Kent A Bathurst
07-07-2010, 9:39 AM
from NPR:
"Fifty years ago, Harper Lee had the kind of success that most writers only dream about: Shortly after her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was published on July 11, 1960, it hit the best-seller lists. In 1961, it won a Pulitzer Prize, and in 1962, it was made into an Academy Award-winning film. It has never gone out of print."
The talented lady wrote one novel. It won the Pulitzer Prize. The movie version was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, losing out to Lawrence of Arabia (but Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch won Best Actor over Peter O'Toole's Lawrence). The very first feature film role by an American icon - Robert Duvall, as Boo Radley.
My all-time favorite book. My vote for all-time best movie. I can give the highest possible recommendation to the CD set with Sissy Spacek reading the book - her phrasing and voice are an impeccable match to the story - you are absorbed into the place, people, and plot. Perfect for that stretch of I-16 through no-man's land between Macon and Savannah.
It happened that, in the late 80's, I spent about 2 years in Monroeville, AL, Miss Lee's hometown. One can feel the book all around you as you walk through town, and visit the courthouse. That is not a criticism of Monroeville or it's citizens, it is a reflection of how well Miss Lee captured the setting.
Seared in my mind is the facial expression in the wonderful bit of acting by the very young Mary Badham, as she slowly realizes who she is looking at - and then she says "Hey, Boo."
".... and Boo Radley had come out."
"Fifty years ago, Harper Lee had the kind of success that most writers only dream about: Shortly after her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was published on July 11, 1960, it hit the best-seller lists. In 1961, it won a Pulitzer Prize, and in 1962, it was made into an Academy Award-winning film. It has never gone out of print."
The talented lady wrote one novel. It won the Pulitzer Prize. The movie version was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, losing out to Lawrence of Arabia (but Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch won Best Actor over Peter O'Toole's Lawrence). The very first feature film role by an American icon - Robert Duvall, as Boo Radley.
My all-time favorite book. My vote for all-time best movie. I can give the highest possible recommendation to the CD set with Sissy Spacek reading the book - her phrasing and voice are an impeccable match to the story - you are absorbed into the place, people, and plot. Perfect for that stretch of I-16 through no-man's land between Macon and Savannah.
It happened that, in the late 80's, I spent about 2 years in Monroeville, AL, Miss Lee's hometown. One can feel the book all around you as you walk through town, and visit the courthouse. That is not a criticism of Monroeville or it's citizens, it is a reflection of how well Miss Lee captured the setting.
Seared in my mind is the facial expression in the wonderful bit of acting by the very young Mary Badham, as she slowly realizes who she is looking at - and then she says "Hey, Boo."
".... and Boo Radley had come out."