Something Wild, Something Rare

I'm late to my own movie watching party, but as they say, rather late than never...showing up.

So if you're awake, or DVR able, please watch my introduction and discussion of two of my favorite films -- Jack Garfein's beautiful, shocking, experimental, empathetic, wonderfully acted Something Wild (1961), starring Carroll Baker and Ralph Meeker, and John Berry's gritty, gripping, poignant film noir, complete with tragic blacklisted star (the great John Garfield, in his last role), writer (Dalton Trumbo) and director, He Ran All the Way (1951), starring Garfield and Shelley Winters. That's on TCM, 8:30 and 11:30 (PST).

Both movies are rare, both ahead of their time, both involve oddly sympathetic captors, both have never seen the light of DVD (in America) and both are masterpieces. I will write more about the films later and soon (there's so much to discuss concerning the pictures, from backstory to history to music to cinematography and more...and even more to discusss while on TCM, but time did not permit me to sit in that chair all day, though, I could have), but for now...watch them. Many thanks to Turner Classic Movies for the honor of guest programming during this month of Critic's Choice. And many thanks to Robert Osborne, a true gentleman and one of the smartest cineastes around.

Comments

[Suzy]

I'm watching ~now. What an odd movie. Congrats on the tcm gig, so exciting :))

-suzy

ps. great picks btw. Did you watch the Bergman film before?

[Marjorie]

I have seen "Something Wild" several times and I love it. I first saw it in the 1960s, when it was shown on late night Saturday tv.

Ralph Meeker was a terrific actor. I also think Carroll Baker and Ralph Meeker had great screen chemistry in that kiss at the end.

[jon]

i watched both films, and loved how they were tied together thematically.

[Luce Vigp]

I never saw that film:...rather late than never! Luce Vigo

[john]

Hi, saw you on TCM last night with Something Wild ... what a great flick! (even if I'm dragging a bit at work today) TCM and Robert Osborne are the best.

[Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.]

Just for the curious, "He Ran All the Way" has been made available on Region 2 disc...but it's still a crime that it hasn't seen the light of day on this of the pond in DVD form.

[Kat Stuart]

Fabulous intro to Wild Thing, a film I've never seen or heard of... LOVED IT ! Gorgeous and fantastically weird. Also, love John Garfield and have wondered over the years why he's not revered by a wider audience... Thanks. Best to you, Kat

[H.L. Atkinson]

I was lucky to catch part of TCM last night, including Garfield's truly strange last film. Cast member Norman Lloyd participates in the excellent documentary "The John Garfield Story" which can be found as an extra in the Turner Classic Movies Classic Films Collection Murder Mysteries DVD. That is the one that offers The Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon, Dial M for Murder and The Postman Always Rings Twice on one DVD.Garfield's death during the heart of the blacklist era is so sad. He never got to see Dalton Trumbo, Michael Wilson, Carl Foreman, Lee Grant and so many other victims get their names and careers back.I'm old enough to remember when Wilson and Foreman did not have a screenplay credit for"The Bridge On The River Kwai."

[Dawn]

I Discovered you last night on my favorite TV viewing channel, TCM. I had to make a note to remind myself to look up your blog today because I appreciated your opinions and choices. Added kudos to you for your efforts to bring these rare gems and stars to a wider audience. You kept me up late, here on the east coast, just so I could here the comments by you and Robert Osborne which says a lot since I have seen the films before. I also found it fascinating in its irony that I just watched, earlier this week, the PBS American Masters documentary on Dalton Trumbo and the embarrassment of the House on UnAmerican Activities leading to these terrible blacklist. So your pick tied up my week for me and I thank you for that.

I could go on & on; asking questions about Mr. Osborne and discussing the tragedy (and yumminess) of John Garfield, the blacklist and classic movies... but I will behave myslef.

[Chris Oliver]

Dawgonnit, I wish I'd seen this post in time!

[Erich Kuersten]

A beautifully done set of introductions. You set the bar mighty high, and I think it's great and cutting edge to include personal detail (crush on John Garfield, etc.) You bring passion for these movies that is infectious. I watched HE RAN with new eyes, wowed at Garfield's cagey energy in a way I wouldn't have been before (he's such a great actor that you don't even notice how great he is, and he's ssuch a good actor he doesn't even deign to draw attention to it). I would add James Cagney to that Robert Mitchum/Monty Clift comparison... after seeing this I could imagine him tearing it up in WHITE HEAT! And you, of course, are the white heat of the online critic world, the top of the world!

[GeneKim]

At risk of offending the copyright gods, would you care to upload your introductions and afterwords as seen on TCM?

[David K.]

Watched "Something Wild " last night , Waht a strange , but Beautifull shot film ! Great acting , it really takes you in a ride of Emotions & such a buncj of strange turn-arounds , Enjoyed the Views on the film as well , Gonna try & get to the second movie tonight ! great to see you on Tcm Kim , Hope you can do it again soon ~David k.