movies

[The Third Man]

The staginess of the nature in The Night of the Hunter is one of its best aspects to me, it gives it that surreal, freaky edge. Same with the bizarre architecture of the house they live in. That movie is amazing and I'm still waiting on a DVD with the proper aspect ratio (1.66:1). It was supposed to be released late last year and randomly got upheld for unknown reasons.

It's a shame Charles Laughton never did another film.

[Richie Allen]

I recently watched "Night of the Hunter" . Really a good movie. Mitchum is, dare I say, "freakin awesome". One of the best performances of a villian/badmen of any era. the kids were central to the plot and they were pretty good, only one part or two where they looked too phony.

My one criticism of the movie, the technical elements seemed a bit dated. Movie was 1955 - so they frequently seem to switch from realistic/natural settings to the more stagey type settings.

Night of the Hunter is one of the greatest films of all time and the absolute best film by a director (Charles Laughton) who only directed one movie.

Watch it again sometime, Roger. For whatever reason, the first time I watched it I couldn't quite enjoy it as much as I do now. I think I was uncomfortable because it's a pretty intense story. In subsequent viewing I was more relaxed and have grown to just love everything about it. The scenes that you mention as a complaint are actually some of my favorite because their surreal feel just adds to this completely surreal film.

[Freed Roger]

The staginess of the nature in The Night of the Hunter is one of its best aspects to me, it gives it that surreal, freaky edge. Same with the bizarre architecture of the house they live in. That movie is amazing and I'm still waiting on a DVD with the proper aspect ratio (1.66:1). It was supposed to be released late last year and randomly got upheld for unknown reasons.

It's a shame Charles Laughton never did another film.

You posted the perfect picture to exemplify what I meant - that looks somewhat like a set you'd see for a play. You're right, after mulling it over, I now realize this was purposely done for effect -switching from realism to surrealism - and I was a little too dense to pick up on that. In modern era, they'd seque to a blood and gore scene to get you off kilter, in the old days they used artistic touches.

also -now that you mention it -that house was pretty funky. the loft/bedroom was a classic setting. And what a sense of doom you felt when Mitchum is going back in that house after doing away with the mom.

Richie, I'm a fan of this movie, in spite of my small critique. An under-rated classic.

[Richie Allen]

Richie, I'm a fan of this movie, in spite of my small critique. An under-rated classic.

I could tell you were. I was simply suggesting another viewing at some point to see if it elevates to one of your all time favorites, like it did the second time I watched it.

[JL21]

I watched "Night of the Iguana" over the weekend.

1. Richard Burton rules in that movie.

2. John Huston is such a great director.

3. I really want to bone Ava Gardner circa 1964 after watching that movie.

[Jocephus]

Next issue - Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner, who would you rather nail? I disqualify myself, because I've done 'em both.

[Freed Roger]

3. I really want to bone Ava Gardner circa 1964 after watching that movie.

watch it mistuh!

[Freed Roger]

Next issue - Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner, who would you rather nail? I disqualify myself, because I've done 'em both.

Did em both at the same time, then ate steak and eggs off their chest

[JL21]

3. I really want to bone Ava Gardner circa 1964 after watching that movie.

watch it mistuh!

Apparently you could include Mickey Rooney and Howard Hughes on that list, too.

[omaha_red]

Next issue - Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner, who would you rather nail? I disqualify myself, because I've done 'em both.

rita