Small Parts, Memorable Performances

Peter O'Toole in "The Last Emperor."

and as Priam in "Troy"... the scene in which he pleads Achilles for the body of his eldet son Hector brought a well of tears to my eyes.... with Achilles stating not to be misunderstood, that in the morning they would still be foes and Priam responded that they were so even in that night was as heart-rending a scene and passage I have seen between men.

Sir Alec Guinness in "A Passage to India."

but could I get a shout out for Ed Begley in "12 Angry Men".... his outburst about " those people, you know, sure there are some that are okay, I'd be the first admit it , but generally they were just animals."

God what a spot on decisive depiction of bigotry.

You just felt your soul was soiled by hearing it, and exactly as it was meant to be..

How about Thelma Ritter in All About Eve.

Kuvasz, Didn't see Troy (yet), but O'Toole is rarely less than good in anything he does, regardless of the size of the role.

Ed Begley in 12 Angry Men was, dare I say it, perfect. Absolutely certain that he was right and sure that everyone else agreed with him. Completely bewildered when he saw the other jurors one by one turn away. Brilliant. In fact the entire cast of that movie was wonderful, not a dud in the bunch.


see? you remember it to a Tee. I thought of that film instantly when reading the thread and while each actor was superb, that scene of watching the elven other men in the room turn their backs on what he said was a profound statement of moral decency; one I think of as American to the core.

I suggest that film to foreign friends all the time as one that evokes what is best in our collective American soul.

e.g. marshall's comment that ends the scene "just shut up and don't say another word," to Begley was the sum of such repulsive and controlled reprobation that it felt like it came straight from the mouth of God

eoe, I was gonna say Thelma Ritter in everything she ever did. Decided to be specific. And as long as great minds are thinking alike, last night I thought of Herb Edelman as the telephone guy and Mildred Natwick in Barefoot in the Park.

I agree that Edward Andrews was another small part actor who was always spot on.

Ed Begley in 12 Angry Men was, dare I say it, perfect. Absolutely certain that he was right and sure that everyone else agreed with him. Completely bewildered when he saw the other jurors one by one turn away. Brilliant. In fact the entire cast of that movie was wonderful, not a dud in the bunch.


see? you remember it to a Tee. I thought of that film instantly when reading the thread and while each actor was superb, that scene of watching the elven other men in the room turn their backs on what he said was a profound statement of moral decency; one I think of as American to the core.

I suggest that film to foreign friends all the time as one that evokes what is best in our collective American soul.

e.g. marshall's comment that ends the scene "just shut up and don't say another word," to Begley was the sum of such repulsive and controlled reprobation that it felt like it came straight from the mouth of God