John Cassavetes

John Nicholas Cassavetes (December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. First known as an actor on television and in film, Cassavetes also became a pioneer of American independent cinema, writing and directing movies financed in part with income from his acting work. AllMovie called him "an iconoclastic maverick," while The New Yorker suggested that he "may be the most influential American director of the last half century." As an actor, Cassavetes starred in notable Hollywood films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including Edge of the City (1957), The Dirty Dozen (1967), and Rosemary's Baby (1968). He began his directing career with the 1959 independent feature Shadows and followed with independent productions such as Faces (1968), Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), and Love Streams (1984), in addition to intermittent studio work. Cassavetes' films employed an actor-centered approach which privileged character examination over traditional Hollywood storytelling or stylized production values. His films became associated with an improvisational, cinéma vérité aesthetic. He collaborated frequently with a rotating group of friends, crew members, and actors, including his wife Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara, and Seymour Cassel. For his role in The Dirty Dozen, Cassavetes received a Best Supporting Actor nomination. As a filmmaker, he was nominated for Best Original Screenplay ...

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Rosemary's Baby (1968)

ClassicDarkDramaticInspiring

A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roman Polanski
CAST:  Mia Farrow  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ruth Gordon  •  Sidney Blackmer

A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roman Polanski
CAST:  Mia Farrow  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ruth Gordon  •  Sidney Blackmer

A Child Is Waiting (1963)

Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of a state institution for intellectually disabled children. Jean Hansen, a former music teacher anxious to give her life some meaning, joins the staff of the hospital. Jean, who tries to shelter the children with her love, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Burt Lancaster  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Steven Hill

Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of a state institution for intellectually disabled children. Jean Hansen, a former music teacher anxious to give her life some meaning, joins the staff of the hospital. Jean, who tries to shelter the children with her love, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  Burt Lancaster  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Steven Hill

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Fred Draper  •  Lady Rowlands

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Fred Draper  •  Lady Rowlands

Faces (1968)

Middle-aged suburban husband Richard abruptly tells his wife, Maria, that he wants a divorce. As Richard takes up with a younger woman, Maria enjoys a night on the town with her friends and meets a younger man. As the couple and those around them confront a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Marley  •  Lynn Carlin  •  Seymour Cassel

Middle-aged suburban husband Richard abruptly tells his wife, Maria, that he wants a divorce. As Richard takes up with a younger woman, Maria enjoys a night on the town with her friends and meets a younger man. As the couple and those around them confront a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Marley  •  Lynn Carlin  •  Seymour Cassel

Gloria (1980)

When a young boy's family is killed by the mob, their tough neighbor Gloria becomes his reluctant guardian. In possession of a book that the gangsters want, the pair go on the run in New York.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  Julie Carmen  •  John Adames  •  Buck Henry

When a young boy's family is killed by the mob, their tough neighbor Gloria becomes his reluctant guardian. In possession of a book that the gangsters want, the pair go on the run in New York.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  Julie Carmen  •  John Adames  •  Buck Henry

Love Streams (1984)

Two closely-bound, emotionally wounded siblings reunite after years apart.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Diahnne Déa  •  Seymour Cassel

Two closely-bound, emotionally wounded siblings reunite after years apart.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Diahnne Déa  •  Seymour Cassel

Mikey and Nicky (1976)

In Philadelphia, a small-time bookie who stole mob money is in hiding and he begs a childhood friend to help him evade the hit-man who's on his trail.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaine May
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ned Beatty  •  Rose Arrick

In Philadelphia, a small-time bookie who stole mob money is in hiding and he begs a childhood friend to help him evade the hit-man who's on his trail.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaine May
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ned Beatty  •  Rose Arrick

Minnie and Moskowitz (1971)

Depressed and jaded after being dumped by her married boyfriend, aging beauty Minnie Moore wonders if she'll ever find love. After shaggy-haired parking lot attendant Seymour Moskowitz comes to her defense from an angry and rebuffed blind date, he falls hopelessly ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  Seymour Cassel  •  Val Avery  •  Timothy Carey

Depressed and jaded after being dumped by her married boyfriend, aging beauty Minnie Moore wonders if she'll ever find love. After shaggy-haired parking lot attendant Seymour Moskowitz comes to her defense from an angry and rebuffed blind date, he falls hopelessly ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  Seymour Cassel  •  Val Avery  •  Timothy Carey

Opening Night (1977)

Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ben Gazzara  •  Joan Blondell

Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ben Gazzara  •  Joan Blondell

Shadows (1960)

The relationship between Lelia, a light-skinned black woman, and Tony, a white man is put in jeopardy when Tony meets Lelia’s darker-skinned jazz singer brother, Hugh, and discovers that her racial heritage is not what he thought it was.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Ben Carruthers  •  Lelia Goldoni  •  Hugh Hurd  •  Anthony Ray

The relationship between Lelia, a light-skinned black woman, and Tony, a white man is put in jeopardy when Tony meets Lelia’s darker-skinned jazz singer brother, Hugh, and discovers that her racial heritage is not what he thought it was.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Ben Carruthers  •  Lelia Goldoni  •  Hugh Hurd  •  Anthony Ray

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. The soldiers, most of whom are facing death sentences for a variety of violent crimes, agree to the mission and the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Aldrich
CAST:  Lee Marvin  •  Ernest Borgnine  •  Charles Bronson  •  Jim Brown

