|
|
wanton87
Sophomore
@wanton87
Posts: 224
Likes: 198
 
|
Post by wanton87 on May 14, 2018 14:42:01 GMT
Loves me some Shirley Knight spiderwort!
Did you by any chance ever catch her in that episode of The Streets of San Francisco? It was a ridiculous episode (hit men don’t use handguns to snipe their targets) but I’ll be darned if a late 30’s Shirley Knight wasn’t looking as youthful and gorgeous as ever!
She was also quite enjoyable in The Virginian: The man from the sea. This episode also featured a young Carol Lynley as the homicidal sister.
|
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on May 14, 2018 14:53:46 GMT
So glad to see another fan of this wonderful actress, wanton. Sorry to say I've never seen any of her television episodes. But, oh, I love her on the big screen! Three years or four years ago I attended the William Inge Festival in his hometown of Independence, Kansas, and Shirley was a special guest. They screened THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, and then she did a Q & A. One of the nights she also performed in a scene from a play of the honoree that year (can't remember who that was). Anyway, I finally got to meet her, tell her what a fan I was, and thank her for her wonderful work through the years. It was a real treat.
EDITED TO ADD: wanton87 , I re-read the interview and was amazed at how much television she did and how I could not (and do not) remember seeing her in any of it! I watched everything that moved back in those days, but honestly I have no memory of ever seeing her on the small screen. But it was a joy to read her stories of those days with such interesting acting partners, friends, and directors. What a lucky and talented woman she was/is. |
|
|
|
Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on May 17, 2018 22:38:56 GMT
I've seen her so many times in numerous things, and then awhile ago I saw her in The Rain People, which was a revelation because she was much younger than I'd ever seen her before, and she was holding her own in a Francis Ford Coppola movie with James Caan and Robert Duvall.
Interesting interview, particularly the part about the acting process.
|
|
|
|
Post by politicidal on May 17, 2018 23:18:18 GMT
Played a nun with guns in the wartime B flick FIVE GATES TO HELL (1959).
|
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on May 18, 2018 0:03:01 GMT
I've seen her so many times in numerous things, and then awhile ago I saw her in The Rain People, which was a revelation because she was much younger than I'd ever seen her before, and she was holding her own in a Francis Ford Coppola movie with James Caan and Robert Duvall. Interesting interview, particularly the part about the acting process. I have an interesting story about THE RAIN PEOPLE. In 1969 Coppola came to a college near where I lived to discuss that film and screen a documentary about the making of it that was directed by a young George Lucas. I made the 200 mile round trip for the event, and was lucky to get to meet and talk with him afterwards (excited college student and already filmmaker that I was). He was great, friendly and helpful. But what I remember most was that after directing FINIAN'S RAINBOW, which he hated doing, he said that if THE RAIN PEOPLE was not a success he was going to give up the business. Well, it wasn't a success, and I didn't hear anything about him for a long time, until it was announced that he was going to direct THE GODFATHER! Needless to say, he didn't quit the business after all. But it just goes to show how hard it is to have a successful directing career in Hollywood! |
|
|
|
Post by petrolino on May 18, 2018 22:57:08 GMT
Thanks.  |
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on May 19, 2018 0:37:52 GMT
I've seen her so many times in numerous things, and then awhile ago I saw her in The Rain People, which was a revelation because she was much younger than I'd ever seen her before, and she was holding her own in a Francis Ford Coppola movie with James Caan and Robert Duvall. Interesting interview, particularly the part about the acting process. Hello again. I just realized that I should have said to you that you must find some way to see her in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) and (though it may be impossible) The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960). She was wonderful in those roles, and also very beautiful.
With Paul Newman in Sweet Bird of Youth (her second Oscar nom)
With Lee Kingsolving in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (her first Oscar nom)
Oh, and yes, her talk in the interview about acting was wonderful. I'd forgotten she'd studied with Jeff Corey (one of my old teachers, but much later), along with fellow students Robert Blake, Bobby Driscoll, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nicholson, Sally Kellerman, and Millie Perkins. Oh, those were the days. Jeff was a great teacher.
And I especially loved the way she answered this question: "Clearly, when Ingmar Bergman asked you to do The Lie, you were aware of his work and his reputation. Were you a cinema buff?"
"Oh, I love old cinema. And you know, the only time I become frustrated with directors, especially when they’re young, and often television directors, I just want to say to them: if you want to learn how to do this, go and look at Eisenstein. Look at Ingmar Bergman. Look at the Italians – Fellini and Rossellini. Look at Kurosawa’s films. And the wonderful American filmmakers. Orson Welles, when he was going to direct his first film, spent six months looking at movies, old movies by geniuses. I just think if you want to be a part of that extraordinary world of this great art, then I think it behooves you to watch. You learn so much if you watch Ingrid Bergman act on film, or Bette Davis."
