The Underdog Series Part 2

Robert Cummings from the 1960's





Robert in "Three Cheers for Love"



Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane in "Saboteur"

(Sorry it took me so long, I will try harder in getting the next one up earlier!)


I decided that Robert Cummings would be next after Genevieve hinted at him. In my opinion, I think that Robert is very underrated and it's sad not many people know who he is. He should sound a lot more familiar to old movie fans after being in two Hitchcock classics- "Saboteur" and "Dial M for Murder". He also starred along some of the beauties of the 1940's and 1950's such as Priscilla Lane, Grace Kelly, Ann Sheridan, and Jean Arthur.


Robert Cummings was born on June 10th 1908(although some sources say 1910) in Joplin, Missouri to parents Charles and Ruth. Robert's birth name was Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings.


While in high school, Robert learned how to fly a plane by his godfather, Orville Wright. After high school, Robert went to Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I'm assuming but I'm not sure but it seems that he wasn't interested in acting at first. As it seems with a lot of actors, they realize it's a passion when they are older.

Robert headed to Hollywood in the 1930's, and in 1939 starred in his first big role alongside Deanna Durbin. During the 1940's and early 1950's, Robert's career hit an all-time high in such films as "Saboteur" and "Kings Row".


In the early 1930's, Robert married Vivi Jannis but the marriage didn't last long and remarried in 1945 to Mary Elliot. Robert and Mary were married until 1970, when they divorced from each other. A year after his divorce from his second wife, Mary, Robert married again to Regina Fong but once again the marriage didn't work out. He married one last time to Janie Cummings until his death in 1990.


When television started to hit big, Robert went into television biz after his career in movies was slowing down. He had a hit show called "The Bob Cummings Show", that lasted from 1955 to 1959.


In the 1960's, Robert continued to do movies which included "Beach Party" with Annette Funicello and frankie Avalon. He continued to make movies throughout the 1960's.


Robert was very conscious about health and was an advocate of health foods and multi-vitamins. I had read in Joan Fontaine's autobigraphy, Joan and Robert were traveling and Joan was awaken by his alarm for his vitamins. Joan was none to happy because it was beeping at three in the morning. He had wrriten a book called "Stay young and vital" about healthly foods and exercise.




During his marriages, Robert fathered seven children. At the age of 82, Robert passed away.





Alfred Hitchcock, his daughter Patricia and Robert Cummings off-set for Hitchcock's "Saboteur"


Joan Caulfield and Robert for "Petty Girl"


Robert, Grace Kelly, and Ray Milland for "Dial M for Murder"


An older Robert(he does have makeup on to make him look older)


Best Films-

"Saboteur"
"Kings Row"
"Dial M for Murder"
"The Devil and Miss Jones"
"It Started with Eve"



Next up- Ray Milland

Also what ladies would like for the Underdog Series?