I don’t claim to be a movie critic or movie expert, I’m just a fan. I’ve been watching movies since 1955, and I guess based on conversations with my family, coworkers, and friends, I know a little more than the average person on the street about movie titles, actors, and directors. Movies that might give a guy a little entertainment and open his eyes to some of the great actors and directors of the past. This section of Man-a-Mania will be dedicated to movies that aren’t on everybody’s radar, especially if your under the age of thirty five.
We’ll highlight one actor and movie per month. Don’t be looking for car chases and shootouts with guns that never run out of bullets, hopefully if you haven’t seen these movies before you’ll enjoy them or if you have you’ll see something you missed. Enjoy these selections for their combination of action, irony, cinematography, acting, direction, and thought provoking ideas.
This months movie selection is Anatomy of a Murder, nominated for seven academy awards. The 1959 classic stars James Stewart as a country lawyer defending a military man accused of murder. Directed by Otto Preminger and costarring Lee Remick, George C. Scott, Ben Gazarra, and Murry Hamilton ( Mrs. Robinsons husband, and the Mayor in Jaws). A must see courtroom drama and classic film.
Walter Brennen
Three academy awards. Over two hundred film appearances spanning five decades. Costarring roles opposite Hollywood icons John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Humphry Bogart, Gary Cooper, and Spensor Tracy.
This months featured actor, Walter Brennen usually played the crabby but good hearted side kick in many of Hollywood’s all time favorite movies. Catch his performances in the films below, especially Northwest Passage starring Spensor Tracy. He played Hunk Marriner Robert Young’s (Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby) friend, drinking buddy, and Indian fighter. This 1940 adventure set in the mid 1700’s depicts the French and Indian War and is a must see for any action, adventure, and historical film fan.
1894-1974
Favorite Picks
How the West was won
Rio Bravo
Pride of the Yankees
Sergeant York
My Darling Clementine
Bad day at Black Rock
Northwest Passage******
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
