Anthony Quinn made his screen debut in the 1936 Leo McCarey-directed American comedy film ‘The Milky Way’ where he made an uncredited appearance as a fight spectator. Graham Greene of ‘The Spectator’ wrote a positive review of the film. That same year, he also appeared in the American Western film ‘The Plainsman,’ directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film received a warm response from critics. He went on to star in films like ‘Swing High, Swing Low’ (1937), ‘Waikiki Wedding’ (1937), ‘Partners in Crime’ (1937), ‘The Buccaneer’ (1938), ‘Dangerous to Know’ (1938), ‘Hunted Men’ (1938), ‘King of Chinatown’ (1939), ‘Island of Lost Men’ (1939), ‘Emergency Squad’ (1940), ‘Road to Singapore’ (1940), and ‘Bullets for O'Hara’ (1941). In 1941, he portrayed ‘Crazy Horse’ in the American black-and-white Western film ‘They Died with Their Boots On’ directed by Raoul Walsh. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing over $4 million on a budget of $1.3 million. He next appeared in films like ‘Larceny, Inc.’ (1942), ‘The Black Swan’ (1942), ‘The Ox-Bow Incident’ (1943), ‘Buffalo Bill’ (1944), ‘Ladies of Washington’ (1944), ‘China Sky’ (1945), ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ (1947), ‘The Imperfect Lady’ (1947), and ‘Tycoon’ (1947).
In 1949, Quinn made his television debut in the American television anthology series ‘The Philco Television Playhouse.’ Following his debut, he went on to make brief appearances in television shows like ‘Pulitzer Prize Playhouse’ (1951), ‘Somerset Maugham TV Theatre’ (1951), ‘Lights Out’ (1951), and ‘Danger’ (1951). He next joined the cast of the anthology series ‘Schlitz Playhouse of Stars’ in 1951. Quinn played the role of ‘Prince Ramón’ and remained a part of the show until 1955. He received the ‘Academy Award’ for his portrayal of ‘Eufemio Zapata’ in the 1952 American Western film ‘Viva Zapata!,’ directed by Elia Kazan. The film garnered positive reviews from critics and currently sits on a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He was next seen in films like ‘Seminole’ (1953), ‘Ride, Vaquero!’ (1953), ‘Blowing Wild’ (1953), ‘The Long Wait’ (1954), ‘Attila’ (1954), ‘Fatal Desire’ (1955), and ‘Seven Cities of Gold’ (1955). In 1956, he played the role of ‘Paul Gauguin’ in the Vincente Minnelli-directed American biographical film, ‘Lust for Life.’ While the film received a somewhat mixed response from critics, Quinn received the ‘Academy Award’ for his performance in the movie.
He continued to star in films like ‘The River's Edge’ (1957), ‘Wild Is the Wind’ (1957), ‘The Black Orchid’ (1958), ‘Warlock’ (1959), ‘Heller in Pink Tights’ (1960), ‘Portrait in Black’ (1960), ‘Barabbas’ (1961), and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962). He received an Academy Award nomination for his performance as ‘Alexis Zorba’ in the 1964 comedy-drama film ‘Zorba the Greek,’ directed by Michael Cacoyannis. Despite opening to a mixed critical reception, the film was a massive box office success and grossed over $23.5 million on a $783,000 budget. Quinn next starred in films like ‘Marco the Magnificent’ (1965), ‘Lost Command’ (1966), ‘The 25th Hour’ (1967), ‘The Rover’ (1967), ‘The Magus’ (1968), ‘A Dream of Kings’ (1969), ‘A Walk in the Spring Rain’ (1970), ‘Across 110th Street’ (1972), ‘The Don Is Dead’ (1973), ‘The Marseille Contract’ (1974), ‘The Message’ (1976), and ‘Target of an Assassin’ (1976). He grabbed the role of ‘Caiaphas’ in the 1977 television miniseries ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ The series was praised by critics and achieved remarkable ratings.
Quinn next appeared in films like ‘The Greek Tycoon’ (1978), ‘Caravans’ (1978), ‘The Passage’ (1979), ‘Lion of the Desert’ (1981), ‘Valentina’ (1982), ‘Stradivari’ (1989), ‘Ghosts Can't Do It’ (1990), ‘A Star for Two’ (1991), ‘Mobsters’ (1991), ‘Last Action Hero’ (1993), ‘Somebody to Love’ (1994), ‘A Walk in the Clouds’ (1995), ‘Seven Servants’ (1996), ‘The Mayor’ (1997), ‘Tierra de cañones’ (1999), and ‘Oriundi’ (2000). He was last seen in the 2002 American direct-to-video action romantic comedy crime film ‘Avenging Angelo,’ directed by Martyn Burke. The film was largely panned by critics and scored a 13% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie is based on the life of T.E. Lawrence who was sent to Arabia to aide Prince Faisal. He becomes a liaison between the British and the Arabs who are fighting the Turks. His daring victories against the Turks makes Lawrence the hero, but his own exploits weigh heavily on his soul.
