MovieChat Forums > Farewell, My Lovely (1975) Discussion > Jack O'Halloran is here (Moose Malloy)

Jack O'Halloran is here (Moose Malloy)

posted 19 years ago by rsgre
58 replies | jump to latest

Hi everyone,
Jack O'Halloran is here (Moose Malloy), and just posted a few messages (JOHJOHM). Any questions for him about the film can be posted here.
I have a few right now for you Jack!:

1. Where were the sound stage portions of the film done?
2. Were the exteriors all filmed in the Los Angeles area?
3. Do you stay in touch with director Dick Richards at all?
4. Did you ever stay in touch with Robert Mitchum later?
5. Where do you live now?

Might have other questions for you later too. Nice to hear from you...!

Best regards,

Steve

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

Samuel Goldwyn Studios was where we worked from but the picture was shot totally on location.
Los Angeles,SanPedro,Santa Monica,Long Beach
Haven't spoke to him for a few years
Robert and I where very close until his death.
South Bay Redondo Beach area.

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks Jack for your quick response. I'm sure there will be more questions for you, as soon as people realize you are here. I thought the interiors were done in England, just because it appeared to be a British production...how interesting!
Let's see what others have to say...I'll be back!

Best regards,

Steve

[–] turkeycat 19 years ago

Hi Jack,

I just saw Farewell My Lovely for the first time a few days ago. Nice film.

A couple of quick questions:

(1) Which did you prefer: your career as a boxer or as an actor?
(2) How did you get your first break into movies? Through an agent or a friend?

Thanks.

turkeycat

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

I am glad you enjoyed the film.I enjoyed both careers but I really enjoy the film industry.

I was exposed to the industry thru Boxing and it just worked out.

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Hello again Jack, nice to see others joining in. I'm sure there will be more as soon as the word gets that you are here. Just want everyone to know that Jack posted a few other responses at the "Yep, Yep, Yep" & "Where is it on DVD?" messages, so be be sure to read them too...

Best regards,

Steve

[–] pacwarbuff 19 years ago

For me personally, "Farewell, My Lovely" is the film I want on DVD more than any other title. It deserves a fully-restored DVD with Jack O'Halloran doing the commentary track. His reminiscences would be great to hear.

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

I'll second that motion!! That sounds like a great idea Pacwarbuff! A restored version with an extra narrated version by Jack (Moose Malloy) O'Halloran! What do others say? What do you think Jack, are you up to it?

Best regards,

Steve

[–] Johnny_Shannow 19 years ago

I also think that'd be a great idea.

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

Thanks for the comment.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

That would be a very nice idea and thank you for the comment.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks for your comments everyone, and thanks for your responses Jack. I just ordered a VHS copy at Amazon, since all the region 1 DVD's are now gone. I'll be taking a look back in a few days hopefully. Be sure to read all the lovely, wonderful, articulate reviews at this site. Alice Liddel's in August 2000 was particularly good, but there are many others as well. Something tells me that this movie is going to come back in a big way...!

Regards,

Steve

[–] pacwarbuff 19 years ago

It's comforting to find a dedicated fan base for this movie, and the fact that it's not readily available seems to only strengthen our love for this near-forgotten gem of a Neo-Noir. It used to play regularly on the Encore Mystery Channel, but I haven't seen it in a couple years now, though a friend of mine has it on VHS...

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

This is my favorite film that I have worked on to me and others in the industry,it is a timeless classic.So very glad to see a fan base for it thank you.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Thanks for your latest comments Jack! I am awaiting my ordered VHS copy from Amazon. I will post new comments as soon as I finish seeing it. Should be fine since (apparently from comments here) the DVD copies are all "pan & scan" anyway.

Regards,

Steve

P.S. I found your biography at this site to be very informative...!

[–] pacwarbuff 18 years ago

rsgre, is the VHS copy of FML a widescreen edition? Your post led me to believe that since the DVD was pan & scan, that the VHS was not.

