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 

#expressionism #melodrama #revivalhouse #iceyspoon #skiff #flatboat #ohioriver #shelleywinters #lilliangish #husbandotti #artindieoldie #filmfest

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Night of the Comet

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Ali: Fear Eats the Soul