Note: The views and opinions expressed in "Guest Starring" movie commentary are not necessarily the views of 3BlackChicks Enterprises™; commentary presented in original form as submitted by "Guest Star" commentator, except where noted otherwise; copyright belongs to respective authors.
"Hey Boo": To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
Review Copyright Roger Zotti, 2003
To Kill A Mockingbird is based on Harper Lee's semi-autobiographical novel. It's told from Jean Louis Finch's point of view and centers on her and her brother Jem's coming of age in a racially divided Alabama town in the 1930s. The children are the son and daughter of widower Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), a brave lawyer who defends a black man (Brock Peters) unjustly accused of raping a white woman (Colin Wilcox).
There are two interwoven tales. The first one involves the children and their neighbor, Boo Radley (Robert Duvall, in his film debut). Stories abound about Boo: One is that he stabbed his father in the leg with a scissors; another is that he has a long scar on his face, yellow teeth, and drools.
We don't see Boo until near the end. And when we do, it's one of the film's most unforgettable moments. It's difficult to forget the way Attcus introduces his daughter to Boo, who's hiding behind the bedroom door. "Miss Jean Louise...Mr. Arthur Radley," Atticus says. "I believe he already knows you."
The second part of the film has to do with Atticus. He's asked by Judge Taylor (Paul Fix) to defend a black man, Tom Robinson (Brock Peters). Robinson is accused of beating and raping a white woman, Mayella Violet Ewell (Collin Wilcox). Atticus agrees.
The trial scene contains no courtroom theatrics and is one of the film's highlights. You can't keep your eyes off Peters. His suffering is expressed on his pained brow, in the hurt and sincerity in his eyes, and in the way he delivers his lines. He deserved at the least an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. ( Veteran actor Ed Begley won it for Sweet Bird of Youth.)
Mary Badham portrays Jean Louise (nicknamed Scout); Philip Alford is Jem; and John Megna plays Dill, their friend from Mississippi. Often children in films are painfully cute and nothing more. But that's not the case with Badham, Alford, and Megna. The youngsters give believable performances.
To Kill A Mockingbird was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Peck won the Oscar for Best Actor. Horton Foote won the Oscar for his adapted screenplay.
So, what do you think of this flick, or of the above commentary on it? Fill out the information below to let us know...