There is something particularly riveting about watching a film where an actor plays more than one role. Ronald Colman in The Prisoner of Zenda, Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap, Michael J. Fox in the three Back to the Future films. Even Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor.
It is that combination of technical know-how, make-up, and the sheer skill of an individual actor that produces the peculiar exhilaration one can feel. Cinema is, after all, about role playing and the illusion of reality, an image of reality. What can typify this more than the concept of dual or multiple roles?
In that spirit, Ruth of Silver Screenings and I are so excited to announce the Dual Roles Blogathon: One Actor ~ Multiple Roles.
Time – Friday, Sept. 30th – Sunday, Oct. 2nd
Rules – Duplicate posts on the same film are most welcome (it seems fitting for a blogathon dedicated to duplication and multiplication). Any film from any time, from the silent era to the present, are welcome. We are not, however, including TV episodes.
Also, duplicate roles can include anything from one actor playing multiple roles to one character playing multiple roles. For example, Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor. She plays alternately: herself, a child, and her own mother.
To sign-up, simply fill out the form below. Then take a banner – found below – and help us promote the Dual Roles Blogathon! We’re so looking forward to reading everyone’s contributions! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Ruth at Silver Screenings.
The complete roster can also be seen, here.
Film Music Central
July 20, 2016 at 10:15 am
Reblogged this on Film Music Central.
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Joshua Wilson
July 20, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Dangit, Christina, I didn’t see that you already picked Kind Hearts and Coronets. I know you said duplicates are OK, but I’d rather mix it up.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on that great film.
Can you switch mine to another Alec Guinness film, The Captain’s Paradise?
Thanks!
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christinawehner
July 20, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Certainly…no problem! Though it would be definitely have been marvelous to read your thoughts on Kind Hearts, too! 🙂 Have you seen Kind Hearts and Coronets, then? I’ve never seen it before, so I’m really looking forward to it.
It’s going to be great to be exposed to Alec Guinness’ films beyond my limited experience of Star Wars!
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Joshua Wilson
July 20, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Kind Hearts and Coronets is just fantastic. I’ve seen it a couple times. It’s a hilarious black comedy. The scene where Guinness plays the parson makes me fall out of my chair laughing. You’ll have a great time.
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christinawehner
July 20, 2016 at 2:44 pm
That sounds delightful! Black comedy has always held a special place in my sense of humor and the idea of Guinness in so many roles is impossible to resist. I’ll have to look out for him as the parson.
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Silver Screenings
July 20, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Reblogged this on Silver Screenings and commented:
Yahoo! Look at this fun blogathon we’re hosting with Christina Wehner. Join us if you can!
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Erin
July 20, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Great topic! Would Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963) count? It’s an anthology film made up of three separate stories with different characters, but they all star Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren. If not, that’s fine — I have several other movies in mind. Thanks!
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christinawehner
July 20, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is perfect! Any kind of film where either the actor or character plays more than one role. I’m looking forward to reading about it!
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B Noir Detour
July 21, 2016 at 5:19 am
I had a hard time deciding, so stuck with noirish. Great Dictator and Bride of Frankenstein were high on my list.
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christinawehner
July 21, 2016 at 9:32 am
Those are hard choices! Bride of Frankenstein is rather intriguing; I’d forgotten for a moment that Elsa Lanchester plays two roles in it.
Have you seen Dead Ringer before or will it be new for you? I have not seen that one yet and will very much be looking forward to your review!
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B Noir Detour
July 22, 2016 at 7:41 am
I watched it two days ago, actually. Will be fun to write about. Much more than de Havilland in Dark Mirror because it veers into camp.
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christinawehner
July 22, 2016 at 9:49 am
That sounds fun! I’m glad it will be more fun to write about – it can be frustrating reviewing a film that either seems uninteresting, blah or just doesn’t catch our imagination.
Oh, I’ve finally seen my first Woody Allen! It was Sleeper and I laughed so hard, especially at the beginning, such as when he’s telling the scientists all about the pictures of people like De Gaulle or Howard Cosell…I had not realized there would be quite so much slapstick, either (the pudding!)…he seemed to be drawing on all sorts of silent comedy. I’m still waiting for The Purple Rose of Cairo to arrive from the library.
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B Noir Detour
July 26, 2016 at 8:52 am
So glad you enjoyed Sleeper. Purple Rose is different, more magical and less slapstick. I think you’ll like it. And when you’re ready for more slapstick, you can try his earlier film Bananas.
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christinawehner
July 26, 2016 at 10:06 am
Bananas….now that’s one I have never heard of….but more slapstick is definitely a good thing!
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B Noir Detour
July 26, 2016 at 12:01 pm
It may be his first or second film. For the love of a political activist (his then wife Louise Lasser), Woody Allen ends up in a South American dictatorship as a guerilla fighter. Much hilarity ensues, and the ending with Howard Cosell is amazingly funny.
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stevenmjohnson91
July 21, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Reblogged this on Pop Culture Pundit and commented:
Check out the Dual Roles Blogathon: One Actor ~ Multiple Roles — accepting submissions now!
