Ralph Meeker Tribute
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2014
- Born 1920 in Minneapolis Ralph Meeker was a supremely talented, highly rated, but grossly under-utilized performer of stage, screen and television. With well over 100 credits to his name, he was able to offer a wide variety of performances from tough private eye Mike Hammer in “Kiss Me Deadly” to the witty romantic lead in “The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown”. Mr. Meeker passed from a heart attack in 1988. This tribute contains only a small sampling of his shining performances. Please enjoy!
Filmography: Teresa (1951), Shadow in the Sky (1952), Glory Alley (1952), Somebody Loves Me (1952), Naked Spur (1953), Jeopardy (1953), Code Two (1953) Desert Sands (1955), Kiss Me Deadly (1955), Big House, U.S.A. (1955), Woman's Devotion (1956), Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957), Run of the Arrow (1957), Paths of Glory (1958), Something Wild (1961), Ada (1961), St Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), Dirty Dozen (1967), and I Walk the Line (1970).
Music: Thomas Bergersen - "Remember Me"
No copyright is claimed in this tribute and to the extent that material may appear to be infringed, it's asserted this tribute is permissible under fair use in US copyright. If you believe any material has been used inappropriately, please contact me. 
Развлечения
@FilmBuff Such a lovely, exceptionally well-done tribute. Meeker was an incredibly brilliant actor, and of astonishing, understated depth and range. You've captured these attributes so well in your video. Deeply moving. Of the many aspects to respect and admire about Meeker was his dedication to the work, to the characters he best portrayed. He was not a movie star, but a true artist -- an extreme rarity in U.S. films. On that note, and as a film writer, I have some research-related questions, and would like to contact you via private message. If you are so inclined, I would greatly appreciate your reply here. And, again, many thanks for your tribute video. Just beautiful.
Wow, castinmeadows! What an absolutely lovely comment! I feel really honored. By all means feel free to contact me. I know RUclips changed some polices...so I'm not exactly sure how to be in touch privately. But, I would be open to it! Thanks again, this made my day! :)
@@filmbuff5524 The pleasure is mutual. Thanks, of course, to Mr. Meeker -- who makes any legitimate cinephile's day, and then some, right? As for YT, its removal of the private-messaging feature is beyond my fathoming.
@@castinmeadows6956 Sent! :)
@@filmbuff5524 Got it, thank you!
I love him. Life is not fair. For example, I don't find Gregory Peck to have been a great actor and yet, he raised to great fame, while Mr. Meeker being excellent, was not recognized enough. FilmBuff, thank you for your tribute and recognition to him.
@@youtubeuser5536 Thank you for your reply and nice comments to me! I'm glad there are people like you who honor and remember Mr. Meeker (:
Thank you, Grace Barr. Yes - the film world is a strange animal. It's hard to understand how very talented folks get "left behind". I think that is why the video was important for me to create. If it brings in a few extra admirers - Mr Meeker's not forgotten! Thank you for your observations!
Saw where Tarantino was basing his character of Rick in his movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on Ralph Meeker. He said he admired his acting among others.
Wow! That is fascinating, Chris! I'm so pleased to hear a talented creator such as Tarantino admires Ralph Meeker. Good choice!
Hello FilmBuff, very well done, thank you. Let us try to remember him always.
Werner Eilers Thank you very much. Such a kind sentiment.
Love this....wish I could get all those movies....he was in...!...Thank you for posting...!
You are most welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It takes a while...but, you'll see them all!
Absolutely Love 💖 Ralph Meeker, he is good in anything !
Agreed, @tonyadenton9196! So incredibly underrated! Thank you so much for taking a peek! 🤗
just a damn good every man actor,down to earth,spoke like regular people just a damn good actor.his role in paths of glory still sends chivers
Indeed! Thanks for sharing a comment!
The 3 I've seen Meeker in are Paths of Glory, Kiss me Deadly, and Broken Arrow - all good! Not to mention he had a great voice.
Yes, I agree elthe3rd! I'm so enjoying finding other Meeker fans here. I hope you enjoyed the video! Thanks for checking in!
Thank you so much for this moving tribute. You did such an amazing job splicing in some of his best scenes and had the sensitivity to show him at his most handsome. I especially appreciated seeing clips from The Shadow In The Sky which is not available on DVD. The music is perfect as well. I'm a huge fan and I bookmarked this to watch over and over.
You are most welcome, 16mmgal. What a joy knowing it's well-received. Thank you for your splendid comments.
FilmBuff
One of the truly talented actors now beginning to outshine all the Paul Newman's , etc., that were so glorified. He deserved the best parts but gave his best to all. - "Something Wild" is an unrecognized film great.
FilmBuff Thanks for posting this. It's very beautifully done.
John Aquilina You are most welcome, John! The compliment is greatly appreciated. So happy to hear from fellow Meeker admirers.
FilmBuff Just watched this again. It's very moving. (Have it bookmarked too.) I've identified most of the clips but owuld love to know the ones at 3:00; 3:20 and 4:11? Thanks again
Filmbuff, you aren't wrong. "I Walk the Line" is a great American film. I think it is certainly the finest performance Gregory Peck ever gave. He just finished "To Kill a Mockingbird", and for some reason this film wasn't given much fanfare. Too bad. It is a gem.
