Philip Baker Hall

Started by filmcritic, June 18, 2003, 05:01:04 PM

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rustinglass

I saw that seinfeld episode some time ago... He plays a library director, no?
"In Serbia a lot of people hate me because they want to westernise, not understanding that the western world is bipolar, with very good things and very bad things. Since they don't have experience of the west, they even believe that western shit is pie."
-Emir Kusturica

Cecil

yeah. mr. bookman, i believe

chainsmoking insomniac

Shit, I wasn't aware.  That's pretty cool.  I wish I could watch that episode.
"Ernest Hemingway once wrote: 'The world's a fine place, and worth fighting for.'  I agree with the second part."
    --Morgan Freeman, Se7en

"Have you ever fucking seen that...? Ever seen a mistake in nature?  Have you ever seen an animal make a mistake?"
 --Paul Schneider, All the Real Girls

filmcritic

"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

filmcritic

I just found out that PBH will be appearing on an episode of "Cheers" called "Woody Gets An Election". Check your local listings.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

filmcritic

Philip Baker Hall will be on television on Tuesday this week. Check your local listings.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

MacGuffin

Quote from: filmcriticPhilip Baker Hall will be on television on Tuesday this week. Check your local listings.

What, like all day on every channel and program?
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

filmcritic

NO, he'll be on the show Night Visions on Sci-Fi.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

Sleuth

I like to hug dogs

filmcritic

I'm not sure if he has a big role or not. Probably small.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

82

This man can walk like a motherfucker.
"We're all one thing, Lieutenant. That's what I've come to realize. Like cells in a body. 'Cept we can't see the body. The way fish can't see the ocean. And so we envy each other. Hurt each other. Hate each other. How silly is that? A heart cell hating a lung cell"

Fernando

I thought of posting the dialogue of this really funny episode of Seinfeld with PBH for those who haven't seen it (only PBH's scenes).
To really have the feeling of the same type of character that PBH played, just read his lines like he was talking a little fast and in very curt way. Enjoy!

The first scene, in Jerry's apartment, begins with Jerry opening the door for the curmudgeonly "Lieutenant Bookman":

Jerry: Oh, I'm glad you're here, so we can get this all straightened out. Would you like a cup of tea?

Bookman: You got any coffee?

J: Coffee?

B: Yeah. Coffee.

J: No, I don't drink coffee.

B: Yeah, you don't drink coffee? How about instant coffee?

J: No, I don't have--

B: You don't have any instant coffee?

J: Well, I don't normally--

B: Who doesn't have instant coffee?

J: I don't.

B: You buy a jar of Folger's Crystals, you put it in the cupboard, you
forget about it. Then later on when you need it, it's there. It lasts
forever. It's freeze-dried. Freeze-dried Crystals.

J: Really? I'll have to remember that.

B: You took this book out in 1971.

J: Yes, and I returned it in 1971.

B: Yeah, '71. That was my first year on the job. Bad year for libraries.
Bad year for America. Hippies burning library cards, Abby Hoffman
telling everybody to steal books. I don't judge a man by the length of
his hair or the kind of music he listens to. Rock was never my bag. But
you put on a pair of shoes when you walk into the New York Public
Library, fella.

J: Look, Mr. Bookman. I--I returned that book. I remember it very
specifically.

B: You're a comedian, you make people laugh.

J: I try.

B: You think this is all a big joke, don't you?

J: No, I don't.

B: I saw you on T.V. once; I remembered your name--from my list. I looked it up. Sure enough, it checked out. You think because you're a celebrity that somehow the law doesn't apply to you, that you're above the law?

J: Certainly not.

B: Well, let me tell you something, funny boy. Y'know that little stamp,
the one that says "New York Public Library"?  Well that may not mean
anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole hell of a lot.
Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before:
Flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you're
thinking. What's this guy making such a big stink about old library
books? Well, let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without
libraries, people like you and me. Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change
the world, but what about that kid, sitting down, opening a book, right
now, in a branch at the local library and finding drawings of pee-pees
and wee-wees on the Cat in the Hat and the Five Chinese Brothers?
Doesn't HE deserve better? Look. If you think this is about overdue
fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that
kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped! Or: maybe
that turns you on, Seinfeld; maybe that's how y'get your kicks. You and
your good-time buddies. Well I got a flash for ya, joy-boy: Party time
is over. Y'got seven days, Seinfeld. That is one week!


The second "Bookman scene" includes Kramer and his "spinster" gal Marion the Librarian. The two, walking hand in hand in the library after hours, think they're alone:

KRAMER: You know, the library is kind of a cool place when it's closed.

MARIAN: Oh, yeah. You don't have to be quiet. Listen to the echo: Hello!

KRAMER: Hello!

MARIAN: Hello!

KRAMER: Hello!

MARIAN: Hello!

BOOKMAN (emerging): Hello!

MARIAN (turning, surprised): Mr. Bookman.

BOOKMAN: I remember when the librarian was a much older woman: Kindly, discreet, unattractive. We didn't know anything about her private life. We didn't want to know anything about her private life. She didn't have
a private life. While you're thinking about that, think about this: The
library closes at five o'clock, no exceptions. This is your final
warning. Got that, kewpie-doll?


And herewith the third and final "Bookman scene," just with Jerry again,
who, back in the library now, writes out a check for the never-returned
TROPIC OF CANCER and hands it to Bookman:

J: Anyway, I hope there's no hard feelings.

B: Hard feelings? What do you know about hard feelings? Y'ever have a man die in your arms? Y'ever kill somebody?

J: What is your problem?

B: What's my problem? Punks like you, that's my problem. And you better not screw up again Seinfeld, because if you do, I'll be all over you like a
pitbull on a poodle.

JERRY (after Bookman exits): That is one tough monkey!

filmcritic

Man, I wish I could have seen it. Maybe they'll air it soon.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert

chainsmoking insomniac

That sounds SO great.  Damn.  I was just imagining his voice saying those lines, and a smile crept up on my face.  Next to Ricky D., PBH is the perfect straight man for a Seinfeld episode.
"Ernest Hemingway once wrote: 'The world's a fine place, and worth fighting for.'  I agree with the second part."
    --Morgan Freeman, Se7en

"Have you ever fucking seen that...? Ever seen a mistake in nature?  Have you ever seen an animal make a mistake?"
 --Paul Schneider, All the Real Girls

filmcritic

Reminds me of his performance in "Bruce Almighty". He's so straightforward and has such a dead-pan delivery that it makes it very amusing.
"You're too kind."
-Richard Roeper

"You're too cruel."
-Roger Ebert