The Ladykillers (1955 film)

Directed by Alexander Mackendrick and written by William Rose, The Ladykillers is the story of a gang of bandits who move into the home of an old lady as they’re planning a heist. Things go wrong when the old lady suspects something is happening as they would later plot a plan to get rid of her. Starring Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Danny Green, Jack Warner, and Katie Johnson. The Ladykillers is a witty black comedy from Alexander Mackendrick.

Mrs. Louisa Wilberforce (Katie Johnson) is an old lady who lives alone with her three parrots as she has rooms available for people to rent. Answering her ad for rooms available is a man named Professor Marcus (Alec Guinness) who wants to rent her rooms for a while as he is also bringing in friends to rehearse for an upcoming concert. Mrs. Wilberforce is delighted by the company as Marcus along with Major Courtney (Cecil Parker), Harry Robinson (Peter Sellers), an ex-boxer named “One-Round” Lawson (Danny Green), and a mysterious man named Louis Harvey (Herbert Lom) all move in. Yet, what Mrs. Wilberforce doesn’t know is that these five men are planning a heist as Marcus looks out at a car near King’s Cross that transports money to the train.

Despite dealing with Mrs. Wilberforce’s presence and her parrots, the men realize that she could be useful in the heist by picking up the trunk where the money will be stashed though she has no idea what she’s doing. Despite a few mishaps, the heist becomes a major success as all five men decide to leave Mrs. Wilberforce’s home until something goes wrong where Mrs. Wilberforce becomes suspicious. When her friends arrive for a tea party as all five men reluctantly attend the party only to deal with Mrs. Wilberforce who has decided what to do. With Mrs. Wilberforce suddenly in control, Marcus and the four men decide to take matters into their own hands as guilt and greed starts to surround them.

The film is a black comedy about five devious men who plan a heist where they would include an old lady who becomes an unknowing player in this heist. Just as things seem to go well, a simple mistake would ruin everything leading to this old lady to try and deal with them in a calm, civil manner where the five men would fight over whether or not to kill her. It’s a film about many things, notably greed, guilt, and doing what is right. Leading all of this is a man named Marcus who is the ringleader that sports a smile that really spells trouble. He heads a gang of four very different men that includes a gentlemanly con artist, a young Cockney criminal, a dim-witted ex-boxer, and a mysterious gangster who finds the old lady’s presence to be very distracting.

William Rose’s screenplay is well-structured for the way each act is set-up as the first act is about the planning of the heist, charming Mrs. Wilberforce, and the heist itself. The second act is about Mrs. Wilberforce’s discovery and how she would try to deal with the matter as it would include an encounter with a young police sergeant (Philip Stainton). Then comes this very interesting third act where it’s all about the five men and how they want to deal with Mrs. Wilberforce where it eventually becomes a battle over morality and money. While Marcus and the four other men, with the exception of the more devilish Harvey, aren’t totally despicable men. Marcus, in his sly charm, is willing to try and settle things for Mrs. Wilberforce in case there isn’t a need for violence while Courtney and Lawson feel that killing an old lady doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. Robinson is a petty thief but at least knows this old lady isn’t a total threat.

This would leave Harvey who is a criminal that takes the job because of the big payday but has to deal with this old lady as he becomes more out there in the third act with very dark motives. This would force a battle of wits between him and Marcus and in the middle of this is Mrs. Wilberforce. While this old lady is just a kind old lady who often visit the police station to discuss whatever matters is happening around town while just wanting to do good. She isn’t a total dimwit as the men think she is though she is aware that what she just did is wrong and tries to set things right leading to a great sense of conflict between her and Marcus. It’s a very intense yet engaging screenplay that William Rose creates as it is told with some wonderful humor that is dark yet has a great payoff in the end.

Alexander Mackendrick’s direction is truly a joy to watch in the way he creates the conversations and charade that occurs throughout the film. While a lot of the compositions are straightforward, he does allow the chance to build up a bit of suspense in the set-up of the heist. Notably as it would often include some humorous moments of the men pretending to carry their musical instruments whenever they have to deal with Mrs. Wilberforce. There’s a lot of funny moments where there’s a lot happening such as a scene where Mrs. Wilberforce in her taxi carrying the luggage where a ruckus happens in the middle of the street. In that scene, Marcus and his men are watching what is happening not knowing if things are going to go well or bad.

