'The Night of the Hunter' (1955) Robert Mitchum: 'He Ain't My Dad' Movie Clip

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Tue Oct 31, 2023, 08:33 PM - Edit history (1)

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Charles Laughton - Criterion Collection

The Night of the Hunter

The Night of the Hunter—incredibly, the only film the great actor Charles Laughton ever directed—is truly a stand-alone masterwork. A horror movie with qualities of a Grimm fairy tale, it stars a sublimely sinister Robert Mitchum as a traveling preacher named Harry Powell (he of the tattooed knuckles), whose nefarious motives for marrying a fragile widow, played by Shelley Winters, are uncovered by her terrified young children. Graced by images of eerie beauty and a sneaky sense of humor, this ethereal, expressionistic American classic—also featuring the contributions of actress Lillian Gish and writer James Agee—is cinema’s most eccentric rendering of the battle between good and evil.
https://www.criterion.com/films/27525-the-night-of-the-hunter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Powers

[Silent Type]

1. Have watched that film several times over years. It creeps me out. Great though.

[appalachiablue]

2. Superb film, story wise and production, the acting,

psychological suspense and cinematography.
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Here's the real 'lonely hearts' predator- sociopath and murderer that the book and movie were based on...

Harry F. Powers (born Harm Drenth; November 17, 1893 – March 18, 1932) was a Dutch-born American serial killer who was hanged in Moundsville, West Virginia. Powers lured his victims through "lonely hearts" advertisements, claiming he was looking for love, but ultimately murdering them for their money.

Davis Grubb's 1953 novel The Night of the Hunter and its 1955 film adaptation and 1991 TV adaptation were based on these crimes, with Preacher Harry Powell being the character inspired by Powers. Preacher was played by Robert Mitchum in the 1955 film...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Powers

[Doc Sportello]

3. Our parents took us to see this at the drive-in when we were kids

Scared the shite out of us for years to come. Especially when anyone sang, "Bringing in the sheaves".

[appalachiablue]

4. Poor kids, I bet it shook you up. I didn't see it until

an adult, TG. Still, it's a powerful film. Mitchum was also excellent in another sinister role in 'Cape Fear.'

Spike Lee has the 'love & hate' tatoos on his hands like the 'preacher.'

A step relative from eastern Md. met Mitchum years ago at a social event there. She was young and a partier in the Twist days. When she asked him to dance Bob said no. We kids thought that was kinda funny. Snicker..

[Doc Sportello]

5. Radio Raheem was the first thing I thought of when I saw that pic of Mitchum

Mitchum was great in Cape Fear, probably more menancing than in this film. Laughton did a great job as director. Wonder why he never did another.

[appalachiablue]

6. Laughton was excellent. I need to see Do the Right Thing again,

TX for mentioning.