Quotables: Bradford Dillman

My mother had a friend who was never convinced I had talent. Being close to the family, she worried that one day I'd be found out and never work again, leaving my children to starve.

I appeared on an episode of Mission Impossible as a bad guy targeted by the Missionaries for infiltration. The man of many faces, Martin Landau was appointed to impersonate me. It was an easy week for Marty. After stirring up the plot he got to go home and play with the kids, until the final scene, when he peels off a mask revealing his disguise.

Of course, for me it was a full week because I was the guy impersonating Marty, impersonating me.

My mother's friend viewed the episode and was quick to call. "I hope when you did the show you were watching Martin Landau. Now, there's a great actor. You can learn from him. He was more like you than you!"

-Are You Anybody?: An Actor's Life

Quotables: Bradford Dillman

[After describing the difficulty of playing a hero on screen and having mobbing fans follow you everywhere]:

"Villains don't have these problems. Me, I've never been bothered in a bar or boite. People can't be sure I'm not carrying a knife or gun."

-Are You Anybody?: An Actors Life by Bradford Dillman

You Should Be A Bradford Dillman Fan.

You may recall that Niamhy (HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY IRISH LEPRECHAUN!) and I are hosting a Bradford Dillman blogathon this weekend. It's gonna be awesome. Niamhy is already creating fake biographies for The Dill Man (official nickname of the festival courtesy of Matthew) and other such crazy randomness that Mr. Dillman oddly inspires in his fans! ;-D

I have some essays to write tonight, BUT TOMORROW. It's gonna be a party. Non-stop.

To kick-off this festival of evil genius I wanted to post some links to Bradford stuff you can watch online. FOR FREE. (I try to go through life only paying for things like locally made tofu and my beloved cherry honey Ricola).

There is actually quite a nice sample of Bradford Dillman television appearances available online. And although it doesn't even BEGIN to cover his EXTREMELY extensive career, the sample of performances available shows a striking range of roles.

Bradford Dillman simply doesn't play the same character more than once. EVER.

 

I really have to start this out with an evil Bradford role. Those were always his most brilliant. I love the description of Bradford in his IMDb bio, stating that he "possessed charming and confident good looks that were slightly tainted by his bent smile, darting glance and edgy countenance that often provoked suspicion." (All this essay writing lately has gotten to me. I almost just put parenthetical documentation after that quote. ;-D)

It's that evil smile.

First up we have a really well-done episode of Alfred Hitchcock Hour: "Isabel":

Bradford starts out basically unevil, but that doesn't last long. AND FOR A SHORT TIME HE DONS A COMPLETELY FRIGHTENING MUSTACHE. You should watch it. I showed it to Kate, Sarah, and Casey in December. Best. Movie. Chat. Ever. (Well, *I* think so. Mostly Kate said nothing and Casey tried to create order out of Sarah and I's fan-girl outbursts. We're cool.)

Also, check out this episode of Alfred Hitchcock Hour. It doesn't have an evil Bradford (he's actually quite the upstanding citizen), but it does have a truly evil small child. (THIS IS CLASSIC.)

Here is a completely different Mr. Dillman. He plays a disillusioned, drunk ex-preacher who becomes inspired by The Kid (I could not MAKE UP PLOTS LIKE THIS):

Bradford Dillman in Mary Tyler Moore Show. See, he does comedy just as brilliant as crushing drama. He's perfect.



Night Gallery + The Dillman = Serious Coolness....and the most frightening hairstyle I have ever seen.

I mean, REALLY?!

Now, generally-- ALWAYS-- I am not a fan of Big Valley (except for The Stanwyck who is ALWAYS brilliant), but this is BRILLIANT. Bradford Dillman as this random, wandering, Shakespeare quoting loner-- WHO may be responsible for the death of dozens of men. BRILLIANT.

Bradford's very first film role:

 Technically speaking, I wouldn't recommend A Certain Smile. Rossano Brazzi is insufferably jerky (temporarily stealing his nephew's fiance?! REALLY ROSSANO?!) and Christine Carere (who I ADORE) comes off very annoying. And it has Joan Fontaine (she comes out as the most sympathetic of the three, which is craziness). But, of course it also has Bradford Dillman being completely cool. And apparently doing his own stunts by driving around on a motorcycle with Christine (in his autobiography he recounts almost killing both of them on that thing....).

