Remembering Richard Widmark
I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to and recognize a wonderful actor who just passed away: Richard Widmark. What I notice more and more today with contemporary movies is that there just aren't actors of this his caliber anymore. Which is probably why I don't see many new movies at the cinemaplex these days.
Richard Widmark had a long and varied career, but he first became a star by playing baddies. Except for Jimmy Cagney, I can't think of an actor who made a bad guy more nefarious and strangely charming than Widmark.
I had a really hard time just choosing three movies that I would recommend if you have never seen him before. But I think I would have to start with Pickup on South Street, Kiss of Death, and the amazing Night and the City. Once you see these films, you'll be hooked on Richard Widmark just like I am.
Here's a super terrific scene from Pickup on South Street. It's the first movie I ever saw Widmark in, and it's a fantastic noir that will have you wrapped up in the plot from beginning to end.
5 comments:
Oh TB, they're dropping like flies! This week we also lost Paul Scofield, the brilliant English actor who played Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons :-(
Hi Johanna,
Yes, we are on the same page...
I have to admit that I don't know anything about Paul Scofield except for A Man for All Seasons(which was incredible), so I'll have to see more of his films. I am a huge Robert Shaw fan so that is probably what I remember most about that movie.
Someone just told me that David Lean just passed away too? Guess I'll be watching Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge over the River Kwai again, too.
it's true he was an amazing actor.
difficult to name today actor from this calibra.
Hello Chloe,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am sure with all of the hundreds of wonderful movie theatres in Paris, right now somewhere in your city they are showing a Richard Widmark film.
A vos amours. Your blog is beautiful.
Oh yes, wasn't he something?!! Love those films.
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