Norman Thomson Movies
Norman Thomson may not be a name instantly recognizable by the vast majority of the moviegoing public, nor should it be, for his contributions to the medium were no more or less important than any other actor. In theater, however, Thomson has a bit more significance. He was a founding member of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre troupe, performing alongside some of the most famous and talented actors in the history of American theater. He also took part in the historic radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' science fiction story, War of the Worlds. His professional acting career lasted until World War II, after which he was assigned by the U.S. Department of Defense to the post of entertainment supervisor for all U.S. bases in the Far East. Thomson held the position, which had him stationed in Tokyo, Japan, for a little over 30 years; at the same time he was earning more success as a novelist. Under the nom de plume Earl Norman, Thomson wrote a total of ten novels. In 1978, the actor/novelist returned to the United States and continued to write. In early 2000, Thomsondied at the age of 84. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1958
John Wayne's only collaboration with director John Huston turned out to be a major career misstep for both men. Barbarian and the Geisha is the true story of Townsend Harris (Wayne), who in 1856 was appointed the first American consul to Japan. Headquartered in Shimoda, Harris discovers that the Japanese thoroughly mistrust the Americans (and, as it turned out, not without reason). It's an uphill climb, but Harris gradually earns the respect of the local power brokers-and in so doing, is permitted to enter the city of Tokyo. Geisha girl Eiko Ando, originally sent to thwart Harris' mission, falls in love with him and protects him from harm. Though running only 104 minutes, the film seems to drag on for eons. Filmed on location, The Barbarian and the Geisha is consistently good to look at, but the discomfort of both star Wayne and director Huston is painfully obvious in every frame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Eiko Ando, (more)
The Lady From Shanghai, a complex, involving puzzle-within-a-puzzle mystery story, is a showcase for Orson Welles, showing his singular talents and sensibilities as few other films have. The story is superficially simple: a seaman Michael O'Hara (Welles) is hired as a crew member on the yacht of the wealthy Banister (Everett Sloane). His beautiful but mysterious wife Elsa (Rita Hayworth) has met O'Hara earlier, when he saved her from a mugging. What ensues is a complicated and bizarre pattern of deception, fraud and murder, with O'Hara finding himself implicated in a murder, despite his innocence. The film is best remembered for its final sequence when the plot comes to a literally smashing climax in the famous "hall of mirrors" sequence, with Elsa and Banister shooting it out amidst shards of shattering glass. Orson Welles, who produced, directed, wrote and starred in the film, is sometimes self-indulgent in his use of visual tricks and techniques, which at times sacrifice plot for visual brilliance, but he pulls it together in the end to produce a stunning, difficult film. Rita Hayworth gives one of her best performances as the deceptive, seductive temptress, hard-edged and cynical. The film confounds, unsettles and disorients the viewer, very much as Welles intended to do. While not an easy film, it is well worth the attention required to follow it, and Welles offers no easy solutions or any false happy endings to his tour-de-force mystery. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, (more)
