TCM Two for One w/ Director Joe Dante
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
TCM Two for One w/ Director Joe Dante
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
