idlesuperstar:

Not-lead characters that I adore beyond reason: An Advent Calendar

Day 25: Felix (S. Z. Sakall) in Christmas in Connecticut [1945]

Happy Christmas, folks. If I could wish one thing for you all, it would be for Felix to magically appear and cook your festive luncheon for you. Or at least show you how to toss pancakes. 

S Z Sakall is one of those great character actors who for years I never really knew the name of, I just loved him wherever he turned up (Casablanca, Ball of Fire, um, some others :D). I think some of you know I have a soft spot for Hungarians, especially adorable ones who made great films as emigrés (see also: Peter Lorre, Emeric Pressburger)  and S Z is one of those. He’s fab wherever, but as Felix he really gets the chance to shine. He’s almost a lead in this film, but for the purposes of this calendar, and as it’s the season of goodwill, let’s pretend he’s not. Especially as you get to enjoy Sidney Greenstreet in a rare benevolent role as well. 

So here’s to you, Felix; the most adorable cupid to ever interfere in a christmas romance, the best chef this side of Budapest, the biggest-hearted fake uncle ever. I raise a glass to you and all the other not-lead characters; thank you for making film-watching even more fun for us all. 

I can’t find anything else about it, but I heard that at the time of his death Sakall had found a producer for a script he’d written about the adventures of a chef, and I really wish we’d got that movie.