Robert MItchum like you've never seen him in *THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER* (1955) | first time watching
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- Today, I am reacting to and reviewing NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955). This is my first time watching this classic masterpiece! I can't wait to get into it!
#nightofthehunter #robertmitchum #firsttimewatching
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//FULL VIDEO RUNDOWN
00:00 Intro
00:17 Golden Oscar Patron Shoutout
00:51 Film Background
01:24 Historical Background
03:52 Interesting Facts
04:46 Film Reaction
26:21 Final Thoughts
29:52 Outro
31:19 Bloopers/Outtakes
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Film's Original Source: The Night of the Hunter (1955). United Artists.
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Robert Mitchum should have won an Oscar for his performance in this movie. Then there's Mitchum as "Max Cady" in "Cape Fear." To my mind, this film is like American Folk horror. Harry is the epitome of hypocrisy -- a true "false prophet." Many thanks, Mia.
I read a biography of Mitchum "BABY I DONT CARE " was the title ,it was one of his lines in "Out of the Past" it was a good read about a fascinating man on and off screen ,Mitchum was very well read and had lived a lot before he started acting ,wish he had written his autobiography though, according to his friends, other actors, and film crews he was a great storyteller and would keep them amused telling them about his times riding the rails as a teenager during the depression and various jobs he had done , well worth a read.
Ernest Borgnine deserved his Oscar for "Marty", James Dean in "East Of Eden" was that year as well, so was Sinatra in "Man With The Golden Arm", Mitchum was fantastic but the movie tanked with both audiences and critics so there was no way it was going to get nominated. Back then way more movies were released every year so you have way more upsets than you do now, where you just can't believe someone wasn't even nominated. Gene Hackman in The Conversation, not nominated. Singin' In The Rain, not even nominated. 2001: A Space Odyssey not even nominated. You should be happy when a great performance gets honored, not cry about the ones that didn't. Look at 1974: Nicholson in Chinatown, Pacino in Godfather Part 2, Dustin Hoffman in Lenny, Gene Hackman (who wasn't even nominated) in The Conversation. Which is the best performance? You'd be splitting hairs They were all so great that they canceled each other out and Art Carney got the Oscar that year. (Not that Carney isn't great, but you get my meaning.)
@@TTM9691 You certainly know film! Yeah, there were a lot of films which never received the credit they deserved. I'm a "fan" of older films. I don't care for too many movies which were created after the 1970s. Take care -- W
@@TTM9691Mitchum, Dean, and Sinatra deserved the Oscar over Ernest
@@randywhite3947 You wouldn't know, Randy, sorry to break the news to you.
As monstrous as Mitchum's character was, he was actually the child actors' best friend on set and did most of the coaching with them (Charles Laughton wasn't overly fond of children).
Not so. Read the book about the making of the movie, Playing With Heaven and Hell. Laughton loved kids, though he didn't like the actress who played Pearl. But yes, Mitchum got on well with them too.
I suspect the Great Depression of the Thirties was a major background inspiration of the movie. The initial crime is caused by a man become desperate to support his family so he robs a bank and in the process accidentally kills two men. He's not evil but showing how poverty and hopelessness can destroy a man.
Lillian Gish was arguably the greatest actress in movie history, certainly #1 in the silent era. She revolutionized film acting in the 1910s and 20s and was called "The First Lady of American Cinema". She was also the first woman director. She spent most of her later career on the stage but would occasionally make movies. Her last role, 1987's "The Whales in August", paired her up with Bette Davis and Vincent Price - Gish, 94 years old at the time, stole the movie.
As important as Gish was, she was not the first woman director. Even if you ignore Europe and just look at American films Alice Guy, Lois Webber, Mable Normand etc. were all successful directors before Gish. Weber was considered one of the greatest directors of the silent era and Normand has the distinction of being the only woman to direct Charlie Chaplin.
I agree about her being the greatest. She’s my favorite!
