There are many actors and actresses who have distinguished themselves onscreen but are never celebrated and tend to toil under cloud cover no matter how exceptional they may be. Some manage to have breakthrough roles late in their careers but never seem to secure a place in Hollywood's Hallowed Halls.
Harry Dean Stanton fits that description. Through his long career on television and the big screen, his offbeat presence and performances have earned him the right to be feted.
Roger Ebert once compiled a list of movie rules as addenda in his books of reviews. Among them was the Harry Dean Stanton Rule, which states; No movie with Harry Dean Stanton in it can be all bad. Whether this holds to up to scrutiny is for each movie-lover to determine. But I'll coin my own Rule: Any movie, irrespective of its quality, can always be made better with Harry Dean Stanton in it. And I'll ferociously defend that rule.
Stanton was born in West Irvine, Kentucky on July 14, 1926. His mother was a cook and his father earned a living as a barber and tobacco farmer. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and upon his return to civilian life, he studied radio arts and journalism. He also performed in school productions and considered a career as writer before appearing in a University production of Pygmalion. He soon embarked on an acting career and subsequently moved to California to perform at the Pasadena Playhouse. Before long, he pursued roles in film and television. He made his screen debut in the modest 1957 film Tomahawk Trail but it wasn't until the film Cool Hand Luke that film-goers began to take notice.
Stanton's work on television and films continued, leading to small roles in 70s' movie fare like The Godfather 2, Kelly's Heroes and The Missouri Breaks. His Jerry Schue in the under-appreciated 1978 film Straight Time is a role that typifies his career; playing non-lead characters who make a dramatic impact.
A part in Ridley Scott's Alien showed Stanton could take on genre work without sacrificing artistic credibility. He continued this trend into the 1980s' with a role in another sci-fi classic Escape from New York and the cult film Repo Man, where Stanton's flare for comedy helped make a small, independent film enduringly charming.
In a role he will most likely be remembered for, Stanton's Travis Henderson in Wim Wenders' 1984 masterpiece Paris, Texas is a powerful, tour de force performance; showing deep and dark psychological depth. The scenes of Stanton wandering through the desert have become iconic in their own right.
His versatility was made manifest with John Hughes' Pretty in Pink and before the decade became history, he appeared in Martin Scorsese's controversial The Last Temptation of Christ as Paul; very inspired and unusual casting.
In the 1990s', Stanton became a fixture in David Lynch productions with Wild at Heart, the hit television series Twin Peaks and later the strange but fascinating The Straight Story. An amusing performance in another small role in The Green Mile book-ended his work for the decade.
Lynch called upon Stanton again for his 2006 Inland Empire and to the present day, he has lent his voice to animated features, T.V. shows and small roles in film. He tends to pop-up where one might least expect, like The Avengers but he is still occasionally cast in films that seem tailor-made for him, like Seven Psychopaths.
That he has never received an Oscar or Golden Globe nomination doesn't mean much, considering performances by insipid hacks like Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock have been considered Oscar-worthy at times, especially recently. The fact that Stanton's work will most likely never earn him the praise he sorely deserves is disappointing but at least those with discerning tastes will have his work to appreciate and admire when Hollywood's paper gods and goddesses are swept away in the tsunami of time.
It's comforting to know he's still at it as I write this. Wherever and whenever he appears onscreen, I'll be sure to notice...and be aware of how much better movies seem to be with him in the cast.
9 Harry's
1. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
It might have been Paul Newman's movie but Harry makes his presence known, particularly with his rendition of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, which he sings to his own guitar accompaniment.
2. Straight Time (1978)
Stanton plays a former ex-con who agrees to his friend Max's (Dustin Hoffman) heist plan; more out of boredom with his suburban life than a need to score cash. Stanton's performance is tough and edgy and is as indelible as Hoffman's.
3. Alien (1979)
Donning a cap, cargo pants and a Hawaiian shirt, who can forget Brett, crew member of the spaceship Nostromo? Stanton joins an ensemble cast, lead by Sigourney Weaver but is hardly lost among so much talent. Poor Brett, he isn't spared the alien's predations.
4. Escape from New York (1981)
Returning to the sci-fi world, Stanton plays Brain, a powerful mobster in the walled-off prison known as New York City. Again, his presence and performance ensure he isn't overwhelmed with an ensemble cast that includes Ernest Borgnine, Kurt Russell, Donald Pleasence, Lee Van Cleef and Isaac Hayes.
5. Repo Man (1984)
As Bud, veteran repo man and mentor to the young Otto (Emilio Estevez), Stanton is amusing and delightful. The role seems very Stantonian; quirky and off the beaten track.
6. Paris, Texas (1984)
A brilliant and moving performance as an amnesiac who is estranged from his brother (Dean Stockwell) and son (Hunter Carson), and a wife (Natassja Kinski) who abandoned the family. The rapprochement he seeks comes at a heavy, emotional cost. Wender's film and Stanton's performance are for the ages.
7. Wild at Heart (1990)
The first of several collaborations with David Lynch, Stanton was an ideal casting choice for a film populated by magnificent weirdos, dangerous ghouls and bizarre beings. I particularly like the scene where Stanton barks at a T.V. show where wild dogs tear an animal apart.
8. The Straight Story (1999)
Stanton plays Lyle, the stroke-afflicted brother of Alvin (Richard Farnsworth), who drives his tractor through Iowa and Wisconsin to see his brother before he passes. Based on a true story, Lynch's film is carried by Stanton, Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek's excellent performances. He also reprises Just A Closer Walk With Thee over the closing credits.
9. The Green Mile (1999)
I'll never forget Stanton's character Toot-Toot, who sits in an electric chair during a mock execution. His supposed last words are amusing and a comic moment in a movie that was anything but comical. Too bad we didn't see more of him but at least he made a mountain out of a small role.
I hope I characterized Stanton's career well and have sufficiently sung his praises. Please feel free to comment and mention a performance you may have found memorable.
Cool Hand Luke, Straight Time, Alien, Escape from New York, Repo Man, Paris, Texas, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story, The Green Mile.
