people struggling with sexuality, and in the repressive 1950’s, it must have seemed insurmountable. The letter in which he states “I have a personal life that I think is horrible” speaks volumes. I mean, who says that?<br /><br />Perhaps things would have turned out better personally for Williams had he been born in another era, where he could have gotten support. Career-wise, it’s confounding that this extremely handsome, talented man slipped through the cracks and was discarded by the studio system. Not a dark, rugged he-man, Williams looks didn’t “fill” the screen like Hudson’s did. This sophisticated choirboy, small shoulders, slim build, and unusual slight New Yorkish voice didn’t fill a vacancy in Hollywood types. Perhaps had he fled to Europe to re-stablish himself, say like Anthony Perkins, he might have found success. Who knows? But what I do know, is that Grant Williams would now be 89 years old and has been dead for 35 years. Yet when I see “The Incredible Shrinking Man” or some of his other B movie or tv roles, I still feel that little, vague sense of grief. While he has played many flawed, conflicted roles, the grief isn’t for the character, it’s for Grant Williams himself, someone I would never have even known.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566269130578382806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-44805720226326087032019-10-27T18:10:06.499-04:002019-10-27T18:10:06.499-04:00Congratulations on the Book of Grant Williams! I L...Congratulations on the Book of Grant Williams! I Loved Him So Much Still Do! His part in the film Susan Slade and Shrinking Man, made me cry and fall in love with him! So sad what happened to him he did not deserve it! I am born 1946 I still look Beautiful everyone tells me but I wish I was able to meet Grant and Love him and be there for him always! Thank you for writing Good things about Grant! I hope it’s a Success! I hope to read it someday! I too love to write. I wish I knew how he got blood poisoning and not to mention him on his tomb stone as an actor too not just a Service very man was so wrong of Hollywood! I wish someone could have helped him and recognize his talent and singing. God Bless Him - I Adored him and he will always forever be in my heart! May He Rest With Angels Knowing He was Loved! Ginger Carco GIngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08068847867712931066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-18062227533858218622019-02-27T11:05:38.542-05:002019-02-27T11:05:38.542-05:00I saw Red Sundown last night and had to find out m...I saw Red Sundown last night and had to find out more about who played the self-made gunslinger Chett Swann. Williams did it wonderfully. That scene in the ranch house where he enjoys the owner's hospitality, belittles and threatens the older couple, admires the dinner ware, destroys it and then leaves with such gracious mannerisms.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06344194377057141130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-22233409742828201262019-01-08T09:21:50.605-05:002019-01-08T09:21:50.605-05:00As the author of the book, Francis, I thank you. G...As the author of the book, Francis, I thank you. Glad you enjoyed the reading. Giancarlogiancarlo stampaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258524727626168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-24332905136840582862019-01-03T09:54:45.943-05:002019-01-03T09:54:45.943-05:00Francis, Hi and thank you! I still, even now, have...Francis, Hi and thank you! I still, even now, have not gotten the book! ha ha!! I need to get on that asap... Glad you like it. Thanks for the acknowledgement. Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-53715713380466374492019-01-02T10:56:00.403-05:002019-01-02T10:56:00.403-05:00Thanks for these comments AND your blog, Poseidon3...Thanks for these comments AND your blog, Poseidon3. Otherwise i would have never known the existence of Giancarlo Stampalia's book on Grant Williams. Santa was kind enough to deliver it on Xmas day and it is a great reading indeed. Makes me love the actor and the person even more.Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808422649123597544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-83817458673197555432018-09-07T08:00:28.136-04:002018-09-07T08:00:28.136-04:00Ha ha! No need to feel sorry. I strive for a blen...Ha ha! No need to feel sorry. I strive for a blend of pathos and humor. Life is a roller-coaster with plenty of dips, fun and not... Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy what you find. God knows there's plenty.Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-73651472083630711532018-09-07T00:48:19.301-04:002018-09-07T00:48:19.301-04:00"Filmed for $5.73..." --- I screamed wit..."Filmed for $5.73..." --- I screamed with laughter! <br /><br />Which in the context of this fellow's inevitably sad life, is rude. <br /><br />Sorry!<br /><br />Looking forward to reading more of these witty synopses/biographies. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06776838550364820559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-25938949433331934002018-07-16T08:19:38.901-04:002018-07-16T08:19:38.901-04:00Hi Francis and thanks for reading and commenting! ...Hi Francis and thanks for reading and commenting! You're so right. I mean, Richard Carlson....?!?!?!? Please! I still haven't gotten the damn book! I need to badly. I might also suggest to you this other post of mine that contains a couple of beautiful pics of Mr. Williams: https://neptsdepths.blogspot.com/search/label/PT%20109Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-56438163447575579822018-07-14T02:05:28.023-04:002018-07-14T02:05:28.023-04:00Fascinating reading, thanks for the writing. As ma...Fascinating reading, thanks for the writing. As many, I watched the Blu Ray of the incredible shrinking man two days ago. And, as many, I remember having a huge crush on Grant Williams when I was a teen, seeing the movie for the first time back in the 80’s.<br />Movie is a true masterpiece, and it’s beyond my understanding how he didn’t get better parts from Universal after that. Having a career at least à la John Agar or Richard Carlson.<br />He made us believe in what was happening, even though many scenes were VFX. He was a way better actor that most of the material he had, and hens really shining as an actor here in this Jack Arnold movie.<br />I dodn’t Know a bio got released and I just bought it.<br />Keep up the food work!Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808422649123597544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-24722818948598707802018-03-27T08:33:39.081-04:002018-03-27T08:33:39.081-04:00A Plicqu, thanks for reading and for sharing your ...A Plicqu, thanks for reading and for sharing your viewpoints. If nothing else, we have his fine work in "Shrinking Man" for everyone to enjoy. He certainly had the potential to do more, but there are worse things than having a long-lasting, iconic touchstone such as this one. I really need to get my hands on the book mentioned in previous comments. Perhaps it will shed more like on the elusive Mr. Williams.Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-14245080234620976402018-03-26T21:53:07.345-04:002018-03-26T21:53:07.345-04:00Just saw "Shrinking Man" on TCM. It'...Just saw "Shrinking Man" on TCM. It's really a solid B-movie and Williams was perfect for the stolid role. He had a great blond/blue look and beautiful voice. If he was a devoted Catholis from the era he was born, he might've been sadly closeted. But if he had mental illness problems, as in psychosis, then alcoholism, for whatever reasons, THIS might've impacted his acting career more than anything. And as we all know, the competition in Hollywood has always been rough. If he was shy and retiring, this might be as much to blame as anything else. And if he was psychotic and alcoholic, and wasn't caring for himself, he could easily have died of peritonitis. Sad he didn't do better on many fronts. I remember loving seeing that movie on TV as a little girl and thinking he was my type! It's rarely shown, but is nice work. Screenplay by Richard Mathieson, fabulous and prolific sci-fi writer. Nice work, Poseidon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919065971842518212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-28526297963104804282017-12-11T13:32:07.664-05:002017-12-11T13:32:07.664-05:00Congratulations, Giancarlo, on getting to bring th...Congratulations, Giancarlo, on getting to bring this book to fruition. How wonderful that you were able to stick to your guns and make it happen. Its subject is one that MANY classic film & TV fans have been eager to read more about for a very long time and now they finally can. Thanks!!Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-45475704636888662622017-12-10T01:32:57.898-05:002017-12-10T01:32:57.898-05:00My Grant Williams biography has just been released...My Grant Williams biography has just been released. It is out in hardcover format, softcover, Kindle and eBook. The publisher is BearManor Media. It is also available on Amazon. All information at www.bearmanormedia.com.<br />Best,<br />Giancarlo Stampaliagiancarlo stampaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258524727626168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-84211280183974936732017-09-29T02:15:43.544-04:002017-09-29T02:15:43.544-04:00Grant Williams aficionados everywhere: I have been...Grant Williams aficionados everywhere: I have been correcting the proof of the Grant Williams biography (entitled, simply, Grant Williams); we are getting close. I wouldn't expect the book to be released before 2018, though I suppose it is possible that we might make the Christmas holidays.... Advance publicity can be found in the upcoming releases section at BearManorMedia.com.giancarlo stampaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258524727626168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-30585095132612404152016-11-28T15:49:30.300-05:002016-11-28T15:49:30.300-05:00Thank you Jon.
Yes, it was torturesome, or rather ...Thank you Jon.<br />Yes, it was torturesome, or rather tortuous. I had to navigate between the clues like Sherlock Holmes in his most difficult cases. There were lots of holes, lots of rumors, but few certainties. There are still question marks, but the skeleton of his life is now fleshed out.<br />I only wish I could have met him.giancarlo stampaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258524727626168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-27013897020996168132016-11-28T14:41:25.583-05:002016-11-28T14:41:25.583-05:00Giancarlo! So wonderful to hear from you again. Co...Giancarlo! So wonderful to hear from you again. Congratulations to you on finishing your endeavor and thank you so much for taking the time to alert us here about it. What a long, torturesome process it can be. I look forward to seeing the finished product. Best wishes!Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-40812192392392880572016-11-28T13:36:12.937-05:002016-11-28T13:36:12.937-05:00Dear Poseidon and Dear blog posters:
To update yo...Dear Poseidon and Dear blog posters:<br /><br />To update you on the Grant Williams Biography:<br />I am now putting my (never-ending) finishing touches to the book, which I consider finished. It has been picked up by a publisher (who specializes in film and TV biographies, especially of "forgotten" stars), BearManor Media.<br />Assuming I am able to hand in the manuscript by the end of this year, publication date should be within a year of that.<br />Best,<br />Giancarlo Stampaliagiancarlo stampaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258524727626168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-14500231982982250682016-08-28T19:29:52.546-04:002016-08-28T19:29:52.546-04:00I just saw him in the Munsters episode, my favorit...I just saw him in the Munsters episode, my favorite of that show. Ibloved his performances. I'm looking forward to the biography. That tragic look in his eyes comes through very clearly. R.I.P.Suzanne Maria Hall actorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824177459616666432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-89602006747865265272016-08-28T19:29:29.008-04:002016-08-28T19:29:29.008-04:00I just saw him in the Munsters episode, my favorit...I just saw him in the Munsters episode, my favorite of that show. Ibloved his performances. I'm looking forward to the biography. That tragic look in his eyes comes through very clearly. R.I.P.Suzanne Maria Hall actorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824177459616666432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-83145244587852796102016-05-07T20:09:09.619-04:002016-05-07T20:09:09.619-04:00Redtally, it's never too late! I'm always ...Redtally, it's never too late! I'm always alerted to comments, no matter how old the post. We didn't ever hear more from the above poster, but I can tell you that a book is in the works on Mr. Williams - it may take YEARS to come out for all I know - but the author of it contacted me after reading my post and I supplied him with some more info that wasn't noted within it and also got him in touch with another person who knew Williams reasonably well, so I am supposedly going to be acknowledged, which is a nice feeling. I cannot wait to see the final product!Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.com