I work with guys who are huge Spike Lee fans specifically of Do the Right Thing and they didn't believe me when I said Bill Nunn's Love Hate monologue originated in a 1955 horror movie about a deranged preacher played by a white guy. I had to pull my phone out to prove it and they had nothing to say😆😄
Spike talks about it often, how much he loves this film!
@@etherealtb6021 Spike Lee also loves the film A Face in the Crowd, starring Andy Griffith. You should check it out if you haven't already. It's one of Andy Griffith's dramatic roles, and he is fantastic in his first starring film role!!
Haha Their pissed it came from a white dude.
The role played by Nathan Fillion in the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" series also incorporates the Mitchum character here even using that same "love and hate" monologue.
This is one of my top ten favorite movies. The under water scene of Shelly Winters in the car was so surreal. The cinematography of this film is unparalleled!
the underwater scene is the only movie scene that actually haunts me, very surprised that it was not included or talked about
What’s your top ten?
@@randywhite3947 It's hard to say. I think it changes every year. A lot of them are sentimental, but some of them include: Animal Crackers (1930), The Godfather (1972), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Sunset Blvd (1950), and The Fugitive (1993).
Honestly, there are so many more. Way more than ten. I love a good story, some character development, a good set piece, with some silliness thrown in (hence Animal Crackers). What are yours?
Mitchum is even scarier in Cape Fear somehow, it's actually shocking how few things are off limits for that character, but I understand why this is his most iconic character and his own personal favorite. My favorite aspect of Night of the Hunter though is the woman, the myth, the legend, Lillian Gish. Watching her go from her demure ingenue silent persona to packing heat against a maniac is the most satisfying and entertaining thing in the world to me, it's actually such a surprise when you just aren't used to seeing her in that position! Like she becomes the kind of person who would be protecting *her* in her previous films, it's uncanny and amazing to see. What a career arc. So happy to see new reactions from you Mia, I've missed them a lot. 🙏
Edit: And for the record on the issue of Powell being an extremist vs a total charlatan who may as well be an atheist, I tend to read him as believing what he says. He gets *much* too into explaining the meaning of those tattoos, and would someone who wasn't about this life go quite this far as to even get the tattoos? So that's where I am with him.
I didn't read your comment but I said similar things about Lillian Gish. This was a great movie
@@SueProv I still need to see the two you mentioned, I think this is the only sound film I've seen of hers. Whales of August seems like such a must see for any fan of the era though!
I love Gish in this movie! These are the tough women who built history, not the whimps and pushovers they are often portayed in films. I met my friends 85 year old grandma from Australia in the mid-80's and she was tough as nails!
Women had always been tough. Hence I am bewildered at today’ s generation that pretend they were the first.
Robert Mitchum sure is one of the creepiest villains ever. Fascinating performance!
He was equally sinister in the original “Cape Fear” (1962).
@@MsAppassionata True. Well... almost. ;-) But I like "Cape Fear" also very much.
@@MsAppassionataHe was terrifying in Cape Fear! I was so grateful for the film because it’s great to watch if you want to see this creepy side of Mitchum in film again.
Mia your reaction surpassed my expectations. The old lady who was religious is Lillian Gish. She was one of the greatestt actresses in silent films. Her sister was also Dorothy Gish. She played a great role in 1946 Duel in the Sun. Her last role was The Whales of August in 1987 at the age of 93 with Bette Davis, Vincent Price and Ann Sothern
There's a story that on Whales of August an Assistant Director came up to Lillian Gish and was explaining how to do a close up. Miss Gish, who was always known for her politeness thanked him.
Bette Davis overheard and said, "You don't need to explain close ups to Miss Gish, young man. She _invented_ them."
Hello Mia!
Fun Fact: Film critic Roger Ebert called Robert Mitchum to be his favorite movie star and the soul of film noir, You should check out his performance in another Film Noir Classic, Out of the Past (1947) with Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, and Rhonda Fleming,
Out of the Past is, IMO, one of the best scripts ever written.
Out of the Past was the first noir I ever saw, still one of my favorites!
This film is so good. Robert Mitchum is a treasure!!!
While Hitler may have been a reference, I suspect Senator McCarthy may have been a more immediate inspiration in 1955.
