To Kill A Mockingbird at Durham Library

To Kill A Mockingbird will be shown at the Durham Library tomorrow, May 29, at 1:30pm as part of its Classic Movie Matinees series. Admission and snacks are free.

Movie Notes  By Don Bourret  (donb41@comcast.net)

 To Kill A Mockingbird

 About ten years ago the American Film Institute conducted a number of polls among its members and general public in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of movies. One of its surveys was to choose the fifty greatest heroes (as well as the fifty worst villains) over the past hundred years. The top-ranked hero was Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, beating out the likes of Indiana Jones, James Bond, Shane, Robin Hood, Rocky and Washington’s Jefferson Smith. Atticus was cited as someone who made his mark on society in style and substance, a moral hero and model of integrity and innate decency for all, and especially lawyers. The role also earned Peck his only Oscar.

 Incidentally, the top-ranked villain was Hannibal Lecter, beating out my personal choice, Margaret Hamilton as Oz’s Wicked Witch Of The West. But I digress.

 A number of years ago Gregory Peck was touring the country in one-man appearances, An Evening With Gregory Peck, and my wife and I saw him at the Bushnell. After showing clips from many of his films, he paced about the stage or sat in an armchair, reflecting on his career and answering questions from the audience. He seemed exactly like his general screen persona (except for The Boys From Brazil), warm, friendly, very authentic. We felt like we were having a pleasant and intimate conversation with an old and treasured friend. He said To Kill A Mockingbird was his personal favorite role.

Incidentally, the film marked Robert Duvall’s screen debut, almost unrecognizable in a small but pivotal appearance at the end as the heroic recluse, Boo Radley. Twenty years later Duvall would earn his own Best Actor Oscar as an ex-alcoholic country singer in Tender Mercies.