The Projection Booth Podcast: Richard Stark

July 28, 2026

Episode 811: The Outfit (1973)

Guest Co-Hosts: Gary Phillips, Jedidiah Ayres

Donald Westlake — writing as Richard Stark — said only one movie made from a Parker novel "got the feeling right." That's John Flynn's The Outfit (1973), starring Robert Duvall as Earl Macklin, out of prison to find his brother murdered by the mob over a bank job. Rather than run, Macklin runs at them, hitting every vulnerable Outfit operation until they pay. Joe Don Baker and Karen Black co-star alongside a murderer's row of noir faces: Robert Ryan, Marie Windsor, Jane Greer, Timothy Carey, and Elisha Cook Jr.

Jedidiah Ayres and Gary Phillips join Mike to dig into Westlake's dual-track career, the Parker adaptations from Point Blank to Play Dirty, Flynn's flat-and-mean style, and the film's year-long crawl across America courtesy of MGM's "smiling cobra" James Aubrey. Released in celebration of Arrow Video's new Limited Edition Blu-ray — featuring a commentary track by Mike and Jedidiah.

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Listen to "Episode 811: The Outfit (1973)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy The Oufit on Blu-Ray
Visit the Parker website

Music:
"Finale" - Jerry Fielding

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November 10, 2021

Episode 546: Point Blank (1967)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Andrew Nette

Noirvember 2021 continues with a look at John Boorman's Point Blank. Released in 1967, the film was based on the 1962 novel by Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark. The film stars Lee Marvin as Walker, a man who was betrayed by his wife and his best friend. Now he’s back, seemingly from the dead, and goes on a quest to kill his friend and get back the money he feels he’s owed.

Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to discuss The Hunter, Point Blank, and the many cuts of Brian Helgeland's Payback.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 546: Point Blank (1967)" on Spreaker.