O, yes.
This is a masterpiece. Directed by Charles Laughton who had never directed before and was only an actor. But critics panned the film and it destroyed him so much he never directed again. Many years later it was recognized for it's brilliance.
Completely underrated film! We can only wonder what Charles Laughton could have produced as a director if he would have directed more films! Agree with you completely on your take on Lilian Gish! She was amazing.
Underrated this is considered to be one of the best films ever made
Lillian Gish was the first superstar of the silent era. She was in everything from 'Birth of a Nation' to 'Ben Hur'. Her career spanned 1912 to 1985.
She wasn’t in Ben hur
Tragically this movie was just a few years ahead of its time. 5 years later, after the success of Hitchcock's Psycho, every studio suddenly wanted to do those kind of thrillers. And Mitchum got another role to deliver an amazing creepy villain performance in Cape Fear.
Lillian Gish and Mary Pickford basically invented movie acting.
My impression of Mitchum is that he played good guys and bad guys, but he never played simple guys - there was always the impression of something going on beneath the surface. That made him fascinating to watch.
Considering that this was Laughton's only film as a director, it's a remarkable achievement - you have to wonder what he might have accomplished if he'd continued.
Mitchum in the original Cape Fear was terrifying.
One of my favorite lines "Don't he ever sleep?"
I wish Charles Laughton would have directed more films.
Spike Lee did a homage to the Love/Hate scene in his movie Do The Right Thing,
Rocky Horror did as well! On Meatloaf/Eddie's knuckles during his song.
I was going to mention this too. He's a huge fan of this film. Mia, since it is from the 80's, watch Do the Right Thing on your own. Great movie, with some of the best cinematography ever!
And The Clash dropped the motif in their song Death or Glory - "'Love' and 'hate' tattooed across the knuckles of his hands \ Hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand..."
You should watch the 1957 movie A Face in the Crowd, starring Andy Griffith. He is fantastic in this dramatic role, and it was his first starring film role too! It is a great story of how power corrupts. I haven't seen anyone react to this movie yet, and it is a shame.
When I was too young to watch it (maybe 8/9), I saw the 1962 Cape Fear. For the next couple of years I couldn't watch a Robert Mitchum movie because he was so scary. Finally I decided that was stupid and whatever the next opportunity I had to watch him was I would.... That movie? Night of the Hunter. Confronting my fear didn't help the way I thought it would. Angel Face (1953), as I remember, is a good lesser known Mitchum movie.
The Window (1949) might be a movie you find interesting. Classic live-action Disney does a noir suspense.
It’s very important to situate how films were viewed when released and by who. The social and historical context of the audience reaction reveals a lot to us now because we will of course view the film with different eyes.
The only reactor to bring movies for adults. Thanks
Think of this as a raw Grimm fairytale the helpless child being chased by the evil witch or more like a wolf hunting his pray. But you are seeing it through the eyes of a child
Shelley Winters' later film, *Who Slew Auntie Roo?* (1972), aka *The Gingerbread House,* based partly on *Hansel and Gretel,* also fits this description.
Your comment is right on.
You should watch "A Face in the Crowd" from 1957. It says things about the influence of media that are even more true today. Andy Griffith is terrific and shows that he can do more than Andy of Mayberry.
For more Andy Griffith try "No Time for Sergeants". A comedy that inspired the TV series "Gomer Pyle USMC", a series Griffith produced.
Gotta throw my support behind this recommendation! One of my all time favorite films, truly, sadly, evergreen, as it only grows more relevant with each passing year. Griffith is such a force, and Patricia Neal & Walter Matthau were spectacular, as always. Truly, a Classic Film.
The young children acted their parts so well. Apparently to get the young girl playing Pearl to cry Charles Laughton yelled at her as they were filming but as soon as the cameras cut he gave her a huge hug and apologized.
Peter Graves was in the tv shows Mission Impossible.
"Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?" -- also Peter Graves
I have long been fascinated by this film. It has a magnificent cast I always felt like Lillian Gish should have gotten more recognition at the time (there was praise, nice reviews but a dire scarcity of awards) and the same goes for Robert Mitchum's performance - so powerful that it still genuinely haunts me to this day. Charles Laughton gets my admiration and it is such a shame this was the extent of his directorial career - on film, I know he directed several plays on Broadway but sadly theater is a much less tangible medium (so we have no way of seeing what those were like) or certainly it used to be - but what a masterpiece he crafted here. The influences from German Expressionism are so vividly there in the cinematography the use of light and shadows I had seldom seen it this well done, even in the Weimar movies of the 1920s and early 1930s. I love your reaction to the film and to many of the older classics, particularly those that even if still much critically praised and admired now are seldom seen (if at all) by most people. Definitely my default go to channel for movie reactions, thank you so much for that and for all the super interesting facts you always give us. I knew, I just did that eventually you'd be reacting to this film and it made my whole month. Kudos to you as well as sincere, grateful Thanks.
Thanks so much for watching! Yeah I wish this movie, as well as its actors, got more recognition! But I am glad that we still have the ability to watch this classic masterpiece today! I appreciate your insight 😁
When you speak of persuasive leaders of that era, I’m also reminded of someone a bit closer to home during that time and that’s Gov. Huey Long (“The Kingfish”) of Louisiana. A 1948 movie based on his rise to power is “All the King’s Men,” which is very much worth your time.
Charles Charles Laughton was a brilliant actor and a terrific director it is a shame he didn't direct more. As for Robert mitchum with He was menacing it may come across as gentle but menacing would probably be a better description.
Laughton was hoping to make a new career for himself as a director, only to discover he didn't enjoy directing at all, or at least didn't get satisfaction from it. The same was true of Marlon Brando when he directed One Eyed Jacks.
As evil as Mitchum's character is, it is Lillian Gish as Mrs. Cooper who redeems the film. A truly wonderful actress - I recommend you check out her silent film, The Wind. She will literally blow you away! Thank you SO MUCH for reacting to this haunting film - one of my all-time favorites!
Mitchum summed himself up best. “Everything you hear about me is true.”
Wonderful reaction, Mia. I really wish Charles Laughton had directed more films, he was so brilliant but he left us a masterpiece with Robert Mitchum's finest performance and the great GREAT Lillian Gish ❤
"It's a hard world for little things."
Fun Fact: Theatrical movie debut of Gloria Castillo and Kathy Garver.
Historical Fact: Dutch-born American serial killer Harry Powers (né Herman Drenth) was the inspiration for the Preacher (Robert Mitchum).
Movie Magic Fact: The sequence with Powell (Robert Mitchum) riding a horse in the distance was actually a dwarf on a pony in a false perspective. The money used to depict the stolen $10,000 is Mexican 10 and 100 pesos. The bills were last printed in 1914 and were worthless by the time the movie was filmed.
Pants On Fire Fact: Robert Mitchum's autobiography contains many spurious accounts of the making of the film; in one of them, Charles Laughton is said to have had no great love for children and so despised directing them in this film, that Robert Mitchum found himself directing the children in several scenes. In reality, Laughton obsessed over every facet of his first feature, including getting the performances of every actor (even the children) right; this would lead to him dismissing one actor, in particular, after all of his scenes had already been shot and starting again with another in the part.
The criterion blu ray release has fabulous put-takes, absolute GOLD during which we hear Laughton directing the actors. I believe the children were part of these out-takes and I came away with the impression of Laughton being just a very passionate, COMPASSIONATE director. I wonder why Mitchum would say that. That’s so depressing.
Robert Mitchum was just a strange guy. Big-time pothead, infamously quirky, weird sense of humor. Probably much of his autobiography was just him having fun with you.
So stoked that you've gotten to this one!
You immediately picked up on the expressionism, which for Laughton and his camera supervisor Stanley Cortez was very deliberate. It's set during the Depression, but also in the rural South which tended to be a decade or two behind in its sensibilities, hence the 20s-style film grammar.
Mitchum helped Laughton direct the two kids; apparently their rapport was of a teacher-student kind and much, much friendlier than what we see on-screen. Meanwhile, Laughton had professionally taught acting and he cast one of his former students as Willa (Shelley Winters).