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] neilryan666 18 years ago

Hi Jack,

I think its great you can take the time to respond and chat a bit.

I've just finished watching the movie and I feel a bit ambivalent about your character. Sometimes he seemed sympathetic, i.e. a bit simple and just driven by love, and at other times he came across as nasty and violent. I can't make up my mind whether I like him or not.

I'd love to hear your views, and what you felt playing him at the time.

Best will,

NR.

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Hi Jack, I just received my VHS copy and watched it twice in a row! Good enough picture quality for now, about the same as if I taped it off the air (Pacwarbuff, it is not widescreen). Looks as good as ever, so it does stand the test of time. Easily one of Robert Mitchum's finest performances, he is just perfect! What a great actor he was! You and the rest of the cast are great too. Strikes me as somewhat grittier than "Chinatown", in some ways like Tarantino's films, but not as extreme.
Interesting that it covers a period that I am fascinated in: pre-WWII U.S.A.; a time when there were a lot of poor, but proud Americans who didn't need the Federal Government to help them out. My parents came from that era and I always realized their inner emotional strength, and greater resourcefulness.
The end of the film makes us realize that we are also at the end of an era. The attack on Pearl Harbor is coming in about 6 months, and the U.S.A. would never be the same after that. Might have more to say, just wanted to get this off quickly..

Regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

So glad you enjoyed the film as much as I did making it there are great memory's there for me.The look is because the camera was John Alonzo who shot Chinatown.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Thanks Jack. That's right about John Alonzo being the director of photography for both films. He did a great job! I see that he passed away in 2001. Did you know him well? (I forgot which film came first, was it this one or "Chinatown"? I'll check later for the answer.[Just checked "Chinatown was 1974, and FML was 1975])
"Farewell My Lovely" was daring in it's portrayal of bottom end Negro(Black) life of that era (no political correctness there). Also, both movies were umcompromising in their portrayal of "sleaze in high places". I like the way Robert Mitchum portrayed Phillip Marlowe, an American of the old school, that just accepted his place in society and did the best he could. As he said, "all he had was a hat, a coat, and a gun..."!
I will probably have more to say, just wanted to get this off quickly...

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

John was a very nice person and very talented.It was sad he never really accomplished what he wanted to do was to direct a good film.

All the Best

Jack

[–] pacwarbuff 18 years ago

Interesting that it covers a period that I am fascinated in: pre-WWII U.S.A.; a time when there were a lot of poor, but proud Americans who didn't need the Federal Government to help them out. My parents came from that era and I always realized their inner emotional strength, and greater resourcefulness.
The end of the film makes us realize that we are also at the end of an era. The attack on Pearl Harbor is coming in about 6 months, and the U.S.A. would never be the same after that. Might have more to say, just wanted to get this off quickly..

Great post! I, too, am fascinated with the 1930s-40s and "Farewell, My Lovely" really does a fine job in evoking it's time and place. I even like the judicious changes made for the film, but you'd be happy to know that much of what Mitchum's Marlowe says is taken from the novel, which I'm re-reading again.

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Thank you Jack & Pacwarbuff for your latest messages. By the way Jack, Neilryan666 posted a question for you, two days ago, that you haven't answered yet. I'm curious to know how you felt about the character you portrayed too.
(I'll give you my opinion of "Moose Malloy" later too)
Pacwarbuff, be sure to fill us in on the original novel, and how it compares to the film. I'm tempted to read it too.
Another question for you Jack: the scene in Florian's, with all those Black people, was that all filmed on location too? Where those all professional actors? It's one scene that is so realistic and "gritty" that I'm sure some people find it objectionable, but it "rings true" as far as the overall effect. The double standard at the time, and the enforced segregation kept minorities in their place, as the film vividly demonstrates. I'll be back...!

Regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

This scene was acyually the very first shot of the filming and we shot it down town LA. and they were all professional actors.It was actually a great scene.Dick Richards was so nervous working with Mitchum on the first shot of the film he said cut before saying action.

