I worked as an extra, on the set of _Interstellar,_ and during the set-up, when all the other actors had gone off to their trailers, and their stand-ins were sitting in place so the cinematographer could get the shots right, Lithgow stayed on the bleachers with us, in the blazing hot sun, holding a parasol for the two stand-in kids, and keeping them company the whole time! He could have gone off to his trailer, rehydrated, put on some sunscreen, and whatnot, and none of us would have judged him if he had. But he knew those kids were bored and uncomfortable, so he stuck around. Class act!
I remember when 3rd Rock from the Sun started and I was like IT'S THE BAD GUY FROM CLIFFHANGER! And he blew me away how freaking funny he could be, after that ice cold villain role. And then returns to villain in Dexter, absolutely mindblowing performance.
Love this mans voice. The first time I saw him was when I watched Harry and the Hendersons when I was little. It wasnt the most important movie in cinema history, but his role as the dad was something that touched me. His eyes in that movie were so genuine.
I'm from the generation that discovered John Lithgow's goofy side was a SECOND phase in his career as opposed to being his first. So in my mind, going from Third Rock From The Sun to Dexter was a shock to me until I found out he did Blow Out 30 years prior
John Lithgow just makes me happy. He's great in every piece of media he's been in and always comes across as a great human being in interviews and the like.
"And this is The Gentleman Vanishes..." Love it. And LOVE JOHN! Ever since 'The World According to Garp', which really needs the Criterion treatment 🤘❤️🤘
Glad he mentioned Blow Out. I recall seeing this in the theater after it released. I will never forget seeing Lithgow on a talk show In which He discussed an incident he had, He said it was in apartments that had indoor garbage chutes and he was shoving his garbage down the chutes and was startled when he heard a terrible scream. He turned around to see a woman running away and was puzzled. Then recalled that Blow Out had just been released. So apparently she recognized Mr Lithgow from the film 😂
I learned of Mr. Lithgow from Buckaroo Banzai when I was young. I have been quoting his silly stuff for ages. So to see him in serious roles as well as his fun other stuff, is just a treat.
I love reading interviews with that cast. They all say the same thing about making Buckaroo Bonzai: they have no idea what the hell the movie was about, and it was the most fun they had filming anything.
I found Jacques Tati through a channel on here called "The Royal Ocean Film Society" and am forever grateful. The guy behind it, Andrew Saladino, hasn't uploaded anything in ages but one of his Letterboxd Four is PlayTime.
What a lovely person, and brilliant actor the way he moves so effortlessly from hateable Villainous roles (Cliffhanger, Blow Out, Obsession, Ricochet to completely empathetic roles in The Crown, Daddy's Home, Interstellar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Always such a dependable actor, often in supporting roles but undeniably entertaining and charming however big and small his role is. And such a consistently working actor, its easy to forget how much he works, how many films he's in year after year. Going to see Cliffhanger in the theatre tomorrow just looking forward to seeing his unhinged performance, absolute scene-stealer
Mr. Lithgow 's physical impersonation of Jacques Tati is absolute perfection! One of my favorite films featuring Mr. Lithgow in Ira Sachs' "Love is Strange," in which he co-starred with Alfredo Molina. Both actors give such sweet and heartbreaking performances as a dispossessed married gay couple. "Love is Strange" deserves a Criterion DVD treatment.
His impression of Jacques Tati is impeccable 😂🙌 I grew up watching Third Rock from the Sun and now that I know Tati partially inspired his performance, it makes so much sense!
Goodness, I love John Lithgow. The Lady Vanishes also has my favourite quote: "Well, it's always been my contention that The Hungarian Rhapsody is not their national anthem. In any case, we were the only two standing."
The range of this man. He was hilarious on 3:rd rock from the sun and equally terrifying in the fourth season of Dexter. Still one of the best seasons of television drama ever!
Love this man. Always a reliable performer. So articulate and sophisticated with his picks. The Spy Who Came in is a truly great movie. And as he said Burton is amazing. Its pretty bleak but also a accurate portrayal of the early Cold War. Any of these others I haven't seen I will because Lithgow recommended them!
