Happy Halloween!

Publicity photo of Veronica Lake for I Married a Witch

Book Review: “Henry Brandon: King of the Bogeyman”

When I was younger they used to show Babes in Toyland (1934)—also known as March of the Wooden Soldiers—on television in New York during the Thanksgiving holiday season. I always looked forward to watching it with my older brother. Henry Brandon (billed as Henry Kleinbach), like Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz (1939), scared me to death as a child. Hamilton had the flying monkeys, Brandon had the boogeymen; the stuff nightmares are made of.

Authors Bill Cassara and Richard S. Greene have compiled a biography of the character actor that highlights his roles on stage and in film, rather than presenting a full-blown record of the details of his birth, family life, schooling, and so on. That doesn’t mean we don’t learn some facts about Brandon’s life apart from his career. We learn that he was educated at Stamford University, was fluent in German, and had a distinguished military record during World War II.

The bulk of the biography details Brandon’s acting careering, highlighting his signature roles: The evil Barnaby in Babes in Toyland and Scar in The Searchers (1955). Brandon’s character acting career was quite prolific, but unlike Walter Brennan, most people didn’t know Brandon by name. Brandon carved out successful career in Hollywood as a character actor without—unlike Brennan—being under contract to a major or minor Hollywood studio. Brandon’s talent for portraying just about any ethnic character pretty much guaranteed his constant employment.

Henry Brandon: King of the Boogeymen is generously illustrated with photographs of the actor in his various film roles, as well as casual photographs of Brandon with his many friends and colleagues.

If you’re interested in classic Hollywood and learning about a talented journeyman character actor, you’ll enjoy this biography.

Henry Brandon: King of the Bogeyman
Trade Paper: 536 pages
BearManor Media (June 23, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781629333359
ISBN-13: 978-1629333359
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Price: $29.95

Screening of “Pursued” at Daystar Center October 29

Pursued (1947)

Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Room 102

When: October 29, 2018

Time: 6:45 p.m

Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Pursued (1947) is considered the first noir western, starring Teresa Wright and Robert Mitchum. Mitchum is Jeb, a man haunted by traumatic events from his past that left him an orphan. Mrs. Callum (Judith Anderson) adopts him and raises him as her son with her natural children Adam (John Rodney) and Thorley (Wright). But there is tension in these relationships, and a man he doesn’t even know torments Jeb for reasons he doesn’t understand.

Robert Mitchum and Teresa Wright

Directed by Raoul Walsh (White Heat), with photography by the legendary James Wong Howe and music by the equally legendary Max Steiner. Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese counts "Pursued" as one of his favorite films and is responsible for its restoration.

General Admission: $5, Students and Senior Citizens: $3

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

Before the movie, grab a cup of coffee from Overflow Coffee Bar, located within the Daystar Center. You can bring food and beverages into room 102.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.