Article: Mitchum got historic role after some arm-twisting.(News)

Byline: Dann Gire Daily Herald Film Critic

Chicago's Music Box Theatre today celebrates the 50th anniversary of the dark tale "Night of the Hunter" - the only movie directed by actor Charles Laughton - starring Robert Mitchum as the menacing killer known as Preacher.

But the Preacher role almost went to Gary Cooper, had it not been for character actor William Phipps.

Laughton wanted Coop, until Phipps talked the director out of using him.

"I made that (film) happen," the 83-year-old Phipps said by phone from his Malibu, Calif., home. "Laughton gave me the book (by Davis Grubb) and shut me in the library and said, 'Don't come out until ...

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