Thayer David on the Big Screen

[David]

On June 5th, the Castro Theatre in SF CA screens Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)
in which Thayer David has a wonderful character role as the villain.
Showtimes at 2PM and 6:45PM

Part of a film festival tribute to the great composer Bernard Hermann, the film is co-billed with Farenheit 451.

David

[Willie]

I was reading a "Best villains of all time" thread on another board and someone mentioned that movie with Thayer David.  I looked at the IMDb and, wow!  That guy was in a ton of films.  I've gotta pick that movie up to check out Mr. David as the villain. 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

That guy was in a ton of films.

There was a time in the '70s, after DS, that I swear it seemed like Thayer was in EVERY film that came out!    Well, at least every dramatic film. 

[David]

Journey to the Center of the Earth is on DVD, so is the first Rocky flm, which Thayer's in.

The best film of his to check out, for DS fans, and it is on disc, is 1973's Save the Tiger.
Jack Lemmon won an Oscar for this intense drama.
Thayer plays a gangster & Lara Parker plays a hooker.

Also available is the weird cult item Savages (1972). This early film by James Ivory features Chris Pennock in drag and Thayer in the nude!!

David

[Gerard]

When I was a kid, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" was one of those films (by then airing on TV) that was all the rage with the kids.  That, along with "Jason and the Argonauts."  I don't know why those two movies simply entranced us.

Gerard

[Phil]

The Eiger Sanction! He plays a very James Bond-esque villain - an anemic albino - opposite Clint Eastwood.

Thayer: "Pardon these tubes, every few months I must have my blood completely replaced."

Clint: "With what?"

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I love Thayer in The Eiger Sanction! And he's a hoot and a half in Peeper (aka Fat Chance) as sort of a Sidney Greenstreet type, all decked out in a white suit and hat, and with a pet hawk for good measure. 

[Gothick]

Where have I been living??? I've never seen either The Eiger Sanction or Peepers!

I really must track down copies of both flicks!

I checked through the episode list of Banacek (just released on disc) but was sad not to see any credits for Thayer listed.  It's possible that he did do a stint on one of those shows in a small role that isn't listed in the available credits.

I still wonder whatever happened to Grayson's episode of Search (the Doug McClure/Burgess Meredith series)...

G.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I really must track down copies of both flicks!

Both are out on DVD. I have no idea how easy they are to find to rent, but I checked and both are available to buy from both Amazon and DeepDiscount (though they're cheaper at DD with their current sale).

[Gothick]

Thanks for that scoop, Mysterioso Darling!

G.

[MagnusTrask]

I'm building an interesting little library of films from VHS clearance sales, early 70s etc..     T David was very familiar then, but I haven't seen those films or TV shows for decades now.  In the 60s and 70s, there was a kind of actor who thrived on TV, who didn't necessarily have great dramatic range, but had a great, unique presence.   TD had the range and the presence.

[David]

Well, I've made plans to go to the Castro to see Thayer in Journey on Tues eve.
Will post a report on Wed.

David

[MagnusTrask]

I miss great cool theaters.    I used to go to the UC Theatre in Berkeley, different obscure double or triple bill every night.    Where I'm trapped now, they all just play Shrek or something.

I've never seen the DS films though.

[David]

Magnus, when the DS films come out on DVD, I'd like to send you my VHS copies.

Email me!

David

[Devlin66]

i love Thayers portrayal of a religious fanatic in Little Big Man.  His characters married to Faye Dunaway and they adopt Dustin Hoffmans character and all hell breaks loose!