Better advice was never given.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on May 19, 2018 11:02:29 GMT
spiderwort I did see Sweet Bird of Youth, many years ago, back before I was truly aware of who Shirley Knight was in the bigger picture. I really need to see it again now. I have not seen The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs, nor is it even a movie I was aware of, but will try to see it now. That's cool that you studied acting, I considered it as a career in my youth, but I moved on to other things. I do have a relative that does act, he's not famous, but steadily gets roles in movies and TV in Vancouver. Our whole family is very proud of him, keep hoping he'll get a regular role on a TV series...actually, he just did, but this long running series was then cancelled.
|
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on May 19, 2018 13:52:09 GMT
I have not seen The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs, nor is it even a movie I was aware of, but will try to see it now. I have a feeling you'll have a really hard time finding this one. I have an old VHS copy from back in the days when tv stations used to play old movies at night. But for some reason Warner Brothers has never seen fit to release it on DVD, and it never shows up on TCM or any other network, I don't know why. As for my studying acting, I only did it so that I could become a better director, and in that regard it was extremely helpful. Kudos to your relative who's making a living at it. I wish him well. It's a very difficult profession. |
|
|
|
Post by BATouttaheck on Apr 22, 2020 23:08:30 GMT
Among her wonderful performances was as the Mom/Grandmother in AS GOOD AS IT GETS
so many great memories of this lovely lady !
|
|
|
|
Post by kijii on Apr 23, 2020 4:52:30 GMT
Well, I wish someone would ask her why Dark at the Top of the Stairs has not been digitally restored.
I guess that will never be done?
(I will read the interview soon.)
|
|
|
|
Post by teleadm on Apr 23, 2020 7:03:23 GMT
R.I.P. Shirley Knight
 The Outer Limits episode The Man Who Was Never Born 1963  Flight from Ashiya 1964  Petulia 1968  Juggernaut 1974  Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense episode The Sweet Scent of Death 1984  Desperate Housewives 2005 to 2007  Hot in Cleveland episode Meet the Parents 2010
|
|
|
|
Post by cynthiagreen on Apr 23, 2020 9:00:05 GMT
Played a nun with guns in the wartime B flick FIVE GATES TO HELL (1959).
That one is kind of fun - if brutal - nuns get crucified and wheelchair bound veterans garroted... and the cherry on top is Neville Brand as Vietnamese warlord who kidnaps the nuns and nurses.... Patricia Owens and Dolores Michaels are the leads.. James (KING RAT, SHOGUN) Clavell directed in 1959 ....pair it with SEVEN WOMEN FROM HELL, also from Fox and also with Pat Owens, from 1961, set in WW2 New Guinea, which has its women escaping from Japanese prison camp... if you want a PATRICIA OWENS IN HELL marathon add HELL TO ETERNITY from 1960 in which she does a drunken striptease for Jeffrey Hunter.... RIP Shirley - talented lady. aside from the oscar nommed ones I think of her first as nice, sensible Polly from THE GROUP (bottom right)  Must give PETULIA another go. DUTCHMAN and THE RAIN PEOPLE generally considered highlights as well,,, but in a long career she could be memorable even in tosh like BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE Source for her TV THE COUNTRY GIRL with Robards welcome
|
|
|
|
Post by politicidal on Apr 23, 2020 13:07:00 GMT
|
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on Apr 23, 2020 13:50:08 GMT
RIP Shirley - talented lady. aside from the oscar nommed ones I think of her first as nice, sensible Polly from THE GROUP (bottom right) Must give PETULIA another go. DUTCHMAN and THE RAIN PEOPLE generally considered highlights as well,,, but in a long career she could be memorable even in tosh like BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE Source for her TV THE COUNTRY GIRL with Robards welcome
Cynthia, PETULIA is one of my favorite Knight performances. Imo, she nearly stole the film from Scott and Christie and was robbed of an Oscar nomination for her role as Scott's tortured ex-wife.
I liked but didn't love THE RAIN PEOPLE (though you should read my comment about in a post above, re: meeting Coppola right after he made it).
As for DUTCHMAN, Knight actually co-produced it with her then husband, Eugene Persson. When I saw her at the William Inge Festival a few years ago she said that that was her favorite of all her films. I remember liking it very much when I saw it (when it was first released, my only viewing so far). I thought it was audacious and that she and Al Freeman Jr. were wonderful in it, especially her. But it wouldn't be my favorite of her films. My guess is it probably deserves another viewing.
And I regrettably never saw THE COUNTRY GIRL - a perfect role for her, I would think, with a great cast and an excellent director, Paul Bogart. I have an actress friend who was in it, and I've asked her several times for a way to find the film, but so far have had no luck. If you find it, please let me know.
