WE MISSED HIS COMPELLING FILMS 

DON MURRAY 


RECENTLY I SPENT A WEEKEND AT THE ROXIE THEATRE. Not only did I get to see Murray again (PLUS many years ago) - I got to see Murray live in the Theater -  and on the screen this week. At the end of each of his films (the themes began to emerge). Many of Murray films featured male bonding and there were some really racial tensions. The leading black actors - Charismatic Otis Young, Sidney Poitier, a dramatic Dick Gregory and handsome Robert Hooks plus - the golden voiced James Early Jones practically jumped off the seats.  

On the Roxie Stage between films - Murray was kind enough to tell us about the filming, and he let us in about the amassed body of work. What a Talent! One of the screens and on the Roxie Stage was - 'CALL ME BY MY RIGHTFUL NAME'. Those were the most remarkable performances I ever seen on the Screen. Gee Wiz - we got to see a bromance with Otis Young and Murray both as they loved the same girl. Yeh - they both almost reconciled. It didn't work for either  

All of the Actors were vibrant and compulsive -- "Bus Stop" (starring Murray and Marilyn Monroe). It was - and still is - one of the greatest films of all time. And it was in brilliant color. I met Murray in San Francisco again in July 2014. I first met him in Chicago after the first viewing on "Bus Stop". That was many years ago. 

At the end of the films at 'The Roxie' in SF - everyone in the Theatre stood and clapped vibrantly. And for Don Murray -- well, you just can't take you eyes off of him. He's still in Great Shape! He gave performances of a lifetime then and now.  

RATING FOREVER: ****** (SIX STARS) - or You could drink Six Glasses of Champagne***** (your choice) 

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and he also spent seven years at PBS KQED Radio (Entertainment reviews and Interviews) 

THEATRE THAT THROBS WITH LIFE - PHOENIX THEATRE - MASON & GEARY  

LIFE X 3 - NOW PLAYING 
Yasmina Reza - Domestic Drama and 
ugly truths

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