Cummings, Robert, 1908-1990
Dates
- Existence: 1908 - 1990
Biographical History
Robert Cummings (1908-1990) was an American motion picture and television star.
Born Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings on June 9, 1908, Robert (or Bob) Cummings grew up in Joplin, Missouri with parents Dr. Charles Clarence Cummings and Ruth Annabelle Kraft. His godfather was Orville Wright, an influence that created a lifelong love for aviation. Cummings served for two years as a flight instructor during World War II. He briefly studied at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. To launch his career, he used various enterprising techniques to obtain roles. On Broadway, he got roles by introducing himself as an Englishman named Blade Stanhope Conway. In a similar manner, he began his Hollywood career as a Texan named Bryce Hutchins. Soon after he started using his real name once again.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Cummings established a successful career in both film and television. While he was largely known for light comedies, he also proved his dramatic talents in movies like "Saboteur" (1942) and "Dial M For Murder" (1954) and won an Emmy for his role in a TV production of "12 Angry Men" (1954). He was best known as a playboy photographer in his popular sitcom, "The Bob Cummings Show" (also known as "Love That Bob," 1955-59). He was a firm believer in health foods and vitamins and published a book on healthy living entitled, "Stay Young and Vital" (1960). He was married five times and fathered seven children. Cummings died on December 2, 1990.
Citation:
The Accusing finger [MP] 1936:credits (cast of characters, Robert Cummings)Bob clashes with Ken [MP] 1959:credits (Bob Cummings)
Haliwell's Filmgoer's companion, 1983(Robert Cummings; b. 1908)
Katz, E. Film encyc., 1979(Cummings, Robert (Bob); b. Clarence Robert Orville Cummings on June 10, 1908 in Joplin, Mo.; AKA Blade Stanhope Conway; AKA Brice Hutchens)
Wikipedia, July 19, 2006:(Robert Cummings; 1908-1990; movie actor)
IMDB.com, Dec. 20, 2010(Robert Cummings; Charles Clarence Cummings; Blade Stanhope Conway; Bob Cummings; Bruce Hutchens; d. Dec. 2, 1990 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Calif.)
TCM, via WWW, May 22, 2018 (Hollywood and television career; "Saboteur"; "Dial M For Murder"; Emmy for "12 Angry Men"; "The Bob Cummings Show")
Wikipedia, via WWW, May 22, 2018 (Robert Cummings; Joplin, Missouri; parents; Orville Wright and flying; WWII service; Carnegie Institute of Technology and American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Blade Stanhope Conway; Bryce Hutchins; Stay Young and Vital; health food and vitamins; marriages and children; death date)
Found in 35 Collections and/or Records:
Cummings, Robert, approximately 1949-1955
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers
Real estate--Salton Sea, Gogerty property documents and correspondence, 1959-1968
Materials include records of business such as real estate investments, financial statements, ledger books, correspondence for business contracts, invoices, and tax records with insurance statements. Contains investments in companies such as McCullough Oil Company, and Cummings' other businesses. Dates range from 1939 to 1979.
Robert and Mary Elliott audio-visual material on aviation, approximately 1958-1959
Contains video recordings of Robert Cummings' visit to the Air Force Academy. Dated 1958 to 1959.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings audio-visual material on family life, approximately 1950-1965
Contains family home videos made by the Cummings family in and around their Beverly Hill home. Videos document family gatherings and history, school events, and the children's participation in extracurricular activities. Dated approximately 1950-1965.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings audio-visual material on movies, 1942-1954
Materials include the video recordings of a few of Robert Cummings movies. These are "Kings Row" (1942), "Princess O'Rourke" (1943), and "Dial M for Murder" (1954). Dates range from 1942 to 1954.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings audio-visual material on stage and radio, 1939-1966
Include Robert Cummings's various stage and radio performances on vinyl discs and audio reels (14AT). Performance locations include the Lux Radio Theatre and Screen Director's Playhouse. Dated 1949 to 1954.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings audio-visual material on television shows, approximately 1950-1961
Materials include television shows that Robert Cummings appeared on or performed in. These include "Twelve Angry Men" (1955), "Bomber's Moon" (1958), and TV broadcasts for various events. Dates range from approximately 1950 to 1961.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings correspondence, 1942-1980
Materials contain letters and business correspondence regarding Robert and Mary's financial investments, as well as general familial and friend letters. It also has Robert's career contracts and expense accounts for career trips, and lawsuit papers from 1969 to 1978. Dates range from 1942 to 1978, and locations vary from different major cities around the United States, such as Los Angeles and New York City.
Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings financial records, 1943-1972
Materials include legal documents such as income tax returns, real estate investment records, corporate invoices and contracts of business agreements. Contains information regarding the Cummings' 1060 Corporation, Laurel Productions, and oil investments. Dates range from 1943 to 1972.