Since MHI came to exist, I think the longest running discussion has been who would be the right actor/actress for a particular character. I decided to the casting with actors and actresses of old.
OK, I can’t find a good match for Owen. I tried but I give up for now and wait for my memory to re-start. In the meantime:
Recommendation for Owen which I like: Max Baer Jr.
I AM AN IDIOT! Of course we have an Owen!
Anthony Quinn
Natalie Wood as Julie
Alternate: Dianna Riggs
Jimmy Cagney as Earl
Frank Gorshin as Ray Shackelford
Jack Lemmon as Milo
Robert Mitchum as Agent Franks.
Ossie Davis as Trip
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Tony Curtis as Grant
An Margret as Holly
Vincent Price as Old Man Shackleford (at least one classic Monster Movie actor, right?)
Henry Silva as Lord Machado
Woody Strode as Lococo
If you have recommendations of your own for Owen and other character, let me know in comments.
Wait Natalie Woods, Tony Curtis, AND Jack Lemmon?
Isn’t that just The Great Race with dinosaurs?
And the problem with that would be……?
Based on my reply to Miguel’s comment below… nothing.
Damn my memory. OK we go with Dianna Rigg
Not that there’s anything wrong with it. The Great Race was a fantastic movie, and Natalie Wood was a beautiful woman and a fantastic actress.(who died far too young.)
Dont get me wrong, Robert mitchum was and always be a man’s man. But when it comes to playing a damn near un-killable fundamental force of nature, he’s not right. I hate to say this, and you all know, deep down in your heart of hearts its true. had larry written these books 30 years ago, there’s only one name that could have done it. Give ya a hint. he even has the right accent.
Some of us weren’t around then and are bad w/ names, another hint please
Arnold. It was always Arnold, and it always will be. I cannot in my mind when i read those books not see Agent franks with Arnolds face.
Arnold is neither a Classic (which is the idea here) nor an actor…
To people of my age group, Arnold is absolutely a classic. And while might not have the acting chops of the others on your list, his screen presence was undeniable. And sorry, but i cant take anyone who’d try to do franks role seriously if they arent at least 6’4 and 275lbs of pure hate and muscle. It just cant work.
treestump: that actually disqualifies Arnold, who is fairly short IRL.
He’s 6’2 and some change if i remember right.
I think Bogart would make a better Earl than Cagney. Closer to the right “look” and attitude.
Sam Haven = Henry Fonda?
Max Baer, Jr. as Owen…no, no. Max is too typecast as Jethro Bodine. How about Rory Calhoun?
Cagney could do mean much better than Bogie and with more intensity. Plus he was athletic. Those are my reasons for selecting him.
We’ll eventually nail an Owen…damn sucker is hard
I haven’t seen enough of him for acting chops, but Lon Cheney Jr has the “Just Ugly Enough” look that I always see for Owen.
The young LC Jr. yes… but he is to firmly typcasted as the Werewolf…. Damned racist Hollywood..no classical Samoan actors
Franks; gotta be Richard Mull. Bull from Night Court
I just finished MH Nemesis. Agent Franks is a scary, taciturn, and relentless force of nature. Silent Arnold in his first Terminator movie or Conan (as the gladiator in the ring) movie is what I visualize. He is an organic T-800 dedicated to killing monsters, and never fails his mission.
If you want a classic actor, James Arness or John Wayne might be able to pull it off.
I’ve been thinking this over for a while: Dan Blocker for Agent Franks. Check him out as Waldo Gronsky in “the Lady in Cement”.
stay safe.
Agent Franks is obvious- Boris Karloff.
EIther Karloff or Ted Cassidy (Lurch) for Franks.
Trying to avoid the already typecasted actors…One concession was Vincent Price for tradition’s sake