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1951
14th
Hour by Henry Hathaway
Character: Few seconds cut in editing (uncredited)
Writing credits
John Paxton (I)
Joel Sayre
Produced by
Sol C. Siegel
Original music by
Alfred Newman
CAST
Paul Douglas (I) .... Charlie Dunnigan
Richard Basehart .... Robert Cosick
Barbara Bel Geddes .... Virginia Foster
Debra Paget .... Ruth
Agnes Moorehead .... Christine Hill Cosick
Robert Keith (I) .... Mr. Cosick
Howard Da Silva .... Deputy Chief Moskar
Jeffrey Hunter .... Danny Klempner
Martin Gabel .... Dr. Strauss
Grace Kelly .... Mrs. Fuller
Frank Faylen .... Walter
Jeff Corey .... Sergeant Farley
James Millican .... Sergeant Boyle
Donald Randolph .... Dr. Benson
Willard Waterman .... Mr. Harris
Kenneth Harvey .... Police Operator
Filmed in New York City, New York, USA
PLOT: A young man, morally destroyed by his parents not
loving him and by the fear of being not capable to make
his girlfriend happy, rises on the ledge of a building
with the intention of committing suicide. A policeman
makes every effort to argue him out of that.
1953
Taxi by Gregory Ratoff
Character: Small part
Writing credits
Fred Brady
Daniel Fuchs (I)
Hans Jacoby
D.M. Marshman Jr.
Produced by
Samuel G. Engel (uncredited)
CAST
Harry Clark (I) .... Riso
Curtis Cooksey .... Captain Skavlon
Dan Dailey .... Ed Nielson
Jack Diamond .... Chick
Stubby Kaye .... Morris
DeForest Kelley .... Fred
Walter Woolf King .... Business Man
Kyle MacDonnell .... Dottie
Bill Neil .... Pier Guard
Neva Patterson .... Miss Millard
B.S. Pulley .... Amchy
Mark Roberts (I) .... Jim Turner
Anthony Ross (I) .... Mr. Alexander
Constance Smith (I) .... Mary
Bert Thorn .... Clerk
Blanche Yurka .... Mrs. Nielson
PLOT: Little comedy of N. Y. C. cab driver Dailey trying
to help an Irish girl find her husband **
1955
The
Night Holds Terror by Andrew L. Stone
Character: Robert Batsford
Writing credits
Andrew L. Stone
Produced by
Andrew L. Stone
CAST
John Cassavetes .... Robert Batsford
Vince Edwards .... Victor Gosset
David Gross (II) .... Luther Logan
Jonathan Hale (I) .... Bob Henderson
Charles Herbert (I) .... Steven
Jack Kelly (I) .... Gene Courtier
Guy Kingsford
Jack Kruschen .... Detective Pope
Eddie Marr (I) .... Captain Cole (as Edward Marr)
Joel Marston .... Reporter
Joyce McCluskey .... Phyllis Harrison
Roy Neal
Hildy Parks .... Doris Courtier
Barney Phillips .... Stranske
Nancy Zane .... Deborah
PLOT(s): 1) Somber little film of family being held captive for
ransom. 2) Hitchhikers
hold a man and his family captive when they discover he has a wealthy
father **
(Some books reports another movie in 1955: The Purple
Plain by Robert Parrish - I have this movie with Gregory
Peck and I can't see him - maybe his part was cut or my
version is not the director's cut or is simply a mistake)
1956
Crime
in the Streets by
Don Siegel
Character: Frankie Dane
Writing credits
Reginald Rose
Produced by
Vincent M. Fennelly
CAST
John Cassavetes .... Frankie Dane
Sal Mineo .... Baby Gioia
James Whitmore .... Ben Wagner
Mark Rydell .... Lou Macklin
Virginia Gregg .... Mrs. Dane
Peter J. Votrian .... Richie Dane
Will Kuluva .... Mr. Gioia
Malcolm Atterbury .... Mr. McAllister
Denise Alexander (I) .... Maria Gioia
Dan Terranova .... Blockbuster
Peter Miller (I) .... The Fighter
Steve Rowland (I) .... Glasses
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Robert Alexander (I) .... Phil (uncredited)
Doyle Baker .... Chuck (uncredited)
Richard Curtis (II) .... Redtop (uncredited)
Duke Mitchell .... Herky (uncredited)
James Ogg .... Lenny (uncredited)
Ray Stricklyn .... Benny (uncredited)
PLOT: Incisive drama of angry, alienated teen
Cassavetes, who conspires to commit murder. Good
performances by Cassavetes, Mineo and future director
Rydell as his cronies, and Whitmore as an idealistic
social worker. Adapted by Reginald Rose from his 1955
teleplay; Cassavetes, Rydell, and Kuluva repeat their TV
performances.
