Golden Age of Hollywood Book Club discussion

No one seems to know this film except me.

'Four Friends' by Arthur Penn. Semi-autobio.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Fr...

There are other college campus dramas which are almost as obscure --

'A Small Circle of Friends' (starring poor Brad Davis)
and
'Between the Lines (BIG stars, but takes college-journalism too seriously)

...but 'Four Friends' is particularly obscure. When I look at the dramatic personae even I don't recognize any of the actors.

But what gets me about all these flicks is how quiet and well-done they were ...at the same time as being ridiculously low- budget.

Just hungry, eager young actors and (mostly) no-name directors all trying to make their splash. Focus on story and emotion and people's lives.

These flicks are the opposite of blockbuster but they used to keep neighborhood theaters alive through the winter.

rarely if ever do I hear anyone --on any film group --mention actor Alexander Knox, who is a private fave of mine.

Not exactly a sleeper' topic; more like , "under-appreciated".

[But, the "under-appreciated" thread here has 76 posts I have yet to read, and I'm reluctant to wade into that backlog.]

Anyway. Knox is vaguely remembered --if at all --for his portrayal of 'Wilson'. A big hit in its day, similar vein as, 'Sunrise at Campobello' w/ Ralph Bellamy.

Knox also starred as 'Humphrey Van Wyden' in Jack London's 'The Sea Wolf'; admittedly outshone by John Garfield, Barry Fitzgerald, and the colossal Eddie G.

But Knox was talented. Just lookit this little 1948-49 film he starred in and co-wrote:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jud...

"The Judge Steps Out" is a small-town Americana, 'feel-good flick' if ever there was one. Reminiscent of "The Talk of the Town" with Ronnie Coleman.

Knox --an American --had that same 'courtly' style as did Coleman.

Over the course of his career, he often turned up in various movies depicting government officials, bureaucrats, eastern intelligentsia types; etc. Roles he was perhaps 'born' to perform in.

I do know Knox from at least a few later things. He was apparently blacklisted, and like some other Canadian (Knox was actually Canadian) and American actors - Sam Wanamaker, for ex - ended up in supporting/character roles in a lot of British film and tv. I remember him mainly as the US President in You Only Live Twice, President Madero in Villa Rides (underrated film), and as Control in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979), where he actually did a great job as a British character, almost a masterclass on how Canadian and Americans should play British - don’t overdo faking a British accent! (Keanu and Costner) 😹

It takes a keen eye to spot him in the Alec Guinness version of 'Tinker Tailor'. Bravo. Yep, he's a hidden gem in that series.

"Ticket to Heaven" with Nick Mancuso and Saul Rubinek.

Very taut, deft study of an intelligent young man being drawn into the religious-cult lifestyle.

The interrogation scenes --as his family kidnaps him back --and hire an expert to break his faith --are extraordinarily good.

Beg pardon if I've mentioned it afore now. I did a phrase-search but did not detect it.

"On the Nickel" directed, starring, and (I believe also) written by the fine actor Ralph Waite.

One of the most harrowing depictions of heroin addiction.

Featuring five original songs by the neo-Beat genius, Tom Waites.

If the songs are written and sung by Tom Waites, that is enough for me. I realize that he is not for everyone but I adore his music and strange voice.

This isn't a film I would ever have gone to see myself --but I'm just marveling that such a forgotten title has come back to my recollection.

"How to Beat the High Cost of Living"

Starring: Susan St James, Jane Curtin, Jessica Lange, and Richard Benjamin. Dabney Coleman & Fred Willard in support.

When was the last time you saw an all-female comedy-heist, set in small-town USA, hit U.S. theatre screens, with three low-rank C-list stars like this?

And look at that awkwardly over-long movie title, the killjoy nod to the realities of daily American life. Struggling households and things we can't control, like the economy.

Feliks wrote: "This isn't a film I would ever have gone to see myself --but I'm just marveling that such a forgotten title has come back to my recollection.


"How to Beat the High Cost of Living"



Starring: ..."

I've actually visited the mall where that was filmed (In Eugene, Oregon).

Hard to figure out what 'slot' to place this title in.

'The Late Show' starring Art Carney & Lily Tomlin. One of the tender-est little homages ever. Embraces and sums up the whole spirit of the SoCo private eye. Arguably as good as Altman's "Long Goodbye". But it's gentle and wistful; no violence.

Never been a big fan of Lily Tomlin (enjoy her stand-up comedy performances more so than her movie performances) but she shines in this assignment as a holistic/New Age, flaky Californian psychic. I've dated women exactly like that. She nails it.

Meanwhile Art Carney --who started out in the Catskills I believe (the Borscht Belt) --is grand whenever playing a serious dramatic role. It's really his movie.

One of my favorite detective flicks of all time, though I can't honestly give it precedence over something starring Bogie. Not sure what to do with it.

Really, any of the genres which start with "Neo--" (neo-noir, etc) I don't have any solid rankings for. Just handfuls of random faves in no order.

I was just thinking about the mid-70's gem of a beauty pageant satire, Smile, with Bruce Dern, Barbara Feldon, and a young Melanie Griffith as a contestant. Really underrated 70's comedy.

H'umm. Gotta give props. Barbara Feldon is a name one doesn't often hear. Same as: Barbara Eden.

All of these actresses did fine work in scads of sweet little movies.

Not really a whole lot of film credits, except some made-for-TV movies. Mostly known for Get Smart and Laugh In. But really charismatic. And Dern turns in one of his best comedy roles.

Producers took more risks in those days. 'Americathon' ...'Putney Swope' ...etc etc etc

I've mentioned 'Inside Moves' earlier in this thread --my favorite basketball movie (although I hate basketball in general).

The flick is more about the American subculture of ADA disabilities.

The supporting players in the little neighborhood bar were not professionals but chosen for their realism. Their artificial limbs are real.

Reason for re-mentioning this title: pointing out the marvelous re-appearance of Academy Award winner Harold Russell in the cast. There he is --thirty years after his role in 'the Best Years of Our Lives'. He plays one of the bartenders when John Savage stumbles in off the street.

It's a beautiful thing!

Did the credits mention that he was in it or did you just catch it by recognizing him?

I spotted him without any inkling beforehand. And I was floored.

This quiet, moody little flick has a respectable director --maybe Robert Mulligan or someone like that. Can't recall. But the cameo by Russell makes it wondrous. Kind of a 'meta' angle, a sprinkling-in of external consciousness.

There he was. Slouching behind the bar with an apron around his waist. A little heavier, but still the same great guy.

It's similar to the shock of finding Phyllis Thaxter playing Ma Kent in 'Superman'.

Or Robert Goulet playing himself in 'Atlantic City'.

I dunno. For some reason these are my favorite kinds of cameo. Life imitating art.

I would have been floored to. I love spotting things like that in films and that one was especially terrific.