And another of her stellar TV movies was INDICTMENT: THE McMARTIN TRIAL (1995), co-starring James Wood. She was remarkable in that, and received one of her Emmy Awards (out of 8 nominations). She won another of her three Emmys in the same year for a role on NYPD BLUE. A good year for her, I would think - though from what I know about her it doesn't seem that awards were goals in her career; rather, just doing good work.
|
|
|
|
Post by politicidal on Apr 23, 2020 13:50:15 GMT
Haven't seen that in ages, but I remember liking it a lot. A lot of talent in that film, guided by the wonderful actor's director, Sidney Lumet. Btw, don't know how many know that THE GROUP was adapted from the novel by Mary McCarthy, sister of actor Kevin McCarthy. I liked it too. Which character was your favorite? I preferred Libby (Jessica Walter);she was quite the looker back in the day and her character just had zero fucks to give.
|
|
spiderwort
Junior Member
@spiderwort
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 9,340
|
Post by spiderwort on Apr 23, 2020 13:56:36 GMT
I liked it too. Which character was your favorite? I preferred Libby (Jessica Walter). . .
Wish I remembered it well enough to say. Knowing me, I probably liked Knight the most, because she's just a favorite. And I think I remember that Candice Bergen was very interesting in it. I always found Walter interesting. But, honestly, I really need to see it again. Don't know why I haven't, with a cast and director like that. 
|
|
|
|
Post by cynthiagreen on Apr 23, 2020 13:57:13 GMT
Haven't seen that in ages, but I remember liking it a lot. A lot of talent in that film, guided by the wonderful actor's director, Sidney Lumet. Btw, don't know how many know that THE GROUP was adapted from the novel by Mary McCarthy, sister of actor Kevin McCarthy. Yes - an amazing octet of young actresses, all bar one (Mary Robin Redd) going on to have some level of screen stardom. Shirley was the most established at the time so got one of the fatter parts (some characters suffer from the need to contract a long book into a two hour film), Candice Bergen probably went on to become the biggest film star - a 20 year run as a leading lady, if not often the top billed name in the film.....but Shirley always had the critics on her side - Back in the day and from that interview (thanks) one is clear that she is no run of the mill actress - her intelligence and talent saw her through a splendid run. I did read that her outspoken views cost her some mainstream support, which may explain why she never quite made it as a film "name" (I'm talking stardom here, no question of her talent), It was Bergen, Robin-Redd, Joanna Pettet, Kathleen Widdoes and Joan Hackett's first movies, and Jessica Walter and Elizabeth Hartman's second films. Shirley was a veteran of 7 - count em - movies including (f you believe imdb )- a bit in PICNIC. I read the novel of THE GROUP a while back and enjoyed it - didn't know Mary was Kevin's sister though.
|
|
|
|
Post by cynthiagreen on Apr 23, 2020 14:02:13 GMT
RIP Shirley - talented lady. aside from the oscar nommed ones I think of her first as nice, sensible Polly from THE GROUP (bottom right) Must give PETULIA another go. DUTCHMAN and THE RAIN PEOPLE generally considered highlights as well,,, but in a long career she could be memorable even in tosh like BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE Source for her TV THE COUNTRY GIRL with Robards welcome
Cynthia, PETULIA is one of my favorite Knight performances. Imo, she nearly stole the film from Scott and Christie and was robbed of an Oscar nomination for her role as Scott's tortured ex-wife.
I liked but didn't love THE RAIN PEOPLE (though you should read my comment about in a post above, re: meeting Coppola right after he made it).
As for DUTCHMAN, Knight actually co-produced it with her then husband, Eugene Persson. When I saw her at the William Inge Festival a few years ago she said that that was her favorite of all her films. I remember liking it very much when I saw it (when it was first released, my only viewing so far). I thought it was audacious and that she and Al Freeman Jr. were wonderful in it, especially her. But it wouldn't be my favorite of her films. My guess is it probably deserves another viewing.
And I regrettably never saw THE COUNTRY GIRL - a perfect role for her, I would think, with a great cast and an excellent director, Paul Bogart. I have an actress friend who was in it, and I've asked her several times for a way to find the film, but so far have had no luck. If you find it, please let me know.
And another of her stellar TV movies was INDICTMENT: THE McMARTIN TRIAL (1995), co-starring James Wood. She was remarkable in that, and received one of her Emmy Awards (out of 8 nominations). And she won another of her three Emmys in the same year for a role on NYPD BLUE. A good year for her, I would think - though from what I know about her it doesn't seem that awards were goals in her career; rather, just doing good work.
I have found PETULIA online so will give it a go - it may well be 40 years since I have seen it - a vague but pleasant memory. I thought she liked DUTCHMAN - the sort of role most ingenues being built up would run a mile from. Can't say I "liked" it exactly but a great performance in a truly unpleasant part.
|
|
