Time To Shock Yourself Through The 80’s!

If you love movie trailers, AND you love cult horror films of the 80’s, well it’s time to get this new blu-ray and have a ball!

Here is how the great home video website “10Kbullets.com” describes the set:

“Trailer Trauma 3: 80s Horror-Thon is Garagehouse Pictures third installment to their Trailer Trauma series. The other two installments in this series include, Trailer Trauma and Trailer Trauma 2: Drive-In Monsterama. And this latest installment like its predecessors does superb job when it comes to picking trailers that have not been in other trailer collections.”

“Where previous installments featured a variety of genres. This latest installment is all about 1980’s Horror cinema. With the first Disc covering 1980 and 1981 and the second disc covering 1982 through 1989. At just under seven and ½ hours. There are two hundred and fifty-four trailers. Needless to say, there is a wealth of content included for this mammoth release”.

Bravo To Garagehouse Pictures!

Talk about a trip down a horrific memory lane!

Cult gems as diverse as “Children Of The Corn” and “Igor And The Lunatics” are included, along with 80’s classics like “The Fly” and yes, “The Slumber Party Massacre!”

Also included are lots of mainstream movies like “Jaws 3D” and “Dressed To Kill”. This collection is amazingly extensive, and reminds us of the wide variety of horror films on the 80’s, including such prescient movies as John Carpenter’s “They Live.”

Carpenter’s subversive horror film is as relevant today as when it was made – check out the story of this terrific thriller here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/13/they-live-john-carpenters-80s-cult-classic-google-glass-warning/

Garagehouse Pictures has done a terrific job showcasing these 80’s horror films with beautiful new restorations of the original movie trailers.

Highlights include cult classic from the entire decade, like 1980’s “Don’t Answer The Phone”, “Night Of The Comet” from 1984, along with “The Toxic Avenger” from the same year…

I love the wacky world of Troma, and while their iconic superhero from New Jersey is certainly worth celebrating, they have so much more as well – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/12/03/exploitation-nazis-shakespeare-tromas-tromatic-holiday-gift-guide/

As we get later into the 80’s the trailers just get better and better:

From of the best movie titles comes from 1987: the classic “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II” – and the collection ends in 1989 – including the amazingly obscure shocker “Society”…

Thanks to the website “10kbullets.com” for their review of the entire set – see it here:

http://10kbullets.com/reviews/t/trailer-trauma-3-80s-horror-thon/

Another great place for cult movie reviews, including this trailer compilation, is “Mondo-digital.com” – see their review here:

http://mondo-digital.com/trailertrauma80s.html

Let me know your favorite 80’s horror!

“I’ve seen enough fake blood to know the real thing when I see it.”

A troubled wannabe Filmmaker stalks the Actress he wants to star in his “horror masterpiece” in the cult classic “The Last Horror Film.”

Legendary Character Actor Joe Spinell Is A “Fanatic!”

“The Last Horror Film” is a great low-budget cult film that was also known as “Fanatic” – a 1982 horror film starring the great character Actor Joe Spinell and iconic sex kitten Caroline Munro.

Yes, Caroline is sporting a VERY early 80’s hairstyle, and yes, it is several different colors at the same time!

The director, David Winters, filmed on location at the Cannes Film Festival. Check out the trailer:

Joe Spinell plays a New York City taxi driver who is obsessed with the international cult actress Jana Bates – played by the great Actress Caroline Munro.

If you are unfamiliar with Munro’s work, she’s done a number of great movies, including her turn as a “Bond Girl.”

Here is a look at Caroline Munro’s career:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/19/caroline-munro-from-sex-kitten-to-vincent-price-to-bond-girl-a-maniac-too/

Joe Spinell was a great character Actor, with roles in classic movies like “The Godfather”, as one of Michael Corleone’s hit men.

Spinell acted in dozens of great films. He chewed out a young Travis Bickle in “Taxi Driver”, and he was Rocky Balboa’s first boss in “Rocky”.

“The Last Horror Film” was Spinell and Munro’s third time working together, after “Starcrash” from 1978 and “Maniac” in 1980.

Spinell fantasizes about becoming a great Director, so he follows Munro to the Cannes Film Festival, where she is promoting her new film “Scream.”

What is fascinating to watch are all of the shots of official 1981 film festival activities, with recognizable stars walking through the festival – of course, this film was shot guerrilla style without permits!

I was lucky enough to attend the festival for years – here is a look at some of my unique celebrity encounters, including Arnold Schewarzennegger, Joan Rivers and adult film star Jenna Jameson!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/08/cannes-2016-remembering-joan-rivers-jenna-jameson-my-seven-greatest-cannes-film-festival-moments-arnold-schwarzenegger-jcvd-my-favorite-cannes/

“The Last Horror Film” isn’t an award-winning movie, but it’s a unique low-budget horror film and character study, and worth checking out – the entire creative team gave it their all and told a unique story…

If you love Spinell’s other movie work, take a look at some fascinating trivia around “The Godfather”:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/19/the-godfather-screen-tests-robert-deniro-is-sonny-corleone-godfather-trivia/

My friends at Troma were behind the first release of “The Last Horror Film”…a terrific blu-ray release includes a new and “as always wacky” introduction from Troma Maestro Lloyd Kaufman, plus a bunch of other goodies…

Troma is the leading independent movie studio in America, and have a long list of great cult classics…check them out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/12/03/exploitation-nazis-shakespeare-tromas-tromatic-holiday-gift-guide/

Let me know if you’ve seen “The Last Horror Film!”

“Son, whatever you do, don’t sell that cow!”

Happy Birthday Gene Hackman!

One of America’s greatest Actors is celebrating a birthday, so it’s time to share trivia, trailers and ten of his greatest roles….

Time To Celebrate The Legendary Gene Hackman!

January 30th is the Actor’s birthday – he was born in 1930.

His career spanned five decades – and resulted in a ton of awards, including two Oscars. He won the Best Actor award in 1971 for his portrayal of “Popeye” Doyle in “The French Connection”, and the Best Supporting Actor award for “Unforgiven” in 1992.

