John Huston: Biography, Creativity

The famous American film director, screenwriter, actor John Marcellus Houston was born on August 5, 1906 in the family of actor Walter Houston, who at that time lived and worked with his few households in Nevada , Missouri.

Boxing instead of school

At the age of ten, John Houston took a great interest in boxing and took part in competitions for teenagers. Sports so captured him that John even dropped out of school. He firmly decided to become a professional boxer and thereby earn a living. The first appearances, which John Huston spent in amateur boxing, were reassuring, he won one meeting after another. However, soon with him there was an unpleasant incident, which put an end to his sports career.

John once got himself into a scandalous fight, as a result of which the well-known actor Errol Flynn was seriously injured . Severely beaten, he was in hospital for a long time.

The first test

At the age of nineteen, John Houston made his debut in a big movie, playing an episodic role in a low-budget film. But since they did not send him more invitations, the young man went to Mexico, where he became a cavalryman and started breeding horses. All this time, Houston, Jr. did not lose touch with his father, and when he went to Hollywood for another shooting, John went with him, deciding again to try to become an actor.

However, fate decided otherwise, and the failed performer of roles became a screenwriter, and then a director of feature films. Good literary abilities helped him to advance to the front ranks in a short time. US writers are part of a well-functioning system in which random people do not fall. And if writers have adopted a newcomer into their ranks, it means that he is worthy to deal with a difficult and responsible case of writing scripts.

Vocation

The success of Houston was obvious, he wrote several scenarios for classical paintings, such as "Jezebel" - this film was later shot by William Wyler. John was nominated for Oscar three times in 1938 and 1940 for his work.

In 1941, Houston made his directorial debut as a filmmaker with the film "The Maltese Falcon". Then followed two more films, a thriller "Through the Ocean" and a melodrama titled "This is our life."

Sociability as the basis of creativity

The director had an easy social character, he loved entertainment, rallies, friendly companies with drinks. On many scenarios and directing works there is a noticeable imprint of his personal worldview. A convinced supporter of bright, witty dialogues in the film, Houston created his characters with gay, sparkling people, and it always helped him to release an interesting film.

The Criminal Drama of 1963

Sometimes the director turned to mystical subjects, one of his works was a film released in 1963. A crime drama called "List of Adrian Messenger" was staged on the same name by Philip MacDonald.

The main character of the writer Messenger Adrian suggests that at first glance, there are no unrelated several deaths, in fact, they are links in one chain. In his opinion, these are murders, carefully planned and executed in cold blood.

Adrian appeals to his friend, Anthony Getrin, a former intelligence officer, asking for help in uncovering this intricate affair. However, soon Messenger himself dies in a plane crash, leaving behind him a mysterious list of names and a few dying words. As a result of the investigation, Gethrin concludes that he has before him a list of names of former military prisoners of one of the camps in Burma. The prisoners attempted to organize an escape, but one of the guards, Canadian Sergeant George Brougham, prevented it from doing so. Now every prisoner has a good reason to wish the Canadian to die. But he himself is quite capable of neutralizing any of them. What really happened? This mystery to find out Anthony Gethrin.

"At the foot of the volcano"

In 1984, Houston created a joint Mexican-American drama for the work of the English writer Malcolm Lauri "Under the Volcano."

Events unfold in Mexico in 1939. The war has already begun, tearing Europe apart. The film narrates about one day in the life of British diplomat Jeffrey Firmin, who works as a consul in a small Mexican town.

The Englishman suffers from alcoholism, and this makes his life unbearable. Jeffrey tries not to succumb to the addiction, but this situation worsens even more, he loses his composure, makes rash acts. The former wife of Yvonne, who even after the divorce did not leave her husband in distress, watches anxiously the process of self-destruction that took Jeffrey.

A worthy woman hopes for a successful outcome, believes that the former husband will be cured and stop drinking. She as a loving spouse is trying to be closer to the Firm, at any time to come to the rescue. Her fears are shared by Geoffrey's brother, who is called Hugh. He watches anxiously the degradation of the native person himself, listens carefully to the brother's arguments about the imminent death of civilization and that its destruction has already begun from himself - Jeffrey Firmin.

As for the collapsed civilization, it was said prematurely, but the self-destruction of the consul was already becoming obvious. The process has become irreversible.

The role of the protagonist was intended for Richard Barton, but he died in August 1984, and Houston John invited to the film project charismatic Albert Finney, who could, like nobody else, play a drunk diplomat. The image of his wife was performed by the inimitable French actress Jacqueline Bisset, and brother Hugh - English actor Anthony Andrews.

"Return of the King"

Particularly it is necessary to note the participation of the director in the production of a full-length animated film by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin. Houston John did not act as a director or screenwriter. He voiced the animated picture "The Return of the King." Work in more than an hour and a half was a lot, but Houston did not count with time. His character Gandalf the Gray turned out to be the best.

Cartoon became the adaptation of the last part of the trilogy of John Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." At the same time, the picture was conceived as a continuation of the "Hobbit", a children's fairytale in the style of a musical.

The heroes themselves tell about what is happening, now and then breaking off with a monologue for singing. The plot does not have strict outlines, the action is fairly free. The protagonist is Sam, but not Frodo, Aragorn's character is minimized, his rule is not described.

The picture begins with a festive feast, where Bilbo asks Frodo's question about where the Ring went. Frodo, Gandalf, the minstrel and others begin the story of how the Hobbits carried the Ring to Mordor.

Houston John, the best director of his time, could take on any work, if only it was for the benefit of the development of American cinema. Directing a full-length film or the voice of the cartoon hero - everything was the same in the eyes of the great stage director.

When Houston John, whose films became increasingly popular, filmed the movie "God knows, Mr. Allison," he spent a lot of time in Ireland. There, between the films, the director was engaged in painting. The film "Uncaused" about the cowboys gave Houston the opportunity to saddle the thoroughbred stallions almost every day and go on long hikes. He was walking in his spare time shooting in the woods in company with Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gabble, who starred. Both the director and the actors sat splendidly in the saddle.

Roles in own film projects

John Houston did not miss the opportunity to play at least a small role in his film, if it was to the benefit of the common cause. In the early seventies, he began to appear in the film projects of his familiar directors. The best role for Houston is Noah Cross, a respectable gangster from the movie "Chinatown" directed by Roman Polanski.

Recent films of the director

The film "Honor of the family Prizzi", which Houston took in 1985, was one of the final works in his career. Starring Jack Nicholson and Catherine Turner.

The latest film, entitled "The Dead" - a screen version of James Joyce's novel of the same name, was a worthy end to the career of Houston John, who rightfully wears the title of "Best Director" of American cinema.

Awards

1. In 1949, Houston John won the Golden Globe Award for staging the film "Treasures of the Sierra Madre."
2. In the same year, the director was awarded "Oscar" in the nomination "Best Screenplay" and "Best Direction" in the film "Treasures of the Sierra Madre."
3. Year 1953 - the prize "Silver Lion" for staging the movie "Moulin Rouge".
4. "Golden Globe" in 1964, the role of the second plan in the film "Cardinal".
5. In 1985, the "Golden Lion" at the Venice Film Festival for his contribution to the world cinema.
6. "Golden Globe" in 1986 for the best direction, the film "The honor of the family Prizzi."

The Houston Dynasty is the first in Hollywood, awarded the "Oscar" award in three generations. Gold statuettes were awarded to the director's close relatives for participating in the films created by John Houston himself.