Archive for Movies
Concrete Cowboys Movie Review (1979)
This made-for-TV movie from 1979 starring Jerry Reed and Tom Selleck falls squarely into the hickspoitation/hick-flick genre. The cover says it stars Tom Selleck and Morgan Fairchild. In small print it also says Jerry Reed, which is what convinced me to pick it up. When the credits for Concrete Cowboys start, it’s obvious that Mr. Reed was the star, and the others were not. Fame is fickle.
Basically Jerry Reed carries this movie, but Tom Selleck doesn’t hurt it any. Roy Acuff, Ray Stevens and Barbara Mandrell each make a cameo appearance. Morgan Fairchild isn’t too memorable in this roll that probably could have been done better by several actresses of the time. Of course, I could be swayed by her later, more glamorous, image and seeing her as a Nashville wannabe just didn’t seem to fit her.
Jerry Reed and Tom Selleck play J. D. Reed and Will Eubanks, two drifting cowboys on the way to California. But they get sidetracked to Nashville while running from some hick sheriff and a crooked poker game. When they arrive, they call up Lonnie Grimes, a guy they got drunk with at a football game, and he offers to let them stay at his place if they pick up a package. He is on his way out of town, but they can use his apartment and his car. In fact, he seems almost too happy to have them pick up the package and use his car and his apartment.
A hit man mistakes the cowboys for Lonnie when they pick up the package. The hit man doesn’t know who to get, just whoever picks up the package. And a woman who mistakes them for Lonnie because they are at his apartment comes and asks them to find her sister. She offers $1000 so they take the job. Surprise, Surprise, the two incidences are related.
If you just want to kick back and enjoy some good-ole-boys, this is a fine movie. Don’t try to patch the holes in the story, they are too big. The fun in this movie is Jerry Reed and Tom Selleck. But mainly, Jerry Reed. A lot of faces you’ll recognize. There’s some cool fashions and decorations also. Lonnie has a movie camera that pops out of the ceiling aimed at his bed. Selleck as Will asks “What would a fella be doin’ with a setup like this in his bedroom?” Reed: “Well… The trouble with you Will Eubanks is you’ve let too sheltered a life.”
Concrete Cowboys, 1979, directed by Burt Kennedy, written by Jimmy Sangster. starring Jerry Reed, Tom Selleck, Morgan Fairchild, Claude Akins. 100 minutes.
1950s Tom Sawyer Book
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Rewritten for young readers by Felix Sutton, Illustrated by Jon Nielson. Wonder Books, New York. A tie-in with David O. Selznick’s 1938 movie. The book however, is 1955. This is at my grandparent’s house.
“Cheap French Nail Polish” Soundtrack
John Barry, Goldfinger, United Artists, UAS 5117. 1964.
Possibly the most popular 007 movie, this is the one where James Bond says the name Goldfinger
“Sounds like a cheap French nail polish.” This also possibly has the worst female character name ever.
“Sounds like a cheap French nail polish.” This also possibly has the worst female character name ever.
Thunderball and Other Thriller Music – Ray Martin
Ray Martin and his Orchestra, Thunderball and Other Thriller Music. RCA Camden CAS 927. 1965. Orchestral Intrigue à la Ray Martin.
Songs are: Thunderball, The Knack, Theme from “The F.B.I.”, A Man Alone (from the Ipcress File), Theme from “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”, Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (from Thunderball), Theme for “Honey West”, I Spy, Theme from “Trials of O’Brien”, and The Young Set.
If you like this stuff the Retro Cocktail Hour will be having a Crime Jazz special at the end of the month.
Sound of Music Booklet that came in the Album
This Sound of Music “Original soundtrack album and storybook” booklet LOCD/LSOD-2005 was a garage sale this summer. No album. I have no idea why I got it. I guess, just to keep it from being thrown away if no one bought it. Anyone want this thing?
I once saw an example of how fast things went to pot (no pun intended) in the 1960s: in 1965 The Sound of Music (beautiful, uplifting) won the Best Picture Oscar, in 1969 Midnight Cowboy (depressing, homosexuals) won. Take from that what you will.
I’ve been in Austria, and I’d love to live there. Man that is one beautiful place.
The Small One – Disneyland Book and Record
The Small One, Disneyland Records, Storyteller 3820. 1978. Songs and dialog from the original motion picture. I’ve never heard of this Disney movie.
The story is about this little donkey that his owner’s son loves. He is too small to do the work, so they have to sell him. The boy tries to find someone special to sell the donkey too. He can do great things even though he is small, you know. So, guess what he does? This small donkey carries a pregnant girl named Mary to Bethlehem. That’s right, Jesus’ mother.
Now, do you think Disney would have ANYTHING to do with the real Christmas story today? No way. Just touchy-feely, New-Agey, we-are-one-with-the-animals stuff. This album and book (12 pages!) is a look back at a different time, just 30 years ago.
