Ken Takakura, Star of 'The Yakuza' Dies

Ken Takakura, ROBERT MITCHUM's co-star in 1974's The Yakuza, has died at age 83, Variety reports. He also starred in Ridley Scott's 1989 film Black Rain opposite Michael Douglas. He most recent film was Zhang Yimou’s Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

One of the film's other co-stars, James Shigeta, died earlier this year. Keiko Kishi, Mitchum's love interest in the film, is still alive. In 2002, she won the Japan Academy Prize for best actress for her role in the film Kah-chan.

Photos of Robert Mitchum's 1948 arrest

Check out this photo gallery of ROBERT MITCHUM's 1948 arrest for marijuana possession here at the LA Times. Mitchum was arrested in a sting by the LAPD. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and was duly photographed mopping floors, etc. The charge was later expunged from his record, although his bad boy reputation and -- surprisingly -- his film career, never faltered. He later said that jail was "like Palm Springs, without the riffraff." Read more on his arrest and other brushes with the law here.

'Out of the Past' Comes to Blu-ray: All Mitchum Films on Blu-ray

The great 1947 film noir Out of the Past is now on Blu-ray. Recently named as the greatest noir of all time, it stars ROBERT MITCHUM, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas. Buy it now at Amazon.

Here's the other Mitchum films that are out on Blu-ray:

Cape Fear (1962) The thriller stars Mitchum as sadistic ex-con Max Cady, who is out for revenge against his former lawyer, Gregory Peck.

Dead Man (1995) Mitchum's last theatrical film. He has a small role in this Jim Jarmusch western, starring Johnny Depp.

El Dorado (1967) Two legends, Mitchum and John Wayne, team up in this Howard Hawks classic western.

The Grass is Greener (1960) Mitchum co-stars with Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant and Jean Simmons in this romantic comedy.

The Longest Day (1962) Mitchum helps lead an all-star cast (including John Wayne and Henry Fonda) in this epic movie about the Normandy Invasion of World War II.

Midway (1976) Mitchum has a small role in this World War II drama about the Battle of Midway, which stars Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda.

The Night of the Hunter (1955) Mitchum stars as murderous preacher Harry Powell, who pursues two children for a hidden fortune. Based on the Davis Grubb novel.

Pursued. (1947) This terrific noirish western, co-starring Theresa Russell, is also available on DVD.

The Red Pony (1949) Mitchum co-stars with Myrna Loy in this adaptation of the John Steinbeck short story.

For a complete list of Mitchum films on DVD and Blu-ray please see: Mitchum Films A-Z.

Happy Birthday, Robert Mitchum!

Happy birthday to the fabulous ROBERT MITCHUM. The actor would have been 97 today. He died in 1997 at age 79, just five weeks shy of his 80th birthday. Why not spend the day watching some of his best films?

'Out of the Past' declared best film noir of all time

Total Film just released a list of "25 Greatest Film Noirs" and "Out of the Past" was named number one. Can't say I disagree with that! The fantastic dialogue, the twists, and of course the incredible chemistry between ROBERT MITCHUM and Jane Greer all make this one a notch above most other noirs. It's the movie that got me hooked on film noir and on Mitchum!