4X4: JOHN FRANKENHEIMER PT. 2 OF 2: DRINKER BANKER SOLIDER SPY

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JOHN FRANKENHEIMER PT. 2 OF 2: DRINKER BANKER SOLDIER SPY

SECONDS & RONIN

John Frankenheimer (1930-2002) was one of the hardest working A-list directors of his generation. Sometimes referred to as a "technical director", Frankenheimer's skill in drama is occasionally undervalued. From early work at the forefront of the golden age of live TV to a series of classic films in the 1960s, he continued working through the 1970s and 1980s with up-and-down box office success, box office disappointments, some head-scratchers and a much-diminished star in the auteur pantheon.  Then a surprising return to TV in the early 90s made him a multi-Emmy-winning  wunderkind in his 60s and led to one last masterpiece in his return to the big screen (which we watch this episode).

Co-host Ken chose Frankenheimer for his 4x4 director and chose the four films we'd watch.

PART TWO

SECONDS (1966) and RONIN (1998)

After The Train (1964) Frankenheimer was offered every action picture around but felt the need to prove he was more than just a technical director of thrills. He chose Seconds, a nightmarish fable about middle age malaise and man's inability to truly change. James Wong Howe lends an air of German Expressionism and neo realism to help keep the look as unsettling as the story. In casting Rock Hudson, not his first choice, Frankenheimer sometimes struggled with the limits of Hudson's talent, going so far as getting him drunk for a scene where his character has to "let go." It works.  Thomas read the book and lets us in on how close the film follows the book and what the film gets right by excising. Seconds is freakishly good so watch it if you've never seen it before listening.

JOHN FRANKENHEIMER 1966-1998
Before jumping way into the future we will briefly discuss the 20+ projects between Seconds and Ronin, a truly up and down assortment of projects that veer from lost masterpieces, large-scale and small, to movies made for hire while he struggled with alcohol abuse.  Frankenheimer found himself without prospects, a journeyman, before returning to TV in the early 1990s in stunning, award-winning, fashion and being welcomed back into features before his last, great film, RONIN (1998).  Frankenheimer's incomparable run in the 60s perfectly positioned him to make an action film with more vigor and verisimilitude than any other director of the time, at age 67! In addition to Frankenheimer's detailed planning of the film and location work we also talk the infamous David Mamet script he took his name off of after the WGA would not give him full credit and the incredible stunt work it took to pull everything off. There was also a critic at the time that thought the amazing Paris car chase went on "too long."  We'll roast that dumb-dumb. It is a top tier all time great car chase. 

So listen and hopefully our few hours talking about four of his movies gets you interested in checking out more of Frankenheimer's work. It's worth it. Our 4X4 series is meant to be an overview, a sampler plate with our favorites, but a director like Frankenheimer has a deep bench worth exploring.

(in this episode Chuck Norris is mentioned when the actor in question was, in fact, the great Chuck Connors. Apologies to the family of Chuck Connors) 

THEME SONG BY: WEIRD A.I.

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Ken: Ken Koral
Jack: jackk1096