If you are a classic film buff and haven't seen this film, it is worth the time. You will no doubt recognize a character made up to look like The Hoxton Creeper from the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes film, The Pearl of Death (1944). The Creeper was played by Rondo Hatton (1894 - 1946) and he reprised the role in House of Horrors, released in 1946.
Hatton made only 22 films before a fatal heart attack took him. His appearance, that garnered him the role in Pearl, was due to the disease acromegaly, which disfigured him into the Creeper. It is thought that Abraham Lincoln, and another Bit Actor named Andre the Giant (1946 - 1993), also suffered from acromegaly.
A face you will probably recognize, but may not know the name, is Eddie Jones (b. 1937). Jones played Malcom, who worked at the airfield and helped at the air shows. A year later he played Marla Hootch's father in A League of Their Own.
Jones stared out in acting slowly, but kept up a good pace. He is in Trading Places (with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd) in 1983 as Cop #3. He had recurring roles on television in "The Equalizer" and "Dark Shadows," and later as Jonathan Kent on "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." He had a regular part in "The Invisible Man."
On the big screen you can see Eddie in Cadillac Man (1990), The Grifters (1990), and Seabiscuit (2003) among many others. At 75 years old, he is still acting.
The only other thing I want to mention is the music of The Rocketeer. It is fabulous. Of special note is the torch singer, played by Melora Hardin (b. 1967) at the South Seas Club. She isn't listed in IMDb as a singer per se, so I am not sure it is her voice, but it was perfect. I wish there were still clubs like that.
As far as the stars of The Rocketeer, I think they may have taken it a bit too seriously. Timothy Dalton (b. 1944) especially. But I think Dalton always takes his roles too seriously. Terry O'Quinn (b.1952) played Howard Hughes, and he was very good in the part, even though it was very small.
If you haven't seen it, SEE IT!
Wow I haven't seen the Rocketeer probably since I was 6 years old. Your post has made me want to go back and watch it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica. It was probably a great movie when you were 6. I first saw it when I was 41! If you are familiar with old movies and what Hollywood was like in the late 1930s, this movie will be a treat to see again.
ReplyDeleteI have long thought "The Rocketeer" would be worth checking out, and you have certainly convinced me.
ReplyDeleteHey, Caftan, maybe we can get together with Jessica and screen the movie!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about The Rocketeer is that it was made by Disney with FX by ILM. It doesn't get much better.
Love Eddie Jones - and, as you guessed, didn't know his name. I sometimes like Timothy Dalton (he's one of the three actors who's played James Bond that I like in the role - Connery, Dalton, Craig) and sometimes not so much, but thought he was gloriously hammy in "The Rocketeer"...haven't seen this movie in a while but you've inspired me to look again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eve. I would replace Dalton with Pierce Brosnan in your list. Brosnan was better, IMO.
ReplyDeleteJessica P. and Caftan Woman are coming over for a screening of The Rocketeer and you're invited, too! It's a shame we have so much country between us!
I tend to see Brosnan in the Moore mold - and I like my Bonds less lite with a bit more bite... Connery, Dalton and Craig have that which, for me = more sex appeal. As for George Lazenby, I've never been able to watch "On His Majesty's Secret Service" all the way through. Bottom line, though, 'Sean Connery IS James Bond'...
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying. Brosnan did seem to try to present those double entendres that Moore also liked. Connery was more subtle with them, but they were there. I still think Dalton tried to be too serious!
ReplyDeleteLazenby wasn't bad, but he seemed somehow out of place. And no one can forgive him for getting Diana Rigg killed!