Shanks (film)
This article is missing information about the film's theatrical release.(December 2019) |
Shanks | |
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Directed by | William Castle |
Written by | Ranald Graham |
Produced by | William Castle Steven North Sheldon Schrager |
Starring | Marcel Marceau Tsilla Chelton Philippe Clay |
Cinematography | Joseph Biroc |
Edited by | David Berlatsky |
Music by | Alex North |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Shanks is a 1974 American
Plot
In a film that explicitly describes itself as "a grim fairy tale" (in intertitles), Malcolm Shanks (Marceau) is a
When Mr. Walker doesn't answer the phone, Barton arrives in person. Malcolm attacks Barton with the reanimated chicken, and Barton falls down the stairs to his death. Malcolm then buries Mr. Walker "out of mercy" (according to an intertitle), and animates Barton instead, walking him through the streets all the way home. Barton's marionette-like movements can pass for drunkenness, and his wife runs out into the street where she is struck and killed by a car. He evades a police officer (Morgan) responding to a neighbors call about the accident by setting his family up as though he is sitting between them watching TV as the officer shines the flashlight through the window. He then animates her through the same procedure.
The next day, he takes them to the grocery store (outside of which he performs) to see if they can pass for living, which they do. He pays off the Barton grocery tab over and above what is owed, and the grocer (Castle), allows them to take whatever they like, Malcolm having Barton fill a wicker basket with his characteristic gin. He again encounters Celia, whose mother gives her permission to go with Malcolm on a picnic where he demonstrates all he can do with the Bartons, although she becomes very disturbed when she learns they are dead, which he gestures was the result of a car accident, implicitly for both. Malcolm takes Celia to see Walker's mansion for her birthday. Celia is enchanted by pictures of Mr. Walker's beautiful wife (unseen by the audience), who predeceased him, finds one of her dresses, and reverently puts it on. Malcolm, who also puts on 19th century attire (but keeping on his
Outside, a
Cast
- Marcel Marceau as Malcolm Shanks / Old Walker
- Tsilla Chelton as Mrs. Barton
- Philippe Clay as Mr. Barton
- Cindy Eilbacher as Celia
- Helena Kallianiotes as Mata Hari
- Larry Bishop as Napoleon
- Don Calfa as Einstein
- Biff Manard as Goliath
Production
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2019) |
Marceau, who had for decades before performed in his signature white face makeup and without speaking, both spoke and appeared without makeup for this film. He played two roles: Malcolm Shanks, who could not speak, and Old Walker, who could. He had appeared in 20 shorts and films in small and cameo roles, often as his
Release
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2019) |
Home media
Shanks was released for the first time on DVD and Blu-ray by Olive Films on May 28, 2013.[2]
Reception
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2018) |
A. H. Weiler of
Awards and nominations
Composer-Conductor Alex North was nominated for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score for the 47th Academy Awards in 1975.[7] The score includes both horrific and often atonal music and clarinet-centered popular jazz reflecting a bygone era.
See also
References
- ^ "Pantomimist Decides to Talk". The Victoria Advocate. Sep 20, 1973. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ^ "Shanks (1974) - William Castle". Allmovie.com. Allmovie. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Weiler, A. "Marceau in Dual Roles in 'Shanks':The Cast - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Shanks 1974, directed by William Castle". TimeOut.com. Time Out London. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Schwartz, Dennis. "SHANKS – Dennis Schwartz Reviews". DennisSchwartzReviews.com. Ozus’ World Movie Reviews. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "Shanks movie review & film summary (1975)". RogerEbert.com. Roger Ebert Website. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Results page". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- Shanks at IMDb
- Shanks at AllMovie
- Shanks at the TCM Movie Database
- Shanks at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Shanks at Rotten Tomatoes