This war drama film takes us to 1929, and it revolves around the story of Omar Mukhtar, a Libyan leader and his resistance against the Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who wants to conquer the former’s nation.
This historical drama film chronicles the life of Prophet Mohammed, who is the founder of Islam. The film shows how his life changed after receiving a visit from Angel Gabriel, who had encouraged him to lead the people of Mecca towards worship of God (Allah). However, uniting the several tribes of the entire region becomes a challenge for him.
La Strada is an Italian drama film which tells the story of Gelsomina, a simple-minded young woman who was bought from her mother by a brutish strongman who takes her with him on the road.
Zorba the Greek is a comedy drama film which tells the story of an aimless and uptight English writer, who learns about an inheritance on a Greek island. He sets out on a journey, and his joyless life is changed after meeting Zorba, a middle-aged Greek man with a real lust for life. He soon finds his views on life changing.
The Guns of Navarone is a war adventure film, which takes us to the time of the Second World War. The story revolves around a British team of soldiers who are sent to cross-occupied Greek territory to destroy the massive German gun emplacement that commands a key channel.
Viva Zapata! is a historical drama film which revolves around the story of Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary who is knowing for leading a rebellion against the corrupt and oppressive dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz, who ignores the needs of his people during the early 20th century. The government is replaced but the new administration proves to be just as corrupt, especially General Victoriano Huerta.
Last Train from Gun Hill is a western film which tells the story of Craig Belden, who is the wealthiest and the most powerful man in the Wild West town of Gun Hill. He soon begins to believe that he is above the law, and when a Native American woman married to a US Marshall is raped and killed by his son, he refuses to allow his son to be arrested. Therefore, the Marshall decides to take on Craig’s henchmen himself to bring the killer to justice.
Fatal Desire is a musical romantic drama film which tells the story of a soldier Turiddu, who returns from the war after three years. He is eager to meet with his fiancé, but receives a shock when he learns that she has married another man from the village. However, she soon gets bored with her husband, and decides to throw herself at her old lover, which leads to a passionate affair between the two.
They Died with their Boots On is a western war drama film which is a highly fictionalized account of the life of George Armstrong Cluster, a US army officer who had served in the Civil War. The film shows his entry to the West Point military academy, how he took part in the Civil War, and his eventual death at the famous battle of Little Big Horn.
After their merchant ship blows up, Jeff and Orville are seen floating at sea aboard a pile of wreckage. They keep joking about eating one another, and they are soon able to spot land in the distance. They soon find themselves in an Arabian Nights City, where they compete for the beautiful Princess Shalmar.
Across 110th Street is an action crime drama film which revolves around two New York City cops who are in pursuit of two amateur crooks who are not only trying to rip off the Mafia, but also start a gang war.
Alma Duval is a Louisiana housewife who has pulled all stops to keep her husband, John Henry, interested in her and their family. Meanwhile, John is having an affair with a younger woman behind his wife's back.
This film provides a unique view on the well-known story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through the eyes of the thief named Barabbas, who was spared from the cross since Christ was chosen in his place.
A Walk in the Clouds is a romantic drama film which tells the story of Paul, a young soldier who is returning home from fighting in the Second World War. When he meets a pregnant woman, he learns of her plight; her father will disown her when he learns about her having a child out of wedlock. Therefore, he agrees to pose as her husband. Over some time, they develop feelings for each other, although Paul is already married.
The Black Swan is an action adventure drama film which tells the story of Henry Morgan, a former infamous pirate who is pardoned by the king. The other pirates are also offered amnesty by the king if they give up their lawless ways. Henry soon develops a liking for an aristocratic woman who seems to have nothing but hatred for him.
After the death of his wife, Gino marries his wife's sister, Gioia. The couple leaves Italy for a ranch in Nevada, however, Gioia finds it difficult to settle with Gino. She begins an affair with Bene, the ranch hand and soon Gino gets to know about the same. He wants to send Gioia back to Italy, but his brother asks him to think again about his decision.
This is a semi fictional account of Jean Lafitte, the well-known French pirate and privateer operating in the Gulf of Mexico and his involvement in the War of 1812. When the woman he loves, agrees to marry him if he gives up piracy, he sets up a trading post to sell luxury goods. But, before long his past deeds catches up with him and he has to take up arms once again.
