I am delighted to have received another guest post from my blogging friend, John Reiber. Please enjoy his take on these two classic films, and I will provide a link to his site at the end.
Two Cult American Action Films From The 70’s!
The Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3
Take some of the greatest Actors of the 70’s, add some dynamite action sequences…blend with sharp dialogue and a delicious sense of humor and you have two of the great action films of the early 70’s.
Here is the plot summary of “The Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3”: Four armed men hijack a New York City subway train and demand 1 million dollars for the return of the hostages.
Check out the star-studded trailer:
Legendary Actor Walter Matthau plays Lt. Rico Patrone, who oversees the crime unit for the NY Subway. He is willing to admit that their job isn’t that exciting:
“We had a bomb scare in the Bronx yesterday, but it turned out to be a cantaloupe.”
Robert Shaw plays the leader of the hijackers, Mr. Blue. Shaw starred in a number of classic 70’s films, such as “The Sting” and “Jaws”, and he was the “nearly-unstoppable” killer going up against James Bond 007 in “From Russia With Love.”
Martin Balsam is Mr. Green, and Hector Elizondo is Mr. Gray…that’s right, this is the movie where all of the hijackers called each other by colors…something Quentin Tarantino “homaged” effectively in “Reservoir Dogs”.
This tense thriller has sharp-edged dialogue, a great “cat and mouse” battle of wits between Matthau and Shaw, and tight action sequences.
Here is another film from that era with two great Actors going up against each other:
Prime Cut!
Lee Marvin was one of film’s all-time tough guys, and no more so than in this gritty thriller, where he saves a naked Sissy Spacek from the mob…here’s a teaser:
Lee Marvin plays an “Enforcer” for the Mob, who heads to Kansas City to get the money that midwest Mobster Gene Hackman owes the Mob.
Hackman’s a crooked cattle rancher who not only grinds his enemies into sausage, but sells women as sex slaves, and yes, he keeps them penned up…including Sissy Spacek, in her movie debut, who is nude throughout.
Gene Hackman digs into his role as the bad guy, just one year after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for “The French Connection!”
Lee Marvin had also also previously won the Best Actor Oscar, in 1966 for “Cat Ballou.”
There is a great scene where Marvin and Spacek are chased through a wheat field by a shredder…a well done action sequence.
Both “Pelham” and “Prime Cut” capture a gritty time in America in the early 70’s, a great double bill!
John has his own great site. He showcases exploitation films, Food and Drink, Japanese oddities, and his own travels around the world. And burgers of course. Lots of amazing burgers.
https://johnrieber.com/
Great movies! Love the actors. I must watch them again.
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Thanks, Jennie. Glad you were reminded of some good 70s thrillers.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Best to you, too.
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Awesome Guest Post..
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Thanks, Laura. John’s own blog is a real treat too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I’m going over to John’s blog and follow him too..
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I don’t think you will be disappointed, Laura. His burger posts are a hoot, and his film stuff is ‘out there’.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Pete, I noticed the burgers on his page and laughed .. This is going to be delightful..
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Some of the posts about Japan are crazy and funny too!
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Hey Pete just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award. Link and details are here https://lloydmarken.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/the-mystery-blogger-award-nomination/ Essentially chain letters but all a bit of fun.
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Gene Hackman, Lee Marvin and Walter Matthau are three of my favorites. I liked it when Lee Marvin sang a western song in one of his movies and I loved it when matthau was trying to talk his daughter “Mimsey” out of her room at her wedding in one of his movies … and I always admired hackman’s special little sneer.
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That ‘Mimsy’ scene is from ‘Plaza Suite’, John. A Neil Simon comedy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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WE both share a love for Marvin, Lee, and Hackman. Real men, in my book. Great tribute, John. Nice to see you on Pete’s blog!
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Thanks, Cindy. I am sure that John will reply too. Best wishes, Pete.
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Cindy, there is a VERY obscure Lee Marvin/Ernest Borgnine film called “Emperor Of The North” – about a Hobo (Marvin) who tries to ride a depression-era freight train that is guarded by a sadistic thug (Borgnine). Interesting movie that was barely released in the early 70’s…
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Never heard of it. Thanks!
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I’ve seen that. Borgnine is a railroad ‘bull’ I believe, and plays the part of a horrible man indeed.
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DOn’t think I’ve seen either of these, so many great actors in them but not sure I could stand the awful musical accompaniment! Love John’s eclectic site 🙂
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It’s a simply wonderful site, FR. Always full of surprises.
That original version of ‘Pelham’ is a great film. Worth a watch, and better that the Travolta remake, because Walter Matthau is perfect for his role.
Lee Marvin is as hard as ever in ‘Prime Cut’, though I personally prefer him in ‘Point Blank’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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“Pelham” is a great slice of 70’s New York City with a surprisingly strong script and great acting
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Thanks! I appreciate the comment!
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I remember watching “The Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3” (never saw the 2009 remake). It really was a terrific film. I’ve never seen “Prime Cut,” though I happen to know that parts of it were filmed in Kansas City, Missouri, where I spent much of my life before moving to Las Vegas. I really need to purchase this film on DVD. Thanks for the reminder!
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The remake is OK, but Matthau is the best in the original. ‘Prime Cut’ is pretty good, but I prefer ‘Point Blank’, for Marvin at his best. (Also remade, with Mel Gibson)
Best wishes, Pete.
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The original “Pelham” doesn’t have as much action as the remake, but that may be why I like it more….more “cat and mouse” to it
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Thanks for sharing Pete! I DO have an affinity for great burgers – and great movies too!
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In the world of burger posts, your burger posts are the best, John!
Keep doing what you do so well.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I really enjoyed reading this, John has one cool site.
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His site is burger-tastic, V!
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That’s the exact word for it.
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Thanks for your note, I appreciate it!
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Your content is always fun.
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Thank you, I appreciate the support!
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Anytime John.
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I enjoyed going to the movies back then. Thanks for the reminders about these two films – I know I’ve always enjoyed these actors!!
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Thanks, GP. Glad you enjoyed the post too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the note – Pelham in particular has terrific Actors at the top of their game – which is why it’s a classic action film!
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Agreed!
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