I never heard the name Joel McCrea.
Joel McCrae. After the success of “The Virginians” in 1946, he appeared almost exclusively in Westerns.
But, I’m assured, many Westporters — particularly of a certain age — have.
He was an actor, whose career spanned 50 years and more than 90 films. He starred with Barbara Stanwyck (who I have heard of). He played the first film Dr. Kildare (ditto). He’s got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I do not know Peter McCrea, either. But he’s married to Jack Lemmon’s daughter. (I’ve heard of him.) And he — Peter, not Jack — lives in Westport.
I have never heard of the Easton Public Library (though I’m not surprised there is one). I did not know, then, that they sponsor a Classic Film series.
But they do.
This Tuesday (January 24, 7 p.m.) they’ll show “The Palm Beach Story.”
It starred Joel McCrea. And his son Peter will be there, to answer questions and tell stories about his parents.
Oh, yeah: His mother was Frances Dee. She was also an actress.
I haven’t heard of her.
But she starred with Maurice Chevalier. I do know of him.
