I’ll admit it: I love to knit by movie light. There are the usual suspects, of course, such as ::swoon:: Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice, etc., but my real faves are not quite as conventional. I love horror and sci-fi. Horror sci-fi a la the Alien Quadrilogy) really does it for me. I have been known to watch all four of the Alien movies in a row — and have done it more than once!
In that vein, I want to honor the career of a man who is both famous (for a filmography of biblical proportions) and infamous (for his vocal opposition to gun control): Charlton Heston. I know Chuck is most famous for his epic roles in the biblical genre — Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments.
As Moses
But I prefer the Charlton Heston who had to resort to B-Movie rubbish as his film career faded.
In Soylent Green
Some of my favorite knit-time movies are Soylent Green and The Omega Man. (I love but do not own the first Planet of the Apes.) I could watch these classics for hours and have! Soylent Green is a cautionary tale that unfortunately seems more true-to-life with each passing day — environmental catastrophe, lack of food and resources, mercy killing because of unavailable health care.
The Omega Man has seen new life with the third remake of the short story classic, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Yes, Will Smith is the third to play the role of Robert Neville. Vincent Price was the first, in The Last Man on Earth, then big Chuck in The Omega Man. I have to cast my vote with Vincent’s incarnation of the role: by far the best of the three, but I am incredibly partial to Vincent! I own this trilogy too of course!
My other trifecta favorites: The Wax Museum/House of Wax trio (1933 with Faye Wray, 1953 with Vinnie Price, and even the Paris Hilton version), the Terminator series (luv Ahnold), the Jurassic Park trilogy, and last, but not least, King Kong x 3.
So now you know I have a male gene in there somewhere. Not a chick flick in sight! Except, of course, ::swoon:: Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice (one more plug for Colin ;)).
I want to thank all of the above for countless hours of knitting companionship with questionable entertainment value. Keep that drivel coming, folks!
Finally, a humorous and slightly irreverent tribute to Chuck (please note that this clip contains one expletive):
Now I think I better go watch Soylent Green one more time!
From Sally: I don’t really share Susan’s love of horror and sci fi, although I can take it in small doses. (My exception is Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, featuring the classic line “But ya are, Blanche.”) I do have a particular fondness for Charlton Heston for some reason, though. Back in the early sixties, he was a champion of civil rights and marched with Martin Luther King. He even supported gun control early on. My favorite movies of his (besides Ben Hur) are the two Musketeer movies, in which he played Cardinal Richelieu. He was wonderful. I also met him briefly back in the early eighties when I worked for The American Film Institute. He had a commanding presence off-screen as well as on.
PS from Susan: DH warned that this post may drive off our loyal readers!
PS2 to Marina: I have watched Bridget Jones’s Diary so many times I know the entire thing by heart (and fans of BJD have probably recognized misused quotes in my posts over the years ;)). I’m a fan because Mr. Darcy is played by THE Mr. Darcy, and the whole thing is a huge trubute to — you guessed it — ::swoon:: Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice.
You must be a couple of amazing knitters because if I had those movies on, either my knitting will be a mess or non-existent.
Give me a “fluffy”, mindless movie (like Bridget Jones or the Replacements or Remember the Titans) and I’ll be alright!
Comment by Marina — April 6, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
I mostly lurk here but you haven’t driven me off. I’m a huge fan of Mr. Heston from way back. In high school in the early 70’s I had pictures of Charlton Heston in my locker (those delicious loincloth scenes from POTA (and one bare butt shot as well.)
His politics aside, he was a master at his craft and should be remembered as such.
He was also a family man deeply in love with his wife all those years. There is nothing sexier in my mind than a man who loves his wife.
Kathy
Comment by Kathy W — April 6, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
It’s true. Charlton Heston was very buff in his day.
Comment by surly — April 6, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
I loved the You Tube clip! A modern spin on a classic. 🙂 Yes, Charlton Heston will be sorely missed.
Comment by Elizabeth Risch — April 6, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
I am saddened as one after another of the ‘classic’ movie stars have passed. The Ten Commandments is one of my all-time favorites. I also admire people who follow their beliefs – whether I agree with those beliefs or not. Mr. Heston followed his.
I have the GAAA pattern and hope to spin the yarn to knit it. This will be a long project but I believe I’ll love all of it.
Comment by Gail R — April 6, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
OMG, I love the Aliens quadrilogy!! In fact, I love watching SciFi and horror while I’m knitting. And Planet of the Apes followed by Soylent Green. A perfect knitting night. I’m really enjoying your site!
Comment by WonderMike — April 6, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
It’s always a surprise to see Ten Commandments pop up when I’m on someones site. This was the first film my Hubby’s father worked on for sound. He(FIL)was working for the film industry in the mail room on summer break before starting University and was asked to take a few reels of film over to the building where they were filming. Just so happened the producers were looking for a new apprentice for sound editing position that had opened up that day and they asked my FIL if he was interested. My Father-in-law just retired after a full career and having just received the Academy Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I love to sit and knit with movies or sitcoms playing. Very relaxing.
Comment by Alison — April 7, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Ladies- I did enjoy the Planet of The Apes movies.
I ADORE the schlock movies, and Baby Jane has to be one of the best (and Joan Crawford in “Straitjacket”)
but what really slayed me was George Costanza in “Seinfeld” saying that line to the guy in the airport.
“But ya are, Blanche, ya are in the shackles…”
Comment by Lorraine — April 7, 2008 @ 11:36 am
What is it about B-movies that makes them so great for knitting? I love watching schlocky horror movies and knitting. That makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon.
Comment by Miss T — April 7, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me! Most of those movies are great! Soylent Green is a classic that my husband and I refer to often. Shoot, it was even on an episode of the Simpsons. I loved Charlton Heston in all his incarnations and perhaps he brought a bit of class to those rather paltry stories. I love your blog, I always find something great here. Monica
Comment by Monica — April 7, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
I watched Soylent Green for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was struck by the issues it showed. It is a powerful film.
Comment by lucette — April 7, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
I too love Soylent Green and Planet of the Apes! I bet you also liked Logan’s Run. Remember that one?!?!
Comment by Jenny — April 11, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Hi Susan!
It was fun to see you and your sister so often this week!
I just had a Pride and Prejudice marathon at my house about a week and a half ago.
Is there anything dreamier than Colin Firth’s smouldering glances?
I also am a movie geek, and the husband and myself have been known to watch all three Lord of the Rings in a row.
Let’s not even go into Star Wars…
Comment by Jess — April 15, 2008 @ 12:32 am