The Lawless (1950)

The Lawless (1950) was a pioneering film. At a time when Mexican Americans were rarely seen in Hollywood movies, Mexican American characters played a central role in its plot. Furthermore, The Lawless addressed racism against Mexicans and Mexican Americans, a topic rarely addressed in films of the time.

The Lawless centred on former crusading reporter Larry Wilder (MacDonald Carey), who sought a quiet life in a small town as the editor of the Santa Marta, California newspaper The Union. Santa Maria, which advertises itself as "the Friendly Town" is white and largely middle class. Across the river is Sleepy Hollow, a shantytown where the local Mexican and Chicano fruit pickers (derisively called "fruit traps" by the local whites. When a fight at a dance breaks out between Chicano and white youths, Larry Wilder and Sunny Garcia (Gail Russell), whose family published the local Spanish language newspaper La Luz, find they must champion a young Mexican American, Paul Rodriguez (Lalo Ríos), who is accused of striking a white police officer.

The Lawless was based on the shot story "The Voice of Stephen Wilder" by Geoffrey Homes (Daniel Mainwaring). Daniel Mainwaring had also written Build My Gallows High, the novel upon which the classic film noir Out of the Past (1947), for which he wrote the screenplay, was based. Daniel Mainwaring had already written several screenplays prior to The Lawless besides Out of the Past, including Dangerous Passage (1949), Big Town (1946), and The Big Steal (1949). The film rights for "The Voice of Stephen Wilder" were bought by Pine-Thomas Productions, who had produced such low-budget movies for Paramount as They Made Me a Killer (1946) and Caged Fury (1948). Daniel Mainwaring would also write the screenplay for The Lawless. The Lawless would have several working titles, including The Big Showdown, Outrage, The Dividing Line, and The Voice of Stephen Wilder (the title of the original short story).

It was Daniel Mainwaring who convinced producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas to hire Joseph Losey  Making The Lawless would not always be smooth. The Production Code Administration (PCA)  had objected to any references to the alleged rape of a girl in the screenplay and suggested removing the lines "What they holdin' back the doctor's report on what he done to her for?" and "and I thought of those hands mauling the lovely little body of Mildred Jensen." For the most part, the PCA found the screenplay acceptable, although Joseph Breen expressed concern stating in a letter to Paramount that the screenplay was a "...a damning portrayal of our American social system" due to its portrayal of racism on the part of a small California town and the sensationalism in which many of the journalists in the movie freely engaged. Paramount also expressed similar concerns, but  Paramount representative Luigi Lurasch did point out that the script specified the script never explicitly says Mildred was "raped," but instead "attacked."

As it was producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas interfered with director Joseph Losey at every turn. He felt that he would have never been able to make The Lawless had it not been for screenwriter  Dan Mainwaring, who backed him up. As it was, Pine and Thomas were the ones who insisted on the alleged attack on the girl being in the screenplay, as well as a scene of police car bursting into flames. Joseph Losey also found star Gail Russell difficult to work with. By the time The Lawless was made, Miss Russell had been an alcoholic for many years. Paramount stated that Gail Russell was not allowed to drink, but Joseph Losey found he had to provide her with alcohol for her to remember her lines.

The Lawless was shot on location in Marysville and Grass Valley, California. Various local citizens appeared as extras in some scenes, including one scene involving an angry mob. The Lawless premiered in San Antonio, Texas, assisted by the League of United Latin American Citizens (also known as The LULACS). The Lawless received some positive reviews from some notable critics. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times liked the film, writing, "And although their drama, The Lawless, is no Fury or Intruder in the Dust, it is a startling account of mob violence in a northern California town." The Los Angeles Times also praised The Lawless, stating, "Geoffrey Homes, in one of the most cleverly balanced scripts yet written for a controversial theme, (all racial themes, unhappily, seem to be controversial), has found direction to match in Joseph Losey's dynamic use of camera and speech." Variety also gave the film a good review, commenting, "Racial tolerance gets a working over in The Lawless, but the producers don’t soapbox the message, using it, instead, as a peg on which to produce a hard-hitting drama, equipped with action and fast pace"

The Lawless was nominated for the BAFTA's United Nations Award, which in the words of BAFTA is "for the best Film embodying one or more of the principles of the United Nations Charter." Pine and Thomas also received an award from the Los Angeles Urban League for  "outstanding achievement in developing better racial understanding through the production of their film, The Lawless."

