MovieChat Forums > The Twelve Chairs (1970) Discussion > Frank Langella

Frank Langella

posted 17 years ago by valjeanlover
18 replies | jump to latest

This movie, IMO, was not Mel Brooks' best, and I've never read the novel so I can't compare them, but I think this movie had it's moments. But for me, my favorite part of this film was Frank Langella. Even though it wasn't his best role, I thought he did the best out of the actors (except for Brooks himself, but he was only in, what, 10 minutes? I think maybe if Mel played Ron Moody's character, it would've been a bit funnier). He was also more attractive than I thought he would be, ha ha. But yeah, I didn't think this movie was that funny, but I liked Frank Langella's performance. Though they've all done much better work.

The more he bleeds, the more her lives
He never forgets and he never forgives

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RickRMortiz 17 years ago

Excuse me but isn't that what these forums are for to discuss films and their casts frankfarago..

If you have nothing constructive to say or to add and insist on "Babbling" about how someones post adds "nothing to nothing", perhaps it is you who need to go elsewhere. These forums are for the public to post what their thoughts on films are and personal critiques.

Keep your rudeness to yourself please..

Now for my adding to things.. I was quite surprised by this film as at the time I had never heard of the novel or film itself. I ran across it in my video store several years ago as being a film by Mel Brooks. Frankly I loved the film, without passing judgment on it based on any other source of reference. It definitely not your average mel brooks work. As for Frank Langella, I honestly like very little of his work in anything( exceptions being Capt.Dawg in the ill fated Cutthroat Island, or his work in Guarding Tess) and actually thought he was quite good in this film.

Nuff said

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ronibuni 17 years ago

As Dracula in the 1978 movie by the same name Langella is scroching HOT!!
Mmay I just say: "Hubba-Hubba!"
This movie also starred an aged Sir Laurence Olivier and the soundtrack by John Williams was Superb...It is rated R and is now shown on regular TV unedited because the R-rating is so laughable given the violence we see on regular TV...

Support bacteria: It's the Only culture some people will ever actually have access too...

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] puirt-a-beul 17 years ago

Oh, I really love Ron Moody's performance in this.

This movie is fairly low-key, as American comedy expectations go, but it does get the classic Russian style of comedy very well. I think it can certainly hold its head up proudly.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[–] joline61 16 years ago

Frank was HOT in this movie.

[–] carlsez_1 15 years ago

Sunday Morning just did a story on Langella. They talked about how charismatic he was with the women in his earlier roles, but didn't mention this movie. It's too bad, they could have emphasized their point and renewed interest in this little known Brooks gem.

[–] MisterDenton 11 years ago

He sure was!

[–] Druffmaul 9 years ago

I was shocked when I watched this the other day, I saw the name Frank Langella in the opening credits and I only know him as a middle aged bald frump. Had no idea he used to look like a friggin' matinee idol.

[–] armannja 15 years ago

I agree. It is one of his best ever roles and he was very attractive at that age (reminds me a bit of Cillian Murphy).

[–] samanthaseaotter 13 years ago

You mean Cillian Murphy reminds you of him (since Frank is the elder).

But yes, he was absolutely luscious in the early part of his career, and with that velvet voice, it's no wonder women went bonkers for him.

It's easy to forget that guys who are older now were younger somewhere else along the way.

I understand the Russian version of the "Twelve Chairs" (not this one) is supposed to be much, much funnier. But then it doesn't have Frank Langella, either.

Samantha
"We're here. We're dead. Get used to it."

[–] 3rdrowleft 13 years ago

At the time (1970), I thought the one-two punch of Twelve Chairs and Diary Of A Mad Housewife would make Frank Langella a major, major star. I felt he should have received a Support nom for Housewife. It is my belief the reason he didn't get it is the character was such a sleaze, the then voters thought it would be rewarding the character's behavior.

When it didn't happen then, then it MUST when he played Dracula on stage and film. But no. I guess that's okay though because an excellent character actor is never out of work while most stars' fame is fleeting.

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

[–] Cryptogram 12 years ago

I thought the movie was funny, definitely one of my favorites from Mr. Brooks. As for Mr. Langella in the film, I thought he did a good job, as well as the rest of the cast.

__________
~Please treat others how you'd want to be treated~

[–] ToxoplasmaGondii 10 years ago

I first saw this film at a Gifted and Talented summer camp in 1978 at the age of 13. As a young Gen X-er, the flick was ok but not exactly my taste, more of my grandparents' style than mine (I would have preferred reruns of the 3rd season of Saturday Night Live). Sorry, I was a child and did not yet know how very little I knew. Despite the generational difference, Frank Langella leapt off the screen as an extraordinary actor (helped that acting was one of the programs at the camp). Whatis almost as extraordinary is that I remember it 36 years later.

The only person to whom I can compare him (not being a thespian for many, many years despite once pulling off Linus while wearing a 34DD bra) is Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music). His performance as Iago in Othello was electrifying and put James Earl Jones to shame (I'm still hoping perhaps Jones was ill and off his game that day).

It was a joy to see the two as leads in HBO's "Muhammed Ali's Greatest Fight" some months ago. I can only hope we have the good fortune that both will remain with us for some time into the foreseeable future. Our entertainment would suffer without them.