It’s not the time the actors have on the screen, but what they do with the time they have.  Sometimes this is achieved by the sheer presence of the actor.  Whatever the reasons, these brief moments do much to signify these films.  So, with those thoughts, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Brief Performances”.

In no particular order…

1. John McGiver.  “Midnight Cowboy”  (1969)  John Schlesinger.  Playing a religious pervert, this icon from television both horrified and delighted many of us.
2. Bob Babalan.  “Catch 22”  (1970)  Mike Nichols.  In this powerful appearance, Babalan personified the madness of Heller’s novel.
3. Dustin Hoffman.  “Dick Tracy” (1990)  Warren Beatty.  Hysterical cameo by Hoffman as Mumbles in this colorful adaptation.
4. Gary Oldman.  “True Romance”  (1993)  Tony Scott.  Strange cross between hip hop and the Rasta culture creates this brazen creation.
5. Alec Baldwin.  “Glengarry Glen Ross”  (1992)  James Foley.  Underrated director from “At Close Range” allowed Baldwin to let loose in a galvanizing opening.
6. Peter Boyle.  “The Candidate”  (1972)  Michael Ritchie.  Boyle’s harried campaign manager is a delightful piece of work.
7. Dennis Hopper.  “Apocalypse Now”  (1979)  Francis Ford Coppola.  When you finally get to the compound, guess who is there to greet you?
8. Bill Murray.   “Tootsie”  (1982)  Sydney Pollack.  Unbilled and hysterical.
9. Dean Stockwell.  “Blue Velvet”  (1986)  David Lynch.  His odd lip-syncing to an Orbison classic ignites an already powerful milieu.
10. Jason Robards, Jr.  “Melvin and Howard”  (1980)  Jonathan Demme.  Haunting performance should be thrown in a time capsule.
11. Richard Libertini.  “The In-Laws”  (1979)  Arthur Hiller.  Libertini as the general Garcia is a source of much laughter.
12. Gene Hackman.  “Young Frankenstein”  (1974)  Mel Brooks.  Surprisingly comical work from the unbilled star.
13. Jeff Corey.  “Little Big Man”  (1970)  Arthur Penn.  This performance probably owes more to the astonishing presence of this veteran actor and famed teacher.
14. Mark Rydell.  “The Long Goodbye”  (1973)  Robert Altman.  Shocking moment supplied by noted director.
15. Strother Martin.  “Cool Hand Luke”  (1967)  Stuart Rosenberg.  Playing a friendly sadist, Martin utters the most iconic line in the film.
16. Ed Neal.  “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”  (1974)  Tobe Hooper.  Whatever your feelings for this genre, Neal skillfully portrays what could be considered the most bizarre of this unhinged group of relatives.
17. Keenan Wynn.  “Dr. Strangelove”  (1964)  Stanley Kubrick.  Playing Colonel Bat Guano, Wynn brings a fierce comic energy to a brief, but shining moment.
18. Cary Grant.  “Alice in Wonderland”  (1933)  Norman Z. McCleod.  Wearing the famous turtle attire (mask and all), this romantic leading man provides a particular whimsy.
19. Dennis Weaver.  “Touch of Evil”  (1958)  Orson Welles.  Eccentric doesn’t begin to describe this wild eyed performance.
20. Harvey Keitel.  “Alice Doesn’t Live here Anymore”  (1974) Martin Scorsese.  his would be rural ladies man is every woman’s nightmare.