MovieChat Forums > Kiss of Death Discussion > Mature a much better actor than he was g...

Mature a much better actor than he was given credit for

posted 17 years ago by danielj_old999
10 replies | jump to latest

in addition to this movie, look at the wonderful scene with his son in Richard Fleischer's "Violent Saturday", where he exhibits real sensitivity and subtlety...or the roistering mountain man in Anthony Mann's "The Last Frontier", a great manic performance, look at the way he exploits his own unique features...helped by such great directors as Hathaway, Fleischer, and Mann, he was capable of very good underrated work.

It would be a great service to older actors/actresses, and to those who have passed away, if some of their lesser known and unavailable work were shown to mitigate the unfair reputations they have been saddled with...for instance Violent Saturday is not available in any home format. and hey he wasn't that bad in Samson and Delilah.

[–] jimboluck 17 years ago

I agree.

[–] aidosh94 14 years ago

When he was given good material, he was good. I think he was a great actor.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU STARVE FIRST?!" - Humphrey Bogart, 'Dead End' (1937)

[–] bobbycormier 14 years ago

he had a GREAT comedic part in "after the fox", basically parodying his own image. and to great effect with superb comic timing.

bobby cormier

[–] Countorloc 11 years ago

He is powerfull and dignified in Cry of the City

Who's the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks? Shaft!

[–] nickrogers1969 10 years ago

He was very good in Kiss of Death. He was an underrated actor. He gave a sensitive portrayal of a guy with a good heart trapped in a gangsters life.

[–] thbryn 10 years ago

He's not a major star but he's always good. Sort of a second rank type like DAna Andrews, R. Widmark, R.Conte, R.Scott.

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[–] rc-108 9 years ago

I thought Mature was great in this film.
He had the mix of sensitivity and strength.

I always loved Richard Widmark.
He was over the top here.. but that is what the role called for.
He played it great.

[–] hka-3 8 years ago

I thought Mature was great in this film.
He had the mix of sensitivity and strength.

I agree! Mature always has the right mix for what his roles call for.

Mag, Darling, you're being a bore.

[–] ScarletPimpernel64 7 years ago

He was also very good in MY DARLING CLEMINTINE.

"Be sure you're right, then go ahead."
Davy Crockett

[–] liscarkat (16543) 3 years ago

Mature always delivered, in crime dramas, westerns, war movies, musicals, and comedies. He did it all, and did it well. Definitely a gifted, yet underrated performer who deserves retrospective appreciation.