His First Roommate Was Dustin Hoffman!

First, a few bio tidbits: In 1956, Hackman began pursuing an acting career; he joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he made friends with another aspiring actor, Dustin Hoffman. Already seen as outsiders by their classmates, Hackman and Hoffman were later voted “The Least Likely To Succeed.”

FYI, the two Actors remained lifelong friend, and they finally acted together in the film “The Runaway Jury.”

“FATHER BRADY?????”

How about this?!?!?! Gene Hackman nearly accepted the role of Mike Brady in the TV series, “The Brady Bunch”, but was advised by his agent to turn it down – he was almost Marcia Brady’s Dad!

Author Hackman!

Did you know that Hackman has teamed with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan, and written a number of novels, including Wake of the Perdido Star (1999), Justice for None (2004), Escape from Andersonville (2008) and Payback at Morning Peak (2011).

It was in 2008, while promoting his third novel, that Hackman confirmed that he had retired from acting.

Director Alexander Payne specifically wanted to make his movie “Nebraska” just so he could work with Hackman, but the Actor declined the offer to come out of retirement…so the role went to Bruce Dern, who got an Oscar-nomination for the role!

Could you imagine how great Hackman would have been in the movie? It was a tailor-made role for him – and he is, without a doubt, one of film’s all time greatest…

Here now is my list of the top ten Gene Hackman performances, beginning with one that you may not even remember – his comedic cameo for Mel Brooks:

10-Young Frankenstein!

Yes, it was only a cameo, but Hackman proved he could do comedy with the best of them – popping up halfway through this classic Mel Brooks comedy, as a lonely Monk looking to share a meal and a cigar with the Frankenstein monster.

Hilarious.

You never think of Hackman as a comedic Actor, but he had perfect comic timing, shown off no better than here, in a comedy masterpiece…and there are more great comedic examples to come, but first, one of the his best roles is also a favorite for all sports film lovers:

9 – Hoosiers!

In 1986, Hackman played a coach with a checkered past who teams up with a local drunk played by Dennis Hopper to train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship.

His performance is understated, and he gives Hopper plenty of room to shine in the smaller role – a great example of his generosity as an Actor.

He burst onto the movie scene, however, with his mesmerizing role in a modern classic:

8 – Bonnie & Clyde!

Hackman exploded on movie screens as Buck Barrow, part of the most legendary gang in history. As Clyde says, “this here’s Miss Bonnie Parker. I’m Clyde Barrow. We rob banks.”

Hackman was oscar-nominated for his performance in this groundbreaking action thriller from 1967. You could see from this performance that he had “star quality”…especially when he tells a joke while they are driving – with the classic punchline:

“Son, whatever you do, don’t sell that cow!”

He was simply mesmerizing in the scene…

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway head up an outstanding cast directed by Arthur Penn, who also directed another classic Hackman film, “Night Moves” – more on that in a moment……

“Bonnie & Clyde” is one of the most important films of the 60’s – ushering in a new era of violence and frankness in movies…read more about that era here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/17/bonnie-clyde-vintage-la-screening-amazing-live-guest-pictures-from-a-revolution/

Hackman could play a tough guy very well, but here is one of his most popular roles – again, many forget this one, since he was playing a comic villain in a beloved Superhero movie!

7 – Superman!

In 1978, Hackman entertained a whole new generation with his portrayal of Lex Luthor, the Superman’s nemesis, and he did it with a comedic flair that has been missing in re-boots of the franchise…

It was unexpected casting – considering that Hackman was an Oscar-winning Actor at the time – serious, tough as nails, not known for a comedic touch…yet in the film, he acts in such a fun, carefree way that it forever changed his reputation as a serious, tough as nails Actor!

As Lex Luthor says to his idiotic accomplice Otis, played beautifully by Ned Beatty:

“Do you know why the number two hundred is so vitally descriptive to both you and me? It’s your weight and my I.Q.”

And Hackman’s comic timing was showcased once again in this film that skewers Hollywood!

6-Get Shorty!

This is one of the best films about Hollywood. John Travolta starred as mobster Chili Palmer, who travels to Hollywood to collect a debt and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job: a non-stop hustle. Hackman has a terrific role as Harry Zimm, a low-rent, low-budget movie Producer who gets caught up in Travolta’s Hollywood adventures, and pays a painfully funny price.

The late James Gandolfini also has a great part in the film, but Hackman nailed the sleazy Producer role.

As Zimm says of Chili Palmer:

“The guy’s been in town two days, and already he thinks he’s David O. Fucking Selznick.”

Lots of great acting in this hilarious movie from 1995.

Now, back to a classic film noir from he 70’s…

5-Night Moves.

I’ve written about “Night Moves” before, but now that it has been released on DVD and Amazon streaming, it’s a great film to check out.

Here is the film’s trailer:

It’s a terrifically moody film noir – Hackman plays private detective Harry Moseby, who gets hired for a standard missing person case, as an aging Hollywood actress wants him to find her stepdaughter. The stepdaughter is played by Melanie Griffith, in her first movie role.

As Private Detective Harry Moseby travels to Florida to find the missing girl, he begins to see a connection between the runaway girl and a suspicious mechanic when an unsolved murder comes to light.

As with all great film noir, the story takes many twists and turns as the true motives of the cast become clear…and a great cast including the young Griffith and a young James Woods as well.

You can see more about this film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/14/the-limey-night-moves-classic-action-noir/

Hackman starred in a number of action films, but perhaps the most deliriously entertaining is this gritty “B” movie from the early 70’s:

4-Prime Cut!

Lee Marvin was one of film’s all-time tough guys, but Gene Hackman stood toe-to-toe with him in this gritty thriller…here’s a teaser:

Lee Marvin plays his toughest role ever, as an “Enforcer” for the Mob, who heads to Kansas City to get the money that Gene Hackman owes the Mob…

Hackman plays a cattle rancher who not only grinds his enemies into sausage, but sells women as sex slaves. The movie was considered highly risqué for its time based on its level of violence, as well as its graphic depiction of female slavery, including a scene depicting the auctioning of young women in the manner of beef cattle.