1957
Edge
of the City by
Martin Ritt
Character: Axel North
Writing credits
Robert Alan Arthu
Produced by
David Susskind
CAST
Val Avery .... Brother
John Cassavetes .... Axel North
David Clarke (I) .... Wallace
Ruby Dee .... Lucy Tyler
John Kellogg .... Detective
William A. Lee .... Davis
Kathleen Maguire .... Ellen Wilson
Sidney Poitier .... Tommy Tyler
Robert F. Simon .... Mr. Nordmann
Jack Warden .... Charles Malik
Ruth White (II) .... Mrs. Nordmann
PLOT: Somber, realistic account of N. Y. C. waterfront
life and corruption. Friendship of army deserter
Cassavetes and dock worker Poitier, both conflicting with
union racketeer Warden, provides focus for reflections on
integration and integrity in lower-class society.
Masterfully acted by all. Ritt's first film as director.
Robert Alan Aurthur adapted his own 1955 TV play, A Man
Is Ten Feet Tall (which was also film's British title),
in which Poitier originated his role. Also shown in
computer-colored version
****.
Comment: Adapted from A MAN IS TEN FEET TALL, a drama
written by Robert Alan Aurthur which had previously been
produced for television. Poitier also had starred in that
version, and won a Sylvania Award as best television
actor during the 1955-1956 season and so John Cassavetes.
Debut of Martin Ritt.
1957
Affair
in Havana by
Laslo Benedek
Character: Nick
CAST
John Cassavetes .... Nick
Raymond Burr .... Mallabee
Sara Shane .... Lorna
Lila Lazo .... Fina
Sergio Pena .... Valdes
Celia Cruz .... Singer
José Antonio Rivero (II) .... Rivero
Miguel Ángel Blanco (II) .... Captain of Police
Produced by
Richard Goldstone
Filmed in Havana, Cuba
PLOT: A
crime of passion is the result when a songwriter becomes involved with
a crippled man's wife.
While working in Cuba, American songwriter Nick (John Cassavetes)
becomes involved with Lorna (Sara Shane), the wife of crippled
plantation owner Mallabee (Raymond Burr). **1/2
1958
Saddle
the Wind by
Robert Parrish
Character: Tony Sinclair
Writing credits
Daniel Fuchs (I) (uncredited)
Rod Serling
Thomas Thompson (I) (story)
Produced by
Armand Deutsch
CAST
Robert Taylor .... Steve Sinclair
Julie London .... Joan Blake
John Cassavetes .... Tony Sinclair
Donald Crisp (I) .... Dennis Deneen
Charles McGraw .... Larry Venables
Royal Dano .... Clay Ellison
Richard Erdman .... Dallas Hanson
Douglas Spencer .... Hemp
Ray Teal .... Brick
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Stanley Adams (I) .... Joe, the Bartender (uncredited)
Jay Adler .... Hank
Nacho Galindo
Irene Tedrow .... Mary Ellison (uncredited)
PLOT: Steve Sinclair (Robert Taylor) is a world a world-weary
former gunslinger, now living as a peaceful farmer.
Things go wrong when his wild younger brother Tony (John
Cassavetes) arrives on the scene with his new bride Joan
Blake (Julie London).
If you've ever wondered what a Western written
by Rod Serling would be like, here's your chance. CinemaScope ***
Comment: maybe this is the mistaken movie by Robert
Parrish (see Purple Plain)
http://www.entertainmentnutz.com/movienutz/moviereviews/saddle_the_wind.htm
1958
Virgin
Island by Pat
Jackson
Character: Evan
Writing credits
Pat Jackson (I)
Ring Lardner Jr. (as Philip Rush)
Robb White (I)
CAST
John Cassavetes .... Evan
Virginia Maskell .... Tina
Sidney Poitier .... Marcus
Isabel Dean .... Mrs. Lomax
Colin Gordon .... The Commissioner
Ruby Dee .... Ruth
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Arnold Bell .... Heath
Gladys Boot .... Mrs. Carruthers
Alonzo Bozan .... Grant
Edric Connor .... Captain Jason
Reginald Hearne .... Doctor
Howard Marion-Crawford .... Prescott
Julian Mayfield .... Band Leader
PLOT: on the splendid Virgin Islands, an American writer (Cassavetes) meets an
English girl and instantly falls in love. They marry and establish
their home on a little and cozy island, they build a house and go broke
because he is not able to sell his works. But, helped by local friend
Marcus (Sidney Poitier), they decided to go
on. After a visit of the mother in law, a terrible storm and a baby,
they decide to return to civilization and borrow the now finished home
to Marcus and his girlfriend.
