1970s, group 6
- The American Friend (1977)
- The Sugarland Express (1974)
- Klute (1971)
- Unholy Rollers (1972)
- Straight Time (1978)
- White Lightning (1973)
- The Hospital (1971)
- Mr. Majestyk (1974)
- The Hot Rock (1972)
- Chinatown (1974)
- Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- Bad Company (1972)
- Rancho Deluxe (1975)
- Silver Streak (1976)
- Farewell, My Lovely (1975)
- Coming Home (1978)
- Bound for Glory (1976)
- North Dallas Forty (1979)
- The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
*****
More 70s quirkiness, with Rancho Deluxe probably one of the most extreme examples of quintessential 70s existential comedy—subtle, dry, ironic. My wife hated it. I thought it was brilliant. You probably haven’t seen it.
You poor, poor rubes.
previous: set 1; set 2; set 3; set 4; set 5
****
related: age and authorship: an examination.
I havent seen ”The Story of O” (1975) with Corinne Clery and Udo Kier on your lists yet.. An oversight I’m sure…
have you yet listed The Taking of Pelham one, two, three?
Holy shit, you can sue for being uncool? Amazing.
Your honor, I am suing becuase my artform has changed, and I am no longer the most popular expression of that art. I seek lost wages, and maybe a daytime Emmy; because I used to be good.
My turing word was future. As in, the future is never certain; so if you make millions writing funny TV and blow it all on cocaine and handjobs in the Studio54 bathroom, don’t complain in 30 years when your healthcare bills are through the roof and your writing is no longer funny, and your only act of recourse is to sue the industry that outgrew you, you crotchety dinosaur.
Yeah. Also with Matthau—Laughing Policeman, Charley Varrick, Bad News Bears, and Kotch. A couple more forthcoming.
Yes, have seen Rancho. Somehow, I forgot Sugarland Express (although I drive past that Holly sugar plant all the time–you still are advised not to pick-up hitchhikers on that road)
Hhhmmm, still no Bugsy Malone, though?
That’s the Scott Baio / Jody Foster kid ganster flick, right? I confess I haven’t seen it—though I’m a big Alan Parker fan. Or Super Cops, which I really really really want to see, but I’m not sure how much I trust the DVD quality. $25 is a lot to spend on spec.
Yes, Baio/Foster…and as an added ‘70’s bonus, they throw in Paul Williams for free!
Saw it in the theatre–very sweet, no existentialism for you, but I’d bet in 5 years your son will love it.
Still no Mad Max or Long Good Friday…and what about The Conversation or Too Late the Hero?…I’m starting to sneer
I had the utmost confidence that Rancho Deluxe would make your list. Great flick.
Silver Streak was a big drive-in second feature when it came out. I got thrown out 3 or 4 times before I finally saw it all the way through.
Memories. Heh.
BTW, my percentage of films seen has climbed substantially with this list.
You may talk to me at a party yet. Or not, that’s totally cool.
The Conversation was on list 1. Mad Max and Long Good Friday will make it eventually, but with the exception of a handful of films, I’ve been hitting American stuff first. I’m patriotic that way.
I’m disappointed. I keep waiting for the list where I haven’t seen any of the movies, or, even better, a list where I’ve never even heard of any of the movies.
Thanks for the reminder about The Hot Rock, btw. I’ve been meaning to see that ever since my favorite band named an album after it. Then they claimed in interviews that they’d nicknamed the lead singer’s ass The Hot Rock.
I don’t remember seeing any Ken Russell on your lists: I might have missed Tommy, but what of The Boy Friend and Lisztomania?–very unique to the ‘70’s.
…and, speaking of Roger Daltry vehicles, what about Quadrophenia?
hey!, at least throw in Doc Savage!
I loved the scene in Doc Savage where the subtitles list each martial arts style.
But I still think it was a movie made for gays … not that there is anything wrong with that …
–
There is KillDozer
and other, lesser, films.
Just as there is Robert Urich
and other, lesser, actors.
Rancho Deluxe; if I remember correctly, music by Jimmy Buffett.
Or is that too obscure?
Well, Jeff, if you were to see me at a party, you’d better just snub me. While I’ve seen … maybe 30-40 of the movies you’ve listed, I just haven’t gotten “with” the 70’s movie genre. I guess I was too busy watching Fantasy Island back then? But, I really appreciated the other Jeff’s point – and agree. What is with the idiotic Hollywood mentality – that suggests a 20 something person has more to “say” than a more seasoned individual. Personally, IRL (not online, at least where I read and hang out) I often have a hard time even having a conversation with most young people now-a-days. Perhaps I just find the constant tongue-ring-clicking irritating.