There's even more Bradford online! Check here to see a list with links! I can't stand The Incredible Hulk, but with Bradford as a Most Dangerous Game type-hunter... I HAD TO SEE IT. Also: if you're in the mood for Bradford Dillman as a Russian (or SOMETHING like that) crown prince visiting San Fransisco who learns how to dance or something like that....definitely check out Ironside. (No, really, do it. I COULDN'T MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT UP.)

Hmm, I think this should be enough to get you started on your very own Bradford Dillman obsession; even though it doesn't include his awesome performances in Compulsion, and Circle of Deception, and The Wild Wild West (creeper mustache + gold-tipped cane that he uses to bash people's heads in. Yes.).

Coming later this weekend: an in-depth discussion about his brilliantly evil smile (I am not even joking.), perhaps a video tribute, AND a semi-review of a Bradford film that's gonna be a first-time viewing for me: Francis of Assisi. THAT'S RIGHT. Bradford Dillman playing a saint (I COULDN'T MAKE THIS UP!)

Get to work obsessing over Bradford Dillman, my dear followers! 

Also: if you've got something you want to post about The Dill Man send it my way (or send me a link to the post on your blog)!

 

-Millie 

EDIT:  Kate made a post for the blogathon AND DREW SOME ART. THIS IS CRAZY-AMAZINGNESS!

1/20/11 - 1/23/11 .... MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Niamhy (aka: The Irish Leprechaun) of Born In The Wrong Decade and I are hosting a weekend of Bradford Dillman coolness coming up at the end of January. This mini-blogathon will consist of movie reviews, random posts, and perhaps even a video tribute...heh heh heh.

The purpose of this Bradford Dillman celebration is because, quite frankly, hardly ANYONE even knows who he is (although they would almost certainly recognize his face from the many films and TV shows he's appeared in SINCE THE 50'S!).

This is a travesty.

Bradford Dillman is brilliant, hilarious, originated the role of Edmund Tyrone (Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical character in A Long Day's Journey Into Night) on Broadway, AND HAS THE BEST EVIL SMILE EVER SEEN ON FILM OR TELEVISION.

You should start getting excited. Now.

And, hey, if you're a Bradford Dillman fan and would like to contribute to the blogathon, either post the post on your blog during that weekend (and send me the link) or send me the post and I'll post it here! And if you by some CRAZY chance are not a Bradford Dillman fan....you will be by the end of that weekend...OR ELSE. ;-D

-MILLIE!

Photo of the Day!

Bradford Dillman in Circle of Deception

Mark McPherson.

So, last night I was ALL set to write this incredibly in depth and brilliant post about the genius of Dana Andrews in Laura. And more specifically: how the people who think he "lacked emotion"/ was horrible in the role are idiots. BUT, then I got distracted on Twitter and ended up saving the post for later and going off to watch The Bob Newhart Show. It's a sad tale.

ANYWAY, when I finally got back to writing the post this morning, I discovered that someone had taken my brilliant and in depth post and replaced it with some crazy ranting. I mean, it couldn't have been MY post. Have you EVER known me to use the phrase "unjustly maligned"?! I MEAN, REALLY?!

I simply couldn't post it, so I decided to start over here. Except, NOW, I can't think of anything to say. SERIOUSLY.

The Millie is speechless.

Do you understand the magnitude of this situation?!

The Millie has absolutely NOTHING to say. (Obviously, me not saying anything, does include a few words, but yeah...;-D)

Instead, I'm just going to be really lazy and post some photos of Dana in Laura. A film that I consider to be utterly perfect, and one of my absolute favorites.

< By the way, my copy of this "promises to be utter genius" book just arrived 3 minutes ago. I am quite excited. You should be too. Because YOU are going to get to hear ALL about it! ;-D

I hope you have a highly amazing day!

-Millie

Gold: How to Compile a Crazily Talented Cast and Proceed to Make One the Worst Films Ever Known to Mankind

Gold. I just don't understand this movie. TECHNICALLY speaking it had quite a lot of promise. However, SOMETHING was lost in translation (something, as in any resemblance to a half-way well-made film).

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed all the tweets-- ALL AFTERNOON LONG-- about this movie! I was definitely having fun making fun of it.

ANYWAY, this film had a cast full of brilliant actors (click to enlarge):



Roger Moore, unfortunately playing a creeper and a wanna-be antihero. But, definitely a cool creeper and wanna-be antihero. He smoked cigarettes.

