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Article: Mitchum got historic role after some arm-twisting.(News)
- Article from:
- Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
- Article date:
- October 28, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Paddock Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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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 ...