In terms of the substance, I may be in the minority but you COULD make a film like this again and you could do it with a very low budget provided you planned every scene with precision and assembled the right cast. The power of this story, as a friend of mine pointed out to me once, is that the characters are being seen through the eyes of a lonely child like John and they're therefore painted with big messy strokes on a big canvas where all of their strangeness pops. (You can feel the color of their personalities, ironic given how this was photographed in black & white.)
Tangent fact: a bunch of Laughton's crew ended up on what was supposed to be Laughton's 2nd directing gig (a film called "The Naked & the Dead") even after he backed out and RKO hired Raoul Walsh instead. It was a WW2 drama. Laughton was shaping up to be in the vein of William Wyler, who would hop between different genres and be a jack of all trades. But it wasn't long before that mantle was taken up by Stanley Kubrick, who I think embodies a lot of the surrealism that Laughton achieved in his sole gig.
Loved this. Lillian Gish is a cinematic angel (setting aside the unfortunate blot that is Birth of a Nation). Her last director, Lindsay Anderson (she made films from the 1910s to the 1980s) said, "People make a mistake about angels and think of them as wishy-washy things. Angels are STRONG."
Mia, your hair is particularly vivacious and glamorous in this one! I love how you loved Lillian Gish in this! One of the very earliest movie stars and stayed a movie star for the entire silent era.....and then doing roles like this when she got older, she was amazing, I LOVE Lillian Gish. And Shelly Winters! I just saw a fantastic reaction to "Lolita" and now this, she was always fantastic, underrated actress in many ways. THANKS, MIA!!! (PS: That shot looked exactly like The Exorcist, holy smokes!!!! Totally agree!)
Lillian Gish's house was located at the Roland V. Lee ranch in the San Fernando Valley. Now a gated community. All the sets from films are long gone.
Featuring Robert Mitchum's formidable performance as a child hunting preacher, the Night of the Hunter is a disturbing look a good and evil, The Night Of The Hunter (1955) 93/100% Certified Approved ☑️
I love you, adore you, admire you, cherish you and am so impressed with you. I'm 73 and it is so wonderful to know there are younger people who love these old movies as well as I do. I am so glad you educate younger people and share these with others and I love your very well researched and educated information and reactions!!
Thank you so much!
Mia goes above and beyond to deliver an extraordinary and breathtaking experience. With her captivating presence, she not only entertains but also imparts remarkable and vital insights about movies.
Charles Laughton was an amazing actor, himself. He was married to the great actress, Elsa Lanchester ('Bride of Frankenstein'). 'Night of the Hunter' is like a grown-up fairy tale; both the cinematography and the character played by Lillian Gish (an amazing silent-film era star) as a sort of 'fairy godmother', add to that feeling. I'm delighted that you noticed the Expressionist influence in the cinematography - that adds to both the noir sensibility, and to the feeling of this being 'dreamy'. Well-done. :)
The old lady is a true Hollywood legend, Lillian Gish.
A delicate flower on the outside, tough as nails on the inside.
I like how you went out of your way to set up the context. It's rather frustrating to see many TH-camrs who miss the point of movies not only because of watching through their "2023 eyes" but also because of the narrow perspective of their cultural bubble.
Mia, On how Mitchum got along with the children. This, from Roger Ebert's retrospective on the film: "Laughton...remembered that Mitchum was invaluable as a help in working with the two children, whom Laughton could not stand. " Lillian Gish was one of the first American superstar actresses, beginning her career in silent films in 1912, and making her last film performance in "The Whales of August" in 1987, co-starring with Bette Davis, Vincent Price, and Ann Sothern. Gish was referred to as The First Lady of American Cinema. She died at age 99, in 1993.
