Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 29, 2021 10:53:42 GMT
Jon Polito is one of those that rarely disappoints. No matter how big or small his part might turn out to be.
I guess it is impossible not to bring up the Coen films, and where his comedic and charming performance in The Big Lebowski, stands out as my favorite.
However, he frequently showed up in lots of familiar tv-shows back in the day. Like Miami Vice, Tales from the Crypt and yeah, most likely would never be one of those who would get too many phone calls from studios looking for a leading man, but I am damn glad guys like Polito found their way into bigger roles, as he sure fitted the part as one of the most unforgettable character actors of the 80s and 90s.
Speaking of familiar and intense character actors, and whom seemed to find their best or most memorable performances when working with certain directors, is that of Frank Doubleday, who sure seemed to be a man, with many faces back in the day.
I mean from the chilling and ice cold gang leader in the infamous opening of John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), then suddenly he was "downsized" into to this creepy, scrawny and almost zombie-skeleton looking dude in Escape from New York (1981), and Frank played the spiky haired and ghostly Romero, along with his hissing and just a no nonsense attitude. You just immediately knew that this guy meant some serious business, the moment when he first approaches the scenery:
For me, he was such a terrific and creepy character, with lots presence in that film, so that he managed to steal the "thunder" away from his more famous villainous boss, The Duke (Isaac Hayes), and kind of a shame, that Frank did not continue on with getting bigger roles, not only in Carpenter films, but yeah, I mean talk about having presence, this guy sure had that and more.