Historical casting
Aug. 12th, 2014 10:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
valarltdI watched House of the Long Shadows (1983) last night. It's the story of a writer who makes a bet with his publisher that he can write a book (20,000 words in the original George M Cohen play, which I have stage managed) in 24 hours. Desi Arnez Jr. is the writer. Richard Todd is the publisher who packs him off to a deserted manor house to write. And Wackiness--of the sort that involves John Carradine, Christopher Lee, Vincent Price and Peter Cushing--ensues. It's the only time those four gentlemen ever worked together, and the last time Lee and Cushing worked together.
And it struck me watching how much Vincent Price there is in David. Davids are always John Glover in my head, a function of combining Smallville and Brimstone. But there is a LOT of Vincent's attitude, mannerisms and even his queenliness. Because when Vincent--who was bisexual in real life--takes it into his head to swish, he does so in grand style. (The movie above is worth watching for no other reason than the tiff he and Lee have at the end which has Price flouncing off with a catty, "bitch" thrown over his shoulder at Lee)
I mean who else could deliver the line "Don't interrupt me when I'm soliloquizing!" and make it convincing? Those two gentlemen alone, I suspect
I got to thinking, as today entailed much driving. What would the cast of Nikolai look like in various cinematic eras?
Nikolai was written in 2005, using people as they were in that decade. I've altered a couple from the original muses, to make sure everyone was alive in 2005. Everyone is a little old for the roles now.
James Ligatos, leader of the North America. Responsible for Canada, the 10 countries of the former United States, Mexico and Central America to Panama.
David Inman, Ligatos' right hand man and devoted body-slave. Generally considered The Best Mind of the 21st Century and alternately known as the Butcher of Cairo.
Nick Boyd, the titular Nikolai, former leader of the Revenant street gang in Memphis. The current trainee.
Tanis Sparks, thief, assassin and dominatrix. Martial artist and blackmailer extraordinaire.
Steven Sparks, former leader of the St. Louis Gangster Disciples, now the voice of reason for the Ligatos group.
Valerio Benedetto, teacher, driver, enforcer for the Ligatos group
Anthony Hatcher, the titular Anthony. The protege immediately before Nick. A marked criminal from Heartland with skills in diplomacy.
Where were you in 62?
The perennially ethnic Aiden Quinn as James Ligatos
We're back to the notion that inspired this post. Vincent Price as David Inman.
Nick started as a filed-off Han Solo. And Harrison Ford is exactly the right age for the part in this time frame (even if he is too tall)
For Tanis, I searched redheaded actresses of the 60s. I found several I liked and they all turned out to be the same one. Please don't laugh at the choice of Tina Louise. Remember she did Stepford Wives as well.
Steven. Apparently Sidney Poitier was the only black actor allowed to work in movies in the early 60s. (Bill Cosby and Flip Wilson were TV)
Valerio. This struck me as I was flipping though endless Sandal and Sword epics. Long hair is rare in 62.
Anthony. For no other reason than he is very pretty and looks like trouble
Ah, but what of the Golden Age of Cinema? Who then? I know I'm crossing Studios on this one.
James loses his ethnicity in the 40s. Because Cary Grant is the right kind of intense.
David. But of course. Who else? Basil.
Nick. James Mason is a tad older than I picture Nick (30 instead of 25), but he has the attitude.
Tanis, This is the look I want for Tanis, lovely, but not unapproachable. With just a hint of crazy in her eyes and smile. (You know Piper Laurie better as Carrie's insane mother)
Steven has always been Paul Robeson. The contrabasso voice, the strong features, the brilliance there for those who look, the brute there for those who don't.
Val. Again Victor Mature, veteran of many Biblical epics, the only logical choice.
Anthony. This is not my idea, but it works.
And it struck me watching how much Vincent Price there is in David. Davids are always John Glover in my head, a function of combining Smallville and Brimstone. But there is a LOT of Vincent's attitude, mannerisms and even his queenliness. Because when Vincent--who was bisexual in real life--takes it into his head to swish, he does so in grand style. (The movie above is worth watching for no other reason than the tiff he and Lee have at the end which has Price flouncing off with a catty, "bitch" thrown over his shoulder at Lee)
I mean who else could deliver the line "Don't interrupt me when I'm soliloquizing!" and make it convincing? Those two gentlemen alone, I suspect
I got to thinking, as today entailed much driving. What would the cast of Nikolai look like in various cinematic eras?
Nikolai was written in 2005, using people as they were in that decade. I've altered a couple from the original muses, to make sure everyone was alive in 2005. Everyone is a little old for the roles now.
James Ligatos, leader of the North America. Responsible for Canada, the 10 countries of the former United States, Mexico and Central America to Panama.
David Inman, Ligatos' right hand man and devoted body-slave. Generally considered The Best Mind of the 21st Century and alternately known as the Butcher of Cairo.
Nick Boyd, the titular Nikolai, former leader of the Revenant street gang in Memphis. The current trainee.
Tanis Sparks, thief, assassin and dominatrix. Martial artist and blackmailer extraordinaire.
Steven Sparks, former leader of the St. Louis Gangster Disciples, now the voice of reason for the Ligatos group.
Valerio Benedetto, teacher, driver, enforcer for the Ligatos group
Anthony Hatcher, the titular Anthony. The protege immediately before Nick. A marked criminal from Heartland with skills in diplomacy.
Where were you in 62?
The perennially ethnic Aiden Quinn as James Ligatos
We're back to the notion that inspired this post. Vincent Price as David Inman.
Nick started as a filed-off Han Solo. And Harrison Ford is exactly the right age for the part in this time frame (even if he is too tall)
For Tanis, I searched redheaded actresses of the 60s. I found several I liked and they all turned out to be the same one. Please don't laugh at the choice of Tina Louise. Remember she did Stepford Wives as well.
Steven. Apparently Sidney Poitier was the only black actor allowed to work in movies in the early 60s. (Bill Cosby and Flip Wilson were TV)
Valerio. This struck me as I was flipping though endless Sandal and Sword epics. Long hair is rare in 62.
Anthony. For no other reason than he is very pretty and looks like trouble
Ah, but what of the Golden Age of Cinema? Who then? I know I'm crossing Studios on this one.
James loses his ethnicity in the 40s. Because Cary Grant is the right kind of intense.
David. But of course. Who else? Basil.
Nick. James Mason is a tad older than I picture Nick (30 instead of 25), but he has the attitude.
Tanis, This is the look I want for Tanis, lovely, but not unapproachable. With just a hint of crazy in her eyes and smile. (You know Piper Laurie better as Carrie's insane mother)
Steven has always been Paul Robeson. The contrabasso voice, the strong features, the brilliance there for those who look, the brute there for those who don't.
Val. Again Victor Mature, veteran of many Biblical epics, the only logical choice.
Anthony. This is not my idea, but it works.
