Movie review - "The French Connection" (1971) ****

 William Friedkin's background was in documentary but his first four movies comprised of two musicals and two play adaptations before he was given a documentary style story: the tale of busting a heroin ring. Luck fell his way - the perfect star Gene Hackman, an ideal producer in Philip d'Atonini, a story that suited him (violent, grime), Ernest Tidyman knocked the story into shape (though Friedkin downplayed the result but Friedkin wrecked too many scripts to take him overly seriously).

Superb support from Tony Lo Bianco, Roy Scheider, Frenando Rey, Marcel Bozzuffi. Random scene where a TV star from France is interviewed. Popeye Doyle is very destructive and a not particularly competent cop. Visceral chase scene - Popeye really could call the next station (and you could cut the scene from the film story wise).

Simple story - padded out with chase scenes, and tailing scenes - is given life via energy, fresh treatment, actors. 

Movie review - "The Boys in the Band" (1970) ****

 Like The Birthday Party this is again a filmed play but simply has more energy, structure, and life to it. Mart Crowley's work is as significant but it is more compelling than Pinter, to me at any rate. The cast repeat their stage performances. There's a lot of standing around and watching someone else act but there is variance in the character types - the married couple, the camp one, the dumb hustler, etc. Much of it became cliche/tropes, and this had to struggle under the burden of being "the gay play" for a long time, but it was written from a place of truth and has aged well.

Movie review - "The Night They Raided Minsky's" (1969) ***

 Interesting. A movie famous because the editor claimed he saved yet. Yet it's not a classic or a big hit. I think it did okay. William Friedkin admits he didn't do a great job. Yet it wasn't At Long Last Love or Lucky Lady.

Decent production value. Too many characters to service - Forrest Tucker, Elliot Gould, Norman Wisdom and Bert Lahr feel underutilised. Jason Robards no chemistry with Britt Ekland - their romance is yuck. Ekland doens't have anything to do really until the end.

But it moves. It's colourful. There's great actors. 

Movie review - "The Birthday Party" (1968) **

 The photography is stunning, the art design perfect, the acting excellent. Good on Friedkin for making it and Palomar (ABC) for backing it. It's a faithful version of the play.

I note Pinter's talent. But sorry this is a 40 minute story at most. It might play better on stage with the intensity of the actors being there. On film it doesn't work.

If you love Pinter go for it. 

Movie review - "Johnny Doesn't Live Here Any more" (1944) **1/2

 Simone Simon's accent limited her job offers but she's a cutie in this sweet screwball comedy - she lives in a flat where keys have been given to servicemen and shenanigans ensue. There's a fantastical element about gremlins introduced but not developed - they may as well have cut it out.

Directed by Joe May. I couldn't tell the men apart aside from Bob Mitchum who appears at the end. I like how everyone liked Simon and she was spending time wondering who she'd be with.

Not a masterpiece or even that funny but high spirited. 

Movie review - "Good Times" (1967) **1/2 (re-watching)

 Sonny and Cher film was financed by Steve Broidy, formerly of Allied Artists, and randomly directed by William Friedkin.

Fun sketches. But they're sketches. It's like an episode of a variety show. Dumb plot where George Sanders offers to fund a movie and then insists on them sticking to a dumb script and threatening to sue Sonny and Cher and the singers stick to their guns and Sanders respects him. That's dumb. Don't sign the contract, dude. Smart arse boomer stuff.

One stand out number - "Good Times" with dancers. Fans of the duo will enjoy it. Should've been made for not much money. Went over budget due to Friedkin. Not dull. 

Movie review - "Shalako" (1968) **1/2

 The press got hysterical about this movie - Sean Connery in a Western. Connery appearing opposite Brigitte Bardot. 

It's a strong story, and looks great (vistas etc). But it's an ensemble piece - sort of like Stagecoach, about Europeans on a hunting trip encountering Apaches. There's various subplots like Jack Hawkins' wife Honor Blackman having it off with Stephen Boyd. Connery is a former cavalry officer who advises them to get out and they odn't.

There's too many characters to service so the strong cast don't have anything to do. Connery and Bardot don't have anything to play. They should have written him as taciturn and explosive but unused to women - or something. He's just a guy. She's just Bardot, and not attractively costumer. Honor Blackman is better because she's got something to play. Connery isn't even that tough - he doesn't do much through the film.

There's also Peter Van Eyck, Eric Sykes, Alexander Knox, Woody Strode. 

Also never makes sense why posh types are hunting in New Mexico which is really rocky and desert-y. The plains would have made more sense.