His performance in this is so...awkward. He shambles around without that much to do once Wayne's love interest arrives on the island. I will admit his appearance as "The King of The United States" is hilarious though. Also, a plot question; is it just me, or is Amelie's solving the mystery behind her siblings a little unclear? How was she able to figure it out?
What's the Spanish for drunken bum?
He was my least favorite character also. Borracho is the Spanish term for drunkard.
You’ll recall that Amelia cornered the padre when he was putting leis on Manulani's grave. We know he cherished telling tales based on his summoning the good Dr. as Guns and Gilhooley engaged in fisticuffs. Also, Luki calls Guns “Uncle Guns” and the Marquis relishes showing Amelia Guns’ military record which proclaims him a bachelor without children. Being a smart woman, all the pieces fall into place.
I love this movie.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
I'm willing to bet that Ward Bond would have played the Lee Marvin part, except he got kinda detained, there, a few years earlier, by DYING.
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Here here. If Marvin shouldn't do comedy, neither should Lemmon nor Matthau nor any of the serious actors who ever made me laugh.
What Marvin shouldn't have done is comedies as unfunny as this one.
THAT was such a lame terrible movie,
I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney, than driving with Ted Kennedy
That's a funny line, but you don't really think so, do you? Ward Bond never, I mean never, had a role as as big as Gilhooley in a John Ford movie. I'd almost be willing to say in ANY movie. Even with his old barfight buddy Wayne Batjacing the proceedings, he never played better than third fiddle, until he got to WAGON TRAIN on TV. And Lee Marvin was a star since LIBERTY VALANCE the year before.
shareLee Marvin shouldn't do comedy? Good thing Lee Marvin didn't hear and heed your advise after making Donovan's Reef or he wouldn't have won his Oscar for best actor two movies later in Cat Ballou.
shareHe was pretty funny in "Paint Your Wagon" along with Clint Eastwood. The two of them sang in the movie. Clint was pretty good with his singing but Lee Marvin wasn't bad in a gravel-truck sort of voice.
shareI cannot disagree more.
Lee Marvin had perfect timing in the sight gags. i.e. 1. Adjusting the over-sized handkerchief and lapels on Donavan's best suit, knowing he intended to start a fight. 2. Casually setting the bottle back on the bar after John Wayne turns around just in time to avoid being hit in the back of the head. 3. Loafing along behind others, with the piano stool thrown over his shoulder, as the others strain under larger loads, moving to and from Donavan's Reef.
And his timing was just right as he and John Wayne exchange one of the funnier bits of dialogue. John Wayne: Daughter...dotter! Lee Marvin: That's right! 2 tees! I also thought his delivery was just right as he proclaims: "I thought I told you Limey's to stay out of here?" thus starting the best fight of the movie.
He played the part of an immature, irreverent, happy go lucky friend as well as anyone could have throughout the movie.
I Completely agree. He's completely hilarious in this and cracks me up.
Especially the bit where he first whacks john Wayne and goes hahahahahahahahaha laughing hysterically with his arm pointing at Donovan on the floor. Every time I watch the dirty dozen (it's on now) I can't believe he does such a brilliant funny character in Donovan's reef. He's all serious in dirty dozen and a total crack pot in Donovan's reef. He's hilarious and think he should do more comedy with john Wayne. Both together they were brilliant.
I was just thinking about starting a thread about how bad he was in this.
"Flash, Flash, I love you, but we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth!"
Oh grow up.
lee Marvin is completely hilarious in this and cracks me up.
Especially the bit where he first whacks john Wayne and goes hahahahahahahahaha laughing hysterically with his arm pointing at Donovan on the floor. Every time I watch the dirty dozen (it's on now) I can't believe he does such a brilliant funny character in Donovan's reef. He's all serious in dirty dozen and a total crack pot in Donovan's reef. He's hilarious and think he should do more comedy with john Wayne. Both together they were brilliant.
Your starting a thread about how bad he was????
I'd like to see you do better. He's brilliant
You said it three times, which is about the level of overkill he indulged himself in.
stfu about fking avatars already.
Yep. You guys are right. He was brilliant in whatever he was called on to do. These poor pikers wouldn't know comedy if it smacked them in their faces. No funny bones. Well, it's their loss.
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I Disagree about lee Marvin. He's completely hilarious in this and cracks me up.
Especially the bit where he first whacks john Wayne and goes hahahahahahahahaha laughing hysterically with his arm pointing at Donovan on the floor. Every time I watch the dirty dozen (it's on now) I can't believe he does such a brilliant funny character in Donovan's reef. He's all serious in dirty dozen and a total crack pot in Donovan's reef. He's hilarious and think he should do more comedy with john Wayne. Both together they were brilliant.
Not the brandy you dope. Hahahahahahahahaha
I too think Marvin did a great job in this film. From the opening scene on the ship all the way through, his timing and enthusiasm for the role shine through. Thoroughly believable as an old salt who's living life as one long shore leave in paradise. The chemistry between him and Wayne is undeniable, they compliment each other on screen for many a great laugh.
"if it was any good they'd have made an American version by now." Hank Hill
Lee Marvin certainly did over act in this movie along with just about everyone else. he was the worst, but the over acting even extended down to the children in the movie.
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