Clint Eastwood is one of the most bankable directors in Hollywood today. Though he began his career as an actor, halfway through his career, he got an opportunity to direct, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Today, you rarely see Clint Eastwood ahead of the camera as he has now fully and comfortably settled in the director’s seat.
It all began in 1971 when Clint Eastwood directed his first movie ‘Play Misty for Me.’ Needless to say, his directorial debut was an instant success and was deemed one of the best psycho-thrillers of its times. Even today, Play Misty to Me has a huge fan following, and people especially remember the negative character of Evelyn Draper, played by Jessica Walters.
Here are some interesting details about Play Misty for me cast
Clint Eastwood
By the time Clint Eastwood decided to turn director, he was already a successful star. Having tried his hand at multiple career options like being a lifeguard, a firefighter, a golf caddy, and a newspaper delivery man, Clint Eastwood finally found his feet in movies. After making his debut in supporting characters, he soon established himself and started getting offers to play the lead role in a variety of projects. When he heard that he would be one of the Play Misty for Me cast, he agreed to be part of the project provided he gets to direct it as well. After much cajoling, the studio agreed to let Clint Eastwood take up this dual responsibility. When the movie Play Misty for Me was finally released in 1971, it was a runaway success both commercially as well as critically. This movie established Clint Eastwood as a successful director, which he continues to enjoy even today. Clint Eastwood plays the character of Dave Garver, a Radio Jockey who has an obsessed fan that asks him to play the song ‘Play Misty for Me’ every evening multiple times.
Jessica Walters
The obsessive fan of Clint Eastwood was Evelyn Draper, played by Jessica Walters. Slowly and steadily, she befriends Dave. Eventually, Dave realizes that Evelyn has a borderline personality disorder and tries to get out of the relationship. This angers Evelyn so much that first, she attempts to commit suicide, and when that does not succeed, she tries to kill Dave’s girlfriend. The role of Evelyn Draper earned Jessica Walters a Best Actress nomination at that year’s Golden Globe Awards and also huge appreciation from critics. It proved to be one of the most memorable characters to be played by Jessica Walters in her entire life!
Donna Mills
Donna Mills plays the character of Tobie Williams, Eastwood’s girlfriend. When Evelyn realizes that Dave is trying to keep his distance from her, she attempts suicide by slashing her wrist. When that fails, she decides to eliminate Dave’s girlfriend, Tobie. Donna Mills went on to have a very successful TV and movie career. She even produced a couple of TV movies, too, besides making a lot of guest appearances in TV shows and movies.
The Play Misty for me cast and crew had no inkling that the movie would turn out to be such a hit after its release in 1971. It did not just make Clint Eastwood a bigger star and a successful Director; it even elevated the stature of both Jessica Walters and Donna Mills too!
Made on a shoestring budget and in just under a month, Play Misty for Me became a milestone in Hollywood for production standards. Needless to say, the director and the Play Misty for Me cast should get the entire credit for it.
