John Cassavetes

A few months ago I stumbled on a YouTube account called James Whale Bake Sale. The channel features interviews with comedians, directors, and other celebrities talking about their own films or those they admire. Most of the interviews are taken from podcast appearances. I’m particularly drawn to the interviews with Bill Hader, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorcese, and other directors. One of the most discussed filmmakers on the channel is John Cassavetes. I’ve been aware of him for decades, between seeing his 1958 film, Shadows, back in college and repeated viewings of Rosemary’s Baby.

I spent late November and most of December watching the films he directed, wrote, or starred in… ranging from the very terrible The Incubus and Big Trouble to the highly influential Gloria, and A Woman Under the Influence, and Shadows; and television appearances on Columbo and his starring role on Johnny Staccato. Like Wes Anderson (whose Darjeeling Limited was clearly influenced by Cassavetes Husbands) often sports a troupe of regulars that includes Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Timoty Carey, and Val Avery (and others).

Other movies of note as actor