Bradford Dillman Starter Pack
So, you want to know where to start on the filmography of one of our great American actors? Bradford Dillman was an omnipresent actor in Hollywood for decades with a range that took him from The Actors Studio--debuting on stage with James Dean--and originating the role of Edmund Tyrone in the Broadway production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night to creature-feature horror and endless guest-starring roles attempting to kill the heroes in seemingly every 1960s and 1970s television program. He also kissed an ape in Escape From the Planet of the Apes. You can read more about him here.
I have picked six films I feel offer a nice foundation to start your Dillman journey, but truly, I have been never been disappointed by one his performances.
Compulsion (1959), dir. Richard Fleischer
This is where you should start your cinematic Dillman journey for pure greatness on every Dillman level. He is terrifying and alluring in equal measures.
The Dill Man is cruising at his signature charismatic, sinister-smiled terrifying man speed. One cannot help but smile back.
You can read my original writing on the film, age 17, here.
Piranha (1978), dir. Joe Dante
Bradford Dillman creature-feature (there are a lot of great and wild ones to choose from): this is the solid gold pinnacle. He understands the anarchy of the film and brings both empathy and chaos. He is very funny and very serious and very human. You can read more about the film and his performance here.
Circle of Deception (1960), dir. Jack Lee
Serious acting man version of Bradford Dillman as a tortured (literally and figuratively) soldier in WWII. He is truly great here letting his pain seep out in his face and tightly controlled movements. There is a lot of gentleness and sweetness in this character as well. It was on the set of this film that he also met his beloved wife, Suzy Parker.
Jigsaw (1968), dir. James Goldstone
Bradford Dillman breakdown tour de force. This film may contain the platonic ideal of a Bradford Dillman performance.
It's got everything! Extended close-ups of his face going through the spectrum of mania! Quietly sinister dialogue! Deeply untrustworthy yet intoxicating charm! Crooked smiles!
The only man I'm willing to watch trip on acid for ten minutes is Bradford Dillman, because he is magnetic, and he knows it.
Fear No Evil (1969), dir. Paul Wendkos
I have six words for you: demon goth mirror boyfriend Bradford Dillman. Has an all-time great Dillman freakout scene. But again, demon goth mirror boyfriend Bradford Dillman luring you to your doom. It’s selling itself.
Revenge! (1971), dir. Jud Taylor
TV Movie Bradford Dillman! He referred to himself as a Safeway actor (any role to put food on the table), and he really did take any role. Sometimes, the films aren’t the highest budget or highest quality, but he always gives a performance. Every single time. This is one of my favorite of his TV movies. It’s just 75 minutes of Bradford Dillman locked in a cage in Shelley Winter's basement while they scream at each other.
Bonus: 1960s TV!
Bradford Dillman on 1960s TV is the truth! I highly recommend watching him trying to kill the leads in The Wild, Wild West (pictured above), The Big Valley (not once, but twice; Audra never learns), Mission: Impossible, and Man From U.N.C.LE (bleach blonde cult leader).