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Jack Palance (1919-2006)
Jack Palance: In Memoriam
Jack Palance-lest we forget
The smile that would come on his face whenever, from across a darkened frontier store, bad guy Jack Palance (Jack Wilson) scowled in that unmistakable rasp, “I say you’re a low down Yankee Liar”. In the blink of an eye guns are drawn and Bang, Bang, Bang our hero Shane (Alan Ladd) kills him where he stands.
It is one of the greatest scenes ever committed to celluloid and it burned its way into the public consciousness for all eternity.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1919, scar faced Jack Palance was an acting force to be reckoned with. A tough guy with a steely gaze and a gravelled voice that made you pick your head up and look around.
He was a world class heavy weight boxer in the 1940’s, and then WWII broke out. Never one to shy from a challenge he enlisted and earned a purple heart before being sent home wounded in combat.
Scoring a gig as Marlon Brando’s understudy in the Broadway version of A Streetcar named Desire. One night the two were goofing around, having a go at a punching bag, Palance took a mighty swing, missed the bag and put Brando in hospital.
He was on stage that night and an acting legend was born.
Making his big screen debut in Elia Kazan’s noir classic Panic in the Streets (1950) he became completely immersed in his character as a heavy. Inevitably forgetting to pull a punch during an action scene and knocking star Richard Widmark out cold. The take remained in the film and there were no hard feelings.
Backing up the charismatic menace that jumped off the screen in his debut, Palance continued eking out a career as an authorative and single minded presence on and off screen.
Co starring in the war film The Halls of Montezuma (1950) and the western Arrowhead (1953) it was in Shane (1953) that his image became burnt in the public consciousness and was elevated to international celebrity status.
The take no shit Director Robert Alderich saw him and gave him the starring role in his scorching Hollywood drama The Big Knife (1955). A year later he reteamed with the Director and starred opposite the hard drinkin, hard brawling Lee Marvin in the gut crunching war film Attack.
Playing a resilient and resourceful Lieutenant named Joe Costa, who becomes violently unhinged at the ineptitude of his commanding officer and becomes consumed with hatred. It is a powerful and affecting performance that both Palance and I think is one of his finest.
Going on to make his mark in Richard Fleischer’s biblical epic Barabbas (1962) opposite Anthony Quinn and again in the Directors bio film on Che (1969) where he stepped into the shoes of Fidel Castro.
Sinking his teeth in, he gave fresh life to the classic parts of Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde (1968) and as Dracula (1973) in the TV movies of the same names.
Working steadily from day one, in the 70’s he appeared in some subpar films to pay the bills, he was never without work.
By now a master at portraying heartless villainy, he resurfaced in the public eye in a big way during the 80’s with memorable roles in the high profile favourites Young Guns (1988), Batman (1989) and Tango and Cash (1989).
Two years later, he would take on the role that would win him an Oscar. Parodying himself to the hilt, going over the top as Curly in City Slickers (1991), of course the Academy lapped up the hamming.
After a fine career as a serious actor this is what he is remembered for, 10 one armed push ups and a walking caricature. Can you tell I was embarrassed for the man?
Fact is, my opinion really doesn’t matter because the big man relished the long overdue respect and seemed to have a ball with it.
I was lucky enough to see Jack Palance in 1997 during the Calgary Stampede when I was living there. For those who don’t know, Stampede is one of the biggest celebrations on the Cowboy calendar each year. It’s a kickass rodeo that last a week and opens with a parade through downtown Calgary.
Heading the wagon train up, sitting atop the head stagecoach was Jack, that big toothy grin, smiling or is it smirking from ear to ear, a real life western hero. And that’s exactly how I want to remember him.
Jack you will be missed, R.I.P.
It is one of the greatest scenes ever committed to celluloid and it burned its way into the public consciousness for all eternity.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1919, scar faced Jack Palance was an acting force to be reckoned with. A tough guy with a steely gaze and a gravelled voice that made you pick your head up and look around.
He was a world class heavy weight boxer in the 1940’s, and then WWII broke out. Never one to shy from a challenge he enlisted and earned a purple heart before being sent home wounded in combat.
Scoring a gig as Marlon Brando’s understudy in the Broadway version of A Streetcar named Desire. One night the two were goofing around, having a go at a punching bag, Palance took a mighty swing, missed the bag and put Brando in hospital.