Mackendrick also manages to keep the tense moments quiet, notably in the third act as the men have to deal with Mrs. Wilberforce while there is still some very funny moments. Notably as it would involve a lot of double-cross and devious moments involving the criminals as they start to target each other when a few are unwilling to get rid of Mrs. Wilberforce. These scenes would include lots of dark, funny moments that involves trains and all sorts of things while its ending is a purely joyful and humorous one. Overall, Mackendrick creates a truly splendid yet entertaining dark comedy.

Cinematographer Otto Heller does an excellent job with the film‘s Technicolor look of the film that is heightened for many of the film‘s daytime exteriors while maintaining a rich look to some of the locations such as King‘s Cross and the home of Mrs. Wilberforce. Heller’s work in the nighttime exteriors, notably its third act, is truly exquisite for the tone it brings to complement its look. Editor Jack Harris does a nice job with the editing by helping to build suspense in some of the film‘s tense moments along with some rhythmic cuts to play up the humor. Art director Jim Morahan does a brilliant job with the look of Mrs. Wilberforce’s home in its interior settings as well as some of the props made for the film.

Costume designer Anthony Mendleson does some excellent work with the costumes such as the array of stylish suits to complement the differing personalities of the bandits as well as the stately yet casual look of Mrs. Wilberforce. Sound editor Gordon Stone does terrific work with the sound from the way Mrs. Wilberforce gets the water pump started to the sounds of trains chugging nearby her home. The film’s music score by Tristram Cary is a delight to hear from the chime-like music box theme to some of the chilling orchestral pieces to play up its suspense. The film’s music also consists of Boccherini’s Minuet (3rd Movement) from String Quartet in E Op. 11 No. 5 that adds to the film’s humorous moments.

The film’s ensemble cast is definitely amazing as it includes appearances from Frankie Howerd as an angry barrow boy, Kenneth Connor as the taxi driver who drives Mrs. Wilberforce for the job, Philip Stainton as a police sergeant who questions Mrs. Wilberforce late in the film, and Jack Warner as the kind police superintendent whom Mrs. Wilberforce always talk to. Danny Green is funny as the dim-witted boxer One-Round whose strength does wonders for the team while goes into conflict over what needed to be done in the third act. Cecil Parker is very good as the gentlemanly Major Courtney who tries to keep things civil while being kind towards Mrs. Wilberforce. Herbert Lom is superb as the devilish and aggressive Harvey who tries to keep things going while wanting to get rid of Mrs. Wilberforce.

In an early film role, Peter Sellers is very good as the young thief Robinson where Sellers sports a Cockney accent while dealing with Mrs. Wilberforce’s presence and eventually take part in a series of double-crosses that is prominent in the third act. Alec Guinness is brilliant as the devious Marcus who tries to charm Mrs. Wilberforce as he sports these ridiculous teeth that plays to his personality as it’s a very funny role from Guinness. The film’s best performance goes to Katie Johnson as Mrs. Wilberforce as she brings a light-hearted approach to her character as it’s very relaxed performance of a character who tries to be so nice only to be part of something unfortunate.

The Ladykillers is an extraordinary film from Alexander Mackendrick that features top-notch performances from Alec Guinness and Katie Johnson. Along with a great supporting cast that includes Peter Sellers along with some amazing technical work. The film is definitely one of the finest comedies to ever come out from Britain. Notably as it’s very dark due to the actions some of the characters do but is presented in a manner that is pretty funny. In the end, The Ladykillers is a smart yet comical film from Alexander Mackendrick.

Alexander Mackendrick Films: (Whisky Galore!) - (The Man in the White Suit) - (Mandy) - (The Maggie) - Sweet Smell of Success - (Sammy Going South) - (A High Wind in Jamaica) - (Don’t Make Waves)

The Ladykillers (2004 film)

© thevoid99 2012

The Dead Zone

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 9/13/07 w/ Extensive Revisions.