Be well

Jack

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

Moose was so in Love with Velma and he just served seven years in Jail.He would have walked thru walls for her.But he also was what he was a very tough and hard person that people from his world were very scared of.So I tried to show all the sides of Moose good and bad.I played him as real as he was.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Thanks for your latest responses Jack, we all appreciate them very much! Was that an old night club that was actually called Florian's (or did they change the name)? Yes, that scene is really remarkable in it's realism, I had forgotten about it until I viewed the film again. It's as gritty as possible, and gives us a view into an earlier, more primitive time. The policemen's behavior, and the language is expecially strong ("...just another shine killing..."!). The two actors (John Ireland & Harry Dean Stanton)do a brilliant job in portraying the "sleaze of the times" with law enforcement.
My take on "Moose Malloy" is that he is a big, clumsy "loser", born on "the wrong side of the tracks" (there's an old phrase), who is condemned to an entire life of crime (he brags to Marlowe that he pulled off the bank heist "solo"). He is chasing after the lost love of his dreams, and is too dumb to realize she doesn't want him back (you'd think he'd get a clue with all the attempts on his life!). He proves to be very resourceful in hiding out, but only stays alive until the end because of Marlowe's quick thinking. We don't feel that sorry for him or Velma at the end, because they both died in the "corrupt quicksand" they had been living in. (I felt a little sorry for him though. All that effort just to get shot by your old love at the end! Bummer...!).
I might have more thoughts, I welcome more of yours Jack, and any others...

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] Johnny_Shannow 18 years ago

Hi Jack, I was just wondering if you have read the novel and what you think of it? I think it and the 2 film versions of it are all great, I like the way character of moose malloy is expanded from the book, and I particularly like your line at the end when you finally see Velma and say "Hi babe, long time no see", the look of surprise and joy on your face really add a sense of pathos to the character.

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

Johnny

Yes I read the novel actually after the film was done though.Once again the script we had was excellent and did expand the book where necessary.So it gave me the peramiters to expand the character of Moose Malloy which work out great and made for a better film.

All the Best

Jack

[–] Johnny_Shannow 18 years ago

thankyou

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

Your welcome!!

All the Best

Jack

[–] oversplayer 18 years ago

Jack,

It is a huge thrill to have you here. Mike Mazurki was a marvelous performer and an immensely tough act to follow, but you were spectacular.

Two questions, if you don't mind:

(1) How do you compare "Farewell, My Lovely" with the original ("Murder, My Sweet")?

(2) I watched an interview with Mitchum very late in life and, when asked to name which of his films he thought was best, he replied: "I wouldn't know. I never watched any of them. I just went to work and collected my paycheck at the end."

Was he really that disinterested in the art that he was creating or was this just part of his act?

After all, anyone who alternates between getting in bar fights and writing poetry is a rather complex individual, to say the least.

If you haven't read it, Lee Server's biography ("Robert Mitchum: Baby, I Don't Care") is the most entertaining book I have ever read.

My favorite parts:

(1) After serving 60 days in jail for marijuana possession, Mitchum flew to Mexico to join the cast of "The Big Steal," and his private plane crashed as it was about to land. The cast was dining in a small cafe when word of the crash spread. Finally, the door of the cafe bursts open, and a tattered Mitchum stumbles in.

His first words: "Anyone have a joint?"

(2) When asked to describe jail, Mitchum replied: "It was like Palm Springs without the riffraff."

