STAND TALL is just a beautiful song that really showcases Burton's many talents... writing, singing, piano playing. Dude can do it all, and look so good doing it.
As a lover of Basil from very early in life, I and a possessor of his autobiography from the moment it was issued probably a half a century or more ago, I must nevertheless take issue with his many vulnerabilities and failings, lest his presumptuous and theatrical way of expressing himself substitute for a reason and truth. Like many British actors of the time, he relied much more on stagecraft than on true acting ability, that is a certain methodical, procedural presentation of oneself, which guaranteed dramatic effectiveness without really ever touching upon the emotions and the feelings at the heart of the character. Basil was a master of this, in both his vocal tone and in his facial choreography, as can be evidenced in the best films of his early career, whether David Copperfield or son of Frankenstein, my personal favorite of his early years for its extraordinary effectiveness in his evocation of fear, anxiety, and Dread. Nevertheless, he was a very limited actor and since we, gullible Americans are so easily impressed by what seems to be a superior accent, but we should really only a severely attitudinal way of verbally expressing oneself, in fact, and almost compulsively Superior way of seeking to express themselves, we mistake addiction and inflection for true ability. Even in this interview, with the relatively relaxed and in his own way, equally eloquent diction and phraseology of the interviewer, who must necessarily, however, respect that he is interviewing a Hollywood notable and that he is to play a marginal part. Part in the dialogue, we see how very severely attitudinal and almost imprisoned basil is in his culture, his very palpably Superior view of the stagecraft or the film craft of his fellow Brits, and the relative innocence or ignorance of the American culture and acting crew. Yes we may love him, but we cannot blind ourselves to the fact that he is endlessly supercilious, Superior, conceited and self-indulgent throughout? Rest in peace, dear basil
A great actor and a nice man. An amazingly versatile filmography: Just in the 40s alone: A dedicated doctor seeking a cure for syphilis, a reluctant, overaged war hero, a brutal yet intellectual sea captain, a naive power linesman caught in a love triangle, a loving Norwegian father/farmer, a crafty insurance investigator, a milquetoast husband driven to murder by unrequited love, a deranged farmer harboring a dark secret, a determined Nazi hunter - and finally, coming full circle as a ruthless, sadistic mobster terrorizing the occupants of a hotel in Key Largo. An incredible resume -- yet EGR was never even nominated for an Academy Award.
How this album never hit the big time commercially I'll never know. Every song is excellent and still sounds fresh today. Love the added touch of vibes. Who did that back in the 70's? Thanks for posting.
So sorry to learn of Mr. Deerfields passing. I met Eddie through a weekly computer help column I authored in our local paper. We became friends and stayed in touch for several years. He was the 'real deal' and exemplified the very best of "the Greatest Generation". A true Amercian patriot. RIP my friend.
D4661b. Delos Records (Delos Film Buff Series), Pacific Palisades, c1975. DEL/F 25412. 2 sides, 12 in., 33 rpm. Contents include: [on side 1] Basil Rathbone (length 9 minutes). The album includes interviews by Tony Thomas with Edward G. Robinson, Basil Rathbone, Walt Disney, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Stan Laurel. Tony Thomas was appointed a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's radio magazine program "Assignment" at the network headquarters in Toronto, and interviewed Rathbone in December 1958, when Rathbone had been brought to Toronto by the CBC to recite "The Night Before Christmas" on television. The Rathbone interview includes less than 2 minutes about Sherlock Holmes. Broadcast date for the episode on the CBC?
I listened to this record all through my teen years and it was one of my favorites. My aunt Linda used to see these guys play live in Connecticut and she gave us this record, which I still have. So much great music that never quite found its footing in the commercial realm. Thanks for posting.
Buster Keaton is a great comedian actor. I can't contain myself from laughing when I watch huis movies. I love seeing Buster Keaton acting with the actresses he falls in love with in the story. He seems to have been a very kind man. Thanks for this wonderful interview with my favorite actor comedian, Buster Keaton.
What a treat! Thank you so much for sharing this - Basil Rathbone, childhood legend now explained and unveiled as a man beyond the actor. Truly appreciated!
Basil Rathbone career was incredible considering he was born in 1892, which would meant he would have been in his mid 40s when he appeared with Errol Flynn in the Adventures of Robin Hood. Apparently he kept in good shape by having daily fencing exercises.