Nice reaction - tho I wish we'd seen that iconic moment w the car underwater - Gish was Griffith's muse, so as an icon she evokes the notion of cinema itself, and its roots in 19th century melodrama - something I think Laughton is also toying with here - Mitchum's other great villain is in Cape Fear - also see 1995 Dead Man, a visionary b/w western fr indie Absurdist Jim Jarmusch, w Mitchum appearing as another psychotic, and Johnny Depp's best role, evoking both Lillian Gish and Buster Keaton - one more point about this 1955 film, its daring choice to stick w this children's fable implacability - that might be its most unexpected quality -
I saw this at the tender age of five, and it has haunted me ever since. "Speak, or I'll cut your throat and leave you to drip like a hog hung up in butcherin' time". Where the hell was my mother when I was watching this evil movie!
Your hair looks great!!!
This movie scared the begeebers out of me as a kid. He was SO scary!!! And the lady in the river!🫣😫🫣😫🫣😫 I love him in “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison.”
He’s great in this too, but I’m still scared!😂
Yay you did it🎉 great job girl.
😎There is a solid documentary on the making of Night of the Hunter that adds to your insight on the production. Laughton was attempting to present this film in the same expressionism style that he successfully directed his stage productions of Don Juan In Hell , John Brown's Body and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial.
*Don Juan in Hell,* which is a segment from George Bernard Shaw's much longer play, *Man and Superman,* unfortunately was not filmed, but there is a marvelous studio recording of the play starring Laughton, Charles Boyer, Agnes Moorhead, and Cedric Hardwicke. It was released on LPs, and is well worth a listen.
@@oliverbrownlow5615 😉I have the LP recordings of both DJIH and John Brown's Body as well as an LP of "Laughton's Readings" which he did across the lecture circuit during the 1950s. He performed The Gettysburg Address ( one of his offerings for the readings ) on a kinescoped TV episode of Abbott &Costello. Don Juan as a stage performance was filmed sometime in the 1970s as a TV presentation starring Ricardo Montalban and Agnes Moorehead.
After filming, in a note to Charles Laughton, Mitchum revealed that of all the film roles he had ever played, Harry Powell in TNOTH was his favorite. A preference he would repeat in various interviews and talk show appearances until his death.
One of my favorite movies. Have you noticed, by the way, that the lady is addressed a MISS Cooper? And yet she has a son. This lady had a child out of wedlock. That's why she responds with such understanding to Ruby going off with men.
I've been trying to get all of my friends to watch this with me, none-said, "Yes.". So, Mia, you're now my friend to watch this with, thank you! I can't wait to hear your reaction! Here's to many more movies with you, Mia! Take care!
Great reaction and background information. Like others have said he was quite scary in "Cape Fear"(1962) which also starred Gregory Peck. There is also a 1991 version of "Cape Fear" which starred Robert Di Niro, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lang. Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck were also in, but in small roles to give homage to the 1962 version. Another movie where Robert Mitchum played a preacher was "5 Card Stud" also staring Dean Martin.
I don't know if a movie like this could be made today. But given the recent zombie like rise in lynch mob mentality, it's sorely needed. Another classic film about a religious grifter is Elmer Gantry (1960), starring Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons. Stanley Cortez handled the cinematography on The Night of the Hunter. He was also the cinematographer on The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Three Faces of Eve (1957), and The Naked Kiss (1964) among others. Lillian Gish began her career in the silent era, starring in The Birth of a Nation (1915) and The Scarlet Letter (1927) among others, and memorably featuring in Duel in the Sun (1946), Portrait of Jennie (1948), and The Unforgiven (1960). Shelley Winters also had a storied career, with supporting roles in such classics as Winchester '73 (1950), A Place in the Sun (1951), I Am a Camera (1955), I Died a Thousand Times (1955), Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), Lolita (1962), Alfie (1966), Wild in the Streets (1968), and The Tenant (1976). And Robert Mitchum is another legend -- Crossfire (1947), Out of the Past (1947), Blood on the Moon (1948), The Lusty Men (1952), Angel Face (1953), River of No Return (1954), The Enemy Below (1957), Thunder Road (1958), The Sundowners (1960), El Dorado (1966), and The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973). Oh yeah, and Cape Fear -- the original is much better than the remake, imo.