Jungle Fever is a romantic drama film which tells the story of Flipper, an African American lawyer who begins an affair with his secretary. His wife throws him out of the house, when she comes to know about this. Soon he decides to begin courting his mistress, although other people don’t approve of this.
After her father is murdered, a Chinese-American woman tries to expose an illegal smuggling ring run by the people who had killed her father. She eventually finds herself on a remote island, and she takes up a job as a dancer. Meanwhile, she also starts looking for evidence to expose the smugglers.
A wounded gangster falls in love with Dr Mary Ling, after she performs an operation that saved his life.
When mob kingpin Phil ‘Regal’ learns that his unmarried younger sister Roselle Regalzyk is pregnant and her boyfriend Nick Bradna is in prison facing death sentence, the influential Phil engineers his release to get them married. Later, as Roselle miscarries following a medical complication, Nick starts cheating on her. This is unacceptable to Phil who sets out to get even with Nick.
Steve is a gangster with immense political power. When he meets a socialite named Margaret van Kase, he finds himself attracted to her, and wants to marry her. However, she is not impressed by his power nor his wealth.
Lieutenant Brian Hawke is ordered by the Royal Navy to infiltrate a pirate gang in order to collect some valuable information. Along with two of his men, he poses as a deserter to make it look convincing. Hawke is able to prove his worth to the pirates, and he joins them. Soon they come across and capture a Moghul vessel that is crammed with luxuries and vast wealth. Patma, who is the daughter of a Moghul Emperor, is also on board the ship, and she falls in love with Hawke.
A High Wind in Jamaica is an adventure drama film which tells the story of a British family, The Thorntons, who are living in Jamaica in 1870. When they decide to send their children back to England for a proper education, the long journey home turns out ugly when their vessel is attacked by a group of pirates led by Captain Chavez. Things take a strange turn when the pirates become fond of the kids.
A magic movie ticket transports teenager Danny Madigan into the fictional world of his favorite movie character, the indestructible Los Angeles Cop Jack Slater. When the fictional villain, Mr. Benedict, uses the same ticket to escape into the real world, Danny and Slater must also travel back and team up to stop him.
Glamorous socialite Sheila Cabot devises a plan to be free of her ailing tyrannical husband while retaining his fortune by convincing her lover, Dr. David Rivera, to poison him during his treatment. One death leads to another after they are blackmailed for the crime, and the plot is further complicated when the doctor threatens to confess.
A poor rancher is forced to guide a murderous thief across the dessert into Mexico. The thief who is running away from the cops with stolen loot and a murder charge also happens to be the former lover of the rancher's wife who is accompanying the two men on this journey!
A Dream of Kings is a drama film which revolves around a Greek American man who decides to take his son to Greece, so that the latter can be cured by breathing the clean air of his ancestors, as he is dying of an illness. However, due to financial problems, he is forced to gamble to raise money for the trip.
This romantic adventure war drama film revolves around seven different people living in Madrid, whose lives are affected during the Spanish Civil War. To escape the war, some of the people try to escape by train. They include a woman named Carmelita, a newsman named Bill Dexter, and a fugitive named Eduardo.
Rose, a widowed florist with a son, and Frank a widower with a grown up daughter, want to get married. But Frank’s daughter, Mary, who has been looking after her father, is dead against it. On the other hand, Rose’s son Ralph, now living in a farm for troubled boys, is looking forward to the wedding because he will be released from Rose and Frank’s joint custody only after that.
After their oil rig is blown up, Jeff Dawson and "Dutch" Peterson return to the town, looking for work. There they meet "Paco" Conway, their old friend who has struck rich and is now married to Jeff’s ex, Marina. Although initially unwilling, circumstances force Jeff to accept a job under Paco; but he must now learn to ignore Marina’s romantic overtones.
Dave Robles is a Mexican gunfighter who manages to beat a sheriff in a duel, after which he is hired as the new sheriff. As he starts to take his job seriously, the town’s leading citizens begin to dislike him. Meanwhile, he also begins to develop feelings for a woman, who tries to convince him to lay down his gun and start a new life.
A romantic comedy about a policeman from Chicago who falls in love with a woman whose father owns a funeral home. Their relationship has to overcome many obstacles because of his rude and controlling mother.
Three Mafia families control all illicit activity in an unnamed American city. A gang war ensues after a mistress of a Mafia leader is brutishly beaten. The Mafia leader is determined to take revenge, but how?
Based on the popular 1927 Broadway play, Burlesque, this romantic comedy-drama is about a singer stranded in Panama, who moves in with an ex-soldier and his roommate. She and the former eventually fall in love, but their romance is threatened by work and the arrival of an old flame.