Beyond Daniel Mainwaring's script and Joseph Losey's direction, much of the success as The Lawless's success as a film is due to its cast. The Lawless is filled with actors that even casual film buffs today would recognize. Character actress Lee Patrick plays Jan Dawson, a reporter for a Stockton newspaper who seems either unconcerned or unaware of the effect her sensationalistic coverage of the events in Santa Maria is having. John Hoyt plays against type as Ed Ferguson, a Santa Maria businessman who is not only tolerant of, but sympathetic towards the Mexican Americans of Sleepy Hollow. Martha Hyer appears in a small role as Caroline Tyler, while Tab Hunter appears in his film debut as Frank O'Brien.

Today the casting of Gail Russell as Sunny Garcia would be considered politically incorrect, given she was not Mexican in descent or even a Latina. From the Silent Era well into the Seventies, it was not usual for white people to be cast as Latinos, East Asians, Arabs, and many other ethnicities. While Gail Russell gives a good performance as Sunny Garcia, many today (myself included) would prefer a Latina in the role. The Lawless can be given credit for the fact that the majority of Mexican American characters in the film are indeed played by Latinos. Among these are Maurice Jara, who would later play Dr. Guerra in Giant (1956). Mexican actor Felipe Turich, who played Paul Rodriguez's father, had a busy career during which he appeared in such films as Giant and One-Eyed Jacks (1961) and such TV shows as Peter Gunn and The High Chaparral.

Of course, at the centre of The Lawless is newcomer Lalo Ríos as Paul Rodriguez, the young Mexican American who finds himself persecuted after he unintentionally strikes a white cop. The Lawless marked the film debut of Lalo Ríos, who had never acted before. Lalo Ríos was part of a neighbourhood social club called "the HepKitties" in East Los Angeles. Writers Dan and Lilith James occasionally wrote skits for the HepKitties and took notice of Lalo Ríos. They introduced him to director Joseph Losey, who arranged for a screen test for Lalo Ríos, after which he was cast as Paul Rodriguez in The Lawless. Lalo Ríos receives a good deal of screen time in The Lawless. Indeed, the movie's plot would not take place without his character Paul Rodriguez. What is more, he delivers a sincere, believable performance in the role of the frightened teenager at the centre of controversy.

Sadly, The Lawless would not be a stepping stone to stardom for Lalo Ríos. After a few uncredited roles following The Lawless, he played his only lead role in the classic boxing film The Ring (1952), one of the earliest films to not only address racism against Chicanos, but to use the word "Chicano." Following The Ring Lalo Ríos would have smaller roles in such films as Prisoner of War (1954) and Touch of Evil (1958). In the late Fifties his career largely shifted to television, where he would have somewhat more substantial roles in guest appearances on such shows as The Untouchables and Laredo. Unable to make a living as an actor, Lalo Ríos worked as a construction worker when he wasn't acting. Following an accident that limited his mobility, acting jobs became harder to find. He died on March 7 1973 at the age of 46.

While the central character of The Lawless is white, the film is still a pioneering work with regards to portrayal of Mexican Americans on film. For one of the first times in the history of American movies, Mexican Americans are presented in a sympathetic, non-stereotypical manner. The film is also notable as one of the earliest portrayals of racism against Mexicans and Mexican Americans in a Hollywood film. The fact that it is set in a typical, North California town makes its message of racial tolerance all the more potent. As might be expected of a movie in which Mexican Americans play a central role and which address racism against Mexican Americans, it is also a movie in which many of the roles are played by Latinos. This set The Lawless apart from many films of the era, in which all of the Mexican Americans might be played by white people or people of yet other ethnicities. Of course, in the end The Lawless is also a taut story of racial tensions in a small town that can't help but keep the viewer enthralled.

The Late Great Peter Marshall

Peter Marshall, the long-time host of the classic game show Hollywood Squares, died on August 15 2024 at the age of 98.

Peter Marshall was born Ralph Pierre LaCock on March 30 1926 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. His older sister was Joan LaCock, who would gain fame as actress Joanne Dru. He was raised in Huntington, West Virginia by his grandmother. In 1940 he moved to New York City to be with his mother, who had moved to the city to support his sister Joan's modelling career. When he was 14 years old singer Al Jolsen got him a job at the Paramount Theatre as an usher. He was only 15 when he sang with the Bob Chester Band. He was under 18 when he got a job as an NBC page. As a page he assisted on the game show Truth or Consequences.