Ray Milland, of course being amazing...and rather frightening...and amazing. He smoked cigars.

And the completely awesome Bradford Dillman playing a completely evil villain. He freaked out if anyone smoked anything and he was also highly germaphobic.

Also, there was Susannah York, but she drove me berserkers...so she doesn't get any screencaps.

Oh, and John Gielgud, but I COMPLETELY forgot about his character so he doesn't get any screencaps either. (It's a tough world out there for those wishing to be screencapped by The Millie. ;-D You must be both exceedingly cool....AND not annoying.)

The DVD I had (from my library) was horrible quality. I first "quipped" (I tell jokes to myself. It's true.) that is must have been taped off of the TV or something because of how grainy it was (the reason for the poor quality screencaps). After a little watching, I came to the conclusion it really MUST HAVE BEEN TAPED OFF OF THE TV! The language was censored! At least, I'm pretty sure it was. There were all these little "gliches" in the audio. ;-D They occurred when people said: "Why you-- *glich*"; "Shut that--*glich* thing". I was perfectly fine with that (I dislike swearing in movies anyway), but it did make me laugh!

When I started this movie I was kind of expecting an "awesomely bad" movie (I'm now quoting myself too. THIS IS PATHETIC! ;-D). My expectations increased when the credits appeared:



Backed by a song about gold and how horrible and deadly it is, at this POINT I WAS GETTING EXCITED for the awesome badness.

But it all sort of fell through, and I was left with just a bad film.

A major weakness was Susannah York. Her character was SO UTTERLY ANNOYING. Sheesh! A huge chunk of the middle was devoted to her and Roger being in love or something like that! OH MY GOSH. The second I saw them flying off in an airplane with a Velveeta level cheesy song playing in the background-- I HAD IT. I skipped right through their scenes.

NOTE: I'm sure you are all very reassured by the fact that I don't actually watch entire films before I give them scathing reviews. ;-D

And of course there was the aforementioned fact of Roger playing a complete creeper! I don't know if you are familiar with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but Roger's character was oddly reminiscent of the creeper in MTM named Barry Barlow:



Who walks up to women saying, "Hey, I'm, uh, Barry Barlow" *takes off sunglasses*. This was SO Roger's character-- except with a British accent.

But, seriously though, poor Roger! As he was making this "film" he was trying to quite smoking, so OF COURSE, his character smoking ending up being important to the plot! The only time he got out of it was during a scene with Bradford:

Roger lights up:


Bradford FREAKS out and tells him to not smoke in his house:


Roger gives him a "what the heck do mean I can't smoke, you creep" look, while secretly thinking: "Heh heh heh, nice ad-lib Bradford! I'll remember to tell the credit people to make the lettering in your name a little larger!"


Really, this brings us to the complete awesomeness of Bradford Dillman! I adore him, but no one ever seems to know who he is! (So, I've decided to write a post just about him and his complete awesomeness! Look for that soon.) In this he is the main bad guy: cruel, heartless, and possessing a completely cool evil smile. The scenes with him-- by himself or interacting with anybody-- are the best in the movie. Well, except for the scene where Ray Milland plays bocce ball. THAT IS THE COOLEST SCENE THE MOVIE! Sorry I have no screencaps, I was completely transfixed by his bocce ball skills! ;-D

Another small part of the movie, I really loved was the handshake between Simon Sabela and Ray Milland. This movie is set in South Africa, but I guess hand-shakes are similar throughout Africa because it's the EXACT same hand-shake of Sierra Leone (I went to Sierra Leone twice last year)!

It consists of a normal shake and then twisting your hands around and then back to normal again. It's very important in Sierra Leone culture.Yeah, that's pretty much the first thing one learns in Sierra Leone, because if you don't complete the hand-shake, they will just leave their hand up......AWKWARD.

A gif of the hand-shake in the film:


Of course this brings me to Simon Sabela's character. A wonderful, courageous person. THE ONLY COMPLETELY GOOD GUY IN THE MOVIE. SPOILER ALERT! Of course they kill him off. Sheesh. END SPOILER ALERT!

Well, there's not much left for me to say about this movie, except that it's pretty much awesomeless badness....with an Elmer Bernstein score.

And really, don't be fooled by these foreign DVD covers (at least the Americans were decent enough to give it a dorky DVD cover ;-D):



Well, I guess that's it!

-Millie