I think the actors roles should have been reversed. Aldo Ray would have probably been more effective as a villian.
What are you gonna do? Kill me? Every body Dies. John Garfield (Body and Soul)
Maybe . . . or cast agsinst type . . . experiment . . . ?
shareIt's true that Aldo Ray came off as somewhat of a bland, anodyne hero. We root for him because of what he has to go through, not because of any kind of inner quality that he projects. It was a tough role, though --- he had to be stalwart and heroic, while at the same time erasing his identity and personality, in order to hide from both the bad guys and the police.
You've gotta admit, though, that Brian Keith played the bad guy perfectly and in an atypical, unpredictable manner --- his sadistic sidekick "Red" was the more stereotypical, sociopathic bad guy --- Keith's character in contrast was so relaxed, sociable, in control and off-handed --- probably MORE dangerous because one would actually enjoy going to get a beer and having a chat with him !
"A bride without a head !"
"A wolf without a foot !"
Good flick. Thinking that being dated 1957 by then film noir had settled into a certain formula, set of rules time. Nightfall plays by the rules, b/w, sharp dark angle shots, shadows, tough guys, classy doll, the nasties. Cue the music.
Nothing wrong with players or story. Just the sense that this has been done to much greater effect in the peak films of the genre which by this point was practically a 'movement'. And that's antithetical to the basic concept which was so much more fly by seat of pants, make it up on the spot of the early ones.
But it is no bottom buster by any means, see... lol
It's in the middle of pack good. Rather Hopper like in spots too.
The casting didn't bother me. Neat to see them. For some reason it reminded me
of Sinatra in Suddenly, 1954 where he went to dark side so well.
Butts, booze, broads, baddies, ahh the days. Certainly worth it for fans.
Rather Hopper like in spots too.
For some reason it reminded me
of Sinatra in Suddenly, 1954 where he went to dark side so well.
Edward, the master of the dark gloom lighting. Dennis creepy in dif way.
Funny, just read a line today about how Thomas Hart Benton got his start on the lots
of Fort Lee, NJ the first 'Hollywood". Artists come in all kinds. No wonder one of his students, Pollock, liked throwing paint down on a canvas like a set tarp.
USA Today out with a list of Top 10 art schools for film making and mine came in 10th, Pratt. NYU #2 but most are in Calif. Kinda time Pratt finally got up on a list since they've had a decent photo & design program for years. Mapplethorpe came out of there as well as Harvey Fierstein and Redford as students. Until mid 60s or so most grads were in commercial or fine arts.
fwiw Looking forward to PBS doing Billy Elliot the Musical Live, from London production.
Oct 23 9pm ET. Serious talent involved.