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Nick by Richard Rothstein
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Thursday, April 26, 2018
Blast From The Past: James Naughton
It's interesting to me whenever I discover an actor that I didn't realize was actually a big part of my life. This happened recently with James Naughton. One of my movie channels had a Stephen King marathon a few weeks ago and I DVR'd the films I hadn't seen, including 1985's Cat's Eye. I wasn't really expecting much from the viewing but actually ended up enjoying the film very much. The movie features three story's, with nothing really in common except a cat.
The first two stories were actually the best with the last story, featuring Drew Barrymore, the weakest of the three. Although I loved ET, I haven't really been a huge fan of Barrymore's films, especially early in her career. I instantly recognized the actor playing Drew's father, I know I had heard his voice and seen his beautiful face before. A quick IMDB search told me the hot shirtless daddy was played by James Naughton, and checking out his resume, I was surprised I hadn't featured him on FH before.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
I have enjoyed Naughton on TV and film for years, most recently his appearances in The Devil Wears Prada, and on TV in The Affair, Damages and Gossip Girl. Naughton has been a regular fixture on TV and on film since the early 70's, and I actually capped his scenes in The Paper Chase for my feature on Timothy Bottoms (HERE:) a few years ago.
City Of Angels (1990)
A busy stage actor as well, my biggest connection is probably through Broadways's City of Angels, a role that brought Naughton the Tony for best performance by a lead actor in a musical. I bought the soundtrack after seeing James and company on the Tony's and the score and Naughton's strong powerful voice accompanied me on many long drives in my car.
The Paper Chase (1973)
I Love My Wife (1977)
The Broadway production of the musical I Love My Wife, opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on April 17, 1977 and featured Naughton as Wally, Joanna Gleason as Monica, Lenny Baker, as Alvin and Ilene Graff as Cleo.
Planet of the Apes (1974)
As a big fan of the old Planet of the Apes movies, I bought the one and only season of the TV show version a few years ago.. I had not watched them yet, but did crack them open to make a few caps for this piece. In a quick scan, it does appear that James and co-star Ron Harper were often shirtless when running and battling their furry foes.
Cat's Eye (1985)
An American Werewolf in London: Behind the Scenes
Back in 2013, I featured actor David Naughton's nude scene in 1981's An American Werewolf in London. (HERE:) I had a few behind the scenes shots from the film saved for a follow-up, but never got a round to posting it. Given however, David's older brother James is today's Blast From the Past, I thought a good day to head back to London for a look. If the movie was being made today, I'm sure the lead would have insisted on a cock sock, but as you can see from some of the caps, Naughton filmed his scenes au naturale.
'We filmed the moors scenes in Wales. David Naughton and Griffin Dunne were inexperienced movie actors, but they gelled perfectly as two American backpackers attacked by a werewolf.'
'I wanted a weird, eerie ambience for the night shots. So that wolf howl you hear was actually made up of about nine different sounds, including a wolf, a lion, a panther, and even a locomotive. The other sound you hear, after that first attack out on the moors, was actually a pig farm, recorded from a distance. It was just something to make audiences say: “What the hell was that?'
'John Landis kept things very light on set, but the shoot was gruelling. When I met the special effects man, , I told him I was playing the werewolf. He said: “I feel sorry for you.” Rick was surrounded by these wild-eyed assistants who took moulds of my arms, legs and head. It was really suffocating. I remember asking them: “Are you sure you know how to do this?'
David Naughton
'As for running naked around London Zoo, in the scene where I’m in the wolf cage, the only reassurance I had was that the wolves had just been fed. But the handlers still said there were to be no loud noises or fast moves. “OK,” I said hopefully. “This will just be one take, so start rolling those cameras.” We were supposed to be done by 9am, but we overran. At one point, I looked up and said: “Wow! Why have you got all those extras over there?” They replied: “They’re not extras – the zoo’s open.'
David Naughton, The Guardian
Blue Streak: Nick by Richard Rothstein
Last week, when featuring photographer Richard Rothstein's recent work with Nick, (HERE:) I tucked away this series to post separately. I used one of the shots, featuring Nick wrapped in blue satin for pic of the day, but the rest I saved for today. I am a sucker for shimmering satin in images of the male form. There is a feel of glamour reminiscent of old Hollywood, so many of images of classic movie stars were posed in front of shiny, satin colored backgrounds.
I didn't ask Richard, but I am assuming the blue satin, in addition to beautifully surrounding Nick's body, also drape the bed in Richard's boudoir. In addition to all the hot models, showcasing Richard's recent apartment series has me rethinking many of my home decor choices... I am not a shopper, and most of the things in my home are either gifts, or furniture from my parents home. .
I haven't in fact, ever bought a piece of furniture other than a coffee table and a bookcase. I moved into my first apartment with my single bed from home. After a few years it was in such bad shape, and after everyone I know bugging me to get a new one, my parents gave up, and ordered me a larger one for my birthday.
That bed, is currently draped with a boring solid brown comforter, a gift from my brother from last Christmas. Richard's surroundings have inspired me to do a bit of shopping... Now I don't think I can go from plain brown to blue satin, but maybe something in between. I'll keep you posted!
Sadly, I fear the blue bed set may no longer be suitable for use... Today, Richard sent on his latest shoot with Nick and it appears that no amount of cleaning could remove the stains left on the sheets... I guess all great art requires sacrifice, and for the most recent shoot, the sacrifice was the sheets. Stay tuned for all the messy details.
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