Beginning my journey into film studies in the late seventies and early eighties, I began to notice some familiar names on the final screen credit before a movie really got underway. Directed by…….
I quickly caught on to Aldrich (page 1 and 2), Peckinpah (1 and 2) and Siegel.
As a child of the Eastwood era one couldn’t help but notice the name Don Siegel. He collaborated with Clint on several projects before Clint would move on to directing himself over much of his latter career. The duo paired for five films from Coogan’s Bluff in ’68 to Escape From Alcatraz in ’79. In between there was Two Mules For Sister Sara, The Beguiled and their most famous duet by far, Dirty Harry.
I quickly began to research Siegel’s films and was rather surprised to find out that he had directed the classic fifties sci-fi flick, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and many other films titles from the late 1940’s forward till his retirement in the early 80’s. The fact that he directed what I would prefer to think we’re movies aimed primarily at male audiences led me to seeing more of his titles while growing up then many other directors.
A couple titles I’ve featured by Mr. Siegel previously are Count the Hours and The Black Windmill.
How about working with Lorre and the Fatman for a first time director on The Verdict!
A gritty prison flick with the likes of Neville Brand and Leo Gordon.
A bona fide classic and watch out for Sam Peckinpah!
Assembling a cast including Eli Wallach and Richard Jaeckel for a top notch gangland feature. Not to be missed.
For my money, the best movie Elvis Presley ever starred in was directed by Don making it a Siegel Film.
Don and Lee Marvin seemed made for each other in The Killers.
Before Dirty Harry there was Madigan with Widmark and Fonda.
With Clint.
A real gem of a heist film. Check this one out!
Directing the greatest swan song for my money in the history of film. The Shootist.
One final go around with Clint.
Seriously, did you really think I wouldn’t have an original copy of Telefon? Siegel’s one and only film with Charles Bronson? Not likely!
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Some really great movies
A fine body of work and plenty I didn’t feature.
One of the things which dawned on me slowly was the depth of Siegel’s filmography. I also first became familiar with him through his work with Eastwood and then worked my way back – aside from the fact there are a number of classics, and near classics in there, the range and variety is notable too. I remember being somewhat taken aback to learn he had worked on Casablanca.
I forgot about Casablanca. I know he worked on montages for early forties stuff before moving up the ladder at Warners. When everything taken into consideration, plenty of famous titles that he somehow worked on.
Many great titles (and posters) and back when I got into older movies I was really surprised to learn the Dirty Harry director did all these others!
That’s what makes connecting the dots of actors and filmmakers so much fun,
Love the picture and poster of Telefon.
I have Madigan on the watch pile too.
Charlie Varrick is such class.
Dude you know your onions 🙂
Thanks brother…..lol