So, I came across a thread on a forum I frequent that gave me a good idea for a post (and falls in line with previous posts I’ve made.
What are some of the more memorable movie characters that stand out in your head? This is one of those lists that have the potential to get rather long rather quickly. But, I will get you started here with some of the characters that stand out for me.
In no particular order:
Uncle Patch – At Close Range. Tracey Walter plays this (as he often does) squirrelly little dirt bag perfectly. He’s a conniving little bandwagon jumper that is not only disturbing with his willingness to do evil but he’s mere presence on screen makes you wonder “what’s wrong with that guy. Other memorable roles Mr. Walter has played? Cookie in City Slickers, Beaver in Young Guns II, Bob (The Jokers right hand man) in Batman, Malak in Conan The Destroyer. This guy is like Clint Howard – he shows up in a billion movie and you say “That guy’s in everything”
Randal Graves – Clerks. Jeff Anderson plays this role perfectly. This is the guy people aspire to be. Not a loser working the counter at a video store – but the guy that throws caution to the wind with reckless abandon and tells everyone he comes in contact with exactly the way he feels. He loud, obnoxious, childish and vulgar and has one friend because (or in spite) of it. Hey, I think I may be Randal Graves. Anderson hasn’t done much work other than Kevin Smith movies. He’s been in Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, CLERKS II and a few other small independent side projects. From everything I’ve read about him, Anderson doesn’t really have an interest in doing much but playing roles for Smith. (That’s just my opinion of course) But hey, stick with what works.
Frau Blücher - Young Frankenstein. Cloris Leachman is the only person that could have done this role. A classic character in an absolute classic American comedy. Her facial expressions in this movie are perfect. The inflection in her voice when she says such things as “He vas my BOYFRIEND” are hilarious and the characters ability to be a main focus (as a supporting part) whenever she’s on screen makes her priceless. “Stay close to ze candles. Zah stairs, , , ,can be treacherous”. The previous line was of course delivered while she was holding candelabra full of unlit candles. Leachman has been working since the early 50’s (many of them Mel Brooks projects) and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her deliver a less than quality performance – even in a less than quality film.
Rose Sayer – The African Queen (one of my all time favorite movies) - Katharine Hepburn plays this strong willed woman in the World War I era film. A classic portrayal of “opposites attract” love story. Packed with adventure and comedy. I’ve always be a “middle-of-the roader” with Hepburn, but she really brings this character to life for me. I can remember sitting on the couch in my basement with my father watching this movie and having a HUGE crush on Hepburn after seeing her in this film. As a side note – I finally own this movie on DVD as I got it as a birthday present this year from my wife.
Tony Montana – Scarface. Do I really need to go on about Al Pacino and how great he (and this role) is?
Travis Bickle – Taxi Driver. In conjunction with the previous listing – I’m pretty sure I don’t need to go on about The Bickle role or DeNiro’s greatness. Suffice it to say – even if you’ve never seen Taxi Driver (which I can not imagine) you’ve heard a myriad references to the whole “Are you talking to me” scene from this movie.
As I said in the beginning - - this is a list that can get rather long rather quickly so here is where I’ll stop.
Chime in on the comments; let me know some of your more memorable characters.