Peter Marshall moved to California in 1943 where he stayed in his sister Joanne Dru and her husband Dick Haymes's guest house. It was not long after he moved to California that the was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a disc jockey and as a programmer at a radio station in Naples, Italy. Following his service, he worked as a DJ and a singer in Florida. It was in 1949 that he met comedian Tommy Noonan, the half-brother of Mr. Marshall's sister Joanne Dru's then husband John Ireland. The two formed a comedy team and were soon playing clubs in the Los Angeles area. In New York they played sixteen weeks in the club La Martinique. 

It was as one half of Marshall and Noonan that Peter Marshall made his television debut on The Garry Moore Show in 1952. The comedy team appeared on the shows Tonight!, Stage Show, Of All Things, The George Gobel Show, The Big Party, The Red Rowe Show, and Toast of the Town. Marshall and Noonan also appeared in the movies The Return of Jesse James (1950), Holiday Rhythm (1950), FBI Girl (1951), and Starlift (1951). Peter Marshall guest starred on the shows The 20th Century Fox Hour, Men of Annapolis, Harbor Command,  and The Millionaire. He appeared in the movies The 49th Man (1953) and The Rookie (1959).

It was in 1966 that Peter Marshall became the host of Hollywood Squares.Between the daytime network version of the show and the syndicated nighttime version of the show, he would host it until 1981. In the Sixties he guest starred on The Lucy Show, and 77 Sunset Strip. He appeared in the movies Swingin' Along (1961), Settle contra la morte (1964), Ensign Pulver (1964), and Maryjane (1968). He appeared on Broadway in How to Make a Man and Skyscraper.

In the Seventies Peter Marshall continued to host Hollywood Squares. He guest starred on the shows The Good Life; Laugh-In; Love, American Style; Banacek; Lanigan's Rabbi; Big Hawaii; Lou Grant; and WKRP in Cincinnati; CHiPs; and The Love Boat. He appeared in the mini-series Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue.He appeared in the movies Rabbit Test (1979) and Americathon (1979).

In the Eighties Peter Marshall hosted the Miss World pageant and the game shows Fantasy, All Star Blitz, and Yahtzee. He guest starred on Fantasy Island, CHiPs, The Love Boat, Hotel, Automan, Jessie, and Sledge Hammer!. He appeared in the movie Annie (1982). He appeared on Broadway in La Cage aux Folles.

In the Nineties he hosted the game show The Reel to Reel Picture Show. He guest starred on In Living Color, MADtv, Burke's Law, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Parent 'Hood. He appeared in the movie Sista dansen (1993). In 2001 he appeared in the film Teddy Bear's Picnic. He was a guest host on Hollywood Squares.

In addition to his work in film and on television, Peter Marshall hosted a music program on the the Music of Your Life radio network with Debby Boone for 15 years.

Peter Marshall was a remarkable game show host. Not only was he friendly and charming, but he was the perfect straight man for the celebrities on the show. Peter Marshall was more than a game show host, as he did have an acting career. He had a gift for comedy, as seen in his guest appearances on Sledge Hammer, In Living Color and MADtv. He could also play drama, as seen in the movie The 49th Man and his guest appearances on 77 Sunset Strip and Banacek. He was also a gifted singer, a talent he got to display on various variety shows and talk shows. Peter Marshall may always be remembered as the host of Hollywood Squares, but he did much more.

The Late Great Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands, the actress who starred on such TV shows as 87th Precinct and Peyton Place and such movies as Lonely Are the Brave  (1962) and  Gloria (1980), died yesterday, August 14 2024, at the age of 94.

Gena Rowlands was born on June 19 1930 in Madison, Wisconsin. Her mother had been invited to be a Ziegfeld Girl, but chose a career in art instead. Her father was a banker and a state senator. In 1939 the family moved to Washington, DC after her father got a job with the Department of Agriculture. They returned to Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Minneapolis. Miss Rowlands attended the Department of Wisconsin, but left to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. It was during this period that she met actor and future director John Cassavetes. They soon married and would become frequent collaborators.

Gena Rowlands made her professional stage debut at the at the Provincetown Playhouse in Massachusetts in the early 1950s. She made her television debut in an episode of Top Secret in 1954. In the Fifties she guest starred on such shows as Robert Montgomery Presents, Ponds Theatre, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Studio One, Appointment with Adventure, The United States Steel Hour, Goodyear Television Playhouse, General Electric Theatre, Laramie, Johnny Staccato, Markham, Riverboat, Adventures in Paradise, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Tab Hunter Show. She made her film debut in 1958 in The High Cost of Living. In the Fifties she appeared in the movie Shadows (1959). She appeared on Broadway in Middle of the Night.

