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Post by cineclassics on Aug 7, 2023 19:22:47 GMT
If another thread like this exists elsewhere, please delete and or merge this post if necessary. For the inaugural post of this thread, I thought I would share a compelling discovery regarding Robert Mitchum. We all know Mitchum as one of the coolest and most distinct actors of the Golden Age, but did you also know he released 3 musical albums, including a Calypso (Caribbean) album where he sounds like a reggae singer? It is almost too incredible to believe, but here it is:  I have yet to sample the entire album, but from the one song I did listen to, I could not believe it was Mitchum singing. It sounds like an authentic reggae artist. Curious if you all were aware of Mitchum's musical talents, and if so, what are your thoughts on this album? UPDATE: Here is a little taste of Robert Mitchum singing reggae: |
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sme
New Member
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Post by sme on Aug 8, 2023 2:35:38 GMT
I've never attempted to seek out the album to listen to it, but I've run across it several times while seaching for Mitchum movies on deepdiscount.com. They have it for sale in an LP version. Thanks for providing a sample. I'm a big fan of old music, but a little of this goes a long way. lol Deep discount also has a Mitchum CD for sale, "Tall Dark Stranger", that contains among other things, a few standards, but I think I'll stick with Sinatra.
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Post by intrepid37 on Aug 8, 2023 19:25:59 GMT
I wouldn't have bought the album - but the song is good advice.
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Post by I Love Melvin on Aug 8, 2023 23:06:05 GMT
This one was actually made the charts at the time. I remember hearing it on the radio.
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Post by cineclassics on Aug 9, 2023 13:59:01 GMT
Another interesting fact I'd like to share, is that, in the book, "Conversations with Classic Film Stars," an interview is conducted with Joseph Cotton. In the interview they ask him what it was like for his first film role to be in what many consider the greatest American film ever made, Citizen Kane. Cotton responds by saying, this was actually my second film role, my first was in The Philadelphia Story.
For those of you wondering, what is he talking about, he wasn't in The Philadelphia Story, you're correct; but he was in the stage play version, where he plays C. K. Dexter Haven, the part that went to Cary Grant in the film production.
Cotton goes on to explain that he considers his first film role as The Philadelphia Story because the studio filmed their stage play and they utilized that to help facilitate the making of the film. He was told, decades later, that this filmed version of the stage play still exists in the MGM vaults somewhere. How cool would it be to be able to see the stage play version with Joseph Cotton and Van Heflin?
I always wondered why the most popular stage plays weren't recorded for preservation sake. Maybe some do exist somewhere, and I'm just unaware of it.
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Post by cineclassics on Aug 10, 2023 13:20:23 GMT
Noir City is currently underway, and Tommy Cook, who starred as Richard Conte's younger brother in Cry of the City attended for a Q&A after the film. As you all know, there are so few stars left, especially from the 1940s, that I thought you all would find it neat that Mr. Cook decided to attend and provide his thoughts on the film and working with Victor Mature, Richard Conte and director Robert Siodmak. Noir City Festival/ Cry of the City |
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Post by topbilled on Aug 13, 2023 1:36:10 GMT
Another interesting fact I'd like to share, is that, in the book, "Conversations with Classic Film Stars," an interview is conducted with Joseph Cotton. In the interview they ask him what it was like for his first film role to be in what many consider the greatest American film ever made, Citizen Kane. Cotton responds by saying, this was actually my second film role, my first was in The Philadelphia Story. For those of you wondering, what is he talking about, he wasn't in The Philadelphia Story, you're correct; but he was in the stage play version, where he plays C. K. Dexter Haven, the part that went to Cary Grant in the film production. Cotton goes on to explain that he considers his first film role as The Philadelphia Story because the studio filmed their stage play and they utilized that to help facilitate the making of the film. He was told, decades later, that this filmed version of the stage play still exists in the MGM vaults somewhere. How cool would it be to be able to see the stage play version with Joseph Cotton and Van Heflin? I always wondered why the most popular stage plays weren't recorded for preservation sake. Maybe some do exist somewhere, and I'm just unaware of it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too_Much_Johnson_(1938_film) |
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Post by topbilled on Aug 13, 2023 1:38:56 GMT
Noir City is currently underway, and Tommy Cook, who starred as Richard Conte's younger brother in Cry of the City attended for a Q&A after the film. As you all know, there are so few stars left, especially from the 1940s, that I thought you all would find it neat that Mr. Cook decided to attend and provide his thoughts on the film and working with Victor Mature, Richard Conte and director Robert Siodmak. Noir City Festival/ Cry of the City |
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Post by intrepid37 on Aug 13, 2023 5:26:42 GMT
I liked Conte in the original Ocean's 11.
Such a serious-looking actor.
