THE GREATEST OF RECENT TIMES

General

THE GREATEST OF RECENT TIMES

by Marshall Frank June 21, 2014

My choices for the “greatest” ever in select categories among celebrities and of the 20th and 21st centuries. (1900 to the present. Very difficult to fairly compare pre-industrial age personalities to those who lived in modern times). Note: These selections are based on the prime years and their overall contribution to the specific categories, i.e. sports, entertainment, politics. For example, Tiger Woods (golf category) is slipping these days, but in his prime, he was the most dominant player in the field ever, in my opinion.

Greatest President: Dwight Eisenhower.

Worst President: Barack Obama

Most Overrated President: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Most Underrated President: Harry Truman

Greatest Foreign Leader: Winston Churchill

Worst Foreign Leader: Hitler/Stalin (tie)

Gr. Political Commentator: Charles Krauthammer

Worst Commentator: Al Sharpton

Greatest Entertainer (male): Sammy Davis Jr.

Greatest Entertainer (Female): Barbra Streisand

Worst Entertainer: Too many to name.

Greatest Comic (female): Carol Burnett

Greatest Comic (male): Jackie Gleason

Greatest Popular Singer (male): Frank Sinatra

Worst Popular Singer (male): Fabian

Greatest Popular Singer (female): Celine Dion

Worst Popular Singer (female): Miley Cyrus

Greatest Rock singer (male): Elvis Presley

Greatest Rock Singer (female) Tina Turner

Greatest Composer (theatr): Andrew Lloyd Webber

Greatest American Composer: George Gershwin

Greatest Violinist: Jascha Heifetz

Greatest Pianist: Vladimir Horowitz

Greatest Actor: Daniel Day Lewis

Greatest Actress: Meryl Streep

Most Beautiful Actress: Elizabeth Taylor

Most Handsome Actor: John Derek

Greatest Athlete (male): Jim Thorpe

Greatest Athlete (female): Serena Williams

Greatest Fighter: Rocky Marciano

Greatest Baseball Player: Babe Ruth

Greatest Basketball Player: Michael Jordan

Greatest Football Player: Jim Brown

Greatest Golfer (male): Tiger Woods

Greatest Golfer (female): Annika Sorenstam

Greatest Tennis Player (male): Roger Federer

Greatest Tennis Player (female): Serena Williams

Greatest Author (male) Ernest Hemingway

Greatest Author (female) (stumped)

Greatest Blogger – (male or female) Cornelius Carbuncle

18 comments

Jose June 21, 2014 at 11:58 am

Great choices, but Fabian wasn’t all that bad! I probably would have included Ted Williams and Jimmy Carter. You had fun with this I bet.???

Donald June 21, 2014 at 3:35 pm

Here are a few alternatives to your list:

Greatest President: Harry Truman

Greatest Foreign Leader: Margaret Thatcher

Greatest Male Singer: Enrico Caruso

Greatest Female Singer: Celine Dion

Greatest Male Author: Lloyd C. Douglas or Michael Crichton

Greatest Female Author: Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Snake Hunter June 21, 2014 at 4:38 pm

IF ALLOWED… I would add another category:

Greatest, Most Memorable Movie… in my lifetime: ELMER GANTRY

This Movie Starred… Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons and Shirley Jones, with a fine supporting cast, including Dean Jagger, Arthur Kennedy and Patti Page. – reb
___ ___

Charlie June 21, 2014 at 4:48 pm

Greatest American composer. Cole Porter

Greatest rock singer Neil Diamond

Greatest golfer Jack Nicklaus

Most overated president RonaldReaganj

Greatest popular singer (female) Judy Garland

Greatest fighter Sugar Ray Robinsin

Lois W. June 21, 2014 at 4:50 pm

Here’s my 2 cents–I think Richard Rodgers had a more impressive body of work than Andrew Lloyd Webber has accomplished so far. Of course their styles are vastly different. Anybody can sing or hum or whistle RR all day long, but a lot of Webber’s work requires an amazing vocal range to even squeak out.

Lois

Christopher Jones June 21, 2014 at 5:08 pm

Jackie Gleason almost always cracked me up…but I also remember he had an orchestra, and played some good stuff…put one in a romantic mood…Also, I grew up listening to big band music, and still love Glenn Miller and always watch the Glenn Miller Story, hoping the end will change…But for a slightly more modern musician, I think Buddy Holly deserves mention, due to his innovative ideas…taken way too young. He would have been a force in music. The Beatles (not favorites of mine, but popular enough) credited Holly with even their name.

As for presidents, I have to go with Ronald Reagan as the best. Yep, prejudiced, because I got to meet this great man in person.

The only strong disagreement I have is on Babs Streisand. Just cannot stomach her.

And lastly, it is soooo good to see Snake Hunter posting. Hope all is well with you REB.

Dave Creelman June 21, 2014 at 5:08 pm

I am sure Jimmy Carter will be happy with your pick of worst President. I totally agree with your pick.

JustMe June 21, 2014 at 5:58 pm

That was fun to read. I would’ve had a few choices different here and there, but agree with you on most of them.