In late 1981, I started film school at UCLA. I had recently seen (and loved) Blow Out. Between classes, I would wander around campus, and one day, behind Royce Hall, I suddenly recognized a fellow wanderer: the Piano Wire Killer from Blow Out! How could this be? I looked on incredulously as he strolled, smiling while gazing up at the buildings. Was I imagining this? I looked around at all the students rushing past to see if anyone else recognized him, but no one seemed to. I stood there for some time, just watching him. It felt shocking to see this man on the loose. Sometime later, I learned that he had recently married a History professor. He must have on campus to visit her.
Every visit to the Criterion closet is lapped up over here, such a beautiful, funny and profound series of shorts. They are little micro film classes. Thank you Criterion!
Jacques Tati fantastic choice! Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday was perhaps the first movie I ever fell in love with, it made my grandma laugh so much, in her words "oh that movie tickles me pink"
"This Sporting Life" is fantastic. It's one of those movies where I hadn't really seen many Richard Harris performances and so he was really impressive.
I met John Lithgow very briefly in the mid-90s at the gym at UCLA, which I believe he was allowed to use because his wife was a professor at UCLA. Couldn't have been a nicer guy. And yes, very tall. Re: Jacques Tati, I love all of his films, but my favorite has to be Playtime. I've never seen anything quite like it. Easily one of the best films ever made. He is definitely one of the kings of sound and sight gags.
Watching this wonderful Man seemingly my whole life in the roles he's played. He always puts a genuine smile on my face... even if he's the DePalma Villain!
one of our finest actors, ever. among his many roles I will never forget his incredible performance in a supporting role in the classic tearjerker Terms of Endearment.
I really wanted just to hear John Lithgow say the title of one of the Joel McCrea character's hit comedies in "Sullivan's Travels": "Ants in Your Pants of 1939!"
He's very similar in that way to Andrew Robinson. I'm not saying it's necessarily the reason they seem that way, but both went to England to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Mr. Lithgow, Harry and the Henderons have been my favourite movie as a kid, just above Ghostbusters, Adam West's Batman, and ET. I still watch it once in a while when I need a shot of positivity. The arc of you character in that movie learned me a lot about respecting animals, and confronting the world in general. Thanks for that film.
Lithgow has to be a national treasure, he's so immensely talented! Not many actors can do both comedic and serious roles with such skill. Excellent choices, as expected! 👏
Just watched Blow Out again last night and always love John as Burke the hired assassin and how he subsequently targets Sally amidst a “sex killer” murder spree. Really subdued, creepy and ruthless right up until the last scream … … it’s a good scream. It’s a good scream.
The king when it comes to unhinged characters. He can do comedy and horror just as easily. And it would be easy to sit and think that he is overacting but he has that ability to find the right balance. The last thing i saw him in that really was immensly creepy was when he played Roger Ailes in Bombshell.
Legend! I’m so glad he included the amazing Blow Out where he played such an incredible villain. Fabulous choices all round and one of my favourite Hitchcock choices too.
Saw him perform live “Stories by Heart” and him reading from A Teller of Tales”, that his father used to read to him. He was so humble and kind toward the audience ❤. I’ll never forget how incredible of an actor he is.
I come to TH-cam to look for something - but IMMEDIATELY get drawn into the Criterion Closet! Lithgow is such a fantastic actor: his little bits of acting and impersonation here (a perfect Jacques Tati!) are spot on. More please!!
John Lithgow is such a wonderful combination of dramatic and comic skill. I have seen him do so many different roles over the years. If you want to see him at his wackiest, see him in Buckaroo Banzai or Santa Claus The Movie, or as the classic English-accent villain in Cliffhanger. Also loved his work in the Hector Babenco Amazon missionaries epic At Play in the Fields of the Lord. (His three De Palmas by the way are Obsession, Blow Out and Raising Cain.)
I loveJohn Lithgow. His memoir DRAMA is very much worth reading. And, yes, he was riveting in BLOWOUT as the soulless assassin. A very talented artist: His satirical volume DUMPTY: The Age of Trump in Verse (drawings/poems)s a lot of fun and on point.