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Post by vannorden on Aug 15, 2023 3:40:12 GMT
I will join the Richard Conte appreciation and say his stern looks and working-class Italian-American roots lent well to the gangsters and world-weary tough guys he excelled in playing. One of my favorite Conte films is THE SLEEPING CITY (1950), a predominantly shot-on-location noir with a neorealist grit similar to THE NAKED CITY (1948). The fetching Bellevue Hospital serves as the film's locale, and Conte is excellent as the undercover intern. If anyone cares to explore his filmography beyond Hollywood, look at his later Italian work, where he starred in a string of "Poliziotteschi" films - violent Italian crime dramas that became prevalent in the 1970s. Conte often played stone-faced mob bosses in these rough-looking thrillers, such as THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS (1973), SHOOT FIRST, DIE LATER (1974) and VIOLENT ROME (1975).
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Post by topbilled on Aug 16, 2023 2:24:29 GMT
I will join the Richard Conte appreciation and say his stern looks and working-class Italian-American roots lent well to the gangsters and world-weary tough guys he excelled in playing. One of my favorite Conte films is THE SLEEPING CITY (1950), a predominantly shot-on-location noir with a neorealist grit similar to THE NAKED CITY (1948). The fetching Bellevue Hospital serves as the film's locale, and Conte is excellent as the undercover intern. If anyone cares to explore his filmography beyond Hollywood, look at his later Italian work, where he starred in a string of "Poliziotteschi" films - violent Italian crime dramas that became prevalent in the 1970s. Conte often played stone-faced mob bosses in these rough-looking thrillers, such as THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS (1973), SHOOT FIRST, DIE LATER (1974) and VIOLENT ROME (1975). |
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Post by Fading Fast on Aug 16, 2023 2:37:52 GMT
I'd toss "House of Strangers" onto the Richard Conte appreciation pile. It's a good family melodrama where Conte plays the avenging son and brother in a movie that has a strong cast including Susan Hayward and Edward G. Robinson. I'd also echo Topbilled's praise for "The Brothers Rico," which has some "The Godfather" roots in its story.
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Aug 16, 2023 19:46:06 GMT
I'd toss "House of Strangers" onto the Richard Conte appreciation pile. It's a good family melodrama where Conte plays the avenging son and brother in a movie that has a strong cast including Susan Hayward and Edward G. Robinson. I'd also echo Topbilled's praise for "The Brothers Rico," which has some "The Godfather" roots in its story. House of Strangers is a solid film. One thing that really stood out to me was the character played by Susan Hayward, Irene Bennett: She doesn't take any crap from Max (Conte), and that is necessary given his traditional views of how men and woman should coexist. Hayward's screen persona was perfect for the role. When I first saw the film the Bennett character came off as insufferable: who in their right mind would want to be around such a woman! But subsequent viewings made me realize that her actions were necessary as an American dealing with a traditional Italian male and his family. I like many of the films Conte was in, with some additional favorites being: Cry of the City - 1948: Conte is a very hardnosed hood that pits him against fellow childhood rabble rouser, Italian American Victor Mature, now a detective. Note another star of this film is how NYC is filmed and the realism of the Italian neighborhood. Thieves' Highway - 1947: Conte is returning veteran, that becomes a trucker\working man, taking over for his farther who was hurt in a so-called accident. The film features Valentina Cortese as a gal-of-the-night and Lee J. Cobb as a corrupt produce dealer that use to employe Conte's father. The Big Combo - 1955: Conte as a gangland boss with Cornel Wilde as the cop out to get him. This later in the cycle noir is one of the grittiest noirs ever made. Conte is even more nasty than he was in Cry of the City. The Brothers Rico - 1957: Conte as the mostly good older brother to his out-of-control younger brothers. |
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Post by marysara1 on Aug 16, 2023 19:57:05 GMT
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Post by Andrea Doria on Aug 16, 2023 22:48:26 GMT
House of Strangers is a solid film. One thing that really stood out to me was the character played by Susan Hayward, Irene Bennett: She doesn't take any crap from Max (Conte), and that is necessary given his traditional views of how men and woman should coexist. Hayward's screen persona was perfect for the role. When I first saw the film the Bennett character came off as insufferable: who in their right mind would want to be around such a woman! But subsequent viewings made me realize that her actions were necessary as an American dealing with a traditional Italian male and his family. I like many of the films Conte was in, with some additional favorites being: Cry of the City - 1948: Conte is a very hardnosed hood that pits him against fellow childhood rabble rouser, Italian American Victor Mature, now a detective. Note another star of this film is how NYC is filmed and the realism of the Italian neighborhood. Thieves' Highway - 1947: Conte is returning veteran, that becomes a trucker\working man, taking over for his farther who was hurt in a so-called accident. The film features Valentina Cortese as a gal-of-the-night and Lee J. Cobb as a corrupt produce dealer that use to employe Conte's father.
The Big Combo - 1955: Conte as a gangland boss with Cornel Wilde as the cop out to get him. This later in the cycle noir is one of the grittiest noirs ever made. Conte is even more nasty than he was in Cry of the City. The Brothers Rico - 1957: Conte as the mostly good older brother to his out-of-control younger brothers. |
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