Barney McFadden, who played Ned Tebbets in the 1979 Salem's Lot comes up short performancewise compared to everyone else in the film, which is the only horror film I've ever "loved" (and watch every Halloween, despite my disdain for that particular day).
McFadden, however, does figure in one of Salem's Lot best "make the viewer jump" scenes.
ROD STEIGER in THE JANUARY MAN. That scene between him and Danny Aiello whereby Steiger's NYC Mayor yelling and cursing at the top of his lungs with Aiello's Fire Chief playing off that is the equivalent of a 0 to 60mph attempt in 5 seconds on a John Deere riding mower.
Keanu in FFC's Dracula. I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been Sadie Frost, but it really wasn't.
That's the one that IMMEDIATELY sprang to mind for me too. Although I guess you could make a case for his 'flatness' being a canvas for everyone else to shine. Same for Marky Mark in Burton's PLANET OF THE APES.
I have to say, though -- so many other suggestions in this thread I disagree with!
Gene Hackman in The Poseidon Adventure. How many pep talks, bitch sessions did he do in this film? Ernie was OTT, but that's to be expected. When Hackman lets go of the big red wheel, did anyone other than me think, "Whew!, now for a peaceful and orderly exit!"
Gene Hackman in The Poseidon Adventure. How many pep talks, bitch sessions did he do in this film? Ernie was OTT, but that's to be expected. When Hackman lets go of the big red wheel, did anyone other than me think, "Whew!, now for a peaceful and orderly exit!"
Not at all, quite the contrary. I was devastated the first time I saw that scene as a kid. He's the anchor of the whole film. Several others of that group I'd rather see go instead.
Michael Keaton in Jackie Brown. While I appreciate the novelty of his character being used a second time over in Soderbergh's Out of Sight, I've always found Keaton's performance overly mannered and "actorly", which I found distracting.
Judging screen performance is difficult because we're not aware of what went on behind the scenes and what was left out. Two examples:
THE MAGICIAN. Bergman said that the "actor who [played] the big comic role [presumably Ake Fridell as Tubal] was so drunk all the time he couldn't remember his lines or what he had to do. [As a result] about a third of his part had to be cut, which meant that the film lost its balance and became too serious."
THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN. Errol Flynn was in such a sorry state that he could barely stand up at times. According to Steven Smith's fine Steiner biography, the composer had to work overtime to pump energy into his performance.
Ever wonder about seemingly unnecessary cuts or camera angles that shield somebody from view? The director may simply be trying to hide an inadequacy.
THE MAGICIAN. Bergman said that the "actor who [played] the big comic role [presumably Ake Fridell as Tubal] was so drunk all the time he couldn't remember his lines or what he had to do. [As a result] about a third of his part had to be cut, which meant that the film lost its balance and became too serious."
I thought it was Bengt Ekerot's role that was severely reduced.
Both actors were wonderful in The Seventh Seal, a film I daresay has no weak links.
Could be. I guessed Fridell because his was a comic role and he had alcohol problems.
Bergman's remarks are perplexing, as the scenes in the kitchen with the servants complement the serious aspects of the film. Fridell and Sif Ruud play off one another brilliantly.
