For me, at least. Usually in movies I'd see either a recognizable name, an up and coming name that will do big things later on, or a name on the downside of their career. But this movie was one of the few where I did not recognize anyone at all, either from a previous work or a future one . The only names familiar to me were the director, Wise and Michael Crichton .
shareKate Reid was very popular and up for a Best Supporting Oscar.
David Wayne was a feature performer in a number of 1950's films.
Paula Kelly, a Broadway star and was featured in the film version of Sweet Charity.
Athur Hill known as a tv actor in several series.
Richard Bull went on to be on Little House on the Prairie for 10 years, actually it's amazing the number of actors from The Andromeda Strain that went on to appear on Little House, for it being a small cast there's a good dozen that did, I can't find the connection but it seems to be more than just a coincidence.
shareI watched the making of the film on the DVD. Director Robert Wise intentionally chose B&C list actors because he felt they would be more believable as the scientists and in other roles. He said big stars like Gregory Peck would not sell the role of just sitting there in the lab using the equipment and doing little else. I agree.
But these actors have had wonderful careers on the stage,on tv and in films in supporting roles. David Wayne,Arthur Hill & Paula Kelly especially. I give them their props.
Just for the record, I'm not a Dude, I'm a Dudette!
<But this movie was one of the few where I did not recognize anyone at all, either from a previous work or a future one .>
David Wayne was around for years. He appeared with Marilyn Monroe in a couple of films (How to Marry a Millionaire was one), and in the very funny film Adam's Rib, with Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. In Three Faces of Eve, he was her frustrated husband that couldn't cope with her split personalities. He was also in an episode of Twilight Zone where he gave his soul to the Devil in exchange for immortality.
Hey folks,
While none of the actors in this film were top name stars, of the first eight listed in IMDb, all but Paula Kelly were already well established as journeyman actors. Even Paula Kelly was a known actor in the trade even though she did not have as many years experience as the others. Some of those folks had credits going back more than 20 years, and a couple of them were already 30 year journeyman actors.
They may not have had the big star status recognized by the public, but this cast certainly represented a wealth of experience in 1971.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
David Wayne was around for years. He appeared with Marilyn Monroe in a couple of films (How to Marry a Millionaire was one), and in the very funny film Adam's Rib, with Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. . . . He was also in an episode of Twilight Zone where he gave his soul to the Devil in exchange for immortality. - BlondeVixen
Agreed they weren't A-list, but they were pretty well known. I thought it was a great cast.
shareAgreed they weren't A-list, but they were pretty well known
I feel the same way-nobody in the cast is very glamorous so the viewer can concentrate on the plot. And it's amazing how all these people turn up in movies and especially in dozens of TV shows over the years-James Olson for example usually played oily characters on TV yet in this movie he plays a good guy for a nice change of pace.
shareI was 12 when the film came out, and I knew who the 4 main stars were. If you were around back then, these people were all over TV.
shareSome were well known on Broadway. Kate Reid played Martha in the original production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" for the matinee performances. Arthur hill played George in the same production and won the Tony for it.
Regardless of recognizable names, did you think the Actors were good? I am 50 and just saw this movie today for the first time. Thought all the main Actors did a terrific job. I would prefer unknowns that can act vs. having a familiar face fall flat in a role. Just my opinion.
shareIf their work was stellar (which it was), who gives a sch itt whether they were household names?
This mentality is why we are repeatedly subjected to actors who are obviously given a part for their looks, who they know, who they slept with, whose kid they are, ad nauseum, not whether they actually had any business playing the part. One reason example is Tim Burton's bromance with Johnny Depp, who had as much business playing Willy Wonka as Samuel Jackson.
My people skills are fine. It's my tolerance of morons that needs work.
Kind of a trend in the 70s/80s for True SciFi, as it tended to lend to credibility. And if some one died, you'd really tend to believe it for a while! Or, complete guess as to who may or may not die. The top billed usually either didnt die or if they did, they died spectacularly or for a reason (as in no-spoiler-alerting docu-dramas - like when people shush me for talking ahead of Narcos or Games of War! PLEASE).
In StarTrek, you can make educated guesses.
In the no-names (until recently, or recurring 'characters') The Purge series, not so much
The opposite of that being these days: In Game of Thrones, all bets are off, even for "name" actors!
RIP Scott, you are still "Unstoppable"!
I'm judging your brain, I'm judging your brain!