Pic of the Day: “House of Numbers” revisited

Posted by Marisa on July 15, 2013

Today we wish a very happy 86th birthday to Joe Turkel! Most folks remember him as one of the three scapegoated prisoners, along with Timothy and Ralph Meeker, from Paths of Glory (1957). However, I bet you didn’t know that he and Tim appeared together (just barely) earlier that year in Russell Rouse‘s House of Numbers. They both had small uncredited roles as, strangely enough, prisoners. Here is the best screen shot I could get with he and Tim in the same shot.

The previous year, he and Tim had also both worked for Stanley Kubrick for the first time in The Killing. Turkel has always been a memorable presence in whatever film in which he appears. We here at the TCE send him warmest birthday wishes!

Memorial Day

Posted by Marisa on May 27, 2013

Today we remember those who fought and died during wartime. Stanley Kubrick‘s Paths of Glory (1957) is one of the best cinematic depictions of the insanity of war. Timothy, Ralph Meeker and Joseph Turkel portrayed the innocent victims of the incompetence and arrogance of the generals on the hill.

Let’s honor those who died by questioning anyone calling for more of them to die.

Video of the Week: “Paths of Glory”

Posted by Marisa on March 20, 2013

This week it’s short and sweet. We feature Timothy’s classic line from Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957). Also appearing are Ralph Meeker and Joseph Turkel.

I honestly believe that Tim’s play The Insect Trainer was, at least in part, his attempt to make amends to the cockroach.

Pic of the Day: “Paths of Glory” revisited

Posted by Marisa on September 18, 2012

It’s way past time that we took another look at one of Timothy’s most celebrated roles, that of slow-talking, droopy-eyed Pvt. Ferol in Stanley Kubrick‘s Paths of Glory (1957). Here Col. Dax (Kirk Douglas) is encouraging Ferol and his fellow unjustly accused comrades-in-arms (Ralph Meeker and Joseph Turkel) not to “look like [they’re] dropping [their] eyes in a hangdog manner” during the court-martial.

Apparently Tim had to stand in a hole in the ground during this scene, so that his 6’4″ self would not tower over Douglas at 5’9″. I wonder if Douglas remembered Tim’s shenanigans on the Ace in the Hole (1951) set?

Memorial Day

Posted by Marisa on May 28, 2012

Let’s honor those who died by questioning anyone calling for more of them to die.

Pic of the Day: “House of Numbers” revisited

Posted by Marisa on November 22, 2011

Tuesday’s pic is one of my latest eBay acquisitions. It’s an original still from Russell Rouse’s prison drama House of Numbers (1957), starring Jack Palance in a dual role. Tim is uncredited but his usual scene-stealing self as Palance’s cellmate Frenchy.

Another young character actor from Brooklyn by the name of Joseph Turkel also appears as a prisoner, also uncredited. He and Tim would end up in four films together. Can you name them?

Pic of the Day: “Paths of Glory” revisited

Posted by Marisa on November 21, 2011

To celebrate the birthday anniversary of the late great Ralph Meeker, today’s pic is another from Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957). Here we see the three scapegoated prisoners: Pvt. Maurice Ferol (Tim), Cpl. Phillipe Paris (Meeker), and Pvt. Pierre Arnaud (Joseph Turkel).

Meeker always made a strong impact in whatever film he was in. I especially loved him as Mike Hammer in Kiss Me Deadly (1955). I will always have a soft spot for the man Tim crushed a cockroach for. He is missed.

Quote of the Week

Posted by Marisa on August 28, 2011

EC: You worked with Timothy Carey, of course, in both The Killing and Paths of Glory. And you also worked with him in Bert I. Gordon‘s The Boy and the Pirates (1960). You have any interesting stories to tell about Timothy Carey?

Turkel: Oh, Tim is delightful, may he rest in peace. He was his own man, and he would do anything to call attention to himself in a scene. All the actors would say, “Tim, will you tone it down a little? Just play the scene.” (laughing) He was a nice man, and he had a nice career… Let me say this, all the producers who hired him had to pay a price. However, they got something for what they paid. He was well worth the price.

— Joe Turkel, interview with Eric Caidin, “Lloyd Speaks!: An Interview with Actor Joseph Turkel,” Shock Cinema magazine #20, Spring-Summer 2002

Pic of the Day: “The Boy and the Pirates”

Posted by Marisa on May 27, 2011

In honor of Turner Classic Movies’ upcoming showing of Bert I. Gordon’s The Boy and the Pirates (1960), today’s pic (click to embiggen) comes from that very film. Tim will make you forget all about Capt. Jack Sparrow, believe me. Best. Pirate. Ever. It’s also a treat to see Tim’s Paths of Glory co-star, the great Joseph Turkel, in this film as well, but unfortunately they have no scenes together. From Stanley Kubrick to Bert I. Gordon – wow. Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous… (No offense, Bert.)