In the Sixties Gena Rwolands had a recurring role on the TV series 87th Precinct and a regular role on the nighttime soap opera Peyton Place. She guest starred on the shows The Islanders; Target: The Corruptors!; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; The Dick Powell Theatre; The Lloyd Bridges Show; 77 Sunset Strip; Bonanza; The Virginian; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Breaking Point; Kraft Suspense Theatre; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Dr. Kildare; Burke's Law; Run for Your Life; The Long, Hot Summer; The Road West; The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.; and Garrison's Gorillas. She appeared in the movies Lonely Are the Brave (1962), The Spiral Road (1962), A Child is Waiting (1963), Tony Rome (1967), Faces (1968), and Machine Gun McCain (1969).

In the Seventies Miss Rowlands appeared in the movies Minnie and Moskowitz (1971), A Woman Under the Infuence (1974), Two-Minute Warning (1976), Opening Night (1977), The Brink's Job (1978), and Gloria (1980). She guest starred on the shows Medical Center; Circle of Fear; Marcus Welby, M.D.; and Columbo.

In the Eighties Gena Rowlands appeared in the movies Tempest (1982), Love Streams (1984), Light of Dayi (1987), and Another Woman (1988). She guest starred on the show Faerie Tale Theatre and appeared in several TV movies, including playing Betty Ford in The Betty Ford Story. In the Nineties she appeared in the movies Once Around (1991), Night on Earth (1991), Ted & Venus (1991), Silent Cries (1993), Something to Talk About (1995), The Neon Bible (1995), Unhook the Stars (1996), She's So Lovely (1997), Paulie (1998), Hope Floats (1998), The Mighty (1998), Playing by Heart (1998), and The Weekend (1999).

In the Naughts Gena Rowlands guest starred on the shows Numb3rs, Monk, and NCIS. She appeared in the movies Taking Lives (2004), The Notebook (2004), The Skelton Key (2005), Paris, je t'aime (2006),and Broken English (2007). She was the voice of the grandmother in the American dub of the animated film Persepolis. In the Teens she appeared in the movies Olive (2011), Yellow (2012), Parts Per Billion (2013), and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014).

Gena Rowlands was a remarkable actress with a great deal of versatility. She will always be remembered as the former mobster's girlfriend on the run from gangsters in Gloria. She will also be remembered as the alcoholic who is also suffering from another mental disorder in the movie A Woman Under the Inflence. She played a prostitute in Faces. Gena Rowlands was a frequent guest star on television from the Fifties to the Seventies, where she also gave many great performances. In the Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode "The Lonely Hours," she played a young mother whose new boarder shows an unhealthy interest in her newborn baby. In the Columbo episode "Playback" she played the vulnerable, disabled wife of a tech millionaire who is unaware of his womanizing. Gena Rowlands played a wide variety of roles throughout her career and played all of them well.

"Born to Raise Hell" by Cheap Trick

Today I am not in a particularly good mood. My pollen allergies have flared up and Claritin is doing very little to ease them. I fell off the stepping stool in the kitchen (a hazard for any short person). And IMDB has done away with Full Credits (Text Only) Name Pages for actors, directors, writers, and so on. Not in much of a mood to do a full post, I thought I would then leave you with a song that fits my mood. "Born to Raise Hell" was written by Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick and performed by Cheap Trick for the classic animated movie Rock & Rule (1983). Amazingly enough given it featured music from Blondie; Cheap Trick; Earth, Wind & Fire; Iggy Pop; and Lou Reed, a Rock & Rule soundtrack album was never released. Nor would "Born to Raise Hell" or Cheap Trick's other songs from Rock & Roll be released on a single nor featured on a Cheap Trick album. It would not be released until the box set Sex, America, Cheap Trick came out in 1996.

Godspeed Mitzi McCall

Mitzi McCall, who formed one half of the comedy team McCall & Brill with her Charlie Brill and appeared on such shows as Laugh-In and Life Goes On, died on August 8 2024 at the age of 93. She and Charlie Brill appeared on the same Ed Sullivan Show on which The Beatles made their first appearance.

