Harry Palmer Files – 001 – RIP Karl Malden / Leo Newbegin
Starting today, and continuing until I run out of things about which to talk, we’ll be looking at the Harry Palmer series of novels (in which the character doesn’t actually have a name), their author — Len Deighton, the films based on them, the star of those films — Michael Caine, and the television movies that followed. I will be re-reading the whole series of novels, re-watching the films, and giving my thoughts on all I encounter. I’ll inevitably be drawing heavily on the collection of Kees Stam, author of The Harry Palmer Movie Site, and other odds and ends that I’ve turned up over the years.
I’ve been intending this series of posts for awhile, and it’s unfortunate that the sad news of the death of Karl Malden serves as the kick-off to the series, but so it goes….
Karl Malden credit in Billion Dollar Brain
In the last film of the Palmer trilogy, Billion Dollar Brain, Malden played Leo Newbegin, an old acquaintance of Harry’s who wants to get him involved in a profitable venture involving a supercomputer and a megalomaniacal Texas billionaire. Newbegin’s true goals aren’t cooperative or altruistic, but self-serving. In the end, he’s brought down by that commonplace Achille’s heel, love for a cold and uncaring, yet beautiful blonde.
Billion Dollar Brain was certainly not the highlight of Malden’s career (actually, it’s hard to put a finger on a single highlight — was it How the West Was Won? On the Waterfront? Patton? His role on television’s Streets of San Francisco?), but even here, in a mostly thankless role, he excels. In his character’s debut, he’s nude in a sauna, greeting the secret agent turned detective who once saved his life:
“It’s a bit warm in here for me, Leo,” says Palmer.
“Well don’t be shy, take your clothes off,” replies Newbegin. Then, responding to Palmer’s hesitation: “Oh, come on, don’t be so British!”
In fact, why don’t we enjoy that entire scene, which may have also been, as you’ll see in the end, an influence on nude scenes in the Austin Powers films:
Malden was one of those classic character actors, always recognizable from the bulbous nose he got from twice breaking it as a youth, but also melting into any character put before him. Malden would substantially improve any film that he was a part of, this one included.
Kees was kind enough to upload an interview with Malden from the set of Billion Dollar Brain. I thought this exchange was especially interesting:
Interviewer: It seems that the heroes of films today are the new ugly so-called, as opposed to the pretty boys of yesterday.
Malden: I think they’re coming to their fore — they’re just beginning to come to their fore. I think you take a look at Burt Lancaster. You take a look at Lee Marvin, you take a look at Ernest Borgnine, who is kind of the leader of this whole thing. I think we’re gonna have our day, and I belong in that category, the leading man, the ugly leading man….
Billion Dollar Brain wasn’t Malden’s only spy film role. For more, see Wes Britton’s memorial post, Karl Malden — The Spy.
While I agree that Malden was a great actor and join you in mourning his passing, I certainly disagree about Leo Newbigen being a thankless role! I think Leo fits well into the grand tradition of memorable supporting parts in the Harry Palmer series, right after Ross and Colonel Stok. In the hands of a lesser actor, the part might not have popped so much, but Malden brought a lot to the role. He makes a conniving, duplicitous character someone you actually like. He’s a big part of why I love that movie so much.
When I get around to Billion Dollar Brain, I’ll go into more depth on this, but I think that Newbegin, aside from his introductory scene, is a very understated character whom we’re not sure whether we like or
not. For this reason, he’s my favorite character in the film, but I am perhaps assuming too much when I think that he is probably, for many viewers, overshadowed by Begley, Homolka and Dorleac — almost
hyperbolic characters who dominate the screen in every scene they’re in.
That scene toward the end where he says, “I’ll do whatever you say” (or something along those lines) is a powerful, subdued moment in a film that is otherwise anything but.
That’s an excellent point, Armstrong, about Malden’s understated moment standing out amidst the more exaggerated performances in the film. I’m glad to hear that you do in fact appreciate Malden’s performance in B$B, and I can’t wait to read your other thoughts on the film! I think the character as written leaves you wondering if you should like him or not, but what Malden brings to the table is an instant likability even if you shouldn’t. It’s a potentially embarrassing introduction, but Malden welcomes the audience as warmly as he welcomes Harry, and he wins me over there and then–even if Harry clearly isn’t convinced!
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