Sunday, June 13, 2010

THE FINAL LINE PROJECT

Univarn here, and I need your help. A few weeks back I proposed on twitter the creation of a brand new list. One I've never really seen before, but belive is aching to be made. It's not a list counting down (or up). Rather a list of homage. A list serving as a tribute to the many actors and actresses that passed on throughout the years of cinema.

The final line. Their final line. From the triumphant calls, to the silent ramblings, and simple farewells. My goal is to compile the ultimate list of final lines delivered by screen performers in cinema. But, as you can imagine, there's way too many! So, I need your help, and badly!

Here's what you can do. Pick as many favorite actors/actresses as you can, and get to watching their final movie next chance you get. Once they deliver their final line, write it down. And toss me an email (lifeinequinox@gmail.com), or leave it in the comments section of this post. Once I get them I'll begin to compile them into one massive list!

Here are the rules:
  • The movie must have had a theatrical release (sorry, not including made for TV movies).
  • The actor must have played an active role in its creation (i.e. no sole use of archive footage/voice work).
  • In the case of two different submissions I'll serve as judge. Or put it to vote if I can't come to a decision.
  • In the case that the final line is only a couple of words long, a previous line or two can be added on to apply context.
Some considerations:
  • Vocal performances in animated films do qualify.
  • If their final line was performed during a musical number it also qualifies.
  • If the performer died during production, use your best judgment on what is the final line spoken via their voice.
  • Even if they are listed as uncredited in IMDB, or a small Cameo role, if they are in the film, and have a speaking role, it qualifies.
  • If in doubt, use the release date to determine what someone's actual last film was. I know this isn't the best measure, but the list is based on the final line deliver too the audience. Not said by themselves (if both can be done, it's all for the better).
Submission Format:
Performer Name: "Quote" (Film Title)

List of Performers Currently Done:
Jack Lemmon
Jimmy Stewart
Edward G. Robinson
Spencer Tracy
Buster Keaton
Henry Fonda
Marilyn Monroe
Clark Gable
Heath Ledger
John Candy (requested)


I'll be constantly working on this list, and once it's big enough (I'm thinking 30-50minimum) I'll begin to publish it and see just how big this gets. It's not something that's going to stop tomorrow either. So just submit it whenever you can, and I'll keep on compiling (with appropriate citations of course)!

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to your submissions!

13 better thoughts:

MovieNut14 said...

Sounds cool. I'm in.

A Cornish Geek said...

Ditto :)

SugaryCynic said...

cool idea, I'm down.

Ryan McNeil said...

I dig it - looking forward to getting Mr. Candy's epitaph to ya

Red said...

Great idea. Will definitely keep an eye open for some of these.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is an ambitious project!

Since he died during production, I will have to guess a line from the scenes surrounding his death - Brandon Lee - The Crow - "Shelly..."

And wasn't Vincent Price's last movie Edward Scissorhands? Think the line was "I think it's a little early for Christmas, Edward, but I have a present for you."

Simon said...

Damn, what was Dennis Hopper's last role? Don't say Crash.

Univarn said...

@Sugary, filmgeek, Mad, and Red Can't wait to see what you come up with?

@Simon He has two projects in that he completed slated for release next year. Alpha and Omega will likely be his last released (and I'm going based on release date). But that depends on if The Last Film Festival gets a theatrical release. I should probably put that in the rules.

@Alex I'm not entirely sure on those two. Has been a long while since I've watched either. If you get the opportunity to confirm them I'd appreciate it :)

The Taxi Driver said...

I laughed at the rule where the movie needs to have been a theaterical release when how many great actors go out in the direct to video format. Poor Anthony Quinn, started out in Fellini and ended in a Sylvester Stallone DTV dud.

Univarn said...

@Mike Yeah, the reason I went that direction is because with some actor's it'd be just way too hard to track down their DTV, or made for TV movies, from the 80's and 90's. And I don't want there to be any real discrepancies.

Rachel said...

Sweet idea, Uni! A minor suggestion would be adding a temporary gadget in the sidebar to keep an updated list of all the actors already submitted, that way someone doesn't go through the trouble of finding it, only to realize it's been done.

Anonymous said...

How about a double whammy. The Misfits was the final (completed) movie for two legends. Their final lines:

Marilyn Monroe: How do you find your way back in the dark?

Clark Gable: Just head for that big star straight on. The highway's under it. It'll take us right home.

Univarn said...

@Rachel I'll look into it. The only downside is that if the list gets reasonably large it'll be difficult to do.

@Andy Awesome, thanks for the submission!

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