I worked as an extra, on the set of _Interstellar,_ and during the set-up, when all the other actors had gone off to their trailers, and their stand-ins were sitting in place so the cinematographer could get the shots right, Lithgow stayed on the bleachers with us, in the blazing hot sun, holding a parasol for the two stand-in kids, and keeping them company the whole time! He could have gone off to his trailer, rehydrated, put on some sunscreen, and whatnot, and none of us would have judged him if he had. But he knew those kids were bored and uncomfortable, so he stuck around. Class act!
Aw brilliant to hear. Thanks for sharing. The man seems like a complete gent.
I love this recollection thanks for sharing. Mr Lithgow comes across as totally genuine. He is the real deal. Fun, intelligent and just a good egg.
And I held John Fords umbrella during two weeks of the searchers
I want a hot dog
He was kind on the set of HBO's Perry Mason.
It's rare for someone to be so equally skilled as both a dramatic and comic actor. John does both effortlessly.
I remember when 3rd Rock from the Sun started and I was like IT'S THE BAD GUY FROM CLIFFHANGER! And he blew me away how freaking funny he could be, after that ice cold villain role. And then returns to villain in Dexter, absolutely mindblowing performance.
I LOVE this guy! I could hear him talk about film all day long!
Hey check out the audiobook for his Poetry anthology. He reads many of the poems and just geeks out about them and it’s awesome
Lord Faquard. He hoffed, he poffed and he....signed an eviction notice.
The OGRE has fallen in love with the princess!
" I don't know. There are those who think LITTLE of him."
the muffin man?
Lord Farquaad is the leading star of the new Snow White movie too
@@lightslight except lord farquad is way more attractive than the ho they got to play snow white in that awful haircut.
Glad he mentioned Blow Out. A fantastic movie. It really stays with you.
Chills literally went down my back at the memory of his performance conjured by your comment! That's an Actor! ❤🎉
Was coming to write a Blow Out comment!
An underrated masterpiece! Plus, without Travolta’s performance in blowout, Tarantino wouldn’t have been inspired to cast him in Pulp Fiction.
Especially the ending of it, it really does stay with you
Surprised he DIDN'T mention that it was inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blow Up," substituting a sound recordist for the original photographer.
He's so well read. He knows what he's talking about when he mentions it. He cares a lot about his work and loves talking about it
He's a Harvard grad who roomed with Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones. Also a member of the Hasty Pudding Club.
@@joliecide And this implies....everything we already know!
I think I was a junior, and one of my tutors gave me a book with a cd of him reading poetry. I think the only one I actually learned was Jabberwocky!
Love this mans voice. The first time I saw him was when I watched Harry and the Hendersons when I was little. It wasnt the most important movie in cinema history, but his role as the dad was something that touched me. His eyes in that movie were so genuine.
something about that film is so universal. and i think he helped give it that
I'm from the generation that discovered John Lithgow's goofy side was a SECOND phase in his career as opposed to being his first. So in my mind, going from Third Rock From The Sun to Dexter was a shock to me until I found out he did Blow Out 30 years prior
Same! I knew him as a wacky alien while I was growing up lol. Later I discovered what a brilliant varied career he's had. Fantastic actor
Raising Cane is another great one.
@Timbo360 I was just about say that, he has some good fun in that movie
He was an absolute monster in "Ricochet."
"The World According to Garp" is the movie where I've discovered him
He needs to return to the Criterion Closet because three minutes was not long enough. What an utter legend.
John Lithgow just makes me happy. He's great in every piece of media he's been in and always comes across as a great human being in interviews and the like.
"And this is The Gentleman Vanishes..." Love it. And LOVE JOHN! Ever since 'The World According to Garp', which really needs the Criterion treatment 🤘❤️🤘
I was hoping he was going to pick up Garp (what a beautiful performance!). You mean it's NOT in the Closet? For SHAME!
Raising Cain. The ultimate John Lithgow movie. He plays at least three (possibly six) different characters brilliantly.