12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. The soldiers, most of whom are facing death sentences for a variety of violent crimes, agree to the mission and the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Aldrich
CAST:  Lee Marvin  •  Ernest Borgnine  •  Charles Bronson  •  Jim Brown

The Fury (1978)

When a devious plot separates CIA agent Peter Sandza from his son, Robin, the distraught father manages to see through the ruse. Taken because of his psychic abilities, Robin is being held by Ben Childress, who is studying people with supernatural powers in hopes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kirk Douglas  •  John Cassavetes  •  Amy Irving  •  Carrie Snodgress

When a devious plot separates CIA agent Peter Sandza from his son, Robin, the distraught father manages to see through the ruse. Taken because of his psychic abilities, Robin is being held by Ben Childress, who is studying people with supernatural powers in hopes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kirk Douglas  •  John Cassavetes  •  Amy Irving  •  Carrie Snodgress

The Killers (1964)

A hit man and his partner try to find out why their latest victim, a former race-car driver, did not try to get away.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Siegel
CAST:  Lee Marvin  •  Angie Dickinson  •  John Cassavetes  •  Clu Gulager

A hit man and his partner try to find out why their latest victim, a former race-car driver, did not try to get away.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Siegel
CAST:  Lee Marvin  •  Angie Dickinson  •  John Cassavetes  •  Clu Gulager

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)

Cosmo Vittelli, the proprietor of a sleazy, low-rent Hollywood cabaret, has a real affection for the women who strip in his peepshows and the staff who keep up his dingy establishment. He also has a major gambling problem that has gotten him in trouble before. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Ben Gazzara  •  Timothy Carey  •  Seymour Cassel  •  Robert Phillips

Cosmo Vittelli, the proprietor of a sleazy, low-rent Hollywood cabaret, has a real affection for the women who strip in his peepshows and the staff who keep up his dingy establishment. He also has a major gambling problem that has gotten him in trouble before. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Ben Gazzara  •  Timothy Carey  •  Seymour Cassel  •  Robert Phillips

Fourteen Hours (1951)

A young man, morally destroyed by his parents not loving him and by the fear of being not capable to make his girlfriend happy, rises on the ledge of a building with the intention of committing suicide. A policeman makes every effort to argue him out of it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Hathaway
CAST:  Paul Douglas  •  Richard Basehart  •  Barbara Bel Geddes  •  Debra Paget

A young man, morally destroyed by his parents not loving him and by the fear of being not capable to make his girlfriend happy, rises on the ledge of a building with the intention of committing suicide. A policeman makes every effort to argue him out of it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Hathaway
CAST:  Paul Douglas  •  Richard Basehart  •  Barbara Bel Geddes  •  Debra Paget

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)

A group of travelers from the United States race through seven European countries in 18 days.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Stuart
CAST:  Suzanne Pleshette  •  Ian McShane  •  Mildred Natwick  •  Murray Hamilton

A group of travelers from the United States race through seven European countries in 18 days.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Stuart
CAST:  Suzanne Pleshette  •  Ian McShane  •  Mildred Natwick  •  Murray Hamilton

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

Thought provoking

Martin Scorsese celebrates American movies from the silent classics to the Hollywood of the seventies.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martin Scorsese  •  Michael Henry Wilson
CAST:  Martin Scorsese  •  Brian De Palma  •  Gregory Peck  •  Frank Capra

Martin Scorsese celebrates American movies from the silent classics to the Hollywood of the seventies.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martin Scorsese  •  Michael Henry Wilson
CAST:  Martin Scorsese  •  Brian De Palma  •  Gregory Peck  •  Frank Capra

Incubus (1982)

In the small New England town of Galen, a young teenage boy claims he has dreams of young women being brutally raped and murdered. A doctor and the local sheriff discover that the boy's dreams are real and that a sinister occult might be behind the brutal murders. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Hough
CAST:  John Cassavetes  •  John Ireland  •  Helen Hughes  •  Kerrie Keane

In the small New England town of Galen, a young teenage boy claims he has dreams of young women being brutally raped and murdered. A doctor and the local sheriff discover that the boy's dreams are real and that a sinister occult might be behind the brutal murders. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Hough
CAST:  John Cassavetes  •  John Ireland  •  Helen Hughes  •  Kerrie Keane

A Constant Forge (2000)

One of the great mavericks of cinema, John Cassavetes has earned a reputation as the godfather of American independent movies. The actor-turned-filmmaker invented a realist style of unadorned narrative films heavily influenced by documentaries. This in-depth ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Kiselyak
CAST:  Seymour Cassel  •  Carol Kane  •  Jon Voight  •  Ben Gazzara

One of the great mavericks of cinema, John Cassavetes has earned a reputation as the godfather of American independent movies. The actor-turned-filmmaker invented a realist style of unadorned narrative films heavily influenced by documentaries. This in-depth ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Kiselyak
CAST:  Seymour Cassel  •  Carol Kane  •  Jon Voight  •  Ben Gazzara

The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

Documentary about legendary Paramount producer Robert Evans, based on his famous 1994 autobiography.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Morgen  •  Nanette Burstein
CAST:  Robert Evans  •  Eddie Albert  •  Norma Shearer  •  Francis Ford Coppola

Documentary about legendary Paramount producer Robert Evans, based on his famous 1994 autobiography.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Morgen  •  Nanette Burstein
CAST:  Robert Evans  •  Eddie Albert  •  Norma Shearer  •  Francis Ford Coppola
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