tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post9201053652736880738..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: "Charley Varrick" and Don Siegel: The Last of the IndependentsRick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-53829835381049759232014-06-19T12:45:06.885-04:002014-06-19T12:45:06.885-04:00I've learned over the years that the name Don ...I've learned over the years that the name Don Siegel means a great time at the movies. Charley Varrick is one of my favorites. And I like the unexpectedness of Walter Matthau playing this kind of anti-hero lead. But in the back of my head I always had the idea that maybe this movie was originally meant for Clint Eastwood. That would help explain the one-night stand scene a little.justjackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753684004309850108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-10120436240098491002013-03-26T22:54:45.144-04:002013-03-26T22:54:45.144-04:00Yes, that's a potent scene where Mr. Molly deg...Yes, that's a potent scene where Mr. Molly degrades the father in front of his son.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-91019269970152425442013-03-26T14:56:41.792-04:002013-03-26T14:56:41.792-04:00Joe Don Baker is so great in this. There's tha...Joe Don Baker is so great in this. There's that scene when he breaks down a guy in front of the guy's family. Totally chilling, and yet it's all set in a quiet sunny back yard (I think, it's been a while).<br /><br />Oh, and as icing on the cake there's also John Vernon doing what he did better than anybody ever - the totally untrustworthy douche. He did this kind of role to perfection in anything from POINT BLANK to ANIMAL HOUSE, and this is no exception.<br /><br />Why this was not a huge hit I just can't understand.Anders Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06164550847416446757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-63286776134904623642013-03-25T23:41:47.869-04:002013-03-25T23:41:47.869-04:00Some great comments here! I've read where Clin...Some great comments here! I've read where Clint Eastwood credits Siegel for teaching him how to direct. The supporting cast is indeed very strong. Joe Don Baker didn't get a lot good roles, but his Mr. Molly is certainly memorable...the kind of character that would attract Tarantino.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-65921184857947050182013-03-25T12:32:27.838-04:002013-03-25T12:32:27.838-04:00This is an all-time fave of mine because it's ...This is an all-time fave of mine because it's character actor heaven - Bill Schallert, Jacqueline Scott, Sheree North, Tom Tully, Woodrow Parfrey, and a bunch of others that I'm sure to remember once I hit Publish.<br /><br />There's also Joe Don Baker's clasic line to the hooker at the safe house:<br /><i>I didn't drive two hundred miles for the amusement of morons."</i><br /><br />And about the bed scene with the bank lady:<br />That may have been an in-joke.<br />The lady in question was Felicia Farr, Jack Lemmon's real-life wife, with whom Walter Matthau was no doubt familiar.<br />Anyway ...<br /><br /><br />Mike Dorannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59358235140818939372013-03-24T16:48:27.147-04:002013-03-24T16:48:27.147-04:00I'm going to have to do research on Don Siegel...I'm going to have to do research on Don Siegel because I am unfamiliar with his work.<br /><br />I haven't seen this film, but I will watch Walter Matthau in anything. No matter how gruff his character, there's always something likable about him.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-69484271247632726782013-03-24T13:42:21.818-04:002013-03-24T13:42:21.818-04:00Agree that Don Siegel deserves more accolades than...Agree that Don Siegel deserves more accolades than he receives - hard to believe when one consideres his films in a swoop with several highly influential, as you mention. I suffer from the "what did he direct" syndrome myself, I have to admit. And Charley Varrick is one of his best. Matthau too, seems underrated to an extent. Always memorable.<br /><br />Great tribute to director and film - much deserved.<br /><br />AuroraCitizen Screenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596338896095275116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-16990275254405528872013-03-22T22:22:13.525-04:002013-03-22T22:22:13.525-04:00CHARLEY VARRICK is certainly an under-rated film (...CHARLEY VARRICK is certainly an under-rated film (and Matthau was outstanding in the title role). Don Siegel basically taught Clint Eastwood how to direct films.Ace89https://www.blogger.com/profile/10910988855113730739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-44588392065941747912013-03-21T12:03:23.951-04:002013-03-21T12:03:23.951-04:00Truly, as you said, an "underrated gem"....Truly, as you said, an "underrated gem". Pleased you mentioned "Siegel's visual brevity". Whatever happened to that sort of thing? Why do directors feel audiences need to be hit over the head?<br /><br />Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com