I was about to complain that Network wasn’t in any of your lists, but there it is toward the end of Set 5. I’m flabbergasted at the number of people who have not seen this movie.
And here’s one for your next set: Battle of Algiers. Sundance is showing it this month, letterbox & subtitles. It is an absolutely stunning movie, photographically, musically, and the acting’s so good you think it’s a documentary.
Dang! I was good until I got down to #20, The Man Who Fell to Earth. I’ve seen that one.
RSM-
Yep, Jimmy indeed.
I remember Rancho Deluxe very well. I was working at a Drive-in Theatre, remember those, and had to play it every night for at least one if not two weeks. I even have 2 different movie posters from the movie. Remember “Dog, Bob dog” and shooting the car with the Sharps 50 cal rifle. Great show
Quadrophenia is another good one.
I use to work in The Hospital. They filmed it in the old ER, since converted to a psych ER. I don’t remember anyone having sex in the closet, though. Certainly, not me.
What happened to the little seen requirement? Chinatown? DogDayAfternoon? Oh, and Coming Home –barf.
You’d be surprised what some people haven’t seen. I’m trying to find a nice middle ground. No Godfather on the list. No Rocky. No Jaws. No Star Wars or Close Encounters.
Bruce Dern in Coming Home. I love Hal Ashby’s stuff.
Is Jeff going to list every movie made in the 1970s? I’m beginning to think so. I mean, a top twenty or so is one thing but the top twenty lists of the top twenty movies? Some of us were occupied with more important things during the 70s. Like washing down a handfull or two of Valium with Schlitz Malt Liquor. And then maybe catching “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight.
Since you’re still in the 70s, when are you going to list Pink Flamingos?
I have been expecting that one since you started this series.
I would also like to complain that I have never received one, good turing word.
I can’t believe you haven’t listed The Hired Hand.
Verna Boloom, Warren Oates, Peter Fonda great score, ‘70s pacing amazing cinematography. The perfect western. What Unforgiven wanted to be. Kinda like Husker Du vs ‘90s grunge. Pure raw perfection. Unvarnished and a very cool.
What!?! STILL no “Logan’s Run”?!?
surf-actant
The only reason the Hired Hand hasn’t been listed yet is that I haven’t gotten to it, or the Shooting.
I had them on an earlier list but must have removed them for thematic purposes. For some reason I thought I’d listed them along with Junior Bonner and The Cockfighter.
So never fear, they will show.
Stiv —
This was never meant to be a Top 20 list (though I’m going to have to post one of those, eventually). Just a list of movies you should see if you want to be as totally boss as I am.
ok, so you don’t want to include Doc Savage, I get it.
But no Americathon?
…that’s just unpatriotic.
That’s a relief. I no longer do totally boss. I’m in my low profile stage now. Besides, totally boss is one thing. Totally boss as the Jeffster is something entirely different.
I don’t think I *want* to be “Boss”, if I have to watch all this to do it.
Excellent choice of version for “Farewell, My Lovely”! I gotta say, Ol’ Footface beats Dick Powell as Marlowe, hands down. Although Whats-her-name is no Anne Shirley…
Someone mentioned Bruce Dern earlier. What did you think of “Silent Running” (1972)? I thought it was great, but I was on acid at the time and haven’t seen it since.
Well, JW, without the acid, the movie doesn’t work.
Thanks, Robin. Actually, I’m having mild flashbacks now and seem to recall Joan Baez throughout the soundtrack with her billy-goat vibrato. Yeah, so never mind.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that you can’t quite distinguish high quality 70s crap from plain old crap. Not that I’m criticizing you, heaven knows. In fact, Oliver Sacks has written a simultaneously moving and (surprisingly) lightly humorous vigniette about someone with just such a brain disorder.
Let me guess. You’re not a fan of Unholy Rollers?
I’d call that a good guess. Oh, and “Silver Streak”? Funny, but it’s no “In-Laws.”
Nonetheless, I intend to blogroll PW and send you my three (count ‘em) faithful readers in the hopes that you get around to essential crap films of the 80s and explain once and for all why “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” essentially fails as an allegory of the pre-socialist guild movement.