Seriously, can these please be longer? It's never enough.
agreed, they cut them down far too much. i’d love if these were closer to 20 minutes, but i love these videos so much that’ll i’ll take what i can get
Glad he mentioned Blow Out. I recall seeing this in the theater after it released. I will never forget seeing Lithgow on a talk show In which He discussed an incident he had, He said it was in apartments that had indoor garbage chutes and he was shoving his garbage down the chutes and was startled when he heard a terrible scream. He turned around to see a woman running away and was puzzled. Then recalled that Blow Out had just been released. So apparently she recognized Mr Lithgow from the film 😂
Met him in college. Nicest guy you could ever meet. And a great actor to boot!
God, I love John Lithgow.
Agree 1000%
Agree to infinity!
I learned of Mr. Lithgow from Buckaroo Banzai when I was young. I have been quoting his silly stuff for ages. So to see him in serious roles as well as his fun other stuff, is just a treat.
I love reading interviews with that cast. They all say the same thing about making Buckaroo Bonzai: they have no idea what the hell the movie was about, and it was the most fun they had filming anything.
Character is who you are - in the DARK!
Truly leaves you wanting more- glad he mentioned the fantastic "Blow Out".
Never a boring performance from this man. Bravo!
Lithgow's performance in Twilight Zone the Movie is unforgettable
Yes. Can't believe I saw it first over 40 years ago.
"You... wanna see something _really_ scary?"
I remember my grandfather showing "Mon Oncle" to me, it was his favorite... That movie is just pure joy.
I found Jacques Tati through a channel on here called "The Royal Ocean Film Society" and am forever grateful.
The guy behind it, Andrew Saladino, hasn't uploaded anything in ages but one of his Letterboxd Four is PlayTime.
What a lovely person, and brilliant actor the way he moves so effortlessly from hateable Villainous roles (Cliffhanger, Blow Out, Obsession, Ricochet to completely empathetic roles in The Crown, Daddy's Home, Interstellar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Always such a dependable actor, often in supporting roles but undeniably entertaining and charming however big and small his role is. And such a consistently working actor, its easy to forget how much he works, how many films he's in year after year. Going to see Cliffhanger in the theatre tomorrow just looking forward to seeing his unhinged performance, absolute scene-stealer
Mr. Lithgow 's physical impersonation of Jacques Tati is absolute perfection! One of my favorite films featuring Mr. Lithgow in Ira Sachs' "Love is Strange," in which he co-starred with Alfredo Molina. Both actors give such sweet and heartbreaking performances as a dispossessed married gay couple. "Love is Strange" deserves a Criterion DVD treatment.
Love that he picked three British movies. We love him here and would like to adopt him.
Well the fact that he played Winston Churchill and no Brit even complained its fact enough about his acting.
Yes! He needs an honorary knighthood 😊
His impression of Jacques Tati is impeccable 😂🙌 I grew up watching Third Rock from the Sun and now that I know Tati partially inspired his performance, it makes so much sense!
Why hasn't this beautiful man been in a Wes Anderson film?
Holy hell! I'd love to see him, Bill Murray, and Jeff Goldblum in an Anderson film together!
he and the third rock cast have brought me so much healing joy through that show
Amazing range too, he can be anything from a crazy hilarious alien in 3rd Rock to the most horrifically convincing serial killer portrayal on Dexter.
Loved Blow Out! Lithgow was great in it
Mr. Lithgow, Thank you for your body of work. You are my favorite actor
Goodness, I love John Lithgow.
The Lady Vanishes also has my favourite quote:
"Well, it's always been my contention that The Hungarian Rhapsody is not their national anthem. In any case, we were the only two standing."
Mine is " My father always taught me, never desert a lady in trouble. He even carried that as far as marrying Mother."
The range of this man. He was hilarious on 3:rd rock from the sun and equally terrifying in the fourth season of Dexter. Still one of the best seasons of television drama ever!
I cannot believe that one of my favorite John Lithgow movies has not gotten Criterion Collection love. The World According to Garp.
It’s the Trinity killer in criterion closet!
Love this man. Always a reliable performer. So articulate and sophisticated with his picks. The Spy Who Came in is a truly great movie. And as he said Burton is amazing. Its pretty bleak but also a accurate portrayal of the early Cold War.
