Kid Glove Killer - he and Marsha Hunt went so well together

Actually, from her personal life, a lot of people would say go ahead and bash JJ! But seriously, I was impressed with her anyway (the way she lit up the few times she "experienced a little beauty"). It'd be pretty hard
not
to be on Dr. B's5b4 side, and she made her more sympathetic than she could have been. (I've seen Isabelle Huppert's portrayal, very somber by comparison, from what I remember from 1991.)
Plus, I think the flightiness of Emma was intentionally depicted. I think due to the "standards" of the time (1949), it would have been demanded that such a character be portrayed more negatively.
But yes, in a lesser actor's hands, no one would hardly have remembered the husband!
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns

I totally agree with you, Clothes, about what a great job he did in this film. Not to bash Jennifer Jones, but the main character of the story, the one we were supposed to sympathize with and feel for, because she was stuck in a life that she was helpless to change because being a woman at that time didn't allow her that privilege, but she very much failed to do that in my opinion. She came across as fickle and whining, and I ended up feeling very sorry for the good Mr. Bovary. So maybe it was Van's fault - he did too good of a job playing his part and actually upstaging the heroine of the story.

I've only recently discovered VH (though I knew the name, thanks to Billy Crystal's "Mahvelous" video in the '80s, believe it or not).
Anyway, even though I'm fairly new to his screen work, I can't believe in three years of this thread no one has mentioned
Madame Bovary
. If his devotion to such an undeserving wife doesn't make you cry, I can't imagine what would. (Outstanding directionas usualby Vincente Minnelli.)
Ladies (and some men), every scene will have you shouting at the screen: "Honey, if you don't want him, I'll take him!"
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns

that's so funny; ESWS was my 1st of his too. I rented it to see James Mason, but it was Van who mesmerized me, so I have gone on to seek out his other best works.
The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

So memorable as the tragic D.O. Guerrero in "Airport" (1970).

I have mentioned 'Johnny Eager' as being one of his finest films. 'Presenting Lily Mars' with Judy Garland was a treat. Van was one of the best leading men Judy ever worked with.
His performance in "3:10 To Yuma' was first rate and stole the film from Glenn Ford.

East Side, West Side. It was the first movie I saw him in, and consequently, the movie in which I first noticed himb68. I loved the charming, fun person he created in this film, and though I've since seen more of his films, I still like this performance the best. There's just something so appealing about him here, that I just want to jump in the movie and grab him for myself.

Martha Ivers and Shane for me 3:10 would be a close third.
The only way to refuse tomorrow is to die. ~ Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

thank you everyone for the great suggestions. have contacted netflix about stocking those they do not currently have (i'll let them worry about whether they're available on dvd yet
watched "strange love of martha ivers" just last night. amazing! shame the print is so poor.111c i hear that's b/c the film is in the public domaian, making chances for a proper restoration nil.

He was a terrific actor. Very versatile too. He could handle comedy as well as dramatic roles. My favorite role of Van's was when he starred alongside young Judy Garland in "Presenting Lily Mars". He plays a producer who comes back to his hometown and meets Judy ( Lily Mars). She follows him back to Broadway and manages to get a part in his show. Van was great as John Thornway. Great fun for the entire family. This was one of his best by far.

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One of my favourite actors.
loved him in :
3:10 To Yuma
Count Three And Pray
Act Of Violence
The Raid

unfortunetly, i've never seen, "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers", but in airpor, he was monumental.

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Oh, it is nice to see he isn't forgotten! He was one of the best and to add my voice my favorite performances are "The Raid" and "East Side, West Side". In the "Raid" his character is so conflicted, doing what he must, but regretting it - just a great performance. East Side is a bit of fluff, but it's always wonderful to see a character actor like Heflin in a "good guy" lead role. Like "Martha Ivers" he really shines in this movie - he was more than capable of carrying a film. It also has the added bonus of another of my favorites - James Mason.
The first film I noticed Heflin in was "Green Dolphin Street" - (I was up late sick and happened across it on TV) very interesting part for him and if you get a chance to see it, definitely do so.
Yes, 3:10 is being remade - James Mangold (Walk the Line/Copland) is directing and I believe Christian Bale is taking on Heflin's role with Russell Crowe in Ford's shoes. It will be interesting to see - both are good actors with a talented director so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Captain Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.

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Every single one.
And I mean that.

As someone has already said, I don't remember him giving anything but a fine, convincing performance.
Love him in Shane, and 3:10 to Yuma. Excellent as Athos in 3 Musketeers, in Count Three and Pray, as a minister with a past (opposite a young Joanne Woodward!)
and terrific as the 18th century Russian rebel Pugachev, in a film I haven't seen in decades, The Tempest.

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The mad bomber in AIRPORT was a good late career part. He was fairly seething and demented in character and grabbed your attention.

Even though I am not a Van Heflin fan I think the best performance he gave was in "Johnny Eager" he stole the whole film from Robert Taylor and Lana Turner.

..and am also very glad I read through this entire board, to get a lot of ideas for what to see next of his work! Thanks, all! Can't believe he died at 60; I didn't remember that