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Quiggy
July 22, 2016 at 5:51 am
I’m going to hate myself for doing this. I am already booked to do the Monty Python blogathon that weekend but I think I have to join this one, too. Haven’t picked yet, my first thought was Things Are Tough All Over, where Cheech Marin plays two guys. But I also thought of Big Business. And then there is Multiplicity… I have to pass on deciding just yet, but I am definitely on board.
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christinawehner
July 22, 2016 at 9:30 am
I’m glad you can join, though. 🙂 It will be great to find out what you pick!
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Quiggy
July 23, 2016 at 12:46 am
OK. I’m not promising this one, I may have to change it, because I may not be able to track down a copy, but I just remembered a movie I saw on Saturday Night at the Movies on TV when I was a kid visiting my grandparents: “The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao” in which Tony Randall plays not two, not three, but SEVEN roles.
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christinawehner
July 23, 2016 at 10:16 am
Seven! That is impressive…and must have been quite a feat for Tony Randall – definitely hope you can track that one down!
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Quiggy
July 24, 2016 at 5:18 pm
The good news is Aro, the guy in charge of library purchases, has generously decided to buy a copy for the local library. The bad news is, given their track record for following through, I may have to change my choice anyway… (They WILL buy it, I just don’t know when…)
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christinawehner
July 24, 2016 at 9:22 pm
That is great they are going to buy it (my library never seems to buy any of the movie requests I make, though they buy every book I ask for)! I know what you mean about how long it can take, though….hope it arrives in time!
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Quiggy
July 30, 2016 at 2:08 am
This is unbelievable (given the library’s track record). I just got an email notice that a hold had arrived. When I went to see what hold it was it turns out to be “7 Faces”… Less than a week since I asked for it. Thanks, Aro. I’m enthusiastic about seeing it again for the first time in 40+ years. To see if its as good as I remember.
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christinawehner
July 30, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Wow, I’m jealous – my library is sooo slow, but that’s wonderful it arrived in time! I hope it lives up to your memory of it!
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Lê
July 25, 2016 at 7:17 am
Hi, Christina!
I’d like to change my topic, if possible: instead of Mary Pickford in Stella Maris, I want to write about Ossi Oswalda in The Doll, from 1919. Could you change it?
Kisses!
Le from Critica Retro
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christinawehner
July 25, 2016 at 8:53 am
I can definitely change it! Looking forward to reading your review, too!
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Emma
August 2, 2016 at 2:24 am
Hi, great blogathon idea! Could I please do Paul Dano as Paul and Eli Sunday in THERE WILL BE BLOOD?
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christinawehner
August 2, 2016 at 9:25 am
Absolutely! That is a wonderful choice – it will be great to read about it!
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In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood
August 13, 2016 at 1:17 pm
I have a really good topic for this blogathon, though TV shows aren’t allowed. If it’s possible, would I be able to write about Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha and cousin Serena in “Bewitched”?? I know that you would prefer movies, but I think that this one is a really good topic. Let me know?
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christinawehner
August 13, 2016 at 3:42 pm
I talked to Ruth at Silver Screenings and we thought that would work out great! It sounds like a great topic – we look forward to reading about it!
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In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood
August 14, 2016 at 9:54 am
Thanks Christina. I knew it would be a great topic when I thought of it. I look forward to writing about it.
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Elizabeth
August 16, 2016 at 1:56 am
I’d love to join in and write about Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.’s, dual role in The Corsican Brothers.
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christinawehner
August 16, 2016 at 9:54 pm
That sounds like a great choice! I’ve always been very curious to see that one, but haven’t had the chance yet. So glad you can join!
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Rich
August 30, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Put me down for SPACEBALLS.
http://widescreenworld.blogspot.com
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christinawehner
August 30, 2016 at 7:56 pm
Certainly – glad to have you!
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Erin
September 26, 2016 at 2:05 pm
It’s a few days early, but here’s my post: https://cinematicscribblings.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/loren-and-mastroianni-times-three-yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-1963/ Thank you!
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christinawehner
September 27, 2016 at 11:20 am
Thank you!! Early is perfect. 🙂
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Movie Movie Blog Blog
September 29, 2016 at 1:30 am
My two blogathon entries are now posted at:
https://moviemovieblogblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/buster-keaton-in-the-playhouse-1921-multiple-busters-2/
and:
https://moviemovieblogblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/laurel-hardy-in-our-relations-1936-two-laurel-hardys-for-the-price-of-one-2/
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christinawehner
September 29, 2016 at 10:56 am
How marvelous…thanks so much!
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stevenmjohnson91
September 29, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Posted mine a tad early — thanks for hosting and can’t wait to read the other entries! https://popculturepundit.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/there-never-was-a-woman-like-rita/
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christinawehner
September 29, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Wonderful – thanks!! 🙂
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Realweegiemidget
September 30, 2016 at 10:23 am
Hi there, here’s my entry for the Dual Roles blogathon x Hope the blogathon goes well x
https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/hardy/
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christinawehner
September 30, 2016 at 10:27 am
Thank you so much! It’s been a lot of fun so far! 🙂
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