Mitzi McCall was born Mitzi Steiner on September 9 1930 in Pittsburgh.  She made her stage debut at the Pittsburgh Plahouse in the play Strange Bedfellows in 1948. In the early Fifties she hosted the children's program Kiddie Castle on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She moved to Hollywood in the mid-Fifties and it was through Bob Hope's wife Dolores (Mitzi's mother had known the Hopes) that she received a meeting with agent Mitchell Gertz. She was signed to Paramount.

Mitzi McCall made her TV debut on an episode of The Colgate Comedy Hour in 1954. She made her film debut in You're Never Too Young in 1955. In the late Fifties she appeared in the movies War of the Satellites (2958), Machine Gun Kelly (1958), and The Cry Baby Killer (1958). She guest starred on The Twilight Zone and The Dennis O'Keefe Show. She also joined the Jerry Lewis Comedy Workshop, where she met Charlie Brill for the first time. Mitzi McCall had been part of a comedy team with Joan Shawlee (best known for playing Buddy's wife Pickles on The Dick Van Dyke Show). When Joan Shawlee left the team, Charlie Brill took her place. Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill were married in 1960. The comedy team was signed by the William Morris Agency.

In the Sixties McCall & Brill appeared on several variety shows on television, most famously on The Ed Sullivan Show on which The Beatles first appeared. Sadly, their act was not well-received by the audience, which was composed mostly of teenage girls. In addition to The Ed Sullivan Show they also appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Gypsy, Pat Boone in Hollywood, The Steve Allen Show, Operation Entertainment, The Mike Douglas Show, The Jey Bishop Show, The Johnny Cash Show, Della, The Hollywood Palace, and Playboy After Dark. They were recurring performers on Here's Edie, The Lively Ones and Laugh-In. Mitzi McCall guest starred on Hot Off the Wire and 87th Precinct.

In the Seventies McCall & Brill appeared on such variety shows, game shows, and talk shows as The Virginia Graham Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Match Game, Rhyme and Rason, Celebrity Sweepstakes, Tattletales, Liar's Club, and Beat the Clock. She was the voice of Penny on The Pebbles and Bam Bam Show an subsequent cartoons spun off from it. She guest stared on Love, American Style; The Girl with Something Extra; Maude, and Family.

In the Eighties Mitzi McCall provided voices for the television cartoons The Richie Rich/Scooby Doo Show, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Snorks, and Paw Paws. She was a guest voice on  Lucky Luke and Gravedale High,. She guest starred on the shows The Twilight Zone and Dragnet. She appeared in the movie White Palace (1990).

In the Nineties Mitzi McCall had recurring roles on Life Goes On, Alright Already, and Silk Stalkings. She provided voices for Yo Yogi!, Darkwing Duck, and Mother Goose and Grimm. She was a guest voice on TaleSpin, Bobby's World, Duckman Private Dick;Family Man, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Cow and Chicken, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Hey, Arnold!, Histeria, and The Wild Thornberrys. She guest starred on Roseanne, Seinfeld, Hot Line, Madman of the People, Ellen, Almost Perfect, ABC Afternoon Specials, Caroline in the City, Edtv, Becker, and Dharma & Greg.

In the Naughts she had a recurring role on Free for All. She guest starred on the soap opera Port Charles, 7th Heaven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, and Chuck. she was a guest voice on American Dad!. She appeared in the movies Hard Four (2007), World's Greatest Dad (2009), Limbo Lounge (2010, and Birds of a Feather (2010). She provided voices for several video games. In the Teens she guest starred on The Regular Show and was a guest voice on Adventures in Odyssey, She provided voices for the live-action movie Crimson Peak (2015).

Mitzi McCall was also a writer who wrote for several TV show over the years. She wrote episodes of the shows Here's Edie, 13 Queen's Boulevard, Eight is Enough, The Stockard Channing Show, Ladies' Man, One Day at a Time, It's Not Easy, Small Wonder, Rocky Road, ALF, Mr. Belvedere, Charles in Charge and Free for All. She was an executive script consultant on It's Not Easy and Charles in Charge.

Whether with her partner and husband Charlie Brill or alone, Mitzi McCall was a very funny lady. McCall & Brill perfected a character-driven form of sketch comedy centred on human relationships. While their marriage lasted over sixty years, they were exceptional at playing bickering couples. On their many appearances on game shows, they displayed considerable wit and a talent for innuendo. Mitzi McCall had a talent for comedy and broke new ground for women in the field.