The Sting

The Sting

Universal

December 25, 1973

Crime Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I've watched this once or twice before, but, other than the very catchy "Entertainer" theme, it never stays with me.  George Roy Hill directed, four years after he directed Newman and Redford as Butch and Sundance.

Silent Movie

Silent Movie

Twentieth Century Fox

June 16, 1976

Comedy

DVD
C+

I saw this at the time and Marcel Marceau's "Non!" produced one of the biggest laughs I've ever had in a movie theater.  This time, I instead laughed at the "walking against the wind" joke, which I wouldn't have gotten at eight. Anyway, the movie is uneven, sometimes tedious, sometimes hilarious.  I think it's worth sticking with, especially if you want to count '70s "movie stars."  (I tagged as many as I was allowed, but I do have to mention I spotted a pre-CHiPs Erik Estrada.)  Brooks directed, co-wrote, and stars.

Pocket Money

Pocket Money

First Artists

February 1, 1972

Western (modern)

DVD
D+

The '70s trappings (including the Wayne Rogers cameo a few months before M*A*S*H debuted on TV) are mildly interesting, but I didn't care about the story or characters.  This is based on the J.P.S. Brown novel Jim Kane and directed by Stuart Rosenberg, three years before he directed Newman in The Drowning Pool.

The Mackintosh Man

The Mackintosh Man

Warner Bros.

July 25, 1973

Action?
DVD
D+

Newman is Australian, because why not?  John Huston directed.

Left Handed Gun

Left Handed Gun

Warner Bros.

May 17, 1958

Western

DVD
D+

Young Newman as Billy the Kid.  This is based on the Gore Vidal play and directed by Arthur Penn.

Hombre

Hombre

20th Century Fox

March 21, 1967

Western

DVD

D

Newman lives as a blue-eyed Indian, flatly directed by Martin Ritt, based on the Elmore Leonard novel.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
MGM
August 29, 1958
Drama
DVD
D

The first quarter hour consists mostly of Taylor complaining to alcoholic husband Newman.  Richard Brooks directed and co-wrote the adaptation of the Williams play.

(This is on a four-pack of Elizabeth Taylor movies, but I'm again skipping Father of the Bride until we're actually in the F's.)

The Drowning Pool

The Drowning Pool
Warner Bros.
July 18, 1975
Mystery
DVD
D+

Sequel to 1966's Harper (which I've never seen) and based on the Ross Macdonald novel The Movie Target, I didn't care about the mystery or the characters, although the '70sness was mildly interesting, like the reference to the Bicentennial.  Stuart Rosenberg directed.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Bromance 101

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
20th Century Fox
September 24, 1969
Western
DVD
C-

While I liked the cinematography, both sepia and color, in the first quarter hour, I wasn't drawn into the story.  I feel like I've watched at least part of the movie before but it may be that it's such a part of the American culture.  (I definitely have watched The Sting though.)  William Goldman wrote the screenplay and George Roy Hill directed.