Pat Garrett, the man who shot and killed William “Billy the Kid” Bonney, was born on June 5th, 1850. He’s become a legend of the old west based on that fact, and he’s been portrayed by many different actors over the years in movies and on TV. I love westerns so the stories of Billy the Kid, and thus Pat Garrett, have always been fascinating to me. As such, on the anniversary of the man’s 176th birthday, here are “4 Shots from 4 Films” featuring some notable portrayals of Sheriff Pat Garrett.
Bruce Dern has made so many great movies that it was pretty tough for me to pick out just 4 shots from 4 films. I ended up picking out the movies that he’s been in that have affected me the most personally, for a variety of reasons. I’ve noticed that Bruce isn’t the “star” of these movies, but each film benefits greatly from his presence. While he has had his share of starring roles over the course of his 6-decade (and counting) career, many of his best performances have come in supporting roles. The man just makes everything he’s in better.
Today, I celebrate the work of a living legend, Bruce Dern!
Today would have been actor Tony Curtis’ 101st birthday!
With a career that spanned almost 60 years, Tony Curtis starred in a whole bunch of classics, especially in the 50’s and 60’s. I’ve always enjoyed watching Curtis, as he could be suave and debonair, hilarious, or even a murderous sociopath, depending on what the role required. Thanks for the memories, Tony!
And one bonus shot…
My wife and I love going to Las Vegas. As a matter of fact, as I type this, I’m sitting in my hotel room looking out the window at the Sphere and Paris Vegas! We gamble very little, but we enjoy the shows, the lights, the food and the people watching. You never know what you might see on the Strip or on Fremont Street.
We only started going a few years backs, so I’ve been watching movies set here. I enjoy revisiting the places I’ve now been. To celebrate Sin City, I present 4 Shots from 4 Films, live from Las Vegas!
And one bonus shot…
Today would have been Andy Griffith’s 100th birthday! I love The Andy Griffith Show so much. It’s one of those shows that just makes me feel good on the inside, as the warmth of its homespun nostalgia still echoes to this very day. At least it does in my house. I’ve seen every episode of the series at least 3 or 4 times in my life, and I’ll often bring various scenes or sayings up in my daily conversations.
As is the case for all people, Andy Griffith was a much more complicated man than his Sheriff Andy Taylor from the classic series. And his many other roles were also more diverse upon a further inspection. What we can be sure about is that Andy Griffith is an icon of American television, and I celebrate him today with 4 Shots from 4 Films!
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.
Happy birthday, Clint Eastwood!
4 Shots From 4 Clint Eastwood Films
A Fistful of Dollars (1964, dir by Sergio Leone)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976, dir by Clint Eastwood)
Tightrope (1984, dir by Richard Tuggle and Clint Eastwood)
A Perfect World (1993, dir by Clint Eastwood)
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today is the 130th anniversary of cinematic pioneer Howard Hawks! Whether it’s gangster film, a western, or a screwball comedy, it’s hard to think of a single cinematic genre that doesn’t owe a debt of gratitude to Howard Hawks!
Here are….
4 Shots From 4 Films
Scarface (1932, dir by Howard Hawks)
Bringing Up Baby (1938, dir by Howard Hawks)
Red River (1948, dir by Howard Hawks)
Land of the Pharaohs (1955, dir by Howard Hawks)
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today we celebrate the 132nd anniversary of the birth of cinematic pioneer, Josef von Sternberg! That means that it’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Films
An American Tragedy (1931, dir by Josef von Sternberg)
The Scarlet Empress (1934, dir by Josef von Sternberg)
The Devil is A Woman (1935, dir by Josef von Sternberg)
Jet Pilot (1957, dir by Josef von Sternberg)
4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today the Shattered Lens celebrates what would have been the 95th birthday of the great cinematographer, Gordon Willis. Willis was the master of using shadow and underexposed film to create some of the most haunting movie images of the 70s and 80s. He was also one of the first cinematographers to take advantage of the so-called “magic hour,” that moment when the sun is setting and everything is bathed in a golden glow. Today, everyone does that but Willis was the first.
Willis has often been cited as one of the most influential cinematographers of all time but, amazingly, Willis would receive only two Academy Award nominations (for Zelig and The Godfather Part III) and he would never win a competitive Oscar.
In memory of Gordon Willis, here are….
6 Shots From 6 Gordon Willis Films
End of the Road (1970, dir by Aram Avakian, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
The Godfather (1972, dir by Francis Ford Coppola, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
The Parallax View (1974, dir by Alan J. Pakula, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
The Godfather Part II (dir by Francis Ford Coppola, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
All The President’s Men (1976, dir by Alan J. Pakula, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
Manhattan (1979, dir by Woody Allen, Cinematography by Gordon Willis)
4 Shots from 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots from 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today is Vincent Price’s birthday! This edition of 4 Shots From 4 Films is dedicated to him, his memory, and his career!
4 Shots From 4 Vincent Price Films
The Last Man on Earth (1964, dir by Ubaldo Ragona)
The Masque of the Red Death (1964, dir by Roger Corman)
Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966, dir by Mario Bava)
The Witchfinder General (1968, dir by Matthew Reeves)
Through the Shattered Lens 