Comment: a very simple story of love, sun and amazing
landscape. Nothing too deep or intellectual. If you like the
rugged-handsomeness side of Cassavetes, this is the movie for you [I
really appreciate it]
1959
Shadows by John Cassavetes
Small part (uncredited)
Comment: see relative movie
1961
Too
Late Blues by
John Cassavetes
Small part (uncredited)
Comment: see relative movie
1961
The
Webster Boy by
Don Chaffey
Character: Vance Miller
Writing credits
Ted Allan (I)
Leo Marks
CAST
Geoffrey Bayldon .... Charles Jamieson
John Bull .... Alfred Baxter
John Cassavetes .... Vance Miller
Seymour Cassel .... Vic
David Farrar (I) .... Paul Webster
John Geary (I) .... Alvin Roberts
Karl Lanchbury .... Michael Johnson
Niall MacGinnis .... Headmaster
Richard O'Sullivan (I) .... Jimmy Webster
Norman Rodway .... Donald Saunders
Elizabeth Sellars
PLOT: The
return of a woman's former lover raises questions as to who is the
father of her son
1963
A
Child Is Waiting
by John Cassavetes
Character: Retarded Adult Who Walks Toward Camera (uncredited)
Comment: see relative movie
1964
The
Killers by Don
Siegel
Character: Johnny North
Writing credits
Ernest Hemingway (from the short story "The Killers")
Produced by
Don Siegel
CAST
Lee Marvin .... Charlie Strom
Angie Dickinson .... Sheila Farr
John Cassavetes .... Johnny North
Clu Gulager .... Lee
Claude Akins .... Earl Sylvester
Norman Fell .... Mickey Farmer
Ronald Reagan .... Jack Browning
Virginia Christine .... Miss Watson
Don Haggerty (I) .... Mail Truck Driver
Robert Phillips (I) .... George
Kathleen O'Malley .... Receptionist
Ted Jacques .... Gym Assistant
Irvin Mosley .... Mail Truck Guard
Jimmy Joyce .... Sales Assistant
Davis Roberts .... Maitre D'
Hall Brock .... Race Marshal
Burt Mustin .... Elderly Man
Peter Hobbs .... Instructor
John Copage .... Porter
Tyler McVey .... Steward
Seymour Cassel .... Desk Clerk
Scott Hale (I) .... Hotel Clerk
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Dick Lane (I) .... Demolition-Derby announcer (uncredited)
PLOT: Two inquisitive hit men piece together the story of
the man they've just murdered, in this free adaptation of
Hemingway's short story. Originally shot for TV, it was
rejected as ``too violent'' and released to theaters
instead. Some latter-day notoriety derives from Reagan's
casting as a brutal crime kingpin; it was his last movie
role. Marvin has a great closing line. **1/2
Comment: Directors Cameo (Don Siegel) - a cook at
a diner, Ronald Reagan's last acting role before entering
politics.
Originally made for television as JOHNNY NORTH, the pilot for a series of two-hour shows, THE KILLERS had to be released theatrically because of excessive sex and violence.
http://www.filmcomment.com/fcm/11-12-96/killers.htm
Video: available in VHS (NTSC and PAL)
1967
The
Dirty Dozen by
Robert Aldrich
Character: Victor R. Franko
Writing credits (in credits order)
E.M. Nathanson (novel)
Nunnally Johnson
Lukas Heller
Produced by
Raymond Anzarut (associate)
Kenneth Hyman
CAST
Lee Marvin .... Major John Reisman
Ernest Borgnine .... Major General Worden
Charles Bronson .... Joseph T. Wladislaw
Jim Brown .... Robert T. Jefferson
John Cassavetes .... Victor R. Franko
Richard Jaeckel .... Sergeant Clyde Bowren
George Kennedy .... Major Max Armbruster
Trini López .... Pedro Jiminez
Ralph Meeker .... Captain Stuart Kinder
Robert Ryan .... Colonel Everett Dasher Breed
Telly Savalas .... Archer J. Maggott
Donald Sutherland .... Vernon L. Pinkley
Clint Walker (I) .... Samson Posey
Robert Webber (I) .... Brigadier General Denton
Tom Busby .... Milo Vladek
Ben Carruthers .... Glenn Gilpin
Stuart Cooper (III) .... Roscoe Lever
Robert Phillips (I) .... Corporal Carl Morgan
Colin Maitland .... Seth K. Sawyer
Al Mancini .... Tassos R. Bravos
George Roubicek .... Private Arthur James Gardner
Thick Wilson .... Captain Haskell
Dora Reisser .... German Officer's Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically
John Hollis (I) .... German porter at chateu (uncredited)
PLOT: 12 prisoners, a deadly mission and ruthless Lee Marvin as the
chief in charge. These are the main ingredients for this really good
war movie. Every characters is well developed and by the end you'll be
sorry for their fate. John Cassavetes steals almost every scenes he's
in and the matches with Lee Marvin are priceless.
Comment: Although Aldrich had tried to purchase
the rights to E.M. Nathanson's novel, The Dirty Dozen,
while it was still in outline form, it was MGM that
successfully acquired the property in May 1963. The book
became a best-seller upon its publication in 1965.
The French chateau that appears in the film was
constructed especially for the production by art director
Bill Hutchinson and his crew of 85. One of the largest
sets ever built, it stood 240 feet across and 50 high.
Gardeners surrounded the building with 5400 square yards
of heather, 400 ferns, 450 shrubs, 30 spruce trees and 6
full-grown weeping willows.
Construction of the faux chateau proved *too* good. The
script called for it to be blown up, but the construction
was so solid that 70 tons of explosives would have been
needed to achieve the effect! Instead, a section was
rebuilt from cork and plastic.
Awards: 1968 - Nominated - Academy Awards - Best
Supporting Actor - John Cassavetes, 1968 - Nominated -
Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor - John Cassavetes
Video: available in DVD (NTSC) and VHS (NTSC and PAL)
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