Any of these others I haven't seen I will because Lithgow recommended them!
I've heard there's a Criterion release of Harry and the Hendersons. Unfortunately no one has ever taken a clear photo of it.
so many amazing closet picks recently
In late 1981, I started film school at UCLA. I had recently seen (and loved) Blow Out. Between classes, I would wander around campus, and one day, behind Royce Hall, I suddenly recognized a fellow wanderer: the Piano Wire Killer from Blow Out! How could this be? I looked on incredulously as he strolled, smiling while gazing up at the buildings. Was I imagining this? I looked around at all the students rushing past to see if anyone else recognized him, but no one seemed to. I stood there for some time, just watching him. It felt shocking to see this man on the loose. Sometime later, I learned that he had recently married a History professor. He must have on campus to visit her.
That ending is legendary.
Every visit to the Criterion closet is lapped up over here, such a beautiful, funny and profound series of shorts. They are little micro film classes. Thank you Criterion!
This is one of the most enjoyable closet videos I've seen. I'd love to see him star in a Jacques Tati bio-pic!
The consummate performer! What a finish! Bravo!
Jacques Tati fantastic choice! Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday was perhaps the first movie I ever fell in love with, it made my grandma laugh so much, in her words "oh that movie tickles me pink"
Holiday 👍👍
love, love his third rock from the sun character, and just him in general, excellent actor, very classy
What a selection wow! What a bliss to watch Mr Lithgow talk about films!
He name-drops Blu-rays and not DVDs. I love him immediately.
My God he's gorgeous! And his picks are great too!
If you say so.
what a nice surprise, I just re-watched 2010: Year We Make Contact earlier today and this came up on my YT recommendations.
Such an underrated movie
What great picks and not the usual ones everyone picks, well done John!
What a wonderful voice.
I could listen to him speak all day.
So happy he talked about Blow Out
“My God….I’M GORGEOUS!” Loved him in 3rd Rock from the Sun
That's the most comfortable looking zippered sweater I've ever seen. Well done John.
"This Sporting Life" is fantastic. It's one of those movies where I hadn't really seen many Richard Harris performances and so he was really impressive.
it's great and a total downer btw
so happy to see lithgow happy and healthy and still going at it. love the guy.
I met John Lithgow very briefly in the mid-90s at the gym at UCLA, which I believe he was allowed to use because his wife was a professor at UCLA. Couldn't have been a nicer guy. And yes, very tall. Re: Jacques Tati, I love all of his films, but my favorite has to be Playtime. I've never seen anything quite like it. Easily one of the best films ever made. He is definitely one of the kings of sound and sight gags.
Yes, John made it to the closet. Such a theater icon
I do love these little interviews...and he is a lovely man and a fantastic actor. Great picks!
Watching this wonderful Man seemingly my whole life in the roles he's played. He always puts a genuine smile on my face... even if he's the DePalma Villain!
John Lithgow cracks me up. He's one of those people whose movies can be mediocre but you'd still sit through or even rewatch just for him.
I loved him as Dr. Emilio Lizardo in Buckaroo Banzai.
"Where are we going?"
"Planet 10!"
"When are we going?"
"Real soon!"
This lives in my head rent free to this day.
Recently watched Buckaroo Banzai. He is a scene stealer.
"History is made at night! Character is what you are in the dark!"
He basically steals every scene he is in in every movie. I first saw him in 'World According to Garp'. He even stole scenes from Robin Williams!
one of our finest actors, ever. among his many roles I will never forget his incredible performance in a supporting role in the classic tearjerker Terms of Endearment.
I really wanted just to hear John Lithgow say the title of one of the Joel McCrea character's hit comedies in "Sullivan's Travels": "Ants in Your Pants of 1939!"
And my vote for "Should be British but is actually American" actor goes to Jon Lithgow
He's very similar in that way to Andrew Robinson. I'm not saying it's necessarily the reason they seem that way, but both went to England to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Mr. Lithgow, Harry and the Henderons have been my favourite movie as a kid, just above Ghostbusters, Adam West's Batman, and ET. I still watch it once in a while when I need a shot of positivity. The arc of you character in that movie learned me a lot about respecting animals, and confronting the world in general. Thanks for that film.
