Caftan Woman's Choice: One for January on TCM

Looking over the wonderful selection of films scheduled on TCM in January, if there were only one to watch I heartily recommend 1949s Intruder in the Dust, an adaption by Ben Maddow (The Asphalt Jungle, No Down Payment) of William Faulkner's 1948 novel filmed by director Clarence Brown on location in Oxford, Mississippi.

I find in Clarence Brown's best work an empathy for the outsider, particularly as represented by youngsters in such films as Ah, Wilderness, Of Human Hearts, The Human Comedy, National Velvet, The Yearling and Angels in the Outfield.

The young star of The Yearling, Claude Jarman Jr., here plays teenager Chick Mallison whose preconceptions about life and people are forever changed by his relationship with Lucas Beauchamp played by the commanding Juano Hernandez (Trial, Young Man With a Horn, Stars in My Crown).

Juano Hernandez, Claude Jarmin Jr.

When the young Chick tries to pay Lucas for rescuing him from an accident he is rebuffed by the proud individual. It is behavior that is beyond Chick's comprehension of what is the norm between himself, a white boy, and a black man.

Lucas continually confounds Chick's ideas, as he does most people. Lucas is not a communicative and friendly man to anyone. He lives life on his own terms. Lucas is also the prime suspect and is arrested when a racist bully played by David Clarke (The Set-Up, The Narrow Margin) is murdered. The outrage in the town is easily manipulated by the victim's brother played by a brutish Charles Kemper. Porter Hall is featured in a stand-out performance as the father of the murdered man.

Juano Hernandez, David Brian

Chick, fulfilling an obligation he knows he owes Lucas, convinces his lawyer uncle played by David Brian to defend the accused. The law, in the form of the reluctant defender and the sheriff played by Will Geer, know that the day will end in a lynching and things are beyond their control.

Elizabeth Patterson, Charles Kemper

It is Chick with the enlisted help of his friend, the son of his maid, Aleck played by Elzie Emanual who takes a dangerous nighttime trek to a burial site to find forensic evidence that will clear Lucas. Only one thing will give the boys and the law the time they need by holding back the mob. A dozen years before the celebrated scene with Gregory Peck in 1962s To Kill a Mockingbird, we have the frail Elizabeth Patterson as schoolteacher Eunice Habersham setting up her rocking chair and facing down brutal mob mentality. It is a spirited and inspiring role that should have more acclaim.

Intruder in the Dust is an exciting, thought-provoking, unsentimental story that will live with you long past the viewing. TCM has the film scheduled for Monday, January 16 at 2:30 pm.

For Your Consideration: Elizabeth Patterson

Elizabeth Patterson
November 22, 1875 - January 31, 1966

Many actors in Hollywood's Golden era created memorable performances that were denied peer recgonition. Of course, for a while the Oscars were the only game in town (we will now pause to imagine such a time), and they couldn't nominate everybody. In my little corner of the blogosphere I plan to spotlight some of these performances that still touch audiences.

Character actress great Elizabeth Patterson was a Daughter of the Old South. Her father, a Tennessee Judge and her mother, approved of Mary Elizabeth's studies in music elocution and English at Martin College, but did not imagine a life on the stage for their daughter. A trip to Europe that they hoped would get the acting bug out of her system only made her more determined, and with a small inheritance she won a position with the not-yet Sir Ben Greet Players. Sir Greet brought Shakespeare and fine drama to the masses and in 1913 brought "Patty" to Broadway in a revival of Everyman. She would appear in 26 Broadway productions from that date to 1954.

In 1926 at the age of 51, Elizabeth Patterson came to Hollywood for her first picture, setting up residence at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Some of her well-remembered films include Dinner at Eight, Hide-Out, Sing, You Sinners, Remember the Night, Michael Shayne: Private Detective, Tobacco Road, Hail the Conquering Hero and Lady on a Train. Fans of I Love Lucy recall her fondly as the Ricardo's obliging neighbour Mrs. Trumble. Somebody had to look after Little Ricky!

1949's Intruder in the Dust directed by Clarence Brown from William Faulkner's novel is my choice for Miss Patterson's award-worthy turn. She plays Miss Eunice Habersham, and was selected by Faulkner as the perfect choice for the role.

In Intruder in the Dust a bigot (David Clarke) is murdered and a proud and isolated black man (Juano Hernandez) is jailed for the crime. A teenage boy (Claude Jarman Jr.) whose views of life have been challenged by this man believes him innocent and enlists his lawyer uncle (David Brian) to defend him. A gathering lynch mob may not wait for a trial.

Elizabeth Patterson, Charles Kemper

Compelled to search for evidence, time is running out for the youngster and the man in jail. Observing the mob, the lawyer decides that only one thing will stop them and that one thing would be an old white woman without a rifle. Miss Habersham is surely brave and probably foolhardy, but she is a woman who will do the right thing and in "Patty's" hands she is a beautiful, determined sight to behold.