John Huston

The Maverick of American Cinema

Introduction

John Huston was one of the most influential and distinctive figures in 20th-century American cinema. As a screenwriter, director, and actor, his career spanned over four decades and included some of the most enduring classics in film history. Known for his deep interest in flawed, complex characters and existential themes, Huston brought literary gravitas, psychological realism, and visual poetry to the Hollywood narrative tradition.

More than just a filmmaker, Huston was a true Renaissance man—an adventurer, painter, boxer, soldier, and raconteur—whose colourful life was as dramatic as any of his movies.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family Legacy

John Marcellus Huston was born on August 5, 1906, in Nevada, Missouri, into a showbiz family. His father, Walter Huston, was a distinguished stage and film actor, and his mother, Rhea Gore, was a journalist and sports editor. John’s early exposure to literature and performance, coupled with a rebellious streak, set the stage for a nonconventional life.

He was a sickly child who suffered from a heart condition, but he overcame it and pursued a range of interests, from boxing and painting to journalism and horse riding.

Early Pursuits

Before entering the film industry, Huston tried his hand at various professions—reporter, art student, cavalry officer, and playwright. He even fought in Mexico as an officer in the cavalry. These eclectic life experiences would deeply inform the worldliness and grit of his later films.

Hollywood Entry and Early Writing Career

Huston began his Hollywood career as a screenwriter in the 1930s. After stints at Universal and Warner Bros., he gained recognition with scripts like:

Jezebel (1938) (co-writer)

Juarez (1939)

Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet (1940)

His screenwriting talent soon earned him a chance to direct.

Directorial Debut and Early Success

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Huston's directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon, remains one of the greatest film noirs ever made. Starring Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade, it was the third adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s novel but the first to truly capture its hard-boiled brilliance.

With its razor-sharp dialogue, morally ambiguous characters, and shadowy cinematography, the film set the tone for Huston’s career and for noir filmmaking as a whole.

Key Films and Themes

Huston’s films often explore characters on the edge—adventurers, losers, dreamers, and anti-heroes—pursuing quixotic quests. His protagonists are rarely triumphant in the traditional sense; rather, they gain insight, often at a great cost.

Key Films:

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

A gritty tale of greed and paranoia among gold prospectors in Mexico. Huston directed his father Walter to an Oscar-winning performance, and John himself won Oscars for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

A precursor to the modern heist film, it tells the story of a doomed robbery. The film featured one of Marilyn Monroe’s early roles and is celebrated for its detailed character studies.

The African Queen (1951)

Starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, this romantic adventure set during WWI was a commercial hit. Bogart won his only Oscar for his portrayal of the boozy riverboat captain.

Moby Dick (1956)

An ambitious adaptation of Melville’s epic, featuring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab. Huston co-wrote the script with author Ray Bradbury, infusing the tale with biblical gravitas and tragic grandeur.

The Misfits (1961)

The final film of both Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Written by Arthur Miller (Monroe’s then-husband), this bleak, elegiac Western drama is often seen as a reflection on fading American myths.

Fat City (1972)

A late-career gem about down-and-out boxers in California’s Central Valley. This raw, poetic character study is a masterclass in subtle, observational filmmaking.

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

A sweeping adventure based on Rudyard Kipling’s story, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine. A meditation on imperialism and hubris, it was one of Huston’s passion projects and a critical success.

Prizzi’s Honor (1985)

A darkly comic gangster romance starring Jack Nicholson and Huston’s daughter, Anjelica Huston, who won an Oscar. Huston received his final Best Director nomination at age 79.

Acting and Other Artistic Pursuits

Huston was also a prolific actor. Notably:

Chinatown (1974) – As Noah Cross, he delivered one of cinema’s most chilling villain performances.

Casino Royale (1967) – One of several James Bond spoofs.

The Other Side of the Wind (shot 1970s, released 2018) – Directed by Orson Welles, this film was finally released decades after it was filmed.

Beyond film, Huston was an accomplished painter and writer. His interests in the arts and world cultures lent his films a cosmopolitan depth.

World War II and Documentary Work

During World War II, Huston served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, directing three notable documentaries:

Report from the Aleutians (1943)

The Battle of San Pietro (1945) – Praised for its realism and used in military training.

Let There Be Light (1946) – A ground-breaking film about veterans suffering from PTSD. It was banned by the U.S. Army for decades due to its unflinching honesty.

These works demonstrated Huston's commitment to truth and humanism in filmmaking, even under the constraints of government oversight.

Personal Life

John Huston was married five times and had several children, including actress Anjelica Huston and screenwriter Tony Huston. He had residences in Ireland and Mexico, and his passion for travel, adventure, and wildlife was lifelong.

A heavy drinker and unapologetic individualist, Huston embodied the archetype of the worldly artist—a man who lived large, spoke frankly, and operated with a mix of charisma and contrariness.

Awards and Honours

Academy Awards: Two wins (Best Director, Best Screenplay for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre)

Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute (1983)

BAFTA Fellowship (1980)

Hollywood Walk of Fame star

One of only two people (with Orson Welles) to direct a parent (Walter Huston) and a child (Anjelica Huston) to Oscar wins

Legacy and Influence

John Huston’s legacy is immense. He helped define film noir, expanded the range of literary adaptations, and brought adult themes and philosophical depth to mainstream cinema. His narrative style—rooted in character and conflict rather than resolution—was a precursor to modern storytelling.

Directors such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Thomas Anderson have cited Huston as an influence. His films are studied for their existential undertones, visual precision, and moral ambiguity.

Death and Final Film

Huston died on August 28, 1987, at age 81, from emphysema. Even in his final days, he remained productive. His last film, The Dead (1987)—an adaptation of James Joyce’s short story—was released posthumously. Elegant and melancholic, it served as a fitting farewell from one of cinema’s greatest chroniclers of the human condition.

Conclusion

John Huston was more than a master filmmaker—he was a cinematic philosopher and a true man of the world. With an oeuvre that spans adventure, noir, war, and human drama, he helped shape the evolution of modern American cinema. His films continue to resonate for their honesty, complexity, and timeless exploration of what it means to be human.