Jay Cochran is a newly retired US Navy pilot who goes to Mexico to spend some time with his Friend Tibey, a successful and powerful but corrupt businessman. He also meets Tibey’s beautiful wife, Miryea, who is unhappy with her married life. Without thinking of the consequences, Jay begins having an affair with Miryea.
Luis Bello used to be a star bullfighter, but his life takes a turn after he suffers an injury in the ring, which makes him filled with fear and doubt. However, his manager Raul refuses to give up, and pushes him to overcome his fears. However, things get complicated after Luis falls for Raul’s girlfriend.
Set in the backdrop of a conflict between the settlers and the Native Seminole tribe, the story focuses on how a cavalry lieutenant goes against his superior to ensure peace between the two warring group. It all starts when the Seminole chief, Osceola, comes to the fort under a flag of truce, but is arrested by the fort commander, who wants to rid the area of the Native Indians.
During the Gold Rush, Lieutenant Jonathan Trumbo goes AWOL to guide a train to California. En route, he is joined by Lily Bishop, earning her enmity when he accuses her of cheating at cards. Lily later opens a salon in Pharaoh City and becomes friendly with powerful Pharaoh Coffin, who is against granting of statehood to California while Trumbo holds the opposite view.
The Children of Sanchez is a drama film which revolves around the life of Mr Sanchez, who has been struggling against poverty for most of his life. However, his family has always survived their financial problems by sticking together. The family however faces problems when Consuelo, his daughter, wants to break free from her father and pursue dreams of her own. Meanwhile, her grandmother advises her to find a man and get married.
Libby and her husband Roger, a college professor has always had a quiet and comfortable marriage. However, they move to the Great Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee, as Roger plans to finish writing a book. Things take an ugly turn when Libby falls for Will Cade, a man who is in an unhappy marriage.
After the French Revolution, a former counterrevolutionary pirate hides with a mentally ill young woman and her aunt, while being on a secret mission.
Thieves Fall Out is a comedy film which tells the story of Eddie Barnes, a young man who wants to get married to his love Mary Matthews, but it is not possible due to their financial problems. He eventually comes up with a plan to get rid of their woes, but things go completely wrong.
A law student Hank gets into a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy businessman. He falls in love with Margaret, the boss’s beautiful assistant. However, his life gets complicated when his boss is murdered by a group of mobsters. Eventually, he decides to help in the effort to bring the mobsters to justice.
Bandit Jose Esqueda hates settlers in his Texas town and attacks them. Jose’s adoptive brother, Rio, teams up with new settler, King Cameron, and gets close to Cameron’s wife Cordelia. As Rio continues to save Cameron’s life and Cordelia falls in love with him, a final gunfight with Jose will decide all of their fates.
This action adventure film takes us to 1948, in a fictional country named Zakharstan, where a young diplomat working at the US embassy is asked to find Ellen Jasper, the daughter of an influential US senator. He soon comes to know that she might be living among a tribe, whose leader is an outlaw having a bitter relationship with the government.
After winning a beauty contest, a young woman takes part in a publicity campaign, but things don’t go as expected.
Texas Rangers Ride Again is a western film which revolves around a group of rangers who are called in to stop a notorious group of cattle rustlers.
Unable to bring down ruthless drug lord Jacques Brizzard, US Intelligence Agent Steve Ventura, stationed in Paris, hires a hitman, who turns out to be an old friend, John Deray. As Deray accepts the contract and infiltrates into Brizzard's mansion, Ventura decides to cancel the contract, while Brizzard attempts to frame Deray after running a background check.
Tom Healy, owner of the Healy Dramatic Company arrives in Cheyenne while trying to stay away from debt collectors. However, Tom and leading actress Angela get embroiled in more perilous situations and gunslinger Clint Marby gets involved, becoming a rival to Tom’s affections for Angela.
Father Junipero Serra, a Catholic missionary, joins a group of soliders on a quest to find the seven cities of gold. Although Serra himself has no real desire for treasures, he wants to perform missionary work and gain new converts.
Mobsters is a crime drama film which revolves around four infamous gangsters Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Frank Costello. The film shows how they begin their lives as members of youth gangs on the streets of New York, fighting and hustling while they also learn the rules of the street. They develop a strong friendship, and soon make their way into organized crime.
Flapping Eagle, a spirited Indian with drinking problem, follows advice from his friend, Wounded Bear Mr. Smith, a self-proclaimed expert on old Indian treaties, and decides to get justice for his tribesmen. He disrupts a highway project, tethers a helicopter, and steals a train, again on Smith’s advice. Turning an activist, he rebels against the government, claiming the city for his tribe.