Don't forget Shelley Winters' roles in *Pete's Dragon* (1977), and as the voice.of Frosty the Snowman's girlfriend in *Frosty's Winter Wonderland* (1976).
So glad you enjoyed this, Mia. I am still haunted by the boat scene after about 30 years. 🕸
Robert Mitchum was just such a great actor. I was surprised to see Peter Graves in this. I always thought this movie was older I guess.
Robert Mitchum screaming in rage and frustration after the children escaped him startled me. It was unsettling to see him fly off the handle like that.
It's cool to see a really young Peter Graves here before Mission Impossible launched him to stardom! And yeah, The Preacher is unsettling as hell. Dam he's good. Another worth watching is 'Cape Fear' with Mitchum as a psycho playing opposite Gregory Peck.
It's a unique film,, and a wonderful debut and finale to Laughton's directorial career. It is strange to think that Lillian Gish already had four decades of her career under her belt when she made this film, and had another three decades to go. She had been one of the biggest stars of the silent era, and ended up with The Whales of August with Bette Davies and Vincent Price in 1987, aged 94. Laughton was a wonderful actor, I would recommend Hobson's Choice, a great comedy about a man and his daughters.
Mitchum was very menacing in the original Cape Fear too.
Most Serial Killers are “Charming.” But a look at Charles Laughton as an Actor see, “Mutiny On The Bounty,” 1935. Or, “Ruggles Of Red Gap,” 1935. Or “Witness For The Prosecution,” 1957. The most disconcerting thing about Robert Mitchum’s Character was, Mitchum was actually a good Singer.
'Advise and Consent', a political drama, which a work colleague recommended to me about 25 years ago, also features a wonderful performance by Charles Laughton, as a senator trying to prevent a nominee for Secretary of State (played by Henry Fonda) being confirmed. The title comes from the Senate's duties regarding cabinet appointments.
Or take a look at what may be Charles Laughton's greatest performance, in *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939).
My fav part of this film is that haunting scene of those terrified children floating down the river in that boat. I never forgot that song. And of course the end w Lillian Gish "they abide and they endure"
Learned a week ago that they’re remaking this film. Hope they choose a great actor to play Harry. Mitchum was phenomenal.
This is one of my favorite films. The cinematography and performances are haunting.
I wonder if they’ll dive more into Harry’s background in the remake.
I love the transformation of Mrs Spoon. Leading the lynch mob at the end.
I love the fact that you give such great information about a movie and the time period in which it was made.
18:09 seeing his mask break like that, just in chest high water with a switchblade at VERY SMALL CHILDREN running for their lives. horribly scary, and very good.
The entire downriver sequence is one of the scariest, strangest, most beautiful scenes in all cinema.
Such a great film. It is not well-enough known. For a scary movie, this is one. A few years later there was "Elmer Gantry" with Burt Lancaster which was based on Sinclair Lewis's book of the same name. It was the same subject but a bit less violent. As for me, I wouldn't have kicked Shelly Winter out of my bed.
For evangelists, you should see the Academy Award winning documentary "Marjoe" in 1971. Marjoe was a child preacher who quit and later went on the trail to make the documentary.
Pumping my fists in jubilation that Mia is doing a reaction to this great / terrifying /...kinda funny film.
Lillian Gish is a treasure and her pictures are amazing. Try "Broken Blossoms" (1919) Youll never forget it.
Someone commented to Shelley Winters how good Lillian Gish was in a close-up. She should be, said Shelley, the old broad invented them!
Robert Mitchum played an incredible villain! He is also terrifying in Cape Fear...there are moments in that movie where you forget to breathe, he's so intimidating.
Also, here's a Fun Fact about Lillian Gish: when she was making The Unforgiven with Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn (a not so great western, IMO), she also had to wield a rifle, so the director and Lancaster took her aside to teach her how to shoot. But it turned out that she was a better shot than both of them, as she had been taught by an expert gunfighter who had worked on one of her films in the silent era. And she actually enjoyed shooting and kept up the skill over the years.
This movie was ahead of its time.
I love Lillian Gish. She was marvelous.
