Lionel Stander

[Antoine Doinel]

I just finished watching Mr. Deeds Goes To Town again - I hadn't seen it in at least five years. I never really noticed Lionel Stander's performance as Cobb, but he really is an unsung character in this movie. I love his voice and presence on screen. I don't know much about him other than he was blacklisted and then had his career revived by being a regular character on Hart To Hart as well as being cast in Scorsese's New York New York.

Can anyone recommend other films that have strong supporting or leading work by Stander?

[David Ehrenstein]

The first version of A Star is Born : "Pronounced Vicky Vicky!"

And his magnificent comeback in The Loved One, closely followed by Polanski's Cul-de-Sac.

[MichaelB]

There's also his appearance in Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West - though Paramount clearly didn't consider it significant enough to leave it in the short cut of the film that initially played in English-speaking territories.

[milkcan]

He did an outstanding job as the narrator in Blast of Silence, released in 1961. I too admire his role in The Loved One; it was the only thing I liked about that movie.

[zedz]

I've always thought that Polanski's Cul-de-sac was his finest hour: a wonderfully perverse film.

[Antoine Doinel]

Cool, thanks. I will definitely track these down and check 'em out.

[Arcadean]

I've always thought that Polanski's Cul-de-sac was his finest hour: a wonderfully perverse film.

Agreed. Stander uses his wise guy charms and sadistic actions to create a genuinely creepy character. The film itself is one of Polanski's most unfiltered works. Stander is given a substantial role and displays some great screen presence. It's a shame he didn't play more heavies.