Faye Dunaway, born in 1941, is a pivotal figure in cult cinema, known for her striking performances that challenge conventional roles. In The Wicked Lady (1983), she plays the manipulative title character, navigating a world of seduction and betrayal, while her role in Mommie Dearest (1981) offers a controversial yet compelling portrayal of Joan Crawford. Dunaway's early work in films like The Extraordinary Seaman (1969) and Puzzle of a Downfall Child (1970) laid the foundation for her evolution into complex characters within the genre, solidifying her status as a key player in the cult film conversation.
The Extraordinary Seaman
A ghostly British naval officer (Niven) persuades four members of the American Navy to launch an attack on Japanese positions, hoping to redeem the family honor and his own tattered record from the First World War. He had been condemned to sail the seas forever after falling down drunk before his first battle in the Great War. With his typical luck he actually succeeds in sinking a Japanese naval vessel -- after it had officially surrendered to the US Navy. As a result, he is seen again consigned to sailing his ship forever, this time in a children's amusement park lake, to await another chance at redemption.
