MovieChat Forums > The Great Race (1965) Discussion > Jack Lemmon's Influential Performance(s)

Jack Lemmon's Influential Performance(s)

posted 17 years ago by Mencken59
4 replies | jump to latest

I remember years ago, when I first saw "The Mask", thinking that Jim Carrey had obviously been influenced by Lemmon's portrayal of Prince Hapnick (some of the delivery, but especially, the laugh).

Only this evening watching it though, I began to wonder if Johnny Depp hadn't gone to school on Lemmon, too, as there seems to be quite a bit of 'Professor Fate' in 'Jack Sparrow'... I mean, it could just be the broadness of the performance - lots of mugging and takes - but once I got it in my head I couldn't get it out...

[–] fang123horn 17 years ago

Well actually Jack Sparrow is more in the lines of other broad comedy, I mean broad comedy is nothing new and many comedians mug it up, but I know what you mean.

[–] MissSugarKane 17 years ago

OMG, I think you're definitely right with Carrey's "The Mask" character. Very similar with the laugh and just with the way the two characters act sometimes.

I think, in particular, that maybe Johnny Depp may have taken a few tips on facial expressions for Jack Sparrow that Jack Lemmon used as Professor Fate.

Jack Lemmon: America's Sweetheart
"It's Magic Time"

[–] Professor_Fate_86 17 years ago

You're wrong about Depp. The character of Sparrow was ENTIRELY based off Keith Richards. And to be honest, I can't see any similarities between Fate and Sparrow.

[–] drunkdaddyo69 16 years ago

as i was watching this for the very first time, i was thinking 'this reminds me of depp doing the pirate'. so i'm glad i want the only one.

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