Directed by John Sturges, Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) is a solid Western with elements of High Noon and 3:10 to Yuma mixed with some original twists. The story concerns a lawman whose squaw wife is raped and murdered, and the confrontation that happens when he finds out that the guilty culprit is the son of his best friend. Limited sets work well and create great atmosphere. Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn are superb in the lead roles. The supporting cast is good as well, including Carolyn Jones and Earl Holliman.
Last Train from Gun Hill. 1959: Kirk Douglas
Last Train from Gun Hill. 1959: Kirk Douglas
Last Train from Gun Hill. 1959: Kirk Douglas
Last Train from Gun Hill. 1959
Last Train from Gun Hill. 1959: Anthony Quinn and Kirk Douglas
Although Anthony Mann was initially hired to direct Spartacus (1960), producer and star Kirk Douglas fired him after only one week of filming, and replaced him with Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick reluctantly accepted the job, and Spartacus is the only film to his credit in which he did not have complete creative control. This is evident in the lack of signature camera tricks associated with a Kubrick film. The film, however, is Epic and powerful... focusing on a slave turned Gladiator who rises up to challenge the forces of Ancient Rome. The cinematography is great, Dalton Trumbo's screenplay is tight and the all-star cast does a fine job, including Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton, Woody Strode, John Gavin and Peter Ustinov (in an Oscar-winning supporting role).
Directed by Jacques Tourneur, based on the story "Build My Gallows High", Out of the Past (1947) is considered by many historians to be one of the preeminent examples of the Film Noir genre. The convoluted story involves a private detective, a racketeer and a femme fatale in a twisted love triangle. The stark cinematography is brilliant, dark and moody. Robert Mitchum is great in the lead role. Jane Greer is beautiful, sexy and dangerous as the classic Femme Fatale. Kirk Douglas is wonderful in his role as well.
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Out of the Past. 1947: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Out of the Past. 1947: Kirk Douglas and Jane Greer
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Out of the Past. 1947: Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum
Although Anthony Mann was initially hired to direct Spartacus (1960), producer and star Kirk Douglas fired him after only one week of filming, and replaced him with Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick reluctantly accepted the job, and Spartacus is the only film to his credit in which he did not have complete creative control. This is evident in the lack of signature camera tricks associated with a Kubrick film. The film, however, is Epic and powerful... focusing on a slave turned Gladiator who rises up to challenge the forces of Ancient Rome. The cinematography is great, Dalton Trumbo's screenplay is tight and the all-star cast does a fine job, including Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton, Woody Strode, John Gavin and Peter Ustinov (in an Oscar-winning supporting role).