Barack Obama is easily the worst President ever. When he is finally escorted off the WH grounds and the full scope of the damage he’s done to our country is known, all will wonder how in the world that uneducated, anti-American, anti-military schemer ever got elected once, let alone twice. It has really made me realize how much many Americans care only for having a black man in office and what they can get from him. They care more about that than they care about our country and its citizens.

I agree with you wholeheartedly about Sammy Davis, Jr, being the best overall entertainer. He was phenomenal. And I have no doubt that Marciano is the best boxer ever.

The only category I don’t agree with you is “Greatest Actress.” No one in our home can stand Meryl Streep. We can’t stand her acting nor can we stand looking at her. Having said that, there are many, many fine actresses who could fill that category.

Enjoyed reading this column.

Tom June 21, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Marshall, you are 100% exactly right about everyone of your picks (in your own mind!). I agree with you on most of them, although I am ONLY 60 years old. But it is just hilarious to read the dissenting, and sometimes agreeable commentaries to your article. Each to his own, we all have our own unique opinions, developed over our own unique lifetimes. But one thing is for certain: Barack Husein Obama is the very worst, in every category, the worst political “leader” this country has ever been cursed with. My only consolation, is knowing that Almighty God allowed him to be, and only He knows why.
Tom

Les June 21, 2014 at 10:26 pm

I prefer Leonard Bernstein to Andrew Lloyd Weber. Also like Isaac Stern as much as Heifetz. Best author: hands down John Updike. Best female author: Marion Bradley Zimmer – her range of subjects was astonishing.

Darrell June 22, 2014 at 12:02 am

A fun blog, Marshall…thanks. Agreed with most of ’em. Here are a couple for consideration. Greatest female athelete…I think it was Babe Didrikson Zaharias who played more than one sport. She was a fabulous track & field athelete and incredible golfer. Best hockey player? Gordie Howie, who unlike Wayne Gretzky wasn’t afraid to hit & be hit. I loved Jackie Gleason, but Red Skelton may have been a close 2nd. I’d also take Barry Sanders over Jim Brown; he had incredible numbers even though he only played for lousy Lion’s teams and always acted with class after scoring a touchdown, and, like Brown quit well before he could he no longer perform at a high level. Best Talk show host? 1) Steve Allen with Johnny C. as the runner up. I saved the best for last; the best author? Thomas Jefferson! His principal work wasn’t a best seller, but in terms of importance, it doesn’t get any better. Thanks for momentarily taking our minds off all the crap happening in the world today.

Wolfpacker June 22, 2014 at 10:16 am

I would argue that Reagan was indeed the most over-rated president. Facts show he: gave amnesty to millions of aliens; caused a three-fold increase in the national debt; raised taxes multiple times; increased unemployment; and illegally funneled arm to Iran.

His movies were not all that great either.

Eileen June 22, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Different picks, mostly entertainment:

Male Entertainer – Fred Astaire
Female Entertainer – Ginger Rogers

Female Comic – Lucille Ball
Male Comic – Billy Crystal

Male Pop Singer – Tony Bennett (I’ve always thought Sinatra is over-rated)
Female Pop Singer – Susan Boyle (Celine and Babs shout too much)

Male Rock Singer – Jerry Lee Lewis
Beautiful Actress – Halle Berry
Female Athlete – Amy Purdy (her accomplishments without lower limbs can not be compared)
Female Tennis – Billy Jean King
Female Writer – Agatha Christie

Added category:
Male Country Singer – Johnny Cash
Female Country Singer – Loretta Lyn

Ron Fischer June 23, 2014 at 10:31 am

The truly great observation in this commentary is that the “culture” of America remains intact in spite of what the news media would have you believe on a nightly basis!

These are all excellent opinions in every comment!

Wow – I feel better now!!

Charlie June 23, 2014 at 10:35 am

I have to disagree with Darrell on best hockey player. Although not a Bruins fan, Bobby Orr was the best I ever saw and I go back to early fifties.
He revolutionized the sport.

Frank Mina June 25, 2014 at 3:31 pm

No Mickey Mantle??????

Frank Mina June 25, 2014 at 3:32 pm

No Ronald Reagen?????

Bayley Ellenburg July 3, 2014 at 10:09 am

Carol Burnett is amazing but I definitley think Lucille Ball ties with her. They’re both my mentors! Also I think Abe Lincoln was a really great president too!

Frank welcomes intelligent and insightful responses to commentary, especially from folks with contrary points of view and other insights to offer. Please keep comments pertinent to the title issue. Though some issues may draw passionate reactions, Frank insists on maintaining respectful decorum and will take the liberty of deleting foul language or an entire comment if it's deemed outrageously inappropriate. He would appreciate responders who leave their names, city of residence and, if possible, e-mail address.

Frank has been writing and publishing commentary since 1994. His articles have appeared in various newspapers in North Carolina and Florida, along with short stories in many magazines. True to his moniker "Frankly Speaking,"(the title of one of his books) Frank wastes no words in presenting his message as he hits sharp and hard but above the belt. No one would ever call him politically correct. His critics are hard pressed to pigeonhole him as a liberal or conservative, as his views vary depending on the issue. Because he is not running for office nor seeking a job, the muzzle is off. One critic said, "I don't always agree with Mr. Frank, but he sure makes you think."