So, here’s the thing about Karl Malden.
Best role? Playing a liberationist priest in ‘On the Waterfront’. The priest may not know that he’s a liberationist, but Malden does. It’s an astonishing, grounded, fiery performance of balanced light and heat. It makes you want to believe.
Last role? Playing a priest in ‘The West Wing’. I always liked to think that this was how his ‘Waterfront’ character ended up – giving pastoral advice to Presidents. Fifty years on, he’s mellowed, but the theology hasn’t developed any nuance; which, in his case, is only a good thing: Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Do good to those who persecute you. Don’t take no for an answer when the world is crying out for yes.
Beyond that, I know little or nothing about Karl Malden; other than the fact that he was married for almost 71 years. I think we can assume that that is a statement about his humanity that bears repeating.
As the Film Talk’s founder and driving force, my genial co-host prepares for his own nuptials this weekend, we shall raise a toast to Karl Malden, to the priests he embodied, to the truth that he told. Rest in Peace.
To Karl Malden. You're right, he was so stunning in On the Waterfront. Hard to feel a generation passing. He will absolutely be missed and remembered. Enjoy Costa Rica and congrats to Jett.
I have always loved movies, but I remember the very moment I became seriously interested in film. I was maybe a freshmen or a sophomore in high school when I saw Elia Kazan's breathtaking “A Streetcar Named Desire” on TV. I was absolutely stunned. Of course Brando was unbelievable but I couldn't help but think for weeks about the subtleties and nuance Malden brought to his character, Mitch Mitchell. He will be missed.
Malden channeled moral authority in his pics – check him out in Patton for instance. – you just believed the guy was on the side of the angels.
Am I the only one who thinks On the Waterfront is a drab hamfest? It's a barely-disguised filmed play. I don't think it works on camera at all. I've seen it a number of times (but not for maybe 10 years now) and each time I've re-affirmed this view. I don't get it. I'm open to changing my mind next time I see it, but up to now it has eluded me. Has this emperor got clothes? Where?
That said, I loved Karl Malden in everything. The Streets of San Francisco is where I felt I got to know him.
Welcome back by the way. All's I say is if you two spent your holidays (honeymoon even!) together and are still speaking then it must be a lasting relationship. I've never gone anywhere with 'couples' for more than 2 nights without the fan getting pretty mucked up. It's always women's fault of course.
;)
Malden channeled moral authority in his pics – check him out in Patton for instance. – you just believed the guy was on the side of the angels.
Am I the only one who thinks On the Waterfront is a drab hamfest? It's a barely-disguised filmed play. I don't think it works on camera at all. I've seen it a number of times (but not for maybe 10 years now) and each time I've re-affirmed this view. I don't get it. I'm open to changing my mind next time I see it, but up to now it has eluded me. Has this emperor got clothes? Where?
That said, I loved Karl Malden in everything. The Streets of San Francisco is where I felt I got to know him.
Welcome back by the way. All's I say is if you two spent your holidays (honeymoon even!) together and are still speaking then it must be a lasting relationship. I've never gone anywhere with 'couples' for more than 2 nights without the fan getting pretty mucked up. It's always women's fault of course.
;)
[...] – a fact which only makes it seem more important: Rod Steiger, Marlon Brando, Elia Kazan, Karl Malden, Budd Schulberg. It may not be a subtle film; it may have come from all kinds of ambivalent or [...]