CaveGirl Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Though dastardly and vile [a lot like me] I must admit some movie characters are still quite enjoyable to watch work their wiles. My personal favorite is the carnal and manipulative, Barrett as played by Dirk Bogarde in Joseph Losey's exceptional psychological study called "The Servant". Barrett's complete takeover of of the mind and body of his employer, the aristocratic Tony [James Fox] is masterful. The whole film has an air of corruption and morbidity due to the deviant and diabolic behaviour of Barrett as he wields his power over all, except maybe Tony's girlfriend.The introduction of Barrett's supposed sister, Vera [Sarah Miles] into the mix makes for a complete travesty of moral values, yet by the end of the film one is so immersed in such tales one feels a bit too numb to voice any complaints. Bogarde's performance is beyond reproach and adds to the fame of this movie.Perhaps such low life people don't intrigue you, and if so you may choose to not participate in this thread. But if not, name your poison. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt_Markoff Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Barry Fitzgerald plays a scurvy ship's cook in the 1941 version of 'The Sea Wolf'. What a scallywag! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Swithin Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 I have always had a weakness for the character of Flamineo in The White Devil, a Jacobean play by John Webster. An evil character, but an anti-hero by Jacobean standards, because he conspires against the Catholic characters in the play, particularly those closely associated with the Church. The play was written during the heightened Protestant age of James II. I love Flamineo's final speech: Flam. I recover like a spent taper, for a flash, And instantly go out. Let all that belong to great men remember th' old wives' tradition, to be like the lions i' th' Tower on Candlemas-day; to mourn if the sun shine, for fear of the pitiful remainder of winter to come. 'Tis well yet there's some goodness in my death; My life was a black charnel. I have caught An everlasting cold; I have lost my voice Most irrecoverably. Farewell, glorious villains. This busy trade of life appears most vain, Since rest breeds rest, where all seek pain by pain. Let no harsh flattering bells resound my knell; Strike, thunder, and strike loud, to my farewell! Joseph Timms as Flaminio, Shakespeare's Globe/Wanamaker Theatre. One of two or three productions of the play that I have seen. Another comes to NYC next month. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
darkblue Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Ratso Rizzo. He was a lot smarter than Joe Buck. 6 Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt_Markoff Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 'Advise and Consent' has several underhanded characters of dubious stature Burgess Meredith --always solid--turns in a fine little part playing a mentally unbalanced witness 1 Link to post Share on other sites
jamesjazzguitar Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 A classic low life character but one with style and charm is Alonzo Emmerich from The Asphalt Jungle. Of course there are other low life characters in the film, e.g. "Doc" Erwin Riedenschneider, but I don't find them as developed as that of Emmerich. Louis Calhern plays Emmerich perfectly; one can't help but have some sympathy for the guy regardless of the fact we all know what a snake he is. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt_Markoff Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Swithin, no offense intended but those stills you posted look more like Calvin Klein ads. Look at those babyfaces! Look at those tender complexions! What little cherubs! This is the kind of thing I think of for 'low life' characters... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt_Markoff Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 'Panic in the Streets' -- one of the sweatiest movies ever made eh? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
NipkowDisc Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 21 hours ago, darkblue said: Ratso Rizzo. He was a lot smarter than Joe Buck. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Sepiatone Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 DANG. Hard to choose, but..... How about EDWARD G. ROBINSON as Johnny Rocco in KEY LARGO? In fact, his WHOLE GANG in that movie is a CONVENTION of "low-lifes". Sepiatone 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Sgt_Markoff Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Here's a completely un-convincing low-life; (well, he's unconvincing in any role as far as I'm concerned) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LawrenceA Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 "Ha! I thought this was a classic movie site!" 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Sepiatone Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Alrighty then, JIMMY CAGNEY's Tom Powers in THE PUBLIC ENEMY('31) Was a "classic" low-life! Sepiatone 1 Link to post Share on other sites
JeanneCrain Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 💋 3 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Dan Hedaya in Blood Simple (1984) 3 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Larry Tucker in Blast Of Silence (1961) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 John Lithgow in The Wrong Man (1993) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LawrenceA Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Dennis Hopper in River's Edge (1986). John Cazale in Dog Day Afternoon (1975). Sid Haig in Spider Baby (1967) 2 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Ray Dennis Steckler in The Thrill Killers (1964) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Dean Stockwell as Ben in Blue Velvet (1986) 2 Link to post Share on other sites
jamesjazzguitar Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 6 hours ago, cigarjoe said: Dean Stockwell in Blue Velvet (1986) So I'm even lower then the guy on the left???? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 2 hours ago, jamesjazzguitar said: So I'm even lower then the guy on the left???? They are both pretty bizarre. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
cigarjoe Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 and throw in.... Willem Dafoe from Wild At Heart (1990) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
darkblue Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 8 hours ago, cigarjoe said: Dean Stockwell in Blue Velvet (1986) I agree that the Dean Stockwell character is more intriguing than the Dennis Hopper monster. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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