Gene Hackman digs into his role as the bad guy, but it’s Marvin to kick ass and takes no prisoners. There is a scene where Marvin and Sissy Spacek are chased through a wheat field by a shredder…a great action sequence.

This was Sissy Spacek’s feature film debut – and involves a lot of nudity for the young Actress….

Marvin and Gene Hackman have a number of great scenes together, a couple of tough guys chewing up the scenery in a great B-movie – here is more trivia on the film:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/23/prime-cut-grindhouse-classic-gene-hackman-vs-lee-marvin/

One of the my favorites of all-time includes a performance by Hackman that is one of his best:

3-Scarecrow.

“A crow isn’t afraid of a scarecrow. It laughs.”

Hackman starred with a very young Al Pacino in Director Jerry Schatzberg’s brilliant “Scarecrow”…here is the trailer:

Talk about an acting master class! Gene Hackman was just a year past his Oscar-Winning Best Actor role in “The French Connection” Here he plays Max, an ex-con who’s been saving money to open a car wash in Pittsburgh.

Max: “For every car, there is dirt.”

Max is hitch-hiking across country, and on the way he meets Al Pacino…

Gene Hackman is brilliant as a tough, tough TOUGH ex-con who has a plan, and NOTHING is going to get in his way…he also has a few hilarious quirks, such as what he likes to eat:

Max: [at the lunch counter] “Gimme a chocolate doughnut and a bottle of beer.”

This is a real “road” movie. Before shooting, Gene Hackman and Al Pacino both dressed as hobos and hitchhiked through California to get into their characters.

Hackman’s Favorite Role!

Gene Hackman has stated that his performance in “Scarecrow” is his personal favorite. For Pacino, this film followed “Needle Park” and “The Godfather”, and led right into “The Godfather Part 2″…what a run of masterful acting performances for both of them!

Next up is one of the most under-rated movies of the 70’s, even though it was nominated for a slew of Oscars, including Best Picture:

2-The Conversation.

“I’m not afraid of death, but I am afraid of murder.”

In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola made this outstanding drama about Harry Caul, an expert in the art of listening in on others…but his specialty comes back to haunt him when he hears a murder…or does he?

Hackman controls himself throughout the film, giving a nuanced performance that is in stark contrast to his other roles of the time…and the film is an acknowledged masterpiece.

“The Conversation” was nominated for Best Picture in 1974, losing to Director Coppola’s other masterpiece that year, “The Godfather Part 2”.

Here is the trailer for this masterful thriller:

Now, don’t laugh…but tied for #2 on my list is a big-budget action movie that is great!

2-The Poseidon Adventure!

“Hell, Upside Down.”

That was the tagline for the greatest disaster movie of all time. And you know why it’s just a timeless action thriller? Because of Hackman!

It is the gravitas of Hackman that holds the film together – a testament to his powerful screen presence…

Gene Hackman plays Reverand Scott, who must help a small group climb up to the bottom of the overturned luxury cruise ship. This is the gold standard for disaster films, and it took a great actor like Hackman to give the premise weight – to make their adventure seem real.

Look at the cast of classic Hollywood names populating this film: Stella Stevens, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, just to name a few of the ton of recognizable faces that populate this 1972 smash hit.

This is a classic 70’s disaster film, see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/18/celebrity-smackdowns-hell-upside-down-the-disastrous-duo-of-poseidon-adventure-and-towering-inferno/

I love all of these movies, but this is the one that cemented Hackman’s reputation:

The French Connection!

It was the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 1971, the true story of “Popeye” Doyle, a NY cop determined to bust a heroin smuggling ring…

He is, of course, a cop willing to break all the rules in order to get his man – and that includes one of the most amazing car chases ever filmed…beautifully directed by legendary Director William Friedkin, who went on to make “The Exorcist”, “To Live And Die In LA”, “Sorcerer” AND “Killer Joe”!

The Legendary Car Chase!

Thanks to the terrific website IMDB, here are some amazing anecdotes about the filming of the legendary car chase through the streets of New York in “The French Connection.”

The car crash during the chase sequence, at the intersection of Stillwell Ave. and 86th St., was unplanned and was included because of its realism. The man whose car was hit had just left his house a few blocks from the intersection to go to work and was unaware that a car chase was being filmed. The producers paid the bill for the repairs to his car!

According to IMDB, the car chase was filmed without obtaining the proper permits from the city! Members of the NYPD’s tactical force helped control traffic. But most of the control was achieved by the assistant directors with the help of off-duty NYPD officers, many of whom had been involved in the actual case.

A camera was mounted on the car’s bumper for the shots from the car’s point-of-view. Hackman did some of the driving but the extremely dangerous stunts were performed by Bill Hickman, with Friedkin filming from the backseat.

Friedkin operated the camera himself because the other camera operators were married with children and he was not. The mjaority of the chase was, however, very well choreographed, but it is that realism in the filming that makes the scene itself so heart-pounding!

The film spawned a sequel, as Hackman goes to Marseilles to track down his nemesis…this is also a great film with a dynamite performance by Hackman…

Hackman’s Oscar-winning role included memorable dialogue such as this:

“All right! You put a shiv in my partner. You know what that means? Goddammit! All winter long I got to listen to him gripe about his bowling scores. Now I’m gonna bust your ass for those three bags and I’m gonna nail you for picking your feet in Poughkeepsie!”

Interestingly, the creative team behind the Oscar-winning Best Picture “The Artist” re-told “The French Connection” – from the french point of view!

You can see more about this new film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/09/the-french-connection-an-exciting-new-take-on-the-william-friedkin-oscar-classic/

As for Gene Hackman, he excelled in every film he made, even “B” movies like this one:

This early 70’s western starred Hackman alongside Oliver Reed and Candace Bergen – a gritty film about kidnapping and revenge…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/02/grab-your-six-shooter-true-grit-clint-eastwood-bob-dylan-classic-westerns/

There you have it – enough great Gene Hackman movies to keep you busy for the next year! Tell me what I missed – although I already have an idea – I mean, he was great in “The Firm”, The Royal Tanenbaums” and of course, “Unforgiven”…so much stuff to share – and celebrate…

Happy birthday, Gene!

