The Night of the Hunter
1955
West Virginia
Charles Laughton
Rural Thriller
What’s it all about: Robert Mitchum lays the groundwork for Robert De Niro and Sideshow Bob as a preacher on a murderous tear through the shadowbox setting of 1930s Appalachia.
First Encounter: first viewing
Death By: angry mob
Relics: touring cars, coffee for children
Heartthrob: Gloria Pall
LoFi Magic: Shelley Winters underwater, abstract stage sets of basements and barns, composite riverbank chase scene; menacing steam locomotive and horseback silhouette
Makes me want to: roll into town on a snake oil wagon
Candotti take: “It was very sweet. But somehow nervous. A bittersweet movie - bitter because of the man, sweet for the children.” / “Easygoing, good pace, like pa-pa-action, pa-pa-action.”
Worth a watch/rewatch: Yes
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