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Hi Jack & Everyone,
Here is something on Phillip Marlowe's hero, Joe DiMaggio:

In 1937 DiMaggio led the American League in home runs and runs scored, and in 1939 and 1940 he led the American League in batting, with averages of .381 and .352. DiMaggio was a very consistent hitter; early in his career, during his 1933 season with the Seals, he had a hitting streak of 61 consecutive games. His consistency led to one of the most remarkable records of major league baseball—DiMaggio's feat of hitting safely in 56 consecutive games (May 15–July 16, 1941). The prior record for the longest hitting streak of 44 games was set in 1897 (and, at that time, foul balls did not count as strikes). With the exception of DiMaggio's streak, no player has hit in more than 44 consecutive games since. In addition to his fine hitting ability, DiMaggio had outstanding skill as a fielder, tying the American League fielding record in 1947 with only one error in 141 games. Indeed, he played his position in center field with such languid expertise that some ill-informed fans thought he was lazy—he rarely had to jump against the outfield wall to make a catch or dive for balls, he was simply there to catch them.

(P.S. So now we know for sure that the film ends in July of 1941).

Regards,

RSGRE

[–] rsgre 18 years ago

Just wanted everyone to know that Jack has his own site right here at IMDB too.
Just go to Jack O'Halloran on search, and you can read his full biography (very interesting), and look at the messages below as well. Thanks Jack for being here...!
Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

Thank all of you for dropping me a line or two.

All the Best

Jack

[–] pacwarbuff 18 years ago

Jack, how was your experience working with Anthony Zerbe? He's always interesting in whatever role he does and I was wondering if you had any anecdotes about him.

Thanks!

It's spelled "Definitely".

[–] johjohm 18 years ago

Anthony is a great actor and it was a pleasure working with him and I would gladly work with him anytime ask.He is also a very nice person and I enjoyed the time we all spent together.

All the Best

Jack

[–] nickatnite1962 18 years ago

Hi Jack,
My Dad was a big fan of Mitchum and took me to see this movie in 1975 when I was 13. This was the first "R" rated film I was allowed to see and I think its one of the best films of the 1970's. I keep looking for a official dvd release but nothing yet! My dad has the vhs copy released back in the 90's. I also have the cd soundtrack by David Shire. Do you have the movie soundtrack in your collection? I love the music and was lucky to find the cd. You should get it if you don't have it! Classic!

Be well!
Nick Detaranto

[–] Johalloran-1 18 years ago

Nick

This my favorite film of all the things I've done. Yes I have the CD and the sound track thank you.I am glad you rnjoy both as they are indeed classics.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

[–] skyvue 18 years ago

I was in high school and working as an usher at a four-screen theatre in Oklahoma City when FAREWELL MY LOVELY came out in 1975. I spent many a Saturday afternoon shirking my duties and avoiding the theatre manager as I holed up in theatre 3 to watch this wonderful film over and over.

It introduced me to the amazing work of Raymond Chandler, and to this day, it's by far my favorite cinematic adaptation of Chandler's work. Mitchum's the perfect Marlowe, and it's just a shame that he didn't get to play Marlowe when he was the appropriate age.

(For anyone who hasn't already seen it, rent or buy OUT OF THE PAST. Mitchum plays a detective in that picture, too, and you'll get a sense of how he might have come off as Marlowe back in the day, had he gotten the chance.)

I own the DVD of FAREWELL MY LOVELY (didn't realize how lucky I was, as I didn't know it'd gone out of print), and I certainly agree that it deserves a new life on DVD, and this time with some extras (the original DVD was purely bare bones).

I showed the movie to my girlfriend last night, and she loved it just as much as I do. She's 25, so that tells you that the movie is timeless and a classic.

Can you give us an idea what Mitchum was like to work with? Were you intimidated at first?

Thanks again for the responses here and, of course, for your great work in a classic picture.

Brett
New York, NY

[–] Johalloran-1 18 years ago

Hi Brett

Robert and I became great friends right away.He was an amazing individual and a great actor.It was a great pleasure working with him.I think the film is one of the best in my career for me.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

[–] pacwarbuff 18 years ago

Time to bring this one back!

Just read Lee Server's (largely) excellent Robert Mitchum bio, "Baby, I Don't Care" and there's a bit on FML in the book. It mentions that Mitchum and Jack sat down and talked awhile and afterwards Mitchum said to one of the producers something to the effect "If O'Halloran isn't hired for the film, I'm [Mitchum] out." I'd be interested in hearing Jack's thoughts on this...you still there, rsgre?