007 Reasons To Appreciate A “Bond Girl!”

It’s sounds very “retro” and “demeaning” in a modern context, but the role of a “Bond Girl” in the 007 film series was so much more in the earlier films…the roles were always more than just the “gorgeous girl who stands around looking pretty” – it was a strong, empowered female character – and it was also a career-making opportunity for the Actress cast in the role. These roles gave Actresses a chance to showcase brains as well as beauty!

Lea Seydoux was the most recent “Bond Girl” in “Spectre”, but didn’t really resonate much for me – these latter roles have been woefully underwritten. Perhaps it’s just because in the early days of the Bond series, it was something special to be a Bond girl…and here they all are – on one great graphic:

The Important Cinematic Role Of A “Bond Girl”!

While the sexual chemistry between James Bond and his female co-stars was blatant and obvious in the series, these roles also gave the women a chance to be brash, brave and kick some ass of their own as well.

These women all share on thing in common: they all had the chance to put a strong female character into a male, action-fueled cinema franchise!

Here’s how Maxim magazine accurately described them:

“The term “Bond girl” has long been both an honor and a burden — an amalgam of old-school plaything and career-boosting star turn — but let’s face it: the 007 canon would be far less interesting without James Bond’s bevy of babes.”

The more recent Bond films used recognizable stars, which got away from the original concept…

Denise Richards in “The World Is Not Enough” and Halle Berry in “Die Another Day” felt like stunt casting…the original Bond girls felt more organic to the story, with a much stronger and more intelligent role to play, like the first “Bond Girl” ever:

Meet Ursula “Undress!”

The first-ever Bond Girl stepped out of the ocean and became one of the 60’s most famous stars…Ursula Andress in “Dr. No” became an instant “pinup queen” because of this outfit…and she was a strong, independent woman who could stand up to the world’s greatest secret agent with brains and brawn.

Her nickname was Ursula “Undress”…becasue she had a history in Europe of doing movies without many clothes…click here to see why!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/28/ursula-andress-or-undress-007s-first-bond-girl-60s-sex-kitten-frolicked-with-nature/

Next up was one of the most exotic – Diana Bianchi in “From Russia With Love”:

She was sexy and smart – and had plenty of action in the film.

One of the most unique characters was next up: Pussy Galore from “Goldfinger”:

Honor Blackman played Pussy Galore, who first appears as a pilot aboard Goldfinger’s private jet. James Bond, unconscious after being shot with a tranquilizer gun, wakes up to see Pussy standing over him. James asks “Who are you?”, and in one of the most famous introductions of the Bond series, Pussy replies “My Name is Pussy Galore”, to which Bond retorts “I must be dreaming”.

The series had a few other provocative Actresses over the years, like when Lana Wood showed off her star-making power in “Diamonds Are Forever”:

Yes, she was Natalie Wood’s sister! At the time, Lana was far less known than her sister, and the role in “Diamonds” garnered her a ton of attention, including the memorable “toss into the pool” scene. See that clip here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/28/007s-sexy-bond-girl-plenty-otoole-lana-wood-natalies-sister-hollywood-sex-kitten-bares-all/

For many of the early Bond films, the female co-star was European. Corinne Clery was one of the sexiest co-stars in the series when she appeared with Roger Moore:

Clery made this appearance AFTER starring in one of the most controversial films of the 70’s, “The Story Of ‘O'” – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/16/from-o-to-007-corinne-clery-her-torrid-story-of-o-from-notorious-hitchhike-to-bond-girl/

America got into the “Bond girl” game in 1971, when Jill St. John was the first US star to play with Bond:

Here’s great trivia: she also starred in the “Seinfeld” yada yada episode with her husband, Robert Wagner, who was previously Lana Wood’s Brother-In-Law! See it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/13/007s-sexy-jill-st-john-americas-first-bond-girl-seinfeld-yada-yada/

As I said, many of the early stars were accomplished Actresses in Europe:

Caroline Munro shared her “Bond girl” status with Barbara Bach – the wife of Ringo Starr, but she also starred in a number of other big hits! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/19/caroline-munro-from-sex-kitten-to-vincent-price-to-bond-girl-a-maniac-too/

Finally, you can be a Bond girl without even being in an official Bond film!

Barbara Bouchet starred in Woddy Allen’s Bond spoof “Casino Royale” in the late 60’s – this is a forgotten movie that made fun of Bond in a very 60’s way…see that wacky trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/29/classic-sex-kitten-james-bonds-sexy-co-star-barbara-bouchet/

My favorite “Bond Girl” will always be Claudine Auger, from “Thunderball”:

Auger stood up to Bond and was an integral part of the film’s plot.

See some of her greatest performances here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/18/sexiest-bond-girl-ever-sex-kitten-claudine-auger-james-bond-and-giallo-horror/

That’s a look at some of the more interesting women to take on this part, I left out many Bond girls, let me know your favorite!

This pre-Valentine’s Day Weekend Is Heating Up!

Are You Ready to Get “50 Shades Darker?”

Let’s be honest: if you know what I’m talking about then of course you are! And since we are talking about erotic fiction that has been turned into moderately awful movies, let’s show you the trailer for this new pre-Valentine’s Day weekend film:

The worldwide phenomenon that is the “Fifty Shades” erotic book trilogy is undeniable, but did you know that history is littered with LOTS of great erotic fiction?

If you find the current “erotic fiction” craze of “Fifty Shades Of Grey” to be interesting, then you need to try this:

“She knew she had aroused the creature in the torn paint-spattered T-shirt.”

Um, WHAT?

“Naked Came The Stranger!” Erotic Fiction’s “Godfather!” And It Was FAKE!