A Class Act. I love Sullivan's Travels - it is perfectly self-reflexive and while parodic it kicks ass too!
One of the "big tall funny men": John Cleese, Jacques Tati and him.
Fantastic!
Lithgow has to be a national treasure, he's so immensely talented! Not many actors can do both comedic and serious roles with such skill. Excellent choices, as expected! 👏
Wow! The gentleman indeed. What away to come and, as we say now, drop the mic at the closer. ❤
Just watched Blow Out again last night and always love John as Burke the hired assassin and how he subsequently targets Sally amidst a “sex killer” murder spree. Really subdued, creepy and ruthless right up until the last scream …
… it’s a good scream. It’s a good scream.
Glad to see BLOWOUT get some kudos!🎉 Very underrated film when it was released and still is not well known. SEE IT! It's a nail bitter.!!!
My favourite de Palma film
He is probably one movie star I’d live to have a pot of tea with !
underrated af and a lovely man, great to see him in here
What an absolute gentleman. Consummate persona.
The king when it comes to unhinged characters. He can do comedy and horror just as easily. And it would be easy to sit and think that he is overacting but he has that ability to find the right balance. The last thing i saw him in that really was immensly creepy was when he played Roger Ailes in Bombshell.
He would have been an amazing Joker!
I feel smarter and improved for having seen this video. Bravo, Mr. Lithgow!
What an absolute gentleman and a scholar of film
I used to take wonderful Drama workshops at LAUSD led by your sister. Great times!!!
What a lad! Love him, his picks, and his stories.
Legend! I’m so glad he included the amazing Blow Out where he played such an incredible villain. Fabulous choices all round and one of my favourite Hitchcock choices too.
Blow Out is my favorite film. What a performance by Lithgow.
Astonishingly charming actor, awesome selections! Long live Criterion.
One of the most underrated actors of all time. I'd lose my mind if I ever got to meet him.
Saw him perform live “Stories by Heart” and him reading from A Teller of Tales”, that his father used to read to him. He was so humble and kind toward the audience ❤. I’ll never forget how incredible of an actor he is.
How funny that I just finished watching Dexter, and now I got this video here! Let's see, I love him.
John Lithgow - PRICELESS! A brilliant cinephile who does a perfect impression of Jacques Tati - who knew!?
Still remember his amazing performance in Raising Cain!
I come to TH-cam to look for something - but IMMEDIATELY get drawn into the Criterion Closet! Lithgow is such a fantastic actor: his little bits of acting and impersonation here (a perfect Jacques Tati!) are spot on. More please!!
Such a legend! Thanks for putting one of the greatest in the closet.
Bravo John! Always great to see you and hear you talk.
Harry and the Hendersons!!! That was my intro to this man's work! Love that movie!
Wow. After Eggers you topped yourself with Lithgow. What a great time! And selections!
John Lithgow is such a wonderful combination of dramatic and comic skill. I have seen him do so many different roles over the years. If you want to see him at his wackiest, see him in Buckaroo Banzai or Santa Claus The Movie, or as the classic English-accent villain in Cliffhanger. Also loved his work in the Hector Babenco Amazon missionaries epic At Play in the Fields of the Lord. (His three De Palmas by the way are Obsession, Blow Out and Raising Cain.)
The first thing I saw him in was Buckaroo Banzai when I was 12. I've seen everything he's been in since.
Memphis Belle (1990) is a very underrated John Lithgow film. Check it out if you haven't seen it!
He must be there because Harry & The Hendersons is coming to Criterion. 😃
I loveJohn Lithgow. His memoir DRAMA is very much worth reading. And, yes, he was riveting in BLOWOUT as the soulless assassin. A very talented artist: His satirical volume DUMPTY: The Age of Trump in Verse (drawings/poems)s a lot of fun and on point.
Blow Out an all time classic. De Palma could smash out those thrillers
ngl my favorite performance John Lithgow has done is Footloose, I will be taking no question at this time thank you.
John is simply adorable! And highly versatile. I’ve never clicked on a criterion video so fast