Am I the only one who thought Orson Wells' performance was unwatchable?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Long, Hot Summer
funnyguyla — 20 years ago(October 15, 2005 03:01 PM)
I like the movie alright, but I thought Orson Wells was the worst thing in it. I couldn't understand a thing he said. He sounded like his mouth was full of marbles. To try to hide being 20 years too young for the part, he had that awful gray wig. He was wearing a fake nose that seemed to change from scene to scene. And what was with the dark makeup? He looked like he was playing Othello or something. And he seemed to be trying, and failing miserably, to out act everyone else.
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lucie_52 — 20 years ago(October 20, 2005 02:02 PM)
He drove me nuts the first time I watched the movie, but I have to say he's grown on me since to the point where I can't picture anyone else playing the part. I watched the Backstory feature on the DVD as well and they all talked alot about how difficult he was and how his idea of a Southern accent was practically unintelligible. It sounds like a case of massive insecurity, which is not an uncommon affliction among actors. The one actor that really bugs me in this movie in Tony Franciosa. I've liked him in other things, but he just seems totally out of his element here. Although, come to think of it, maybe that's the point of the character.
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lucie_52 — 20 years ago(February 13, 2006 04:43 PM)
Tony was too overwrought most of the time
Yeah, that's exactly what it was. It was just too much hand-wringing, even for a 50's film.
I can't agree about Orson though. In spite of the mumbling, there was something I really enjoyed about him in that part. I particularly liked his scenes with Newman, who was totally able to hold his own with Welles.
It's never too late to be who you might have been - George Eliot -
BERGDORF — 19 years ago(March 23, 2007 11:17 AM)
You are SO right! Orson Welles was terrible and so was Tony Franciosa! There accents were HORRIBLE and their acting was less than acceptable. After seeing Burl Ives suberbly play Big Daddy in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, watching O.W. was nerve-racking. Burl Ives managed to play the same kind of chararcter without being so annoying. And another actor should have played Jody altogether. Joanne Woodward was a little too stiff even for an almost-spinster and without Paul Newman she never could have held her own. Angela Lansbury was perfect as usual. The character of Agnes was too small if you ask me. She was hilariously deliberate in her need for a man!! NowLEE REMICKshe is the one reason to watch this movie! Not only was breathtakingly beautiful, she was a consummate actress. She had to be, to play against the awful acting of Tony Franciosa!
"WE DON'T LIVE IN THAT KIND OF A WORLD THELMA" -
Vivek-Anand — 20 years ago(November 01, 2005 05:53 PM)
. . . he was taking the piss in this film, and mocking Method acting. So, it's
probably
an unwatchable performance. (I've not seen the film yet, but want to.)
If I hadn't been born rich, I might have been a really great man. -
aarauz — 20 years ago(March 30, 2006 11:27 AM)
I too thought he was great and couldn't envision another playing the role.
His scenes with Newman & Woodward make the movie what it is. I also like the end of the horse selling scene, where he's sitting on the porch drinking his beers with Minnie. Classic dialogue, Loved it. -
steviez33 — 19 years ago(April 29, 2006 10:29 PM)
I thought he played the role of the rich Southerner to a "T". Maybe it's because I was expecting so little of him after reading the boards here, but I thought he was easily understandable. Didn't know anything about the fake nose until I read it in the trivia though - don't know why he used one either, since it seemed close to his actual nose.
How I fight is why I'm feeling sore. -
gtredshoes — 19 years ago(May 14, 2006 12:00 PM)
I doubt you're the only one, but I agree with those who see his performance as masterful. Welles may have been difficult to work with, but isn't this often the case with great talent? So, Welles wouldn't take direction from Martin Ritt? Haven't we all heard/seen directors who have stated after completing their films and/or plays that while "X" was impossible to work with, they realized that "X" was right about the character and they were wrong? I think Welles was superb in his part as was Franciosa. Think about the personality of a charcter and, at the same time, ask whether the things that bother you about the portrayal of that character aren't actually an accurate portrayal of that very personality; i.e., you disliked them BECAUSE they were unlikeable? It may be difficult to watch these characters act, but isn't that really simply a reflection of real life? We don't like them in reality they wring their hands and fumble and whine and drive us crazy. Why do we expect them to be any different on stage/screen? If the actor portrays the character accurately, it makes sense to dislike the character, but to criticize the actor who brought the character to life makes no sense at all. To dislike the actor and the acting in such a case, is to shoot the messenger for succesfully delivering the message.
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lucie_52 — 19 years ago(May 14, 2006 02:22 PM)
You make an excellent point. It was difficult for me to separate Franciosa from the role. Perhaps that simply means he did an excellent job of portraying that character. I still want to slap the character silly, however
It's never too late to be who you might have been - George Eliot -
HillieBoliday — 15 years ago(March 21, 2011 02:06 PM)
Five years later.you are absolutely right!
I DID NOT like the character, Jodie; but I thought Anthony Franciosa did
a spectacular job making me feel that way!
I was angry at Jodie because he wouldn't stand up to his father.
He was angry at the 16, 17, & 18 year old boys who whistled at
his wife. He should've been of reveling in the fact that he caught
and won her, which should have made him poke his chest out in masculine
pride instead of being insecure!
And how about the comment old Will Varner made about him now knowing
the history connected with the name Quick, because he was constantly
chasing after his wife! Well since old man Varner wanted grandchildren,
it stands to reason WHY Jodie was always chasing after his very beautiful
wife who was totally in love with him! I'm a heterosexul female who is
"strictly dickly", and even I could see all of the sex appeal that
Lee Remick was oozing out all over the place.WHO COULD RESIST HER!!
I just wanted Jodie to use his balls to assert himself as a man
with some strengths, and not just the ones he was
using to try to make some grand babies with his wife for old man Varner!!
Anthony Franciosa was spot on with his portrayal of the character!
"OOOI'M GON' TELL MAMA!"