Yes, that awful line was written for the best-seller known as “Naked Came The Stranger”, but did you know it was all a hoax?

Here is how it began: in the late 60’s – Newsday Writer Mike McGrady was convinced that popular American literary culture had become so tawdry that even a wretchedly written work could succeed if enough sex was thrown in.

To test his theory, in 1966 McGrady recruited a team of Newsday colleagues – reported later as nineteen men and five women – to collaborate on a sexually explicit novel with no literary or social value whatsoever.

That’s Right, NO Literary Or Social Value Whatsoever!

Yes, the goal from the very beginning was simple – to write the worst book ever written, fill it with sex, and see what happens!

It was, of course, a smash hit and was also turned into a dreadful film – click here to get more examples of its awful writing, and find out how it was finally uncovered as a hoax!

https://johnrieber.com/2013/01/08/before-50-shades-there-was-naked-came-the-stranger-publishings-biggest-hoax-undressed/

Soon after the “Stranger” debacle, another torrid piece of erotic fiction was published, but this was no hoax!

Iconic Writer Jacqueline Susann is perhaps best known for her scathing indictment of Hollywood – “Valley Of The Dolls”, which is a great pulp fiction read – but her followup, the erotic novel “The Love Machine” is hilariously entertaining…

Of course, it was ALSO turned into a horrible film – notice a trend?

Still, these campy, pulpy sex novels were hugely popular in the 70’s…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/07/fifty-shades-of-grey-controversy-the-love-machine-naked-strangers-erotic-books-to-controversial-movies/

Sasha Grey’s Erotic Fiction!

Aside from the “50 Shades” trilogy, there is more erotic fiction out there as well:

My friend Sasha Grey just published her latest erotic thriller, read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/10/sasha-greys-new-novel-the-janus-chamber-sashas-la-book-signing-sashas-erotic-new-novel-keeps-juliette-society-fantasy-alive/

And if your tastes go a bit darker, with an S&M slant ala “Fifty Shades”, then check out this cult film starring Christoper Lee, who had no idea he was in it!

Click here to read the story of how Lee ended up in this S&M film without even knowing it!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/22/perversion-s-m-legendary-actor-christopher-lee-eugenie-shocks-a-movie-legend/

Let me know what you think of the erotic fiction genre!

The Oscar Mistake Heard Round The World!

Yes, we all know now that Best Picture presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty were given the wrong envelope on Oscar night, and inadvertently announced “LaLa Land” as Best Picture instead of “Moonlight.”

Warren Beatty holds the card for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to “Moonlight,” after announcing by mistake that “La La Land” was winner. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

This led to one of the most chaotic endings to the Awards ever – and cast Beatty and Dunaway as Oscar’s “out of touch older generation” who can’t even read a name off an envelope.

This is horribly unfair, and without delving into the controversy any more, I was also saddened to read on social media afterwards that many people didn’t even know who the two stars were!

I just wanted to remind everyone why both Beatty and Dunaway are iconic Hollywood stars who deserve more respect than this incident gave them…

Let’s begin with their joint masterpiece, “Bonnie & Clyde.” This Oscar-nominated 1967 film set new standards for violence in film, and was at the forefront of the new “honest and raw” cinema that emerged at the end of that decade.

My friend Alison Martino held an amazing screening and conversation in LA for this film, and you can see that event here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/17/bonnie-clyde-vintage-la-screening-amazing-live-guest-pictures-from-a-revolution/

This film was at the forefront of a sea change in Hollywood, and Dunaway and Beatty went on to make some of the greatest films of all time.

Dunaway didn’t win an Academy Award for “Bonnie & Clyde”, but when she did win, she was captured the morning after in one of the greatest Hollywood photos of all time:

This was Dunaway the morning after the 1976 Awards, sitting at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool surrounded by newspaper coverage of her win…with Oscar, of course…her victory was for one of the greatest performances ever, in a film full of them:

“I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, ‘I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!'”

Network!–

This brilliant indictment of television news was Oscar-nominated for Best Picture in 1976 – with an oscar-winning script by Paddy Cheyefky that saw the sordid future of TV – which has come true.

Here are the opening lines of the movie:

“This story is about Howard Beale, who was the news anchorman on UBS TV. In his time, Howard Beale had been a mandarin of television, the grand old man of news, with a HUT rating of 16 and a 28 audience share. In 1969, however, his fortunes began to decline. He fell to a 22 share. The following year, his wife died, and he was left a childless widower with an 8 rating and a 12 share. He became morose and isolated, began to drink heavily, and on September 22, 1975, he was fired, effective in two weeks. The news was broken to him by Max Schumacher, who was the president of the news division at UBS. The two old friends got properly pissed.”

This is a brilliant dissection of a business just waiting to be perverted by greed, money – and ratings.

Take a look at the trailer:

The movie won a slew of Oscars in 1976, including Peter Finch as Best Actor – his nomination and award were posthumous. Finch became the first posthumous winner in an acting category. Faye Dunaway won Best Actress, leading to this legendary photo the next morning.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role went to Beatrice Straight. Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen was awarded to the brilliant Paddy Chayefsky.

Dunaway was in some of the greatest films ever, including this masterpiece from 1974:

You can read more about that performance here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/19/forget-it-jake-its-chinatown-cynical-attitudes-and-sexual-motivations/

As for Beatty, check out seminal films like “Shampoo”, “Heaven Can Wait” and “Red”…all classic films from one of Hollywood legends.

I hope that Beatty and Dunaway are given more respect than what came out right after the live mistake, and I plan to check out more of their great work!

I’m An Award Winner!

I have seen this “Mystery Blogger Award” before, but guess what? This time it was bestowed upon me!

Thank you very much to Lloyd Marken for the Nomination!

Here is a link to his website:

https://lloydmarken.wordpress.com

After Lloyd was nice enough to tag me, I read through the material and am jumping all in – so here goes!

The “Mystery Blogger Award” was created by the wonderful Okoto Enigma, who I’m sure we can all agree can describe the award better in her own words, which she does here:

https://okotoenigma.wordpress.com/my-greatest-creation-yet/

Briefly,

“The “Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion”.

