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I've always wanted to read a book about the making of Charles Laughton's film, "THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER," so I wrote one. Just published by Limelight Editions, "Heaven and Hell to Play With: The Filming of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER" is available at Border's, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, among other outlets. The research for this project began in the 1970's when I interviewed surviving cast and crew, including: star Robert Mitchum, author Davis Grubb, co-star Lillian Gish, cinematographer Stanley Cortez, art director Hilyard Brown and editor Robert Golden. Composer Walter Schumann had passed away in 1958, but I was able to interview his widow, Mrs. Sonya Goodman, about her husband's working relation with director Laughton. Editor Golden is of the opinion that, next to Laughton, Walter Schumann was the most important contributor to the film. I personally feel that Schumann's score for HUNTER is so outstanding that I place it with such works as North's SPARTACUS and Philip Sainton's MOBY DICK in that it's not merely one of the best-ever FILM-scores but one of the best pieces of 20th Century music in ANY symphonic category. Needless to say, there is a lot to read about Schumann and his score in my book, and a lot to see, including written-score excerpts and drawings of Laughton sketched by Schumann's wife Sonya. One of the important insights gleaned in my research is the fact that Laughton had Schumann on set during the entire filming process. This is one reason why his music is such an essential, organic component of the whole movie. Incidentally, any fans of Laughton or "HUNTER" who live in Great Britain should be made aware of a special event in the London Film Festival on November 10th. Robert Gitt, head of UCLA Film Preservation, will be showing his very special presentation, "Charles Laughton Directs THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER," consisting of amazing highlights from the film's out-takes. In the words of Samuel Goldwyn, don't miss it, if you can! -- Preston Neal Jones
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Thanks for the input, Sir T. (I wonder if perhaps something was "lost in translation" in that TV interview.) I think you'll find Mr. Cortez's memories more balanced in the book. He says that Laughton relied on him -- and Brown, and Golden -- for "the technical end," but that Laughton took all their ideas and enlarged upon them for what he called "the dramaturgy." Cortez treasured the memory of his collaboration and his friendship with Laughton.
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Posted: |
Sep 23, 2002 - 3:54 PM
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By: |
Terry
(Member)
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Wow, this is fantastic. I can't wait to get a copy of your book. I've always treasured this movie. Night of the Hunter has a cinematic poetry that is unique. I consider it one of my personal Top Ten, alongside such films as The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, The Seven Samurai, and The Godfather. As a lover of film-music, I've always had a special spot in my personal pantheon for Walter (Dragnet) Schuman, alongside the likes of Herrmann, Rosza, Elmer Bernstein, Earle Hagen, and Goldsmith.
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It should be on the bookshelf of every clergyman in America.
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Great! I love the film and the music. I have the deluxe edition released in Germany by the Bear Family label. It is a nice CD, but it is a shame that the music not is available without dialogue.
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Howard, NIGHT OF THE HUNTER is available on DVD from MGM Home Entertainment. The cheapest source is www.deepdiscountdvd.com ($9.36, with no shipping charges for surface mail).
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Thanks for all the kind kudo's and encouragement, folks. (Although, forgive me, Howard, I'm not sure I catch your reference or get the joke in your "spare piece" message...) And yes, John, SOMEBODY surely ought to record this superb film score. SOMEBODY...... Yes, Joan, it's a very strange film. Do let me know if you see it any differently after reading the book. Basically, it's a very simple story, but filmed expressionistically, as if it were a child's dream/nightmare. What's next, Rozsaphile? I wonder. I've always had a lot of papers to peddle; we'll just have to see if this breakthrough will finally make it easier to get some of my other projects airborne... Keep watching the skies! Keep watching the skies!
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This one ought to be a fine read. I always did enjoy Charles Laughton's voice on radio programs from way back when. As for NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, well that one just scared me stiff when I saw it! Robert Mitchum's role made his Max Cady character look like the King of Charm. Sylvia
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Dear Howard, Which Edmund Gwenn? Sounds like a performance I missed, though I've admired him in many, many portrayals. As to INVADERS FROM MARS -- don't laugh. I've always felt there was a definite affinity between Menzies' masterpiece and Laughton's. I didn't mention this in my book, primarily because I think it's a case of artistic coincidence rather than one film influencing another. But I think they'd make a great double-bill, and some comparisons are particularly fascinating. Clearest demonstration of how both directors framed shots starkly to create that dream-mood is in the juxtaposition of INVADERS' police-station and HUNTER's early court-house scenes. Check it out! And Sylvia, don't you laugh, either. "Charm" is definitely the operative word, even though Preacher Powell is such a vile villain. Producer Paul Gregory discusses the casting of Mitchum, and how important it was that Preacher demonstrate the ability to charm a child and a widow, and Laughton told Davis Grubb, author of the original novel, "People who sell God, Davis, must be sexy."
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