He was on stage that night and an acting legend was born.
Making his big screen debut in Elia Kazan’s noir classic Panic in the Streets (1950) he became completely immersed in his character as a heavy. Inevitably forgetting to pull a punch during an action scene and knocking star Richard Widmark out cold. The take remained in the film and there were no hard feelings.
Backing up the charismatic menace that jumped off the screen in his debut, Palance continued eking out a career as an authorative and single minded presence on and off screen.
Co starring in the war film The Halls of Montezuma (1950) and the western Arrowhead (1953) it was in Shane (1953) that his image became burnt in the public consciousness and was elevated to international celebrity status.
The take no shit Director Robert Alderich saw him and gave him the starring role in his scorching Hollywood drama The Big Knife (1955). A year later he reteamed with the Director and starred opposite the hard drinkin, hard brawling Lee Marvin in the gut crunching war film Attack.
Playing a resilient and resourceful Lieutenant named Joe Costa, who becomes violently unhinged at the ineptitude of his commanding officer and becomes consumed with hatred. It is a powerful and affecting performance that both Palance and I think is one of his finest.
Going on to make his mark in Richard Fleischer’s biblical epic Barabbas (1962) opposite Anthony Quinn and again in the Directors bio film on Che (1969) where he stepped into the shoes of Fidel Castro.
Sinking his teeth in, he gave fresh life to the classic parts of Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde (1968) and as Dracula (1973) in the TV movies of the same names.
Working steadily from day one, in the 70’s he appeared in some subpar films to pay the bills, he was never without work.
By now a master at portraying heartless villainy, he resurfaced in the public eye in a big way during the 80’s with memorable roles in the high profile favourites Young Guns (1988), Batman (1989) and Tango and Cash (1989).
"You think you scare me, I was in Hawk The Slayer"
Two years later, he would take on the role that would win him an Oscar. Parodying himself to the hilt, going over the top as Curly in City Slickers (1991), of course the Academy lapped up the hamming.
After a fine career as a serious actor this is what he is remembered for, 10 one armed push ups and a walking caricature. Can you tell I was embarrassed for the man?
Fact is, my opinion really doesn’t matter because the big man relished the long overdue respect and seemed to have a ball with it.
I was lucky enough to see Jack Palance in 1997 during the Calgary Stampede when I was living there. For those who don’t know, Stampede is one of the biggest celebrations on the Cowboy calendar each year. It’s a kickass rodeo that last a week and opens with a parade through downtown Calgary.
Heading the wagon train up, sitting atop the head stagecoach was Jack, that big toothy grin, smiling or is it smirking from ear to ear, a real life western hero. And that’s exactly how I want to remember him.
Jack you will be missed, R.I.P.
"Can you tell I love my job?"
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Luke also has a tribute to the man on his "Old Movies" blog here
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I think the sad thing about all these legends dying is that it takes away from us any last chance of a new performance from them. Like Brando, Palance was always one of those great old actors who I hoped would make one more eleventh hour comeback. I guess not everyone can be Christopher Lee.
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for the kind words and right back at ya for your own tribute.
I agree, Jack did have one more great perfromance left him, shame the a film didsnt come along to stretch him like Charles Bronson in The Indian Runner.
I must salute your taste as well, amazing that of all his films, you and I both chose Robert Alderich's Attack to spotlight.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Film & TV on DVD
It was when he was accepting the Oscar for his role as Curly in City Slickers.
Do yourself a favour and check out some of Jack's finer films (Attack, Shane, The Big Knife etc)
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Great words... for a sad loss...
he will be missed.
Lilla...
Perhaps you can help me remember a film he was in with Chevvy Chase, I'm sure it was Pallance...?
Film & TV on DVD
That would be Cops and Robertsons (1994) Directed by Michael Ritchie (Fletch). starring Chevy, Jack Palance and Dianne Wiest
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Film & TV on DVD
As you can tell from my blog I was not a fan of City Slickers, for me it was like watching a chimp dancing.
Cops and Robertsons I agree was just as sad to watch.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Film & TV on DVD
Jack actually made City Slickers IIafter Cops and Robertsons.
He also starred in several TV movies from 1994-2004
(Prancer Returns, Living With The Dead)
His final feature film was Treasure island (1999)
His final appearance was in the TV movie Back When We Were Grown Ups (2004)