CULT MOVIE OF THE DAY(23-12-2009).THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER(1955)

As Laughton himself liked to say,he had a face like an elephant's backside,so it's odd that he didn't go behind the camera more often-especially as Mitchum always said he was the best director  he'd ever worked with.Laughton may,though,have been depressed by the commercial and critical failure of this film which,almost inevitably(given its storyline about a psychotic preacher who pesters two kids to find out where where their dad has hidden his loot from a robbery),was banned in Finland.Gish's casting is just one of many nods by Laughton to DW Griffith.Nobody has ever played a psychopath with the charisma and complete confidence of Mitchum.Laughton apparently warned him:"The character you are about to play is a complete shit."To which Mitchum replied:"Present."
Director:Charles Laughton. Cast:Robert Mitchum,Lillian Gish

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