- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,271
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I'm certain that the Allied Artists' production, The Giant Behemoth has a slew of fans, and rightfully so, as it harkens back to the best of stop motion animation.
But to me, the story isn't about the film, but rather, the filmmaker.
I met Gene Lourie in 1981, as he lived on the same street in Hollywood as a few of my friends - Gardner.
When we met, we discussed his work with Abel Gance and Jean Renoir. I was enthralled to be able to spend time with he and his wife.
It was only a few weeks later, when I set up a dinner at my hotel, that I realized the full width and breath of his career.
I had been thinking of him as an art and set director:
The Lower Depths - Renoir
Grande Illusion - Renoir
La Bete Humaine - Renoir
Sahara - Korda
The Southerner - Renoir
Diary of a Chambermaid - Renoir
The River - Renoir
Limelight - Chaplin
But somehow, I had totally overlooked (and felt foolish having done so), his directorial efforts, some of which
I had marveled at as a kid.
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Giant Behemoth
Gorgo
Of course, he worked as an art director into the 1980s, but my interest was in his earlier career.
One thing that I recall, was him explaining how during the La Marseilles sequence in Napoleon, that Abel had singers strategically placed throughout the audience to break into song at the correct moment.
Which is a long-winded way of bringing us back to one of the latest Warner Archive releases, the afore mentioned The Giant Behemoth.
A great 80 minute ride into another tale of a beast brought about by our neglect of global warming...
or was it nuclear testing?
A beautiful Blu-ray, that will be heralded by fans.
For those seeking the UK version. I'd not bother. It's shorter.
Image - 4.5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - absolutely!
Recommended
RAH
But to me, the story isn't about the film, but rather, the filmmaker.
I met Gene Lourie in 1981, as he lived on the same street in Hollywood as a few of my friends - Gardner.
When we met, we discussed his work with Abel Gance and Jean Renoir. I was enthralled to be able to spend time with he and his wife.
It was only a few weeks later, when I set up a dinner at my hotel, that I realized the full width and breath of his career.
I had been thinking of him as an art and set director:
The Lower Depths - Renoir
Grande Illusion - Renoir
La Bete Humaine - Renoir
Sahara - Korda
The Southerner - Renoir
Diary of a Chambermaid - Renoir
The River - Renoir
Limelight - Chaplin
But somehow, I had totally overlooked (and felt foolish having done so), his directorial efforts, some of which
I had marveled at as a kid.
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Giant Behemoth
Gorgo
Of course, he worked as an art director into the 1980s, but my interest was in his earlier career.
One thing that I recall, was him explaining how during the La Marseilles sequence in Napoleon, that Abel had singers strategically placed throughout the audience to break into song at the correct moment.
Which is a long-winded way of bringing us back to one of the latest Warner Archive releases, the afore mentioned The Giant Behemoth.
A great 80 minute ride into another tale of a beast brought about by our neglect of global warming...
or was it nuclear testing?
A beautiful Blu-ray, that will be heralded by fans.
For those seeking the UK version. I'd not bother. It's shorter.
Image - 4.5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - absolutely!
Recommended
RAH
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