Margo - help - Night of the Hunter- Page 2
Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Effie
Understudy Joined: 9/6/04
#25re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/12/04 at 1:30am
I first saw Night of the Hunter on TV when I was a kid back in the 70s. It terrified me. Never forgot it. Since these were the pre-VCR days, I didn't have a chance to see it again until I was in college. I quickly realized why I had never been able to get the movie out of my head -- it seemed as if the images on screen were the direct product of a child's fevered imagination.
Hardcore cineastes tend to adore it because it has some of the most beautiful images ever committed to film -- and they're all in service of the story. Plus the story is a doozy. I can't think of many films that go to the narrative extremes this one does. There are certain "rules" in genre films about the level of jeopardy you can place a child in. In this film John has the weight of the world placed on his shoulders and absolutely no one to turn to. At each point you think it can't possibly get any worse, and then halfway through, the movie takes a vicious turn that the viewer is completely unprepared for. Especially a viewer back in 1955.
A note about Lillian Gish -- when John first meets her, she's just as over the top as everybody else. Once she gains his trust, though, she becomes this calm, nurturing figure. What a beautiful film. I'm gonna fire up the DVD player right now.
#26re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/12/04 at 4:15pm
My partner and I sat down to watch this movie about a year ago. I remember getting up half way through and going and doing something else while he finished it. Reading Sam & Margo's analysis though, I can understand what the film was trying to accomplish. It is a strange story to say the least... and I think I'm going to give it another try, looking at it with a different eye.
I also have the studio recording of the Richardson/Cole musical... I listened to it once and wasn't impressed. I think I heard there was going to be an actual production of it soon... does anyone know more about it? And if there is a production coming up... didn't Claibe Richardson pass away awhile ago?
From the evil she done Lord
Set her free, Set her free, Set me free
Don't let my sorrow
Make evil of me
#27re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/27/04 at 2:50pmBroadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#28re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/27/04 at 6:19pm
Claibe Richardson did pass away about a year now or perhaps even 18 months ago. There have been productions of NIGHT HUNTER, the most recent that I recall hearing about was in CA.
Updated On: 9/27/04 at 06:19 PM
MusicMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#29re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/27/04 at 9:07pm
The above review's comment that THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER'S score is both inconsequential and pretentious is not only dead-on but THE perfect description of most scores written today.
Updated On: 9/27/04 at 09:07 PM
nudly
Swing Joined: 9/27/04
#30re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/27/04 at 9:11pm
Hi this is Brian Noonan...and I am currently playing the Preacher in the world premier of Night of the Hunter in San Fransisco. It is indeed a musical based on the 1955 movie with
Mitchum and Winters.
This is a new, off the beaten path musical that has a lush score
and a Kleban award winning book and lyrics by Stephen Cole.
The music is written by the late Claibe Richardson of The Grass Harp. It is very exciting to be a part of something as new and as provacative as this piece. We are hoping to develop this wonderful new show further and the producing team is very excited
about bringing this to the Great White Way!
I would love to discuss this further with any interested parties.
All the best.
Brian Noonan
nudly
Swing Joined: 9/27/04
#31re: Margo - help - Night of the Hunter
Posted: 9/27/04 at 9:16pm
Hey wildparty.
Yes indeed there is a production of NOTH in currently playing
outside San Fran. Please see the "Eerie Hymns..." posting today the 27th, and would love to answer any questions about the show.
Brian Noonan
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