Johnny Nash Movies
Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. "Banjo" Patterson, The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down-under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig, a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica (Sigrid Thornton), his boss' daughter, and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard-hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled, one-legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920, The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller, not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max (1979). A monumental moneymaker, the film inspired a 1988 sequel, confusingly titled Return to Snowy River, Part II. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Jack Thompson, (more)
- 1960
This is a well-wrought action-thriller with enough menacing violence to keep a shock value high, but not enough to overcome the characters or the script. Fred Morrow (Jeffrey Hunter), a real-estate agent who stops by a bar to make a phone call, is a chance witness to a knifing by an L.A. street gang. Upset and conscientious, he picks up the phone and calls the police. Once the men in blue arrive, Fred is the only one willing to testify against the gang members -- as usual, no one else has seen anything. From that moment onward, Fred and his family are harassed as the drugged-out gang turns to any means to shut him up or to permanently silence him. Dennis Hopper is a standout as the gang's ruling villain -- the type of character he would become noted for playing -- and the rest of the gang, including singer Johnny Nash as the only Afro-American (and ultimately decent) member, are convincingly portrayed. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Hunter, Dennis Hopper, (more)
- 1959
Young (19-year-old) reggae and rhythm-and-blues singer Johnny Nash stars in this conventional coming-of-age story about a well-heeled, Afro-American teen trying to find his way in a white-man's world. The realities of that world hit Spencer (Nash) hard, and at first he looks for solace and comfort in the black community, especially since like most teens his age going to his parents for support or consultation is out of the question. In his search for identity and meaning, Spencer comes to see the family maid Christine (Ruby Dee) in a way he never did before, and an implied sexual relationship with this kind-hearted, older woman begins to awaken in him a different, more adult viewpoint on life and its traumas. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Nash, Ruby Dee, (more)