Known for his novels that helped transcend the genre of horror, Stephen King remains one of the most beloved writers in literature as his own work would often turn into films. In 1983, one of his famed novels entitled The Dead Zone was made into a feature film by Canadian film auteur David Cronenberg. Known for his unique, dark take on sex and violence, Cronenberg proved to be the right man to handle a material as dramatic and horrifying as it would eventually become a cult hit in its own right.

Directed by David Cronenberg with adaptation by Jeffrey Boam, The Dead Zone tells the story of Maine schoolteacher who survives a car accident after being in a coma for 5 years. During his recovery, the man begins to have visions of the future and past relating to someone he touches. After using his new powers to help prevent tragedies, he is then linked to a presidential hopeful who he believes will bring a horrible future. Starring Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Colleen Dewhurst, Herbert Lom, and Martin Sheen. The Dead Zone is a fascinating, chilling suspense-drama from David Cronenberg.

The life of Maine schoolteacher Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) is going great as he has a steady girlfriend named Sarah (Brooke Adams) and a great career. After a date at an amusement park where Johnny receives a headache, he is suddenly in a car accident during a rain-soaked night where he would be comatose for five years. After waking up and under the car of Dr. Sam Weizak, Johnny learns from his parents (Sean Sullivan and Jackie Burroughs) that he lost five years of his life as Sarah is now married with boy named Denny. During a checkup, Johnny grabs the arm of a nurse (Chapelle Jaffe) where he sees a strange vision about her daughter Amy (Julie-Ann Heathwood) is trapped at burning house. When Sam learns what Johnny did as Sam realizes some stuff about himself, it is clear that Johnny has gotten a strange gift that Sam feels shouldn't be exploited.

Returning home to his parents, a sheriff named Bannerman (Tom Skerritt) asks Johnny to help him investigate a series of murders that's been going on for three-and-a-half years. Johnny politely declines as he later receives a visit from Sarah which only drives him to despair. Finally helping Bannerman and his partner Frank Dodd (Nicholas Campbell), Johnny realizes who the killer is as he asks the man's mother (Colleen Dewhurst). Deciding to move to a new town in Maine as a private tutor, Johnny becomes a recluse refusing to use his powers. When a businessman named Roger Stuart (Anthony Zerbe) asks Johnny to tutor his shy son Chris (Simon Craig), Johnny agrees as they become friends. During a session, Johnny learns that a politician named Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen) is running for the Senate with Stuart providing the funds.

With his focus on tutoring Chris, Sarah re-appears again as campaign volunteer with her husband Walt (Barry Flatman) which only furthered Johnny's despair until he sees a vision involving Chris. Realizing he can see the future in which Stuart realizes what happened, Johnny also comes across Stillson where he sees something much darker. With advice from Sam, Johnny realizes what he must do to save the world from what Stillson would do.

Given the knowledge and description of Stephen King's world of horror and suspense, it's very clear if there was going to be a director that was to be faithful to his vision, it's David Cronenberg. While like most adaptations, there's a few stories, details, and such that are cut. The concept that Cronenberg and screenwriter Jeffrey Boam has made is very true to King's vision of psychic powers and man's struggle with that power. The plot and concept is told very wisely in a film that builds up its momentum while studying a character who is likeable yet flawed.

Credit goes to Cronenberg for using King's idyllic, small town atmosphere as a setting point. While the film is shot in Cronenberg's native Ontario, the small-town feel is there as well as the comfort zone that is a small town rather than something larger. When it comes to suspense, Cronenberg doesn't make the audience aware of when it's going to happen. Instead, he goes for something quick and unexpected while building up momentum the outcome of what Johnny sees. Cronenberg's strength in his directing isn't how he plays up to the genres of horror and suspense but what he gives his actors into their performances. Instead of having them be one-dimensional and such, there's more personalities to them as well as complexities and flaws that makes them more human. Overall, the film shows why Cronenberg remains one of cinema's most enduring visionaries.

Cinematographer Mark Irwin creates a wonderful look with white snow for some of the film's wonderful, daytime exterior sequences to set the mood of the film. When it's night and dark, the film emphasizes its suspense and tone as well as the troubled state of mind of Johnny Smith. Production designer Carol Spier and art director Barbara Dunphy help create the film's small town look with intimate sets and decoration to give the idea of a working-class small town that is idyllic. Costume designer Olga Dimitrov helps with that look for the clothing with more posh business suits for the characters of Stillson and Stuart that includes contribution from Cronenberg's sister Denise.

