in memoriam Archives - i luv cinema

… well, that is not 100% true. Sure I was there and he was there, but so were about 100 other movie fans and collectors of memorabilia. You are probably wondering the wheres and whys – so gimme a sec, I am getting there …

It was late June 2005 (almost 9 years to the day as a matter of fact), and I stood in line outside Christie’s auction house in Rockerfeller Center, giddy with anticipation about the I was about to attend – a sneak preview of Marlon Brando’s personal effects that were about to hit the block. Sure, in hindsight the idea of gawking at one’s items that were likely never meant for public eyes, is a rather morbid curiosity. But the main attraction for me came a couple of hours later after walking through the labyrinthine halls of the famed establishment. Film director Arthur Penn, Eli Wallach and renowned critic Richard Schickel joined us lucky attendees for a panel discussion where they shared with the audience stories about Brando’s life and their thoughts on the influence his career had on screen acting.

Whenever I attend a discussion like this, I am always in awe of the fact that I am in the presence of people who have first-hand knowledge and tales to tell concerning individuals, ‘idols,’ who are otherwise so distant to me. It was wonderful to not only hear Wallach talk about working with Brando, but this was a moment to reflect on and remind myself of the immense talent that sat before me.

Though not as lauded as many of his contemporaries (Brando, James Dean, Montgomery Clift), Wallach was principally referred to as a “character actor,” having the ability through through the power of his performances, to transform himself into whatever the role required, regardless of medium (film, television or stage). Many of you may not be so intimately acquainted with his body of work (see IMDB), and might find yourselves surprised by his roles in some of Hollywood’s greater films of the middle-late middle part of the last century. When you get a chance, be sure to check out these notable classics:

The Good The Bad and the Ugly (w/ Clint Eastwood)
How the West Was Won
The Misfits (*an ILC personal favorite)
The Magnificent Seven
Baby Doll (feature film debut)

So when I heard of the news of his passing early yesterday, I recalled fondly that warm summer evening when I had the privilege of being in the company of a great talent.

eli wallach, carol baker, baby doll — Eli Wallach and Carol Baker in **Baby Doll** (1956)

For a good retrospective read on Wallach, check out my blogging buddy, leopard13’s post: http://le0pard13.com/2014/06/25/my-favorite-films-of-a-master-character-actor-eli-wallach/.

And check out TCM on Monday, June 30th starting at 9:00AM for an 11-hour marathon of his films.

Today would have been my father’s 65th birthday. He passed away on May 26th. This brief post is dedicated to his memory …

If it were not for the cultural influence my father had on my life this blog would probably not exist.

If not for him I would not have been introduced to the likes of Monty Python and by extension Fawlty Towers. Throw into the mix a heavy dose of Doctor Who (esp. the Tom Baker years) and the result is my admiration of British film and television.

If not for my father I would not wait in anticipation for the twice yearly Twilight Zone marathon that me and my brothers watch constantly (The Howling Man was his favorite). By sheer coincidence this year the marathon did not play.

And now the movies – where do I start?

It is not just the standard issue classics he introduced me to – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is most prominent in my mind (“They were just two fools.” he was apt to say).

Thanks to him I developed an appreciation for Alfred Hitchcock too – in fact, obsession with the Master of Suspense surpassed anything my father could possibly imagine but there was no going back (not that I would ever want to).

If not for my dad, I would not have been exposed to cult classics such as Plan 9 from Outer Space, the original Stepfather, Fright Night, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes; the list can go on and on. Our appreciation for things cult also extended to being great devotees of the “Mystery Science Theatre 3K” crew (now Cinematic Titanic).

There also cropped up the occasional film that sparked disagreement about its merits (I never got Suture, sorry Dad) – not to mention his love for made-for-SciFi Channel movies (goodness gracious).

With all my study and examination of the art of cinema, in the end my father taught me to sometimes abandon that critical eye and just enjoy a film as entertainment. And I am sure in the days, months and years to come, I will wonder he would have thought of this or that movie. I will miss being able to tell him that this movie is a “must-watch.”

This morning as our family head out to the national cemetery where he is buried (he served in Vietnam; fave Vietnam flick? Hamburger Hill) I will remember all those times we sat down, watched and talked about the movies with warmth and fondness.

We all love you and miss you dearly, Poppa D.

That Time I Spent an Evening with Eli Wallach …

On the occassion of your 65th birthday dad (In loving memory)