For those new to following me, here are 3 things about myself:

My wife, Alex Duda, encouraged to start this blog five years ago as a creative outlet…I work in the entertainment industry, and it has proven to be a fun way to share some adventures with friends and family…

Tokyo Nightlife!

One place I have posted about many times is Japan – whether its to share fun stuff like strange Kit Kat flavors:

Yes, like “Creamed Corn Kit Kats”, which you can see more of here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/05/shrimp-flavored-kit-kats-baked-potato-too-the-wildest-kit-kat-flavors-ever-plus-canned-pancake-soda/

Or when I told the story about eating “sushi for breakfast” with my wife and son at Tokyo’s famous Tsujiki fish market:

I have been lucky enough to travel to Tokyo several times…here is more of an in depth look at my trip during the summer of 2016:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/04/the-magic-of-tokyo-2016-eel-waiting-rooms-golden-gai-drinking-cat-ads/

I love to travel, and Tokyo’s an incredible adventure…but so are many other cities – like Barcelona:

This amazing city offered unique architecture AND amazing food!

You can see our great Barcelona “tapas” adventure here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/03/bite-down-on-the-worlds-best-food-paris-napa-barcelona-provence-chicago-five-incredible-bites/

People have also noted that I am prone to share lots of pictures of this:

Bacon!

Yes, I love to share stories about bacon because bacon is funny, and “you never cut funny.” Here is a story about the health benefits of bacon – so how can your refuse now?

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/10/bacon-controversy-rasher-shortage-top-ten-benefits-of-bacon-seaweed-bacon-2/

I also share lots of burger pictures, like this one from Taylor’s Refresher in Napa Valley:

I recently posted some of the wildest burgers from around the world, including one that is SO HOT that you have to sign a release before you eat it! Check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/12/30/alka-seltzer-burgers-for-the-holidays-napa-burgers-xxx-burgers-haggis-sliders-heartburn-holiday-meals-to-wrap-2016/

I also post lots of stories about movies – movies of all kinds: the greatest films ever made, and some that aren’t:

Yes, there is a movie called “The Sinful Dwarf”, and yes, I OWN IT.

If you’ve never heard of Times Square’s notorious “grindhouse” era, it was a time for wild wild moviemaking like this – and moviegoing as well:

Here is a primer of this crazy era in movie history:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/23/a-42nd-street-grindhouse-tour-of-new-york-seven-sexploitation-classics-that-turned-times-square-down-and-dirty/

OK, so according to this “mystery blogger award” post, I must nominate 15-20 other bloggers…

Here are a few that I read religiously:

https://catsandtrailsandgardentales.com

https://beetleypete.wordpress.com

https://letsgotothemovies7.com

https://cindybruchman.com

https://sevendoorsofcinema.com

Also, you go to my main page and you will see links to many blogs I follow on the right side of the front page…they are all worth nominating!

Let me know what kind of posts you like, and let me know other bloggers I should follow as well!

Are You Ready For A Flesh-Eating Stripper Mermaid Musical? Of Course You ARE!

“The Lure” is a new Polish film that the LA Times calls:

“a woozily entrancing mash-up, shimmying by itself in the corner of the horror-musical canon and sure to earn quizzically appreciative stares from genre enthusiasts!”

You see, it’s the story of two mermaids who become strippers, sing and dance and then – of course – eat their patrons!

Check out the trailer:

Here is more from the LA Times, who gives a great description of the movie:

“Director Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s and screenwriter Robert Bolesto’s story of beautiful waterborne sisters with impressive tails and sharp teeth who succumb to fleshy temptations in a sordid nightclub/restaurant openly borrows Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless metaphor for what’s gained and lost with womanhood. But “The Lure” is its own scaly, slinky thing, a Cronenbergian body-horror fable informed by vampiric desires, ’80s-era Europop stylings and a belief in the narrative blend of myth and earthiness that gives all fairy tales their strange power!”

The film is now going into limited release, and movie buffs, this is something worth checking out!

People have recently raved as well about the European film “The Lobster”, and here is another amazing low-budget horror film from Norway:

There is an amazing trend around the world: filmmakers with a story to tell are finding a way to tell those stories – check them out here!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/04/naked-horror-with-a-tail-thale-troll-hunter-zombie-nazis-foreign-cult-no-budget-horror/

Let me know if you are “lured” into “The Lure!”

SONY DSC

Welcome To Times Square! Just A Few Of My Favorite 54 Blocks of Broadway!

I found this gorgeous night time shot of New York’s iconic Times Square, and it made me think about what an amazing city this is…Time Square houses some of the greatest Broadway shows of all time, and when people think of Broadway, here is what comes to mind:

Yes, Broadway theaters are everywhere, with the biggest hits shows like “Hamilton”, which my wife and I saw with Lin-Juan Miranda:

Yes, it truly is as amazing an experience as you’ve been told, and if you want to see more from our night on Broadway, you can check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/23/hamilton-wows-pulitzer-prize-winner-terrific-prince-tribute-history-goes-crazy/

“Broadway” however, is so much more than just Times Square and the theater district.

I spent several days in New York in the last few months, and I decided to walk a chunk of Broadway…here is what I saw!

Welcome To 72nd Street – Home To Gray’s Papaya!

My journey southbound on Broadway began at an iconic spot in Manhattan: 72nd street, which houses one of New York’s legendary hot dog stands:

Bite Into “Gray’s Papaya!”

This is the perfect place for my journey to begin.

Gray’s Papaya was founded in 1973, and has become a New York institution. In the June 2006 issue of Time Out New York, Gray’s hot dog was ranked as the best in the city.

Once you step inside, there isn’t much decision-making to be had: their special gives you two dogs and a papaya drink – order and move aside!

You can add cheese, grilled onions, raw onions, pickle relish, the list goes on. While I may have ordered “the special”, it was also the only item I saw advertised, and everyone else got the same thing as well!