"Do you realize that you and your murder mysteries are making a wreck out of me?"

[–] Johalloran-1 17 years ago

Sorry for not answering this earlier, Mitchum and I became very good friends on this picture.After the picture was over we spent a lot of time together. He told me that he indeed did say after seeing the screen test that if I wasn't hired he wouldn't do the film. I felt that a great honor coming from him.

Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Johalloran-1 17 years ago

Thank you for your kind post.I really enjoyed acting and believe I will go back on screen soon.First I have written a book and several scripts and I'm involved in a few films as a Producer.

Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] rsgre 17 years ago

Hi again Jack...been out of touch for a while...seeing "Farewell My Lovely" again did it.....great film...! Will have more...

RSGRE

[–] Johalloran-1 17 years ago

That is my favorite piece of work. First because of Robert Mitchum and because it was my first film.And it was a great crew, John Alonzo won the oscar for China Town Dean Talavarous won the oscar for the Godfather.

Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rsgre 17 years ago

Thanks Jack (& Filmson) for your quick response, glad you are still around to comment. What's so cool about "Farewell My Lovely" is the beautiful way they captured the look and the feel of the early 40's, pre-WWII USA. It was a hardier country then where people scratched out a living, but didn't expect anyone to carry them. Robert Mitchum's performance is so classic "private eye" and a wonderful tribute to his talent. John Ireland's performance as Nulte is great too, as is the rest of the cast..and you are right John Alonzo's photography is just perfect. Joe DiMaggio's cameo is a wonderful nostalgic touch too...might have more. Good to hear from you Jack...(oh, you were great too)!

RSGRE

[–] Johalloran-1 17 years ago

You have to understan the crew on this picture. Dean Talavaros had just won the Oscar for the Godfather set design, that is were the look came from.Plus Alonzo just won the Oscar for China Town. And many other great people from the Westmore's on makeup, it was just a great film to be associated with.

Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] Johalloran-1 17 years ago

Thank you for your kind comments, and I agree the film should have had more acclaim. I really enjoyed doing this film plus I meet one of the best p[eople I ever met in the industry, Robert Mitchum.

Kind Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Johalloran-1 16 years ago

The picture has been playing a lot of late because of us trying to get a restored version. Such a great film it deserves a lot more credit than it has gotten. It was so very well made with a great cast and crew.

Regards

Jack O'Halloran

[–] dkrentzlin 15 years ago

I have a question, Jack. I've always been blown away by the main title sequence. Was that old footage with color added?

[–] dkrentzlin 15 years ago

Couple of other questions, Jack. (God, I love "Farewell, My Lovely"! I'd hate to tell you how many times I saw it in the theaters in those days before home video.)

1. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out that the frail old man who played The Judge was the author of such hard-boiled novels as "The Getaway" and "The Grifters". Did you meet Jim Thompson during the filming?

2. What's the status of the DVD release? (I think a great featurette would be you conducting a tour of the actual locations the movie was filmed on and show how they look nowadays.)

3. A comment: I liked the way "Farewell, My Lovely" was more faithful to the ending of the novel than "Murder, My Sweet." It's much more poignant for Moose to be killed by Velma. And what a great death line! "Why?" Kudos to you!

[–] rsgre 12 years ago

Earth to Jack...where are you Jack ?? Come in please...!!

(Found out after, he is still here, but just answering questions at his Jack O'Halloran site right here at IMDB).

RSGRE

[–] melnar1 11 years ago

I've just watched this movie and I think Jack O'Halloran was just perfect as Moose Malloy.

[–] Noir-It-All 9 years ago

At one point during the Depression, 1 out of 3 wage earners were out of a job, millions of people. The New Deal programs that some posters seem to despise reached only a fraction of then.

With the Dust Bowl, even rural folks could grow their own food. It was a desperate time. You can be proud, but you don't turn down help to feed your family.