I wish I had something wise or profound or witty to say about Kirk Douglas beyond, “Man, what a career. Heck, what a life.”
The one thing I can say is: we’ve been lucky enough to watch a few Kirk Douglas movies recently during Saturday movie night, and I look forward to watching more. “Ace In the Hole” is a very under-rated but excellent movie about the power of the mass media to create circuses: in some way, I think it’s actually almost a prequel to “Network” (one of my top ten films). As for “Spartacus“, yes, it is a long movie, but I can’t think of anything I’d cut out of it. “Paths of Glory” is shorter, and is another Douglas movie that I think is under-rated. (I also think it may be Kubrick’s most overlooked film).
We haven’t watched “Lonely Are the Brave” yet, but it is on the list, and I may move the priority on that one up…
Man, what a career. What a life.
Also among the dead: Gene Reynolds, co-creator of “M*A*S*H” and creator of “Lou Grant.”
There’s significant chunks I’d cut out of Spartacus, including about 85% of the longing glances in the first act, and all of Tony Curtis’ ill-conceived role (including the stupid “no, crucify me” fight at the end).