335 replies to this topic

[guilalah]

I was rewatching Paul Leni's 'The Cat and the Canary' (1927). During a scene where a will is being read, there's a medium-close-up of a character circularly rubbing the face of his 'good luck' ring. Reminded me of Thoth Amon in 'The Phoenix on the Sword'. I wonder if Howard ever saw this film; it's not mentioned in the REHupa article on Howard's known viewing.

Robert Ervin Howard Goes To The Movies

Edited by guilalah, 31 May 2011 - 05:51 PM.

[muskrat]

Could see it as an early 50s Cecil B. DeMille production, in Cinemascope, with a gaudy bright colors and a cast of thousands. Victor Mature or Robert Mitchum as a flabby Conan, battling the stock-costumed hordes of an evil George Sands sorcerer. Gina Lollabrigida in slave-girl chains, and Deborah Kerr as a blushing virgin-made-woman by the Hollywood Cimmerian. Jeeze, that'da been cool.

[Rockamobile]

Could see it as an early 50s Cecil B. DeMille production, in Cinemascope, with a gaudy bright colors and a cast of thousands. Victor Mature or Robert Mitchum as a flabby Conan, battling the stock-costumed hordes of an evil George Sands sorcerer. Gina Lollabrigida in slave-girl chains, and Deborah Kerr as a blushing virgin-made-woman by the Hollywood Cimmerian. Jeeze, that'da been cool.

Somehow I can see them doing a Conan Sword and Sandals epic. In that period. It would probably have not been a very good film though because fantasy and science fiction in that era tended to be B movie fare which tend not to attract the best actors, directors producers , writers or the largest budgets.

[muskrat]

heh heh, yeah. But it's neat to think 'What if'. Personally, though, I think Robert Mitchum would've done a swell Conan. Another thing about those sword-n-sandal epics--the fight scenes were so lame, especially huge battles. Basically just a bunch of extras with wooden swords running into each other.

But then, look at William Wyler's Ben-Hur. That's a dang fine film from start to finish. Charlton Heston would've made a lousy Conan, though.

[Rockamobile]

heh heh, yeah. But it's neat to think 'What if'. Personally, though, I think Robert Mitchum would've done a swell Conan. Another thing about those sword-n-sandal epics--the fight scenes were so lame, especially huge battles. Basically just a bunch of extras with wooden swords running into each other.

But then, look at William Wyler's Ben-Hur. That's a dang fine film from start to finish. Charlton Heston would've made a lousy Conan, though.

Mitchum is a great actor no question, but would he have taken the role of Conan if offered it ?

Edited by Rockamobile, 24 January 2012 - 01:11 AM.

[Rockamobile]

heh heh, yeah. But it's neat to think 'What if'. Personally, though, I think Robert Mitchum would've done a swell Conan. Another thing about those sword-n-sandal epics--the fight scenes were so lame, especially huge battles. Basically just a bunch of extras with wooden swords running into each other.

But then, look at William Wyler's Ben-Hur. That's a dang fine film from start to finish. Charlton Heston would've made a lousy Conan, though.

Steve Reaves would have been an interesting choice as Conan.

Edited by Rockamobile, 24 January 2012 - 04:53 AM.

[guilalah]

"Constantius, whom men called Falcon, was tall, broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, lithe and strong as pliant steel. He was handsome in an aquiline, ruthless way. His face was burnt dark by the sun, and his hair, which grew far back from his high, narrow forehead, was black as a raven. His dark eyes were penetrating and alert, the hardness of his thin lips not softened by his thin black mustache. His boots were of Kordavan leather, his hose and doublet of plain, dark silk, tarnished with the wear of the camps and the stains of armor rust."

-- A Witch Shall Be Born

Basil Rathbone would have killed

Edited by guilalah, 19 June 2012 - 04:32 PM.

[Ironhand]

That still looks like it was taken when he was auditioning for the part.

[deuce]

"Constantius, whom men called Falcon, was tall, broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, lithe and strong as pliant steel. He was handsome in an aquiline, ruthless way. His face was burnt dark by the sun, and his hair, which grew far back from his high, narrow forehead, was black as a raven. His dark eyes were penetrating and alert, the hardness of his thin lips not softened by his thin black mustache. His boots were of Kordavan leather, his hose and doublet of plain, dark silk, tarnished with the wear of the camps and the stains of armor rust."

-- A Witch Shall Be Born

Basil Rathbone would have killed

Damn right. So would've Christopher Lee.

[1980conanfan]

but I think the actor who played Imhotep in the Mummy movies would make an ideal Conan or the Rock.

i must respectfully DISAGREE.

[Hans]

Now, if some kind soul out there would be able and willing to post a copy of a photo of Heston as John the Baptist in "Greatest Story Ever Told," we could see why I've suggested him as our hero during the Golden Age of Films.

[Taranaich]

Can't find a decent photo, Hans, but here's a video with some great scenes.

[thatericn]

Heston hit a home run as El Cid too. The first shot of him as the second half of the movie opens is epic. Hair starting to gray, and a big scar on his face. You don't want to cross that guy!

[guilalah]

I'm currently working my way through several films, including 'Johnny Guitar' directed by Nicholas Ray (who also did 'Macao', 'In a Lonely Place', and 'Rebel Without a Cause'), and 'Performance' directed by Nicholas Roeg (who also did 'Walk About', 'Don't Look Now' and 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'). I think Ray could have done a fine job with a Howard-derived script, and I'd love to have seen Roeg handle Leiberian fantasy or horror.

[guilalah]

I probably deserve to be shot for saying this, but I think Joan Crawford could have been a good Valeria in something adapted -- probably remotely adapted -- from 'Red Nails'.

And, no, I wouldn't necessarily have made Joan go blonde.

[deuce]

Heston hit a home run as El Cid too. The first shot of him as the second half of the movie opens is epic. Hair starting to gray, and a big scar on his face. You don't want to cross that guy!

Damn right! Everybody forgets El Cid. Heston was bad-ass in that film. He nearly beats a man to death with a saddle (besides killing plenty with a sword). Great soundtrack as well.