Mister Buddwing (1966) starring James Garner

The movie begins with James Garner's character waking up on a park bench in New York with a serious case of amnesia. He has no identification other than a strange phone number and a ring with initials.

I loved the movie's mystery that slowly unfolds over the course of the film; the Garner character slowly remembers his past which is revealed via flashback sequences. The movie was shot on location in New York and I loved seeing all the scenes on the street. 

The film has a good supporting cast:  Jean Simmons, Suzanne Pleshette, Angela Lasbury, Katherine Ross, Jack Gilford, Nichelle Nichols.

They all play interesting characters that Garner meets along the way who may or may not be truly related to his character.

One of my favorite scenes occurs when a man in a park may or may not have discovered that Garner's character is a escaped mental patient. A cop comes up to Garner and questions him intensely, only to be sidetracked by a bunch of young college kids who stage a faux protest. 

It is directed by Delbert Mann (Marty), and features a cameo by Joe Mantell who played Marty's best friend Angelo. 

Interesting bit of trivia: It was nominated for Best Costume (B/W) and Best Art Direction (BW) for the year of 1966. It lost to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?   

If you are a longtime reader of my blog, you will remember that I think Virginia Woolf's Oscar win for Costume is one of the most bizarre wins in the history of the Oscars.

Believe it or not, the Oscar nominations for Mister Buddwing are almost as bewildering. For example, James Garner wears the same suit and tie throughout the entire film, which takes place over the course of a couple days. I don't ever remember seeing the suit spotted in any way. As far as art direction, much of the film showed Garner on the streets of New York: in a park, on a bridge, on the streets, in a taxicab. Oscar-worthy technical achievement?  Sigh! No wonder 1966 was the last year Black-And-White Oscars were presented.

Nonetheless, the movie is enjoyable with bouts of humor, but it is not a comedy. Overall the tone is somewhat somber.  I recommend the movie if you are fan of James Garner or anyone in the cast, or want to see New York City in the mid-1960s.

Additional Reviews:  Filmsnoir.net | Original New York Times review

The Magnificent 60s

Joe Mantell (1915-2010)

Character actor Joe Mantell has passed away at the age of 94.

Left: Ernest Borgnine as Marty; Right: Joe Mantell as Angelo

Never heard of him?

If you have seen the 1955 movie Marty, then you'll recall Marty's best friend, fellow bachelor Angelo (AKA Angie). I love this movie, so that's how I remember him. Mantell originated the role on television, and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the big screen version. His Oscar nomination did not lead to more movie roles, for whatever reason.

He had a bit part as a salesman in another one of my favorite films, The Birds (1963) where his cigarette match starts a huge gas station explosion, killing him instantly and further provoking the killer fowl. Poor bastard.

He also had small parts in Storm Center, The Sad Sack, Chinatown, and The Two Jakes.

He also acted in numerous television over the years.


Read more memories/ obituaries from:

The Hollywood Reporter | Scott Feinberg.com | Boot Hill

Sean P. Means | Pop Eater | Alt Film Guide

Marty (1955) Starring Ernest Borgnine

This is one of my favorite movies; set in New York, it's about two single adults who don't feel like they fit but find a connection with each other. Ernest Borgnine is a lonely butcher.  He's in his 30s and still lives at home with his Italian mother.

At the butcher shop, everyone asks Marty when he's gonna get married. He and his buddy Angelo/"Angie" (Joe Mantell) hang out at bars and then ultimately end up watching TV at home.

He meets Betsy Blair at a dance. She's called a nasty name by her date, who leaves without her. The two end up talking for the rest of the night.  The original production was a TV film, one of the first ever, and starred Rod Stieger in the lead role. In 1955 the film was remade and released in theaters produced by Burt Lancaster.

Ernest Borgnine, previously known for From Here To Eternity, stars as Marty, a single butcher in.

It's a great film with great characters and dialogue focusing on self esteem and body acceptance, rarely talked about in films at that time. It won Best Picture at the Oscars, and Ernest Borgnine won Best Actor. Betsy Blair and Joe Mantell were also nominated for their roles.