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Post by Doghouse6 on Nov 17, 2018 16:46:18 GMT
Thank you! I agree about Montalban. He probably would've played it similar to Heston's, but with his voice? Been far more believable. "Quinn" could've been a risk. Somewhat "Brando-esque", he may have brought too much strength to Heston's character, and of course the story is largely about the spiritual, emotional, ethical, and physical demise of Quinlan. Those were exactly my thoughts about Quinn, and I chose the word "interesting" for the prospect of seeing him play the role from the angle it required: that of a resolutely ethical man who's challenged by the helplessness he feels in the face of systemic corruption. Showing the proper restraint, it could have worked for him, and it's likely he'd have brought shadings to the role that escaped Heston. Montalban had done the 1950 John Surges crime procedural, Mystery Street, as a determined Boston police investigator that gives hints to the dignity with which I'd imagine he'd have played Vargas. It was rather ahead of its time for its concentration on the forensic aspects of investigation, as well as for an honest, non-sensationalistic depiction of the step-by-step, nuts-and-bolts slog of a homicide detective's job. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it.
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Post by tommyrockarolla on Nov 17, 2018 17:39:31 GMT
Thank you! I agree about Montalban. He probably would've played it similar to Heston's, but with his voice? Been far more believable. "Quinn" could've been a risk. Somewhat "Brando-esque", he may have brought too much strength to Heston's character, and of course the story is largely about the spiritual, emotional, ethical, and physical demise of Quinlan. Those were exactly my thoughts about Quinn, and I chose the word "interesting" for the prospect of seeing him play the role from the angle it required: that of a resolutely ethical man who's challenged by the helplessness he feels in the face of systemic corruption. Showing the proper restraint, it could have worked for him, and it's likely he'd have brought shadings to the role that escaped Heston. Montalban had done the 1950 John Surges crime procedural, Mystery Street, as a determined Boston police investigator that gives hints to the dignity with which I'd imagine he'd have played Vargas. It was rather ahead of its time for its concentration on the forensic aspects of investigation, as well as for an honest, non-sensationalistic depiction of the step-by-step, nuts-and-bolts slog of a homicide detective's job. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. Thanks! I'm going to look into "Mystery Street".
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Post by london777 on Nov 17, 2018 18:35:30 GMT
Great comments, folks, and more perceptive than mine.
Funnily enough, although it had never occurred to me before, Anthony Quinn for the Heston part came to mind while I was writing my post.
I guess that is what it was supposed to be about, which would have made it central to the Film Noir canon. But for me there was too much "tell" and not enough "show". We just have to take it on faith that he was once this upright and very efficient cop. The testimony of Calleia and Dietrich alone are not enough to elicit any sympathy from me.
Making the rather prim newly-weds the narrative center, rather than Welles, undermined it as a Noir. Still, it is in my collection, and I watch it every year and always find something new.
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Post by tommyrockarolla on Nov 18, 2018 1:55:28 GMT
Great comments, folks, and more perceptive than mine. Funnily enough, although it had never occurred to me before, Anthony Quinn for the Heston part came to mind while I was writing my post. I guess that is what it was supposed to be about, which would have made it central to the Film Noir canon. But for me there was too much "tell" and not enough "show". We just have to take it on faith that he was once this upright and very efficient cop. The testimony of Calleia and Dietrich alone are not enough to elicit any sympathy from me. Making the rather prim newly-weds the narrative center, rather than Welles, undermined it as a Noir. Still, it is in my collection, and I watch it every year and always find something new. Nevertheless? A brilliant film.
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Post by them1ghtyhumph on Nov 18, 2018 2:23:40 GMT
I think Chinatown is a good movie, but somewhat overrated
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Nov 18, 2018 17:54:36 GMT
Allegories unbound, iconography assured and dialogue now in the lexicon of legends, Chinatown is not to be missed, not just by fans of noir, but fans of cinema, period.
Top Ten Neo-Noir.
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