He must've made twenty westerns for Universal International before his B career waned. He wast more a presence than an actor but I as a loyal fan. We forget that he was excellent in Red Badge of Courage.
From Wikipedia, about the battle where he won the Medal of Honor: "When asked after the war why he had seized the machine gun and taken on an entire company of German infantry, he replied, 'They were killing my friends.'"
Murphy is an underrated actor; I'm a big fan. And many of his films are quite interesting, for example, "The Duel at Silver Creek," an extremely entertaining noir-tinged Western in which Murphy plays a flashy-garbed baby-faced killer; or "Walk the Proud Land," a fine entry in the series of "pro-Indian" Fifties Westerns, with Murphy subtle and convincing as Indian Agent John P. Clum (an intriguing historic figure).
Here's another interesting bit of trivia: Don Siegel told Stuart Kaminsky that he "considered" Murphy for the role of the psychotic killer in DIRTY HARRY, the part that eventually went to Andy Robinson.
"At the time, Siegel was thinking of the killer as a man who could be lost in a crowd, a man who wore suits, a man who might sell you insurance. Universal executives weren't convinced that Murphy could handle the acting, and the possibility was dropped when Murphy died." (Stuart Kaminsky, "Don Siegel: Director," Curtis Books, 1974). Siegel also directed "Duel at Silver Creek."
I recently read a piece about another American war hero, from WW1--Alvin York. After returning from the war, he returned to the family farm in Tennessee, and worked to establish what is now the Alvin York Academy (opened in 1926), which you can read about here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_C._York_Institute
Murphy as an influence in my work extends beyond PERDITION, and in fact more wholly applies to my character Quarry, who was based on Murphy and a friend of mine who was a combat Marine in Vietnam, and reminded me a good deal of Murphy.
I am a big fan of his acting. Watch any of these movies and see how the "real" actors flail around and Murphy, in a very modern way, just slides in under them, understated and charismatic. NO NAME ON THE BULLET is a particularly good example of his quiet artistry.
But he was also a troubled alcoholic and a guy who carried guns with him everywhere, which led to several disturbing but amusing anecdotes.
I was thinking you wrote of Quarry's connection with Murphy but was not going to try looking it up on my phone.
Stephen Hunter also used Murphy's experiences to color Earl Swagger and adapted one Murphy story in HOT SPRINGS. (I'm probably off on the story so if Collins has time he can correct me.) Murphy was at a racetrack and got into with a mobster. The mobster made a threat and Murphy's response and demeanor made it clear Murphy would not hesitate to kill the mobster right there.
Political incorrectness ahead: Murphy told the Mafia type that he had killed several hundred "wops" in Sicily and killing one more wouldn't bother him any. The mob guy tucked tail and scurried.
Another great Murphy story is the cop who stopped him for speeding, saw the .45 automatic on the rider's side seat, and pretended he's just stopped Audie to say what a big fan he was.
18 comments:
He must've made twenty westerns for Universal International before his B career waned. He wast more a presence than an actor but I as a loyal fan. We forget that he was excellent in Red Badge of Courage.
From Wikipedia, about the battle where he won the Medal of Honor: "When asked after the war why he had seized the machine gun and taken on an entire company of German infantry, he replied, 'They were killing my friends.'"
Murphy is an underrated actor; I'm a big fan. And many of his films are quite interesting, for example, "The Duel at Silver Creek," an extremely entertaining noir-tinged Western in which Murphy plays a flashy-garbed baby-faced killer; or "Walk the Proud Land," a fine entry in the series of "pro-Indian" Fifties Westerns, with Murphy subtle and convincing as Indian Agent John P. Clum (an intriguing historic figure).
Don Graham's biography of Murphy is a good one. I believe the title is NO NAME ON THE BULLET.
In 1960 he should of received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for playing Burt Lancaster's younger brother in THE UNFORGIVEN.
He was good, all right.
Forgot about Duel At Silver Creek Excellent performance, excellent movie.
He also inspired a song by Swedish Heavy Metal Band Sabaton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZNeastYxEc
That's a great bit of trivia. Thanks for the link. I even liked the song.
Here's another interesting bit of trivia: Don Siegel told Stuart Kaminsky that he "considered" Murphy for the role of the psychotic killer in DIRTY HARRY, the part that eventually went to Andy Robinson.
"At the time, Siegel was thinking of the killer as a man who could be lost in a crowd, a man who wore suits, a man who might sell you insurance. Universal executives weren't convinced that Murphy could handle the acting, and the possibility was dropped when Murphy died." (Stuart Kaminsky, "Don Siegel: Director," Curtis Books, 1974). Siegel also directed "Duel at Silver Creek."
That's a sad story in several ways. I think the Universal execs were wrong about Murphy.
I recently read a piece about another American war hero, from WW1--Alvin York. After returning from the war, he returned to the family farm in Tennessee, and worked to establish what is now the Alvin York Academy (opened in 1926), which you can read about here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_C._York_Institute
York also inspired a pretty good movie.
I think Max Collins wrote that his war veteran character in the PERDITION series were partly based on Murphy.
Murphy as an influence in my work extends beyond PERDITION, and in fact more wholly applies to my character Quarry, who was based on Murphy and a friend of mine who was a combat Marine in Vietnam, and reminded me a good deal of Murphy.
I am a big fan of his acting. Watch any of these movies and see how the "real" actors flail around and Murphy, in a very modern way, just slides in under them, understated and charismatic. NO NAME ON THE BULLET is a particularly good example of his quiet artistry.
But he was also a troubled alcoholic and a guy who carried guns with him everywhere, which led to several disturbing but amusing anecdotes.
I was thinking you wrote of Quarry's connection with Murphy but was not going to try looking it up on my phone.
Stephen Hunter also used Murphy's experiences to color Earl Swagger and adapted one Murphy story in HOT SPRINGS. (I'm probably off on the story so if Collins has time he can correct me.) Murphy was at a racetrack and got into with a mobster. The mobster made a threat and Murphy's response and demeanor made it clear Murphy would not hesitate to kill the mobster right there.
Political incorrectness ahead: Murphy told the Mafia type that he had killed several hundred "wops" in Sicily and killing one more wouldn't bother him any. The mob guy tucked tail and scurried.
Another great Murphy story is the cop who stopped him for speeding, saw the .45 automatic on the rider's side seat, and pretended he's just stopped Audie to say what a big fan he was.
I can almost see Murphy playing that racetrack scene in a movie.
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