Tuesday, January 03, 2012

FORGOTTEN MOVIES: Bigger Than Life

Nicholas Ray directed this film about a school teacher whose life is saved by the miraculous use of cortisone. The miracle turns sour however when he become psychotic.

This is a terrific performance by James Mason in quite a shocking story. Barbara Rush plays his patient and resourceful wife. Walter Matthau, his friend.

9 comments:

George said...

I haven't seen BIGGER THAN LIFE, but I'm ordering it now. Steroids can mess you up in Real Life, too.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

I have never seen this film and the cast is enough to make me want to see it right away. Together, Mason and Mathau ought to be really good.

Mike Wilkerson said...

A couple of weeks ago it was on, but only got to see half of it. Looked good and I like James Mason.

Nicholas Ray is an interesting guy. I have his experimental movie "We Can't Go Home Again" DVR'd. I'll have to check it out, soon.

Anonymous said...

It's been a long time since I've seen this one and don't remember much other than his meltdown.

Jeff M.

Erik Donald France said...

Cool -- will check it out ~~

Ron Scheer said...

Saw this a while ago. Ray had a way of making family life painful to watch.

Cap'n Bob said...

I also saw part of it a couple of weeks ago. I kept waiting for Matthau to put a move on Rush.

Anonymous said...

Patti - This feature of yours always introduces me to films like this one that I haven't seen. I'm going to have to try to find this one...

Paul D Brazill said...

Great fun and very scary when I was a kid.