Yes he was good, never knew his name well. Saw him on TCM as a detective in a 1950's sci fi thriller w/real spooky ending
Googled it.. film noir classic 1955 "Kiss me deadly". But like others enjoyed watching him in so many more
I first saw him as the gangster George "Bugs" Moran in "The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre". I was very impressed with this underrated actor and lately have seen him several times in the old "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". He seems to have been a favorite of Hitch's.
Yes, he's so underrated Ad Hc! I really enjoy reading that...so I'm not the only one who thinks so. Could have very well been a favourite of Hitch! Good catch!
@@filmbuff5524 If you haven't seen this Hitchcock ep, you might enjoy it in spite of its disturbing content. www.dailymotion.com/video/x4s21dx
@@adhc8560 Yes, the clip at 2:02 is from the Hitchcock ep! Good catch!!
Quentin brought me here,,
Fantastic! Thanks, Joe April.
i loved that movie something wild anyone know where i can watch it...
One of my favorites too. Turner Classic Movies is showing it 8/25 --which is Sunday-- at 1:15am CST. Try and catch it!
FilmBuff thank you
You're most welcome!
He also did a couple of Alfred Hitchcock. Hour episodes..very good of course..and yes he is a dead ringer for Vic Morrow
Indeed, Johnny...and I really enjoyed his particular episodes too! Thanks for checking the video out. I love that people are enjoying it! :)
@@filmbuff5524 absolutely thank you for sharing
In "Paths of Glory" I thought Ralph Meeker's character was played by Vic Morrow until I started examining the credits more closely. I'm a big Meeker fan now.
Thank you, Johnnc drums! Always glad to find other Meeker fans. So many Meeker films to see...Enjoy!
Great tribute. What a chammelion (spl?) he was! Look from shot to shot. Even in his theatre performance pics. - Is there anyone that can find a copy of his stage production performance in "Picnic"? Is there one? - Like 16mmgal, I have the tribute bookmarked. - No one like him then or now.
+Gail Jarvis I agree. Meeker was reportedly wonderful in PICNIC and also STREETCAR. I look at this footage and wish he had been an uncle. I am deeply moved to tears watching this tribute. What is it about Meeker? Is it a cautionary tale for some of us struggling in our fields of an actor who didn't make it into the fermanent of the celebrated greats? Maybe.
+John Poole Interesting that you should mention that about being his uncle. On one site - I think it was the Find a Grave site(?) - the one with the little bouquets and msgs. left to famous people...well,, his nephew did contribute a note to "Uncle Ralph" saying "I hope it was a fun life." - Per being an actor, I was an actress and know about the "struggle" and sense of failure you mention. - The actors we enjoy on RUclips are the "celebrated greats" of yesteryear. - But, the best actors I worked with waited tables, and couldn't afford a theatre ticket. - Musicians ( real ones) too. (Nepotism, degradation of the art...etc.) - You can't base your sense of success in life on career success. - Per Meeker, I hope someone writes a book about him. There are more info/pics surfacing, but not much. It's common knowledge he smoked cigars and was an alcoholic. A lot of folks live a long life doing that. His constitution didn't survive it. He had a series of strokes and then a final heart attack. - When we get older - I know about that, too, the roles we played become ephemeral in our memories, as I hope they did in his. After all he was a fine musician with a sensitive intellect, and did get to go back to his great love: theatre...., It's our lives, not the parts we acted that will "flash before our eyes" at the end of it. Ralph Meeker "had fun", and he certainly left an ever-growing legacy we can still enjoy.
Most actors eventually know the vocation is like playing the lottery. You either get notable roles or you don't. Agents and managers can be a detriment as well as a lubricant to notable success. Some get very lucky and others just can't get a break.
A chamelion, YES!!
What is the film where he is in the Calvary uniform with the cigar? Great tribute to a great actor.
+Lynn Plummer Thanks, Lynn! What a great compliment! :) The film is "Run of the Arrow" (1957).
What is the film that features Mr. Meeker wearing overalls? - The shot right after he wrestles with Stanwyck in "Jeopardy"?
Gail Jarvis Gail, that is "I Walk the Line". It's a great film with Gregory Peck. Mr Meeker is fantastic in that film! Thanks for asking!
The name of the film at 1:31. The music suggests his life was nothing but tragedy after his one bad call of choosing not to sign with one of the major studios.
John, the clip is from an episode of "Ironside".
Underrated for certain. Maybe this clip will spur something?
I still cannot bring myself to watch "Paths of Glory". I know it is considered a masterpiece - as is Ralph's performance. But I am a sloppy, emotional female, and I simply do not want to watch Ralph die. - I know that's absurd too. - Imagine: he gets executed, and then takes the mask off and the crew gets together and decides where to go for lunch. Ketchup blood, guns carved from balsa wood. Still can't watch.
It is a masterful piece of work, Gail. But, I completely respect your perspective. However, Mr Meeker's performance is amazing in POG. The film is more about the emotional ramifications of abuse of power than war. Because of that, it makes his performance all the more amazing. Maybe some day? (smile)
Gail Jarvis The execution scene is compelling. Meeker didn't want a blindfold and could face his certain death even though he knew he was innocent while the Wayne Morris character hoped he could redeem himself in Meerker's eyes with a gesture of compassion. How many of us could accept an unjust death?
Gail, just goes to show you what the job of the actor is.no worries he is one of the few who can touch you.,your lucky that his performance touched you