Foster H. Phinney
Biography
Foster Phinney dedicated much of his life to the motion picture business. Fresh out of high school, his suave and sophisticated appearance made it possible for him to break into the film business. He started appearing in scenes that required dress extras while still collecting an occasional paycheck as a soldier. Phinney faces an unusual problem, his elegant appearance made him an unlikely candidate to appear in the trenches in Hollywood's war time films but it enabled him to appear in socialite scenes that usually required much older men. This led him to garnering work as a stand-in in films in the 1940s and 1950s. By the time the 1950s rolled around, Phinney got his big break. He became the regular stand-in for Kirk Douglas. Douglas was so kind to him that Douglas considered him his good luck charm and gave him little roles in all of his films. While his work was steady, it was Douglas who got Phinney steady work as an assistant director. This began a second career where he worked as the assistant director on many shows including The Beverly Hillbillies where he had a character named after him. In the late 1970s, Phinney decided to retire leaving behind a multifaceted career which included being an extra, a bit part actor, an assistant director, and even a director.
Known For & Full Filmography25 Titles
Movie - 1953, 2h 15m • as Ship Passenger (uncredited)
Lorelei Lee is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond, much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw, Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone, a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.
Movie - 1950, 2h 15m • as Sarah Siddons Awards Guest (uncredited)
From the moment she glimpses her idol at the stage door, Eve Harrington is determined to take the reins of power away from the great actress Margo Channing. Eve maneuvers her way into Margo's Broadway role, becomes a sensation and even causes turmoil in the lives of Margo's director boyfriend, her playwright and his wife. Only the cynical drama critic sees through Eve, admiring her audacity and perfect pattern of deceit.
Movie - 1956, 2h 15m • as Party Guest (uncredited)
With socialite Tracy Lord about to remarry, her ex-husband - with the help of a sympathetic reporter - has 48 hours to convince her that she really still loves him.
Movie - 1955, 2h 15m • as Card Player at Barbershop (uncredited)
In New York, a gambler is challenged to take a Salvation Army missionary to Havana, and unexpectedly they fall for each other. And the bet has a hidden motive ... classic song and dance ensues!
Movie - 1947, 2h 15m • as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
The film is about an unemployed banker, Henri Verdoux, and his sociopathic methods of attaining income. While being both loyal and competent in his work, Verdoux has been laid-off. To make money for his wife and child, he marries wealthy widows and then murders them. His crime spree eventually works against him when two particular widows break his normal routine.
Movie - 1952, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
An airline pilot pursues a live-in babysitter at his hotel and gradually realizes she is not as stable as perhaps she should be.
Movie - 1945, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
It's 1943 and the allied landings in and around the town of Salerno,Italy are underway.A platoon from the U.S 36th Infantry Division is tasked with advancing 6 miles inland to blow a bridge before clearing a nearby farmhouse, with the hope of blocking an expected counter attack on the Division's bridgehead.
Movie - 1952, 2h 15m • as Party Guest (uncredited)
A nightclub singer enlists her brother-in-law to track down her husband's killer.
Movie - 1952, 2h 15m • as Reception Guest (uncredited)
Marshovia, a small European kingdom, is on the brink of bankruptcy but the country may be saved if the wealthy American Crystal Radek, widow of a Marshovian, can be convinced to part with her money and marry the king's nephew count Danilo. Arriving to Marshovia on a visit, Crystal Radek change places with her secretary Kitty. Following them to Paris, Danilo has a hard time wooing the widow after meeting an attractive young woman at a nightclub, the same Crystal Radek who presents herself as Fifi the chorus girl. Plot by Mattias Thuresson.
Movie - 1951, 2h 15m • as Fight Crowd Spectator (uncredited)
An ambitious coal miner is talked into becoming a boxer by his gambler brother.
Movie - 1954, 2h 15m • as Theatre Patron (uncredited)
An actor on the skids is given one more chance to regain his stardom, as well as his self-respect, yet his alcoholism may prevent that from happening.
Movie - 1954, 2h 15m • as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Homer Flagg is a railroad worker in the small New Mexico town of Desert Hole. One day, he finds an abandoned automobile at an old atomic proving ground. His doctor and best friend, Steve Harris, diagnoses him with radiation poisoning and gives Homer three weeks to live. A big city reporter hears of Homer's plight and convinces her editor to provide an all-expenses paid trip to New York.
Movie - 1951, 2h 15m • as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
A woman divorces her husband of 20 years because he gambles too much.
Movie - 1958, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
A brilliant surgeon encases his dead son's brain in a large robot body, with unintended results...
Movie - 1946, 2h 15m • as Lord Sandwich (uncredited)
London, 1761. St. Mary's of Bethlehem, a sinister madhouse, is visited by wealthy people who enjoy watching the patients confined there as if they were caged animals. Nell Bowen, one of the visitors, is horrified by the deplorable living conditions of the unfortunate inhabitants of this godforsaken place, better known as Bedlam.
Movie - 1947, 2h 15m • as Party Guest (uncredited)
A classical musician from a working class background is sidetracked by his love for a wealthy, neurotic socialite.
Movie - 1946, 2h 15m • as Concertgoer (uncredited)
After marrying her long lost love, a pianist finds the relationship threatened by a wealthy composer who is besotted with her.
Movie - 1944, 2h 15m • as Party Guest (uncredited)
In 1903, Doctor Huntington Bailey meets a friendly older lady during a train trip. She tells him that she is going to visit her brother Nick and his lovely young wife Allida. Once in New York, Bailey hears that his train companion suddenly died. Shortly afterward, he meets the strange couple and gets suspicious of Nick's treatment of his wife.
Movie - 1955, 2h 15m • as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Three World War II buddies promise to meet at a specified place and time 10 years after the war. They keep their word only to discover how far apart they've grown. But the reunion sparks memories of youthful dreams that haven't been fulfilled -- and slowly, the three men reevaluate their lives and try to find a way to renew their friendship.
Movie - 1958, 2h 15m • as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
An alcoholic captain sails a two-master through danger with a call girl and others on board.
Movie - 1946, 2h 15m • as Montgomery, Magazine Reporter (uncredited)
A pilot of a B 29 meets Louise Anderson, a singer in a New York nightclub. He falls in love with her, but he had to leave next day for action in the Pacific. He lets paint her picture on his bomber, the "Bamboo Blonde" and becomes a hero with his crew sinking a Japanese battleship and shooting down a Japanese fighter wing. Back in New York, he leaves his fiancée and engages him to Louise.
Movie - 1950, 2h 15m • as Party Guest (uncredited)
Architect Hal Norton and wife Meg invite his widowed mother Louisa to move in with them, only to discover the sweet elderly lady is romantically involved with what seems to be every old coot in town.
Movie - 1945, 2h 15m • as Club Patron (uncredited)
A cab driver nearly hits a man with amnesia, then helps him unravel his past, only to discover he's a murder suspect as she falls for him.
Movie - 1955, 2h 15m • as Bar Patron (uncredited)
Following WWII, ex-G.I. Stan opened up a drive-in restaurant. His girlfriend, Joanie, is one of the car hops. They want to get married someday, but the less-than-stellar business the restaurant takes in puts a hold on that plan. One day, Joanie's ne’er-do-well brother Frank blows into town with a money-making scheme. She's against it, but Stan - an inveterate gambler - finds the promise of riches too seductive to resist…
Movie - 1948, 2h 15m • as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
Two stepsisters become rivals for the same handsome bachelor. Comedy.