Shadows (1959)
B&W – 87m. / 81m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes. Pro.: Seymour Cassel.
Starring: John Cassavetes, Seymour Cassel, Bobby Darin and Gena Rowlands.
An improvised look at interracial relationships in Beat–Era (1950’s) New York City. Largely improvised and then written later by Cassavetes and his acting class students. While there is a loosely structured story in place, it is more performance driven. Commendable but contrived. Daring for its time but tame by today’s standards. Please be aware that the big named stars are not credited here. John Cassavete’s directorial debut.
Rated: [PG]
Part of The Criterion Collection. Available on Blu – ray, DVD & Digital Copy
Johnny Staccato: The Complete Series (1959 – 1960)
B&W – 804m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
One Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: John Cassavetes, Eduardo Ciannelli, John Williams, Shirley Knight, Elizabeth Montgomery, Gena Rowlands, Dean Stockwell, Geraldine Brooks, Cloris Leachman, Mary Tyler Moore, Paul Stewart, Nita Talbot, Martin Landau, Michael Landon, Elizabeth Patterson, Tom Reese, John Marley, Sig Ruman, Harry Tyler, Susan Oliver, June Foray and Steve Allen.
A private detective who likes to play Jazz Piano in his spare time solves murder mysteries, prevents bombs going off, etc. An intelligent show that had great music and acting… Sadly, Cassavetes burned out on the show and canned it after one season. Thankfully the episodes still survive!
Available on DVD.
Too Late Blues (1961)
B&W – 103m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy)
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Seymour Cassel, John Cassavetes and Don Siegel.
A poisonous love affair between a self-righteous musician and a female singer starts and continues. Is it helping or hurting their careers? Troublesome film is far from a walk in the park emotionally but fine performances are given and that must be commended. A little more plot would have helped too. This may feel claustrophobic for some given the structure of two or three people in a scene at a time during the dramatic moments. Darin does his best impression of Cassavetes in the film.
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
A Child Is Waiting (1963)
B&W – 104m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: John Cassavetes. Pro.: Stanley Kramer
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Paul Stewart, Lawrence Tierney, John Marley, Bill Mumy, Elizabeth Wilson and John Cassavetes.
A psychiatrist brings in a new teacher at an asylum for the mentally retarded and she starts to form attachments. Meanwhile one kid in the asylum forms a bond with her and starts to come out of his shell. A masterfully done tale of humanity, also serves as a historical document in the development of how people with Autism / Asperger’s Syndrome were lumped in with the retarded and how they all were treated. Cassavetes wanted to focus more on the kids because he started to view them as interesting characters. Kramer kicked him out of the editing process and did a bit of re-shooting to bring the film to that balance that it is now. As much as Kramer shifted the focus of the film masterfully to the middle ground of how the adults at the asylum act with their charges, Cassavetes captured the children in an accepting light. A must watch film for anyone with Autism Level 1 / Asperger’s Syndrome and their parents; not to mention people in disability services, Vocational Rehab and anyone interested in mental health. Some of this may be hard to watch for some, but it is well worth it in the end.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
Faces (1968)
B&W – 130m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Dynosaurs
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel and Anne Shirley.
Be sure to check out the 18 minute alternate opening on the Criterion Collection DVD and / or Blu–ray.
Former husband and wife respectively enter into relationships with younger partners as they try to find romance in the new pairings. A broad story is masterfully handled by Cassavetes and the cast. A must watch for the performances!
Trivia: Steven Spielberg became friendly with Cassavetes and served as a production assistant for two weeks on this film. This was after Cassavetes allowed Spielberg to direct him for a day. Steve Buscemi has said that this is his favorite film. Woody Allen and Robert Altman said that this film inspired some of their films. The original cut of this film ran for around six hours. That cut no longer exists but the script for it is available in book form. There are several different versions of this film.
Rated: [R]
Part of The Criterion Collection.
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.