The Misfits (1961)

Posted on May 2, 2019 by EricReportsNews

For some reason, “The Misfits” doesn’t seem like Marilyn Monroe’s last movie; probably because of the publicity received by “Something’s Got to Give” (1962, unfinished.) It is, along with Clark Gable’s final performance, who died from a heart attack before it was released (1960.)

Montgomery Clift would also die five years later (1966); Thelma Ritter in 1967. The sole survivor for many years was Eli Wallach, who passed away in 2014.

The opening credits: Jigsaw puzzle pieces not fitting together describes the characters shown against Alex North’s moody score.

The screenplay by Arthur Miller was written especially for his wife, Marilyn. By the time, filming commenced, Miller and Monroe weren’t on speaking terms. Divorce was imminent.

The role of Roslyn Taber was meant to be her breakthrough dramatic performance. What emerged?

Monroe seems exhausted at times. The combination of drugs, Nevada’s extreme heat and her marriage falling apart took its toll.

There are moments of brilliance…

Monroe’s seething anger boiling over at the men during the “mustanging” episode…

The stark backdrop of the Nevada desert…

The black & white cinematography, considered old-fashioned at the time, is more beautiful than ever.

Of the love relationship between MM and Gable as Gay Langland…it seems almost like father/daughter, doesn’t it?

Eli Wallach (center) broods over his empty life.

Co-star Montgomery Clift poses with Marilyn.

Best performance – Montgomery Clift as Perce Howland. Clift’s face was left partially paralyzed by an auto accident in 1956. Although he started off as a matinee idol, the accident forced him to become a better actor. While filming Clark Gable’s scene, where he reacts angrily at Roslyn, it was real anger at Clift who thought he was upstaging him.

“Misfits” ends anti-climatically. The real finish is Gable’s monologue…

“Damn ’em all. They changed it, changed it all around. Smeared it all over with blood. I’m finished with it. It’s like ropin’ a dream. I just gotta find another way to be alive, that’s all. If there is one anymore.”

For whatever reason, “The Misfits” was shut-out at Oscar time, receiving none.

Time has been kind, however and today many rank it as a film of great importance, if only for being the end of an era. I think it’s more than that. Towards the conclusion, Gay describes the horses as “chicken-feed horses, misfits.”

Likewise, this makes a larger statement about the characters; people who simply don’t fit in, who can’t find their way in society and are marginalized. Back in ’61, critics didn’t know what to make of it. Now it’s easier to accept conformity.

Except how many movies from 1961 are still being discussed? And does its difference make it last?

There’s some argument about when Hollywood’s “Silver Age” began. Most critics cite “Bonnie & Clyde” (1967.) I say “Psycho” (1960.) There’s little argument when Hollywood’s “Golden Age” ended with “The Misfits”.

Marilyn Monroe’s Last Movie

Posted on July 3, 2018 by ericreportsnews

Most consider “The Misfits” as Marilyn Monroe’s last film; however, there were a number of failed attempts to cast her in other pictures. Most famous of all is “Something’s Got to Give”, abandoned by 20th Century Fox after MM’s numerous absences. A last attempt to finish it, after Monroe was fired, then rehired, ended when she died on August 5, 1962.

Marilyn Monroe’s costume tests for “Something’s Got to Give”

The plot: A woman returns after being lost on a desert island, finding out her husband has just remarried. The first video is of a 1990’s TV special commenting on what transpired.

Recently restored by 20th Century Fox, the video below attempts to piece together what was filmed. (37 minutes in length.)

Funniest scene: Wally Cox in the shoe store.

Also contains MM’s nude swim, a major event in ’62.

“The Misfits” (1961.) Arthur Miller’s saga of how a woman changes the lives of three down and out losers. Also starring Clark Gable, Eli Wallach and Montgomery Clift. “Misfits” didn’t connect with audiences then, but is more appreciated today.

Best performance: Montgomery Clift as Perce Howland.

Clark Gable died of a heart attack shortly after filming.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Based on the novella by Truman Capote. The author urged the studio to cast Marilyn as Holly Golightly. Turned down by the director Blake Edwards because of MM’s notorious reputation for being late, high, sick and/or forgetting her lines.

Monroe lost role of Holly Golightly to Audrey Hepburn who received an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress”

“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” Rights to this were then owned by Charlie Chaplin, who offered MM the lead role. She turned it down, believing it was about horses. (Plot concerns marathon dance contests in the 1930’s.)

