Tag: Night of the Hunter

Peter Graves – The Night of the Hunter

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mi2Dusyg5A In a film career that spanned more than half a century, the late Peter Graves (1926-2010) was a dependable leading man, often at his best in non-leading roles, who worked memorably with Billy Wilder (Stalag 17), John Ford (The Long Gray Line), Roger Corman (It Conquered the World), Otto Preminger (The Court Martial of [...]

Set my Polack free!

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An apt cinematic analogy of the Polanski brouhaha can be found in Charles Laughton’s NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, namely the hyper-reactive old salt of the general store, Mrs. Icey Spoon (Evelyn Varden). First she practically forces Robert Mitchum’s homicidal preacher on poor Shelley Winters, taking his collar and phony rap at face value, endangering and [...]

The Actress Meme: Co-Stars

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With a tip of the hat and, perhaps, apologies to Nathaniel R, here is my version of his 20 Actress meme – not just 20 favorite actresses, but 20 outstanding 20th Century co-stars. Here are 10 pairs of actresses (with two bonus pairs for the 2000s) who were not just wonderful individually, but who, co-starring [...]

3 L.A. Links

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At the L.A. Weekly, a story about the making and promotion of David Lynch’s Eraserhead, and about the musician, Peter Ivers, who composed the unforgettable song, “In Heaven,” lipsynched by the Lady in the Radiator (above). Again at the L.A. Weekly, a piece about neglected director Richard Quine, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, [...]

Another Day, Another List

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RECOMMENDED READING: In the September/October 2006 issue of Film Comment, writer/director Paul Schrader’s article on, “The Film Canon – What Constitutes a Cinematic Masterpiece.” This lengthy, absorbing essay has something for everyone. For the film theorist – a discussion of why there is or should be a film canon, and what criteria should be employed [...]