Keir Dullea top ten

 

1) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - he's actually perfect for this part

2) 2010: The Year We Made Contact (1984) - entirely decent sequel, no not as good but it tries, a lovely to see Dullea back

3) David and Lisa (1962) - the film that really launched his career, a little bit 'Simple Jack' but a sleeper hit

4) Mail Order Bride ((1964) - cute Burt Kennedy/Buddy Ebsen Western with Dullea as the romantic lead

5) The Thin Red Line (1964) - before the 1999 version of this novel there was this one... it's interesting, not as good as Malick, but worth a watch

6) Bunny Lake is Missing (1965) - Dullea was horrendously bullied by Otto Preminger, and received an almightly sledge from Noel Coward ("Keir Dullea, gone tomorrow") but the film is interesting

7) Madame X (1966) - one of many Ross Hunter remakes, this has Lana Turner camp it up and Dullea has her son - no way near a good movie but it is prime camp

8 ) The Fox (1967) - racy adaptation of the Lawrence novel with Dullea breaking up a tryst between Anne Heywood and Sandy Duncan

9) De Sade (1969) - Dullea's big chance after 2001, it had an excellent subject, writer and director but something went wrong (I think director Cy Endifeld went ill and seemed to have a nervous breakdown or something )

10) Black Christmas (1974) - fun early slasher. Dullea is a great creep.

I made it to ten films! Honorable mention to the Aussie TV movie Because He's My Friend (1978) where Dullea stars.

Movie review - "Make Mine Mink" (1960) **1/2

 Bright comedy which like so many British comedies from this era is about some thieves - Terry Thomas and some old ladies. It's based on a play and feels like that at first but gets better once it's up and running.

Movie review - "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) ****1/2

 Much of it wonderful. Sorry, but I don't like the ending. Love the acting - that tight wound up style. Visually incredible. Great violence - abrupt, silent, quick. Stunning looking. A wonderful haunted house story.

Movie review - "The Night We Dropped.a Clanger" (1959) **

 Spoof of I was Monty's Double even has Clifton James cameo as himself. It stars Brian Rix in a double role - he did a lot of stage plays. His magic escapes cinema. The movie's determination for laughs did eventually win me over and the film got better when the stakes were life and death.

Movie review - "Desert Mice" (1959) **

 This sounds like it will be fun - the story of ENSA, who performed to the army during the war - but it misses the mark. The cast irritated me, the jokes died, it lacked atmosphere and love of performers. Michael Relph wasn't a good director (Basil Dearden produced this one).  Sid James adds some spark but people like Alfred Marks are annoying. 

Maybe if you know and like the comedies you'll enjoy this. It just felt wasted on these actors.

Thing pick up at the end, like the last 20 minutes, when the team encounter Germans under Marius Goring and there's a funny subplot about James trying to get the rights to Lili Marelene. Too little too late. 

Movie review - "Too Many Crooks" (1959) **1/2

 Mario Zampi comedy has a decent central idea used for Ruthless People has some interesting actors like Terry Thomas and Sid James but lacks zip. George Cole tries to be Peter Sellers. Brenda de Bazie is fun as the wife. Decently plotted just not that fun for me. Maybe needed to be in colour.

Movie review - "Follow a Star" (1959) **1/2

 This Norman Wisdom is a little different - a new director, Bob Asher, and it's a musical, really, with Wisdom going to work for pompous singer Jerry Desmonde who mimes to Wisdom's songs. June Laverick is really dull as the girl but Hattie Jacques is fun as Wisdom's singing teacher and the star is full of energy.