Scott W. Davis
09-01-2003, 04:57 AM
Although his lengthy filmography is remarkably free of just about any kind of horror, the fact is that Charles Bronson meant a lot to fans of cult cinema. The was truly an under-appreciated talent. The whethered face and haunting eyes often said what words couldn't and his soft-spoken tone carried more dramatic weight than a dozen screaming fits ever would have.
A lot of positive memories have Bronson associated with them. My father and I would often bond over a night of Charles Bronson films. He had been a fan ever since seeing DEATH WISH while on a business trip in the 1970s. A lot of the syndicated stations in the eighties did a booming business by re-running the DEATH WISH series, along with THE MECHANIC (my favorite), 10 TO MIDNIGHT, TELEFON and numerous other films. Whenever they were on, I would make a point of getting my homework done early (or at least pretending to) and watch them with my father.
Bronson had a rough childhood. Born Charles Buchinsky, he was one of fifteen - yes, fifteen - children. The son of a Pennsylvanian coal miner, he was drafted into the army where he fought during World War II. He intended to make a blue collar living designing theatre sets but gradually learned to appreciate the art of acting. He shrugged off any pretensions by stating, "Acting is the easiest thing I've done. I guess that's why I'm stuck with it." He started appearing in small film roles in the 1950s. It was here he had his sole notable horror credit, as Igor in HOUSE OF WAX.
But it wasn't until Roger Corman cast in as MACHINE-GUN KELLY that he got his first big break in Hollywood. When the studios came calling, he had a memorable role in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, where he has some very poignant scenes with the children of the families he is paid to protect. Bronson continued to star in such gems as MASTER OF THE WORLD, KID GALAHAD, THE GREAT ESCAPE, THE SANDPIPER, THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, THE DIRTY DOZEN, THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED, VILLA RIDES, THE FAMILY and THE VALACHI PAPERS.
But if anyone doubted his ability to play it tough, cool and yet provide an emotional wallop that put a lump in your throat, they were proved wrong in 1968. It was that year that Sergio Leone cast in the quintessential Spaghetti western classic, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Playing the mysterious stranger who always played a lonesome harmonica, as if it was a wolf's lonely howl in the night, he was the perfect flipside to Henry Fonda's despicable killer.
In the 1970s, his career got another boost when he teamed up with director Michael Winner for THE MECHANIC and followed it up with the cult classic, DEATH WISH. MR. MAJESTYK, BREAKOUT, HARD TIMES, BREAKHEART PASS, ST. IVES, TELEFON and CABO BLACNO rounded out the seventies.
The eighties saw a renewed interest in action and Bronson found a new fan base, often thanks to the films he made with The Cannon Group, Inc. This included four sequels to DEATH WISH, 10 TO MIDNIGHT, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, MURPHY'S LAW, ASSASSINATION, MESSENGER OF DEATH and KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS. He recieved some of the best reviews of his career when Sean Penn cast him as a distraut father in THE INDIAN RUNNER, a treasure just waiting to be discovered.
Bronson married three times. His second wife was actress Jill Ireland, whom he co-starred with multiple times. They were married from 1968 until her death from breast cancer in 1990.
Charles Bronson had been sick for some time, reportedly suffering from Alzheimers Disease for the past two years. He had been fighting pneumonia for four weeks before finally passing away on Saturday, August 30. Charles Bronson was 81 years old.
I know of one father and son who will be mourning his passing.
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[I 30h nightmare31 I]Comment on Charles Bronson and his work in our !
A lot of positive memories have Bronson associated with them. My father and I would often bond over a night of Charles Bronson films. He had been a fan ever since seeing DEATH WISH while on a business trip in the 1970s. A lot of the syndicated stations in the eighties did a booming business by re-running the DEATH WISH series, along with THE MECHANIC (my favorite), 10 TO MIDNIGHT, TELEFON and numerous other films. Whenever they were on, I would make a point of getting my homework done early (or at least pretending to) and watch them with my father.
Bronson had a rough childhood. Born Charles Buchinsky, he was one of fifteen - yes, fifteen - children. The son of a Pennsylvanian coal miner, he was drafted into the army where he fought during World War II. He intended to make a blue collar living designing theatre sets but gradually learned to appreciate the art of acting. He shrugged off any pretensions by stating, "Acting is the easiest thing I've done. I guess that's why I'm stuck with it." He started appearing in small film roles in the 1950s. It was here he had his sole notable horror credit, as Igor in HOUSE OF WAX.
But it wasn't until Roger Corman cast in as MACHINE-GUN KELLY that he got his first big break in Hollywood. When the studios came calling, he had a memorable role in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, where he has some very poignant scenes with the children of the families he is paid to protect. Bronson continued to star in such gems as MASTER OF THE WORLD, KID GALAHAD, THE GREAT ESCAPE, THE SANDPIPER, THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, THE DIRTY DOZEN, THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED, VILLA RIDES, THE FAMILY and THE VALACHI PAPERS.
But if anyone doubted his ability to play it tough, cool and yet provide an emotional wallop that put a lump in your throat, they were proved wrong in 1968. It was that year that Sergio Leone cast in the quintessential Spaghetti western classic, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Playing the mysterious stranger who always played a lonesome harmonica, as if it was a wolf's lonely howl in the night, he was the perfect flipside to Henry Fonda's despicable killer.
In the 1970s, his career got another boost when he teamed up with director Michael Winner for THE MECHANIC and followed it up with the cult classic, DEATH WISH. MR. MAJESTYK, BREAKOUT, HARD TIMES, BREAKHEART PASS, ST. IVES, TELEFON and CABO BLACNO rounded out the seventies.
The eighties saw a renewed interest in action and Bronson found a new fan base, often thanks to the films he made with The Cannon Group, Inc. This included four sequels to DEATH WISH, 10 TO MIDNIGHT, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, MURPHY'S LAW, ASSASSINATION, MESSENGER OF DEATH and KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS. He recieved some of the best reviews of his career when Sean Penn cast him as a distraut father in THE INDIAN RUNNER, a treasure just waiting to be discovered.
Bronson married three times. His second wife was actress Jill Ireland, whom he co-starred with multiple times. They were married from 1968 until her death from breast cancer in 1990.
Charles Bronson had been sick for some time, reportedly suffering from Alzheimers Disease for the past two years. He had been fighting pneumonia for four weeks before finally passing away on Saturday, August 30. Charles Bronson was 81 years old.
I know of one father and son who will be mourning his passing.
--------
[I 30h nightmare31 I]Comment on Charles Bronson and his work in our !