Editor Ronald Sanders brings a nice approach to the film's pacing that plays to its suspense and horror while not making it too slow or stylistically in the time when fast-cut edits were becoming trendy. Sound editor David Lewis Yewdall helps with the film's sound to convey the suspense in the small town environment that works in presenting the horror. Composer Michael Kamen, who was chosen over Cronenberg regular Howard Shore, brings a unique score that is both dramatic and suspenseful with his heavy, orchestral arrangements. It is a great score though it doesn't have some of the intensity that Shore brings to Cronenberg's films.

The film's cast is wonderfully assembled with memorable performances from Sean Sullivan and Jackie Burroughs as Johnny's loving parents, Nicholas Campbell as the shady Frank Dodd, Barry Flatman as Sarah's husband Walt, Roberta Weiss as one of the Castle Rock victims Johnny sees, Chapelle Jaffe as a nurse, Julie-Ann Heathwood as the nurse's daughter, Geza Kovacs as Stillson's bodyguard Sonny, Martin Sheen's real-life son Ramon Estevez as a photographer in the film's ending, and in the roles of the baby Denny, Raffi Tchalikian and Seirge LeBlanc. Colleen Dewhurst gives a small yet memorable performance as the Castle Rock killer's mother who sees Johnny as the devil in the flesh. Tom Skerritt is excellent as Sheriff Bannerman who asks Johnny for help while being sympathetic to his own reluctance.

Simon Craig gives a memorable performance as Chris Stuart, a shy kid who finds a friend in Johnny while proving to see through some of his own father’s faults. Anthony Zerbe is great as Roger Stuart, a businessman who tries to help his son while trying to deal with Stillson whom he confesses to Johnny that would lead to a huge plot point. Herbert Lom gives the film's best supporting performance as Johnny's sympathetic, protective doctor Sam Weizak who also becomes the one true friend to Johnny. Lom's performance is also great in one scene concerning the future that also shows a bit of humor.

Brooke Adams is excellent as Sam's ex-girlfriend who loves the man but is also dealing with the life she has now since his coma as she brings more depth than the typical girlfriend role. Martin Sheen is brilliant as this brash, corruptive politician who has a lot of charm and wit to shadow his own desire for power.

Christopher Walken gives a phenomenal performance as Johnny Smith with a restraint, subtlety, and creepiness that is pure Walken. Walken's ability to play it straight and normal in the film's early scenes only to show the depth and despair of his character as he deals with his new changes. While Walken shows some of the creepiness and shouts that fans come to know and love. Walken is proof that he's a real actor in this role as the complexity in how he deals with newfound powers and how they're used shows emphasizes that he can do a lot. In the end, it's one of the greatest film roles he's ever played.

When it was released in 1983, the film proved to be a hit with critics and filmgoers, especially fans of Stephen Kings' novels. The film helped Cronenberg get mainstream attention despite his desire to work on his own projects. The film, like many of King and Cronenberg's work, would attract attention through pop culture and a cult following. Most notably, Christopher Walken's portrayal of the character would be spoofed by the actor himself in his many appearances on Saturday Night Live. In 2002, the film turned into a hit TV show starring Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Smith that's continuing to do well.

The film version of The Dead Zone might not live up what King purists might want in comparison to the novel. David Cronenberg's adaptation of Stephen King's novel is still one of the best King film adaptations ever made. New to Cronenberg will no doubt enjoy this as it's among one of his finest films. With a great cast led by THE GREAT CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, it's a film that has something both fans of horror and suspense will enjoy. In the end, The Dead Zone is a fascinating feature from both Stephen King and David Cronenberg.

David Cronenberg Films: Stereo - Crimes of the Future - Shivers - Rabid - Fast Company - The Brood - Scanners - Videodrome - The Fly (1986 film) - Dead Ringers - Naked Lunch - M. Butterfly - Crash - eXistenZ - Spider - A History of Violence - Eastern Promises - A Dangerous Method - Cosmopolis - Maps to the Stars - Crimes of the Future (2022 film)

The Auteurs #26: David Cronenberg Pt. 1 - Pt. 2

© thevoid99 2011