From July 10 through July 16, Movie Addict Headquarters pays tribute to the legendary Mickey Rooney in an On Demand encore presentation.  Joining in this tribute are George Bettinger, host of the Mom & Pop Shop radio show,  film historian James Colt Harrison and Classic Movie Guide founder Diana Saenger. Listeners can hear this popular episode at any time during the week by clicking the link at the end of this article.  

Mickey passed away at the age of 93. He leaves behind a legacy of versatile performances on film, stage and TV. He was the top box office star three years in a row (1939, 1940, 1941) and earned four Oscar nominations for supporting performances in Black Stallion, The Bold and the Brave, The Human Comedy and Babes in Arms. In 1938, Mickey won the Juvenile Actor Oscar, and in 1983 received an Honorary Oscar for over 50 years of outstanding performances.

Making his first film appearance at six years of age, Mickey began wowing audiences with his singing, dancing and ability to do roles in both comedy and drama. He achieved great success in the Andy Hardy films and as Judy Garland’s partner in a string of backyard musicals, including Babes in Arms, Babes on Broadway, Strike Up the Band and Girl Crazy.

Perhaps one of the best examples of his versatility involves portraying a delinquent orphan opposite Spencer Tracy’s Father Flanagan in Boys Town, then years later playing Father Flanagan in The Road Home.

Mickey also won acclaim as a burlesque comic in Broadway’s Sugar Babies and as the mentally challenged Bill on television. The Internet Data Base lists a whopping 337 acting credits for this talented entertainer!  

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker

PRODUCER: Nikki Starr

LINK: Click here.