With 007’s latest cinematic adventure, Skyfall, released next month what better time to reflect on the art of movie villainy and discuss some memorable on-screen bastards?
The humble or sometimes plain megalomaniacal baddie will often steal an entire film away from the leading man/lady, making them characters we love to hate. Speaking of which, these are the ones that we love to hate. What about you?
The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)
It’s quite disconcerting to see Margaret Hamilton in other movies, so memorable is her turn as Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The actress worked steadily in Hollywood but will forever be remembered for sterling turn in The Wizard of Oz alone. Her luminous green skin makeup and screechy tones have frightened children for over 70 years and will continue to do so. The witch’s comeuppance at the end is well deserved. “What a world, what a world,” is her final, sorry cry. A French existentialist couldn’t have put it better.