I stepped outside and into New York’s gritty drug past – it all begins at 72nd street where the subway station sits – a pretty building with a classic New York look:

Yet just across the street is Sherman Square – a tiny sliver of a park that has a sordid past – because it was also known as “Needle Park”:

here is a short video to explain:

Sherman Square is a tiny little park on W. 70th Street…in the 60’s and 70’s, it was a popular place for junkie to score…it will always be remembered thanks to the gritty 1971 film “The Panic in Needle Park” starring Al Pacino – which was filmed here…

This film is a great snapshot of New York at that time, and a very young Pacino is mesmerizing as a junkie living on the street…see more about this film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/19/al-pacinos-a-junkie-a-scarecrow-classic-early-al-pacino-performances/

Now that I’ve loaded up on hot dogs and heroin, I started walking south. Here is what I DIDN’T SEE:

No More Tower Records!

Heading south, I was reminded that there used to be a huge Tower Records, with a downstairs stuffed to the gills with movies and music – I used to spend hours buying far more than would fit in my suitcase home.

The upper west side 60′ to 70’s block of Broadway are now devoid of unique shops like Tower, or a Barnes & Noble that shut down, or even my favorite chinese food spot Ollie’s…all gone, to be replaced by businesses that could be anywhere…

That changes for the better at 64th, with the gorgeous Lincoln Center just to the west of Broadway…and just a few blocks south of that, you get a twofer:

At 60th street you come upon Columbus Circle, with the massive Time Warner Center looming above you.

The Time Warner center at Columbus Circle houses a multi-story indoor mall, and great restaurants like Per See and Nobu as well…oh, and on the ground floor are two very distinctive “nude” statues – one male, one female – and yes, it caught me off guard:

A VERY popular statue!

That’s right, the atrium of this mega-space has two enormous naked statues, and you can see just how popular the male one is: the outer coating on a certain part of the statue is gone! Kind of funny actually, and certainly worth popping into the building to see it and have a laugh…

The Time Warner Center is at Columbus Circle and Broadway, and is gorgeous at night.

Upstairs is Thomas Keller’s 3-Michelin starred Per Se restaurant – one of the best in the world…you can see some of their incredible food here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/07/congrats-per-se-named-one-of-the-best-restaurants-in-the-world-the-french-laundry-too-plus-ad-hoc-fried-chicken/

Heading south on Broadway across 57th – you get to The Ed Sullivan Theater where various shows have lived since, including David Letterman’s late night show…

Stephen Colbert calls it home now, and just down the street is the first of Broadway’s theaters – this one called The Broadway, and currently housing a classic musical:

Just a few blocks south is the legendary Winter Garden theater – home to “CATS” for years – now performing the musical based on the comedy “School Of Rock”:

The Broadway you walk down south of 57th includes lots of new restaurants and stores, but it also has a nice mix of the classic places as well, and lots of food carts and magazine stands.

Yes, there are a lot of folding tables set up with t-shirts, scarves and hats as well…you can find anything on the streets of New York!

The Stardust Diner!

At the legendary Stardust Diner on 50th and Broadway, you can order classic deli food, served by singing waitstaff!

Just a block south is where all the action is:

Welcome To Times Square!

The entire Times Square area runs for almost ten block north to south, and it is ALWAYS packed with tourists, who post pictures in front of huge buildings, or sometimes with topless women painted enough to just stay on this side of the law!

Time Square is also home to “The Naked Cowboy”, who also poses with Tourists, – for a fee of course…

I used to vist the Virgin Megastore in Times Square…long gone now, as are many of the classic New York restaurants and shops of the past…now, this is a modern, bustling megalopolis – here is a video 360 degree look from the heart of Times Square:

Superheroes and animated characters race around to pose for pictures – they are mostly annoying, but part of the “Atmosphere” of the place.

Late at night, the wacky characters who pose all day with tourists take a break for something more cerebral – I shot this pic one night at midnight!

This area of course used to be one of the seediest streets in the world: the infamous 42nd street grindhouse experience of the 70’s was a wild time for New York’s Times Square…

These theaters are long gone, but if you want to see what all the fuss was about, check out my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/23/a-42nd-street-grindhouse-tour-of-new-york-seven-sexploitation-classics-that-turned-times-square-down-and-dirty/

There you have it, the first thirty blocks of my Broadway trek.

Still to come: part two of my walk down 54 blocks of Broadway…as I head south from Times Square and straight into this!

Let me know what you love about Broadway!

Get Ready For Some Serious Ass-Kicking – Courtesy Of Charlize Theron!

There is a new film coming out this summer that lets Charlize Theron fight with the big boys – and win!

First, check out the trailer for “Atomic Blonde!”

“Atomic Blonde” is a spy thriller directed by David Leitch. It’s based on Antony Johnston’s 2012 graphic novel “The Coldest City” – all about a spy, Charlize Theron, who has to find a list of double agents who are being smuggled into the West.

The film stars Charlize Theron, along with James McAvoy and John Goodman. As you saw from the trailer, Charlize really kicks into high action mode in the film – and there’s a good reason why!

Director David Leitch co-directed the first “John Wick” with Chad Stahelski – a terrific action film that also worked because it allowed star Keanu Reeves to do lots of action sequences!

I can see that influence: “John Wick” worked because Keanu Reeves trained and actually fought in the film – and we see that same intensity from Charlize Theron…especially the opening scene in the trailer that is shown in a wide follow shot – you see her doing the stunts, no quick cuts to hide stunt work…I have always applauded her willingness to put herself out there as an Actress…I mean, “Max Max Fury Road”…right?

By the way, I saw this red-band trailer for the first time at my favorite movie website, ActionAGoGo!

See more of their great movie stories, including some that I post there as well, by clicking here:

http://actionagogo.com

If you really love “kick ass” women, I think you will love this movie…and if you want to get warmed up for this summer, then watch this!

Blaxploitation Cinema Gets Tough!

In the 70’s, “blaxploitation” films like “Shaft” and “Super Fly” showcased strong black men who knew how to kick ass, and guess what? The women kicked some serious ass as well – especially Pam Grier!

