Written by Kris Land
William Powell: The Cynical Actor
William Powell was a major MGM star often recognized for his sophisticated and cynical style. In his
career, Powell earned three nominations for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles in The Thin Man (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936) and Life With Father (1947). He is also recognized by fans for his role as Lieutenant Doc in the hit film Mister Roberts (1955).
The Early Life of William Powell
Powell was born on July 29th, 1892 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents had no roots in acting. His fathers job as an accountant had the family relocate to Kansas City, Missouri while Powell was still very young. Powells parents had no roots in theater. Despite this, their only child began showing his talent for performing at a very young age. His father was not pleased and felt concerned for his sons future. This only worsened as the young Powell grew more interested in acting.
In 1912, Powell graduated from Central High School. Soon after he left home for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. His professional career was established after success as a Broadway actor. In 1922, Powell played a small part in a production based on the famous story of Sherlock Holmes. His most notable silent movie role was a portrayal of a bitter director in The Last Command (1928). This performance brought Powell the opportunity to star as an amateur detective in The Canary Murder Case (1929). This would be the first starring role of his career.
Concluding a Career with Mister Roberts
Many can agree that Powell left his acting career on a high note by concluding it with his role in Mister Roberts. During the 1940s, his career had begun to slow significantly even though he won a third Academy Award in 1947 for Life With Father. 1955 put him on the set of Mister Roberts and on board the big screen version of the U.S.S. New Bedford.
The vessel had enjoyed a long, vibrant history which the film only helped bring attention to. Today, an effort is being put forth to acquire the original U.S.S. New Bedford, which has been renamed the Seabirds, so that it can be transformed into a clean running vessel. The ship will be used as an educational tool, an experiment in green technology, and a way to help reverse the negative effects mankind has had on the environment.
The Death of William Powell
Powell passed away on March 5th, 1984 after a heart attack. He was 91 years old and had been retired from acting for about thirty years. His memory and that of his fellow Mister Roberts actors can live on through the restoration of the Seabird. Powell left behind a long legacy of film classics that are still cherished today.
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1944: Camano Class Light Cargo Ship was laid down for the US Army as FS-289 at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Whitestone, NY.
1945: Delivered to US Army.
1950: Acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950 and placed in service as USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1954: The movie, Mister Roberts, was made on the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1955 - 1963: Used as a cargo supply ship for the Texas Towers, a network of advanced radar stations located off the Eastern Seaboard. In 1957, Capt. Sixto Mangual was commander of the AKL-17 and in 1961 it was rechristened the USNS New Bedford. The New Bedford, sailing out of State Pier, was keeping vigil when Texas Tower No. 4 callapsed off the New Jersey coast during a January 1961 nor'easter.
1963: Reclassified as Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-308).
1971: The New Bedford (IX-308) served as a Torpedo Test Firing Vessel in the Puget Sound area.
1994: Ceremony in New Bedford.
1995: The ship was struck from the Naval Register on April 4.
2004: The Sea Bird's current disposition is a tuna long liner (fishing boat) out of San Diego, CA.
2006: Design of the Tesla Turbine began on June 11, 2006. The Sea Bird was sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for commercial service.
2007: The Sea Bird was drydocked for renovations.
2008: The Sea Bird setting sail to Sea-Tac in Seattle, WA.
2009 - 2010: The Sea Bird is currently docked at Seattle Sea-Tac.