Bill Morgan wants to join the military during World War II to impress the beautiful Lucilla Powell. However, he is rated as unfit for the army. He soon finds a magic lamp, from which a genie emerges. The genie grants him his wish of serving in the Army, but gets the era wrong. Bill therefore finds himself at a different time in history.
Night Waitress is a crime drama romance film which tells the story of Helen Roberts, who works as a waitress at a waterfront dive. Her life takes an ugly turn when she gets involved in a murder and a hidden ‘cargo’, after which she is forced to run from criminals as well as crooks.
The story centers on four naïve youths in search for easy cash, planning to rob a drug lord in Columbia. Although they have neither the expertise nor the seriousness required to undertake such an expedition they are finally able to accomplish the task. But as they try to escape with the booty they are chased by the Columbian military and a group of bandits.
Shortly after the Republic of Texas gains independence from Mexico in 1836, President Sam Houston sends two men Erastus Smith and Johnny Ears, in an attempt to stop the plans of General Morton who is opposed to the idea of the integration of Texas into the US.
The movie follows Carabinieri Colonel, Dante Matucci, investigating murders of different people in powerful positions in Italy. A drawing of a salamander is left behind at each murder scene. A sinister Fascist plot to overthrow the Italian government is revealed as the body count keeps increasing.
Loosely based on the real-life romance between Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy, the movie tells the story of Greek mogul Theo Tomasis and his relationship with Liz Cassidy, the widow of an assassinated US President. Political twists and personal tragedies further complicate their lives.
Based on the life of Attila the Hun, the film begins with Attila leading his soldiers towards the Italian peninsula. Meanwhile Roman emperor Valentinian III is busy with parties while the court ladies are busy conspiring against him. It now falls upon his mother, Galla Placidia, and his trusted general, Flavius Aetius, to save Rome from total destruction.
This biographical adventure film revolves around Marco Polo, who travels to China, in order to help Kublai Khan fight against rebels. The rebels are, however, headed by his own son, and they are using a new invention, gunpowder.
Duke Mullane is the manager of a tin mine who goes to an island to open a new mine in the jungle. Although the natives are welcoming at the beginning, soon due to unfortunate incidents, the local ruler becomes hostile towards Duke.
This drama film is set during the political turmoil of the 1960s. A group of radical student activists make a list of twelve demands, and occupy the administration building of the university. The University President resigns as he is unable to resolve the situation, and soon Professor FWJ Perez is made the new President, despite his radical beliefs. Although he agrees to meet majority of their demands, he soon receives an audio message saying that the computer hardware in the school will be destroyed if the demands are not met.
A few bored friends use toy guns to prank others, and they eventually end up abducting a mafia kingpin. They demand $200k for his release, but none of his associates seem interested. Therefore, the mafia boss decides to switch sides, and joins the teenagers to teach all his former associates a lesson.
Avenging Angelo is an action crime comedy film which tells the story of a woman who discovers that she is the daughter of a murdered mafia chief. With the help of Frankie, his loyal bodyguard, she decides to take revenge.
An aging couple wants peace and harmony in their family, but things get quite complicated when their only son returns after a long absence with his fiancée.
After arriving in a small Western town, two cowboys learn that a local rancher has been murdered and his cattle were stolen. Along with some of the townspeople, they decide to set out on a mission to catch the perpetrators. Eventually, they find three men in possession of the cattle.
Lust for Life is a biographical drama film which revolves around the life of Vincent Van Gogh, a Dutch painter who was known for his artistic genius. Despite this, due to his mental illness, he goes through several failures in his life. He fails as a preacher and also in his relationships with women. Eventually, with the support of his brother, he leaves for France, where he manages to earn respect among his fellow painters, although he does not get along with them.
A law student Hank gets into a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy businessman. He falls in love with Margaret, the boss’s beautiful assistant. However, his life gets complicated when his boss is murdered by a group of mobsters. Eventually, he decides to help in the effort to bring the mobsters to justice.
Night Waitress is a crime drama romance film which tells the story of Helen Roberts, who works as a waitress at a waterfront dive. Her life takes an ugly turn when she gets involved in a murder and a hidden ‘cargo’, after which she is forced to run from criminals as well as crooks.
The Buccaneer is an adventure historical war film which takes us to the war of 1812, when the British forces target New Orleans. Jean Lafitte, a former pirate, is approached by the Americans, and they ask for his help in defending themselves. Lafitte agrees, as he seems to have taken a liking to the daughter of the Governor.
Anthony Quinn Awards
Lust for Life | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | 1957 |
Viva Zapata! | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | 1953 |