RIP Gerrit Graham…
This is a very sad post for me.
Gerrit Graham was a consummate “Character Actor”: rarely the lead, but that person who caught your eye, captured your attention, and made everything he was in just a bit more fun….the actor was known for roles in”Phantom of the Paradise” (1974) and “Star Trek”. Gerrit Graham died yesterday, He was 76 years old.
Meet “Beef”…
I saw Graham’s incredible acting skill for the first time in what is one of my five favorite movies of all time.
Graham was most known for his performance as glam rocker “Beef” in Director Brian DePalma’s 1974 rock musical horror gem “Phantom of the Paradise.”
“Beef” Rocks!
If you are a fan of classic 70’s movies, then you know this face:
It is, OF COURSE, BEEF!
Garrit Graham made an electric impression as “Beef”, the glam rock God in Brian DePalma’s rock masterpiece, “Phantom Of The Paradise!”
Let me show you just how completely Graham inhabited this role – here’s Paul Williams as the Rock Mogul “Swan” as he introduces his new discovery: “Beef!”
“Beef” was the future of music: glam rock in the vein of David Bowie and KISS at the time – here’s the moment in the film when “Beef” is revealed to a live audience:
First and foremost, go buy this brilliant film on blu-ray and enjoy the great soundtrack…in fact, go buy that as well!
Phantom Of The Paradise – 1974.
This is one of my 5 favorite films EVER. It is Director Brian DePalma’s first masterpiece, a re-telling of “Phantom Of The Opera”, set in the world of rock’n’roll. Watch the vintage trailer:
The film is a wild and over-the-top look at the music industry, with a soundtrack that captures the essence of music in the 70’s – because Paul Williams wrote a soundtrack that name-checked it all!
The film is a love story, a story of doomed love, and most of all, a raucous musical, because of Gerrit Graham’s unhinged performance as Beef:
Graham had a blast playing Beef, who behind-the-scenes is an emotional wreck…oh, and you. must see the hilarious homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”:
“Phantom Of The Paradise” was a box office bomb when it was released, but thanks to home video, it has become re-discovered as one of Brian DePalma’s masterpieces…when Alex and I got married, our first dance was this song from the film.
“Old Souls” is a beautiful song celebrating timeless love, sung by Jessica Harper in the movie…
“Our love is an old love, baby, it’s older than all our years…”
Here is the song from the film:
Over the years, Graham appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, but this is my other favorite role of his, when he teams up with Kurt Russell as a pair of unscrupulous used cars salesmen:
Used Cars!
When the owner of a struggling used car lot dies, it’s up to the lot’s hot-shot salesmen to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner’s ruthless brother and used-car rival – no matter what they have to do!
Meet Rudy Russo, the sleaziest used car salesman there is – well, except for all the others. Rudy wants to be a State Senator, and he’ll bribe anyone he needs to in order to achieve his dream of higher office. This hilariously profane comedy was directed by Robert Zemeckis, who went on to make “Back To The Future”.
Along with his partner in crime Gerrit Graham, Russell dreams up a plot to screw his arch enemy Roy Fuchs, played with a deliciousness by veteran character actor Jack Warden.
Roy Fuchs spits out hilarious one-liners like this, when he disagrees with the local elected officials:
“That Mayor – he don’t know DICK!”
Here is some great trivia, courtesy of IMDB: In a scene where Jack Warden argues with Kurt Russell and Gerrit Graham – Graham didn’t have any lines and kept pestering Director Robert Zemeckis for something to say.
Finally, he just decides to repeat whatever Russell says to Warden. EVERY SINGLE LINE. So when Russell says his line to Warden, Graham jumps in and says the exact same line, word for word. AGAIN.
Apparently Warden was unaware of what Graham was doing, and after Graham does it for the 7th or 8th time, Warden ad-libs this hilarious comment:
“What’re you? A fuckin’ parrot?”
It was Warden’s genuine annoyance at Graham, which worked so well in the scene that it was included in the final cut – and it is really hilarious!
“Used Cars” is one of the great neglected comedies of the 1980’s, and Graham is hilarious in it – see more about this film here:
Graham appeared in a number of Brian DePalma films as well – he may be the most under-appreciated Director of our time…here are many of the reason why::
RIP Gerrit Graham…no matter how big the role was, he owned it…check out these two films and you will understand why…
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Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Music, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Oh no! I hadn’t heard this news. So sad.
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I never knew his name, but remember his unusual face and comedic style. ‘Used Cars’ is one of my favourite American comedies. Shared on Twitter, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete, he’s so fun in that one…will rewatch tonight and toast him…I especially love the scene where they jam the Super Bowl signal for their illegal car commercial..couldn’t show a photo or clip of that scene on the site!
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