One of my all-time favorite actors. When I was a boy, I admired his atheletism. My favorite Lancaster rolls were in the 50s and 60s...From Here to Eternity, Elmer Gantry and Rainmaker. I can still see him in Elmer Gantry, the wonderful rogue of a revivalist preacher who liked the ladies, praying by himself in full throat, marvelous teeth flashing, beseaching heaven "do you hear me Jesus-boy?" Then as an older actor stepping into rich character parts such as Atlantic City. I look forward to Burt Lancaster film festivals.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), October 20, 2000

Answers

Actually that quote might have come from Rainmaker. Doesn't matter. Thanks Burt.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), October 20, 2000.

I did a look-up (mostly because I'm dense this AM and thought he had just died) and found a film I'd like to see ... The Killers. The write-up on it makes it seem like it would be one of my all-time favorites (I am a big fan of "film noir").

Have you (or anyone reading this) seen it? Your thoughts? I'm going to try to find it to rent, but don't know how much luck I'll have.

-- Patricia (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), October 20, 2000.

Patricia,

I've seen it. It was his first movie. It's taken from a Hemingway short story if memory serves me right. It's OK both as a film and as a Lancaster film. But just OK.

He was good at comedy too. He did a bunch of good westerns: Ulzana's Raid, Valdez Is Coming, and Lawman (1971) as well as the classic Gunfight at the OK Corral among others. If you like mysteries check out "The Midnight Man". And for comedy check out "Local Hero" and "The Crimson Pirate." The Swimmer is also good as an odd film. But I'll have to confess that as many times as I've seen it and read about it I really don't "get it".

My favorite, of course, is "Run Silent Run Deep". I've always had "a thing" about WW II Fleet Submarines.

-- The Engineer (spcengineer@yahoo.com), October 20, 2000.

Engineer--

I had forgotten about all of those. Yes, The Swimmer was strange. A John Cheever story I think. Cheever specialized in short stories about semi-alcholholic Westchester Cty (NY) suburbanites.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), October 20, 2000.

Don't get "The Unforgiven" unlesss you like unintentionaly funny westerns. This one had a 5 or 6 Injun/bush as a tactical offense. Decker, you might like this one. (get some good pot, if you do)

-- KoFE (you@town.USA), October 20, 2000.

Lars,

I agree.I like Lancaste a lot and have a number of his films on tape. I've seen The Swimmer on the tube several times but I'm still not sure what is going on. It is an odd one. I like westerns and he made some good ones.

-- The Engineer (spcengineer@yahoo.com), October 20, 2000.