Vitals

Paul Genge as Mike, silent syndicate hitman

San Francisco, Spring 1968

Film: Bullitt
Release Date: October 17, 1968
Director: Peter Yates
Costume Designer: Theadora Van Runkle

WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

Background

Today would have been the 113th birthday of actor Paul Genge, born March 29, 1913. A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, Genge’s screen career began after his return from World War II, almost always playing uncredited bit parts as cops, crooks, and the occasional coach. Despite these tough-guy roles, Genge was an advocate for regional theater whose penchant for performing Shakespeare included appearing in—and ultimately directing—stage productions of Hamlet and starring in the title role of King Henry IV when he was 26.

Bullitt provided Genge with one of his few credited movie roles, even though his character’s name isn’t uttered on screen—only referred to as “Ice Pick Mike” in the track listing for Lalo Schifrin’s jazzy soundtrack. Mike is arguably one of the most pivotal characters in this slick crime classic, as the slick triggerman whose execution of the witness known as Johnny Ross sets the action into motion. Continue reading →