CRAZY ABOUT THE MOVIES: ROBERT MITCHUM: THE RELUCTANT STAR (TV)
Summary
This documentary special profiles prolific actor Robert Mitchum, featuring interview with co-stars, family members and the legendary man himself.
Several friends comment on his blend of "all-man" machismo and subtle vulnerability that appealed to female moviegoers in particular; director Sydney Pollack notes that acting was considered a "sissified" profession by some males of earlier generations. Brother Christopher Mitchum explains that the premature death of their father emotionally affected young Robert. Recalling being shifted around to several different family members, Robert tells of being on a chain gang after leaving school at age 15 during the Great Depression. After escaping from the chain gang and moving to New York to live with his sister, Robert gave acting a try as a way to meet girls, though he would go on to marry teenage sweetheart Dorothy Spence in 1940. After a failed career at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, he began appearing in a series of Westerns, explaining that he did not formally study acting and instead developed the ability to simply "turn it on."
Jane Greer describes how her co-star assisted her with the technicalities of film acting on their film "Out of the Past" (1947); he developed an effective on-screen chemistry with Kirk Douglas despite their vastly different approaches to the craft. Son Christopher explains that he was largely unaware of his father's growing celebrity status, considering his Hollywood pals to be simply friends of the family. Robert describes his time under contract at RKO Radio Pictures, run by eccentric industrialist Howard Hughes, as a positive, family-like atmosphere, though likens his screen roles as "being pounded to death by gorillas" for emotional effect. Anthony Caruso recalls Robert's strong belief in on-set egalitarianism with the cast and crew. When he was arrested for marijuana possession in 1948, he refused to abandon his friends and "run" from the scene. Hughes attempted to fight the press coverage of the incident, but Robert was largely unconcerned with the would-be scandal and returned to work after 43 days on a prison farm with little harm done to his career.
Ali McGraw comments on Robert's lack of a phony celebrity persona. Other actors note that his photographic memory served him extremely well in memorizing dialogue. Robert notes that he played a string of largely similar characters, differentiated only by his leading women, including Marilyn Monroe in "River of No Return" (1954). Polly Bergen, Mitchum's co-star from "Cape Fear" (1962), comments that the actor is something of a "chauvinist," holding old-fashioned views about male and female roles, but adds that this extends to his protective nature. Robert explains that he finds it most enjoyable to play "the heavy," as with his memorable role in "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), the disturbing content of which director Charles Laughton toned down from the 1953 novel. Deborah Kerr describes her positive experiences with the actor on "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" (1957) and "The Sundowners" (1960), adding that he is not at all "self-involved" or desirous of being portrayed in a flattering light on camera.
Robert recalls trying to get out of appearing in "Cape Fear," and Bergen vividly remembers how they both "just lost it" while filming the scene in which her character is raped by the villainous Max Cady, adding that Robert profusely apologized upon realizing her genuine injuries. British director David Lean decided to cast against type when he gave Robert the part of a quiet Irish schoolmaster in "Ryan's Daughter" (1970). Co-star Sarah Miles amusingly recounts Lean's profound discomfort when directing their characters' love scene. Robert recalls working alongside genuine "Boston hooligans" on "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" (1973), and Pollack describes Robert's considerable tolerance for alcohol, with brother John Mitchum explaining that they both drink out of a "desperation for calm." Kerr explains that Robert "attracts violence" but dislikes brawling, as seen in one memorable incident in which a fellow bar patron challenged him to a fight. Robert explains that he would prefer being "unrecognizable" off the set, adding that he has occasionally butted heads with intrusive members of the press.
Pollack recalls shooting "The Yakuza" (1974) with Robert, explaining that he was physically too large for many indoor structures in Japan, and he likens the actor to a "very powerful and lazy horse" that requires cajoling to perform. Kerr notes that Robert possesses great "gentleness" under his seemingly macho exterior, adding that while he projects a disinterested, laidback air, he "cares tremendously" about people and his work. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Cinemax
- DATE: 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:45975
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Biography; Actors and actresses
- SERIES RUN: Cinemax - TV, 1991
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Suzette Winter … Producer
- Gene Feldman … Producer, Director
- Michael Bacon … Music by
- Robert Mitchum … Interviewee
- Edward Dmytryk … Interviewee
- Sydney Pollack … Interviewee
- Polly Bergen … Interviewee
- John Mitchum … Interviewee
- Jane Greer … Interviewee
- Christopher Mitchum … Interviewee
- Anthony Caruso … Interviewee
- Ali McGraw … Interviewee
- Deborah Kerr … Interviewee
- Sarah Miles … Interviewee
- Kirk Douglas
- Howard Hughes
- Charles Laughton
- David Lean
- Dorothy Mitchum
- Marilyn Monroe