Robert Mitchum plays another preacher in the movie 5 Card Stud from 1968 with Dean Martin, Roddy McDowell and Yaphet Kotto.
I saw this movie a few years ago and was thoroughly creeped out.
Lillian Gish was D.W. Griffith's favorite actress.
I’m so glad you loved it! As usual, your observations were all extremely interesting and thought-provoking. I think I’ve seen this film at least 8 times, and it always hits me so hard emotionally. And I do believe it’s, as you suggested, the juxtaposition throughout of innocence and evil. It’s like in music when a song changes from major to minor or vice versa, somehow that always gets me as well. There is something about the ambiguity of that state of transition that is absolutely stunning.
It is a crime that this film was not appreciated when it came out, it was way ahead of its time. Laughton never directed a film again.
Love love L O V E (heh) this movie. It's a shame Charles Laughton only directed this one movie. It's clear as day he had all the talent and creativity in the world to make some more classics on par with this.
Missed you! Great movie I am a great admirer of Lillian Gishes long carreer.
i dont understand why there is so few reaction on yt of this masterpiece, great analysis of the context of the film, your are right about expressionism, it reminds some old movies of Murnau or Fritz Lang (german film school ).
This was a great reaction video Mia!!! Shout out to you Zach for your editing skills!!! I could watch this one over and over! So entertaining! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love that you watch some of the Not-so-obvious B&W classics. You've just about covered my top 25 classics.... Others: To Kill a Mockingbird, Marty, Hobson's Choice, Lifeboat, and (maybe if you feel like crying) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
A longtime.favorite movie. Loved the look... Great reaction and insight. That demonic grow of frustationl and the underwater shot of Shelley Winters (portents to the poseidon adventure?) freaked me out the first time i saw it. Shelley winters, so young, (one of her first?) plays a similar misguided mother in Lolita, another classic, if you havent already.
Glad you’re back. Nobody does a movie reaction like you. You are a delight to watch.
Thank you so much 😁
Mia as always you pick great films. Lillian Gish 40 years after Birth Of A Nation she is still attractive and on top of her game. And, the dialogue written for Robert Mitchum was great.
This movie ranked at #90 in the 100 scariest movie moments on Bravo
Girl, you look great. Hair, nails, style, everything, great!
Thank you so much!!
Critics & audiences, just weren't ready for "Night of the Hunter". It was a little too far ahead of it's time. I wonder, if people just weren't ready to see a preacher in a bad light?
Mia, in regards to Robert’s singing voice you need to check out his song The Ballad Of Thunder Road. He has a least one album to his credit (maybe more?) and the song is from his movie Thunder Road. An under appreciated film of his is Cross Fire costarring Robert Young and Robert Ryan ( a lot of Roberts) a police procedural about a random murder.
My favorite era is pre-code and into the '40s; more broadly it's 1920s-1950s. I love you and your channel and I wish I could meet you for coffee and have an epic conversation on classic films. Lillian Gish is one of my favorite actresses and one of my biggest crushes actress-wise. Broken Blossoms, Orphans Of The Storm, The Scarlet Letter, The Wind, all classics.
Lillian Gish is wonderful in this movie but it’s also interesting to see her in this, compared with her earlier movies having come out of the silent era. What a moving and powerful performance!
This has taken one video and I am definitely absorbed in your channel
Would love to see you do the original Cape Fear with Mitchum and Peck. And amazing supporting performances from the great Martin Balsam and Telly Savalas (realizing now I have no clue how to spell his name..)
Night of the Hunter is my all time favorite thriller along with Truman Capote's In Cold Blood Robert Mitchum as Rev. Henry Powells is perfection he is great at being scary and opposing
Hey Mia ! This is a great selection and one of my favorite films. The film's director, Charles Laughton, was a great actor in his own right with a long list of memorable films. This was his only directorial attempt due, unfortunately I have heard, to the lackluster way the film was received at the time. It has since become a cult classic. Another movie which stars Laughton, and his equally talented wife Elsa Lanchester, is "Witness for the Prosecution," also starring Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich. One you should definitely review !!