Released in 1969, starring Jane Fonda, who received an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress”.

“Freud” (1962)

Actor friend Montgomery Clift tried to get Marilyn cast as Freud’s wife. Susan Kohner was cast instead.

undefined “What a Way to Go!” (1964)

Dark comedy about a wife whose five husbands all die for one reason or another. Shirley MacLaine inherited the role.

Last major public appearance. M.M. sings “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy. Host Peter Lawford refers to her as “the late Marilyn Monroe.”

Last Movie Roles – Part 1

Posted on December 21, 2016 by ericreportsnews

Image result for images, clark gable, marilyn monroe, the misfits

Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe

The Misfits (1961.) A group of “losers” discover the meaning of life near Reno, NV. Troubled production. Monroe and husband/screenwriter Arthur Miller divorced immediately after. Clark Gable died from a heart attack before it hit theaters; M.M. died in ’62 from a drug overdose; possible suicide.

Elvis Presley

Elvis on Tour (1972.) Rock star Elvis Presley finally found his niche doing documentaries, this being his follow-up to “Elvis – That’s the Way It Is” (1970.) Amazing use of split screens; well edited by then newcomer Martin Scorsese. Won a Golden Globe for “Best Documentary”. Elvis died five years later in Graceland.

James Dean

Giant (1956.) James Dean was the hottest new star in Hollywood when his aluminum sports car smashed itself into oblivion on 9/30/55. He received his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor as Jett Rink, Rock Hudson’s nemesis in “Giant”.

Jayne Mansfield

The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968.) 1950’s blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield still managed to earn a living doing nightclub appearances and independent films. This “mondo”-style documentary (filmed shortly before her death) is narrated by a female impersonator and ends with her car accident.

Picture taken in “death car”.

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June 29, 1967

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Sharon Tate

12 + 1 (aka The 13 Chairs, 1969.) Nearly unknown European comedy starring Vittorio Gassman and Sharon Tate. Not particularily funny and the two lead actors didn’t like each other. Miss Tate was murdered on Aug. 9, 1969 by the Manson “family”. (Written about in “Helter-Skelter” – 1971.)

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Sharon as “Pat”.

Dorothy Stratten

They All Laughed (1981.) Model/actress Dorothy Stratten was just starting out – this being her third picture after “Autumn Born” and “Galaxina”. 1980 seemed like her year – she was chosen as “Playboy’s Playmate of the Year,” until she got caught up in a love triangle with director Peter Bogdanovich and her husnand/manager Paul Snider. Snider killed her and himself on Aug. 14, 1980, probably while they were discussing their impending divorce. Cause of death: a shotgun blast to the face.

Dorothy with Peter Bogdanovich

Paul Snider

Mame (1974.) Based on the famous Broadway musical, starring Lucille Ball, who most know can’t sing. ’74 was also the year “Here’s Lucy” (1968-1974) was cancelled. A bad luck year for that “wacky redhead”. Lucy died on 4/26/89 from a torn artery.

The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980.) Actor Peter Sellers had finally found fortune again in the mid-to-late 1970’s. (In the “Pink Panther” film series and as Chauncey Gardiner in “Being There” (1979.) He completed his life’s work with this strange, obscure comedy which ends with him doing an Elvis impersonation. Mr. Sellers died from a heart attack on July 24, 1980.

Image result for imAGES, utopia, laurel and hardy

Laurel & Hardy in “Utopia” (1950.) Weird French comedy, badly dubbed, starring that great comedy team Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Language barrier further complicated this misunderstood venture. A few scenes shine through. Mr. Laurel died from a heart attack on 2/23/65. Mr. Hardy died from cerebral thrombosis on 8/7/57.

Larry Fine, Moe Howard, and Joe DeRita

Kook’s Tour (1970.) Rarely seen “3 Stooges” pilot of them touring the countryside. Unique travelogue could’ve worked, except the “middle stooge” Larry Fine suffered from a stroke and was placed in a retirement home.

VIVIEN LEIGH B&W SHIP OF FOOLS PHOTO OR POSTER | Vivien ... Vivian Leigh in “Ship of Fools” (1965.) Former Academy award winner for “Gone with the Wind” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Her final award was the “L’Etoile de Cristal for “Ship of Fools”. (lead performance) Leigh died from tuberculosis on July 8, 1967.

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The Misfits (1961)

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