Born April 21, 1925 Child Actor Rex Downing!
Rex Downing appeared in over 30 films and shorts (including a few of the Our Gang shorts) but is probably best known for his roles as young Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and young Juan in Blood and Sand.
Rex Downing
…..
Rex Downing (below) is Young Heathcliff professing his undying love to Sarita Wooton as Young Cathy in Wuthering Heights (1939, director William Wyler). Heathcliff, as an adult, was played by Sir Laurence Olivier, and Cathy by Merle Oberon.
Young Heathcliff: Let all the world confess, that there is not in all the world a more beautiful damsel than the Princess Catherine of Yorkshire.
Young Cathy: But I – I’m still your slave.
Young Heathcliff: No, Cathy. I now make you my queen. Whatever happens out there, here you will always be my queen.
…..
Rex Downing (below) is young Juan Gallardo who is determined (and destined) to become Spain’s most acclaimed matador in Blood and Sand (1941, director Rouben Mamoulian). Juan, as an adult, was played by Tyrone Power.
Young Juan: I was born under a good shadow with a cape in my hands.
…..
–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
,
