Seeing this image in The Night of the Hunter was the first time (I can remember) my mouth literally dropping open at a shot in a film. The film is a must-see – directed by actor Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum and Lillian Gish (Lillian Gish!!). It was shot by Stanley Cortez – in astonishingly expressive and theatrical black & white.
The Night of the Hunter
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I had the same ‘wow’ reaction. This image alone would be enough to love but there’s also barn sunrise, the tatooed knuckles, the ‘Everlasting Arms’ song, and Mitchum squealing. (Shelley Winters also held her breath nicely in Poseidon Adventure).
Oh, I totally agree. This moment made my jaw drop … but the whole film left me reeling in delight. I’d never (and not really since) seen anything like it.
‘Reeling’ is good. Other stunning films from that period I love are A Matter of Life and Death; Dead of Night; Forbidden Planet; and Leave Her To Heaven.