Although prominently billed in the opening and closing credits for the 1980 film CABOBLANCO, and appearing in some countries' advertising for the film, Clifton James did not appear in the version released in the U.S. A two-hour version of the film was released in spring 1980 in Italy, France, Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Argentina and Venezuela. But the film was cut to ninety-six minutes for the 1981 release in the United States and other territories. Even shorter versions have been documented. It is likely that James' role was eliminated for these reduced verions.
Clifton James played a Sheriff in 1980's SUPERMAN II. Richard Lester directed the film. Ken Thorne's score was most recently released in 2008 by Film Score Monthly in their Superman box set.
James had a small role as a District Attorney in 1987's THE UNTOUCHABLES. Brian De Palma directed the film. Ennio Morricone's score was most recently released by La-La Land in 2012.
EIGHT MEN OUT was a dramatization of the "Black Sox" scandal, when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series. John Cusack starred as George 'Buck' Weaver, the only player who did not receive money. Nevertheless, he was later banned from baseball with the others for knowing about the fix but not reporting it. Clifton James co-starred as White Sox club owner Charles Comiskey, who was widely disliked by the players and was resented for his miserliness. John Sayles directed the 1988 film. His usual composer, Mason Daring, had his score released by Varese Sarabande.
Clifton James worked a second time for director Brian De Palma in 1990's THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES. James played "Albert Fox," a political "fixer" for civil rights leader "Reverend Bacon" (John Hancock). Dave Grusin's score was issued by Atlantic Records at the time of the film's release.
CAROLINA SKELETONS was a crime drama based on a real-life case. In the film, after a long time in the army, an Afro-American soldier (Louis Gossett, Jr.) returns to his hometown, where, years ago, his brother was executed for the rape and murder of two white girls. The commando believes his brother to have been innocent and seeks to prove it. Clifton James played the part of "Dexter Cody." The television film, which aired on NBC on 30 September 1991, was directed by John Erman. John Morris' score has not had a release.
THE ROAD TO FREEDOM: THE VERNON JOHNS STORY told of Reverend Dr. Vernon Johns, who was a very influential black minister in the earliest days of the N.A.A.C.P. and other African-American groups fighting for civil rights. Johns (James Earl Jones) was the immediate predecessor to Martin Luther King (Eric Ware) as senior pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, serving from 1947 to 1952. Clifton James played "Judge Blake." Kenneth Fink directed this made-for-television biopic, which aired in the U.S. on 15 January 1994. Brian Keane's score has not been released.
LONE STAR is set in Frontera, Texas, where a human skeleton has been discovered in the desert by relic hunters. Local Sheriff "Sam Deeds" (Chris Cooper) is called to investigate the find. Sam's father, Buddy (Matthew McConaughey) had been the former Sheriff. Among the townspeople are local nightclub owner "Delmore 'Del' Payne" (Joe Morton), business leader "Mercedes Cruz" (Miriam Colon) and the current Mayor and Buddy's former deputy, "Hollis Pogue" (Clifton James).
This was James' second film for director John Sayles. Although the 1996 film's soundtrack was released on composer Mason Daring's own label, only three of the 15 tracks were composed by Daring, the others being songs.
In John Sayles' 2002 drama SUNSHINE STATE, a woman (Angela Bassett) and her new husband (James McDaniel) return to her hometown in coastal northern Florida, and must deal with family, business, and encroaching real estate development. In his third and final film for Sayles, Clifton James plays developer "Buster Bidwell." Mason Daring released his score on his own label.
For nearly 50 years, Clifton James was a reliable and recognizable character actor, who brightened our screens with many a memorable performance. Thanks, Clifton.
In the modern western RANCHO DELUXE, friends "Jack McKee" (Jeff Bridges) and "Cecil Colson" (Sam Waterston) illegally shoot a steer on the large “B Bar Lazy T” ranch, cut the animal into pieces with a chainsaw, and give the meat to their landlady to cover that month’s rent. Ranch hands find the remains of the steer and report the crime to ranch owner "John Brown" (Clifton James), who becomes enraged. He was once a successful hairdressing manufacturer in Schenectady, New York, but moved to Montana to purchase several ranches and consolidate them into the B Bar Lazy T. Now he roams his property in a private helicopter.
James worked with director Frank Perry (DAVID AND LISA) for the second time in this 1975 film. Jimmy Buffett composed the score and performed on various tracks, which were released on a United Artists LP. CD releases followed in 1997 from Rykodisc and 2004 from Varese Sarabande.
I just saw this film for the first time. This is maybe CJ's best role: The ranch owner vexed by both his sultry wife (Elizabeth Ashley) and a lazy "rustler detective" (Slim Pickens). Great stuff!
