In Cold Blood is probably the most realistic film ever made about true-life events. They shot at the actual locations, including the Clutter house and the prison, and even had done minor characters played by the actual people, such as the clerk who takes the bad check from Dick and Perry. But as much as all that, the casting is simply incredible. I've seen other actors play these roles, but none so believably as in Richard Brooks's film. Blake, in particular, is such perfect casting that no one could ever live up to his performance. And Scott Wilson is right there with him. There isn't one moment in that picture that rings hollow. It captures the essence of Truman's book in a way that is startling and arresting and horrifying and sad.

Robert Blake played Perry in the original movie about these murders in the movie In Cold Blood(1967). He was brilliant. A mesmerizing and controlled insanity that Blake pulled off so convincingly it still resonates as one of the finest performances ever IMO.
If you ever get the chance to see it, watch it, then watch Capote(2005)

Could not agree more on this.
Nobody has ever done a role like this whether
based on a real or fictional person.
From the very first scene to the last, Blake
seizes the screen and never lets go of it.
But I also agree with the remarks about
Scott Wilson. This was inspired casting
and it is hard to imagine two actors
making real life characters even more
terrifying on screen then they probably
were in real life.
In Cold Blood is a film that will
never be equaled, much like
Capote's novel.

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i dont think it was the "hollywood machine" that killed Blake's career. i think it was Blake and his insanity and his rep of being difficult.
The Fearmakers Blog
https://thefearmakers.blogspot.com/

Ironically he ended up a killer in real life and not just in reel life. He turned 80 a year ago and it looks like his acting career is done. Too bad. He had the chops to be a great one.

Blake definitely got a huge amount of recognition when "In Cold Blood" was released. His performance was widely admired. In fact, the movie was very successful considering the subject matter and that folks could hardly take the entire family to the Saturday matinee.
That role put Robert Blake in the top tier of serious actors. However, as fate had it, the Hollywood machine didn't create opportunities where he was able to get roles that cemented this reputation.
Also his drug and alcohol problems may have contributed to him not getting any more major roles after playing Perry.
He did the series "Baretta" where he played quirky cop who carried a bird on his shoulder. It was a huge hit series, and Blake became a household name. This is when he started picking up questionable groupies and developed lifelong habits that led to his eventual sordid relationship with Bonnie Bakley. We all know how that story ended.
According to his bios, Robert Blake had a tough childhood. Despite his father's alcoholism, brutality & eventual suicide, Blake managed to make the transition from professional child actor to movie & TV star very successfully which was a feat in itself. He made millions, but ultimately lost millions on his legal defense in the Bakley murder case. I still cannot imagine who else killed her that night, but she had such a shady background as a long time hustler of wealthy men on the Hollywood D list that Blake's defense lawyers were easily able to present possible alternative motives & establish reasonable doubt.
It's doubtful Blake will ever get a great role again unless Quentin comes up with something for him.

yes, one of the best performances of all time. especially during the last half.
the first half of the movie, though, to me belongs to scott wilson. years before being beheaded by the governer in zombieland, wilson was an underrated character actor who, like blake, never got fair due.
well we know the different roads both actors took, but their performances in IN COLD BLOOD remain the best killer teamup ever.