John Huston's Legacy

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I'm interested in opinions on the career/works of John Huston...a legendary film drector, writer, actor, bon vivant, raconteur, artist, and a character of the first order.
Huston was, of course, an Oscar winning director, but he also had a very high number of "unsucessful" films...possibly filming the greatest number of classic literary works of any director (RED BADGE, MOBY DICK, WISE BLOOD, REFLECTIONS/GOLDEN EYE, etc.)...not always an easy (or financially rewarding) task.
I've read somewhere that the boys at CAHIERS du CINEMA (Godard, Truffaut, Chabrol, et al) found Huston's direction akin to that of the standard "Hollywood Hack," while they championed the work of lesser known directors (Don Siegel, Sam Fuller, and others).
I remember reading here much praise (especially from Rico) for Huston's last film THE DEAD, and I agree, John did seem to go out on high (but obscure) note.
On the one hand, you have Huston's classic work in MALTESE FALCON (also sc), TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, KEY LARGO, THE ASPHALT JUNGLE, THE AFRICAN QUEEN, THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, and as uncredited writer of THE KILLERS, among others.
On the other hand, you have his direction of SINFUL DAVY, A WALK WITH LOVE AND DEATH, THE KREMLIN LETTER, ANNIE, BEAT THE DEVIL, VICTORY, and several other less than successful films in the 70's and 80's. Of course, it is well known that Huston was a gambler, and I'm sure he took many film assignments just for the cash.
FWIW, I find Huston's THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN to be one of the most underated films of all time, and his acting turn as NOAH CROSS in CHINATOWN no less than outstanding.
What say you regarding JOHN HUSTON's legacy...hack, whore, or first rate artist?

Thanks,
Gary

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Topic - John Huston's Legacy - Buckeye 09:08:33 02/17/05 (7)

Re: John Huston's Legacy - Gee LP 14:31:56 02/17/05 (2)

Maybe "half a hack" - Buckeye 15:56:25 02/17/05 (1)

Re: And then a guard goes beserk! - Gee LP 16:15:27 02/17/05 (0)

Re: John Huston's Legacy - patrickU 10:37:33 02/17/05 (3)

The Dead - Bulkington 10:59:43 02/17/05 (2)

Re: The Dead - patrickU 12:13:32 02/17/05 (0)

Re: The Dead - rico 11:12:29 02/17/05 (0)

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