Sunday, February 10, 2008
Roy Scheider 1932-2008
I was sad to read tonight that Roy Scheider passed away today at the age of 75. His acting heyday was in the 1970s and while he was in relatively few films he seemed to pick the right few. His role in film history is set due to starring in Jaws, at the time the top earning film in history and regarded as the birth of the summer blockbuster.
My favorite role of his is Joe Gideon, the alter-ego of director Bob Fosse in All That Jazz. This is one of my favorite musicals. Much is do to the great songs and staging of Fosse but the film wouldn’t work without Scheider’s presence throughout. He also gets to be in one of the great song numbers and holds his own to the great Ben Vereen in the finale.
Next he is known for three supporting roles. In Klute, The French Connection, and Marathon Manh gave memorable performances while working with some of the best every performers.
His other lead roles of note are in flawed but still interesting films. The Seven-Ups, a loose sequel to The French Connection; the William Friedkin remake Sorcerer; and helicopter action film Blue Thunder.
My favorite role of his is Joe Gideon, the alter-ego of director Bob Fosse in All That Jazz. This is one of my favorite musicals. Much is do to the great songs and staging of Fosse but the film wouldn’t work without Scheider’s presence throughout. He also gets to be in one of the great song numbers and holds his own to the great Ben Vereen in the finale.
Next he is known for three supporting roles. In Klute, The French Connection, and Marathon Manh gave memorable performances while working with some of the best every performers.
His other lead roles of note are in flawed but still interesting films. The Seven-Ups, a loose sequel to The French Connection; the William Friedkin remake Sorcerer; and helicopter action film Blue Thunder.
Labels: Film
# posted by ChrisR @ 9:00 PM 
