17. GHOST STORY - If you start to sense a pattern here as we go up the list, that maybe Im partial to ghost and vampire stories? Youre right - I am! And hopefully, I wont leave the best of either category off of it. Which is why we have this one at #17 tonight. Based on the Peter Straub best-seller, this is a dream movie for old Hollywood buffs, since it distinguished itself for bringing together four giants from the Silver Age of moviemaking: Fred Astaire, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., John Houseman and Melvyn Douglas (who also appeared in another List entry, THE CHANGELING.) The four legends play The Chowder Society; four pillars of the community who have been old friends for decades. They meet every evening, to try and terrify each other with the most gruesome ghost stories imaginable. But heres the kicker: they gather, drink and scare each other shitless, because nothing is scarier to them than their own secret pasts, and the REAL ghost story theyre a part of, that will soon begin to write itself a new ending...one that will be the death of them all, if they cant stop it. Craig Wasson also stars as the sons of Fairbanks Jr.s character, who are drawn into the supernatural events unwittingly because of him. But the person who owns the movie, even with the older stars presence, is Alice Krige, whose career was firmly established with this role. Even critics and detractors who didnt like this adaptation (and there were more than a few) loved her stunning, commanding performance as Alma Mobley/Eva Galli, the past and present versions of a vengeful spirit seeking revenge...and release. With some unforgettable work by the late, great Dick Smith on hand, this under-appreciated film now has a loyal fan following, not unlike more than a few films included in this Countdown. https://youtube/watch?v=GTSV1roPW_I
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 03:25:01 +0000
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