Classic films like “Foxy Brown” and “Cleopatra Jones” are as fun to watch today as they were then…

Check out these female-empowered action pics here!

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/02/foxy-brown-cleopatra-jones-blaxploitations-kick-ass-women/

Cinema history is filled with female-emplowered action classics. And it’s not only in the US!

They are doing the same thing in Japan as well:

These “Mutant Girls” Kick Ass Too!

In Japan, there are a ton of films that celebrate young women who aren’t afraid to fight back – like this one!

“The Machine Girl” is terrific!

Check out these incredibly inventive action films here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/14/mutant-girls-toilet-zombies-japans-wild-female-ninjas-bloody-j-sploitation-fun/

If you are open to very edgy action, then this might be the one for you!

“Gun Woman” is way over-the-top, but filled with incredible action!

See the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/18/japans-busiest-j-sploitation-star-meet-asami-from-gravure-idol-to-j-sploitation-star/

Bravo to Charlize Theron and all of these women who are kicking some serious butt!

Remember These People?

In 1996, this cast blew the doors of British cinema with a raucous, profane, and exhilarating movie experience, which included THIS:

Welcome To The “Worst” Toilet In Scotland!

Yes, you remember this scene: along with babies crawling on the ceiling, “Spud” soiling his girlfriend’s family sheets, and so much more….and guess what?

The Boys Are Back In Town!

That’s right! After twenty years apart, the gang is back in a “must see” movie:

“T2” Is Here! The Long-Awaited Sequel To A Masterpiece Has Arrived!

Here is how “Trainspotting 2” is described:

“First there was an opportunity……then there was a betrayal. Twenty years have gone by. Much has changed but just as much remains the same.”

Check out the trailer:

The entire cast is back – here is the plot:

“Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him: Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Other old friends are waiting too: sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine, self-destruction and mortal danger, they are all lined up to welcome him, ready to join the dance.”

I can’t wait to see this film, which has already opened in the UK to sterling reviews…here is something I shared with my friends on the terrific website “ActionAGoGo” – and it all begins with the opening monologue from the original film:

“Choose your future. Choose life…”

With those words, the original Trainspotting sent viewers off on an adrenelin-fuelled adventure through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland.

As Director Danny Bowle said, Trainspotting was designed to be:

“most energetic film you’ve ever seen – about something that ultimately ends up in purgatory or worse.”

Here are three reasons that “Trainspotting” is a great action film.

First, the opening credits – Director Boyle says the Beastie Boys music video “Sabotage” inspired him to start the movie with a foot chase through the streets.

The second reason? This guy!

Meet Begbie, the leader of this groups of misfits who can’t hanve a drink in a bar without starting an action-filled melee. As he says in the film about puling of a robbery with a fake gun:

“Armed robbery. With a replica. I mean, how the f*$^% can it be armed robbery with a f&#*ing replica?”

The third reason that Trainspotting is a great action film takes place here:

Yes, it’s the filthiest toilet in Scotland. When Ewan MacGregor loses his drugs in there, he has only one option:

Now THAT’S action! Trainspotting is a classic film, and these three reasons are just the tio of the iceberg…check out the original trailer and see this before the sequel comes out!

Meet Actress Jill Banner!

If you don’t recognize this star, it’s because her movie roles were overshadowed by her personal life…but if you saw her screen debut, you’d never forget it!

“I caught a big fat bug right in my spider web and now the spider gets to give the bug a big sting. Sting! Sting! Sting! Sting! Sting!”

Here is a “True Hollywood Story” if there ever was one: an Actress who made her debut in one of the craziest cult films ever, and ended up on the arm of Marlon Brando!

This ultra-rare photo shows Banner with Brando, and here is the fascinating story that brought them together….it all began with this cult classic:

Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told!

This is one cult gem! Legendary Exploitation Director Jack Hill made his moviemaking debut with this tale of a strange trio of kids being raised by iconic Hollywood horror star Lon Chaney Jr!

Character Actor Sid Haig also stars in the movie, which is a black-and-white horror film revolving around Chaney’s attempt to keep these problematic kids away from society…there’s a reason for it, of course…

Elizabeth: “Spiders don’t eat other spiders.”
Virginia: “Cannibal spiders do.”

You see, Jill Banner plays Virginia, who likes to keep pet spiders – she also has fun with her own spider web…as one of her guests found out the hard way…

Her sister Elizabeth has her own issues – and together, these two sisters don’t mess around!

“Spider Baby” was shot in 12 days August 1964 on a $60,000 budget. Lon Chaney Jr. was paid a flat fee of $2500 for his performance, each of the other actors were paid $100 a day – yes, this is low budget filmmaking!

Actress Jill Banner Made her movie debut in the film – at age 17! Many years later, Director Jack Hill was told that the actress was so embarrassed by acting in the film that she never told anyone that she had done it!

The film was made in 1964, but didn’t get released until 1967 – by that time, Banner would be seen in DEADLIER THAN THE MALE (1966) and THE PRESIDENT’S ANALYST (1967) as well as episodes of DRAGNET and IRONSIDE.

The “Marlon Brando” Connection!

After working steadily in the business, Banner moved to New Mexico in the 70’s but returned to Hollywood – and was linked to Marlon Brando!

Here is what I found online:

According to Charles Higham`s 1987 book, “Brando, the Unauthorized Biography”, the fiftyish Brando and 20-something actress met while filming “Candy” and became a couple. In Marlon Brando’s own 1994 autobiography, “Songs My Mother Taught Me”, he apparently discusses their relationship, but disguises certain details of her life and refers to her by the name “Weonna”.

A Tragic End…

Here’s where the story takes a tragic turn. When she was 36 years old, Banner was living with Brando and working on a screenplay with the Actor. Banner was involved in a car accident on LA’s Ventura freeway and died on August 7th, 1982.

Banner’s movie debut can be seen on a restored blu-ray, and you can also read a ton of material on “Spider Baby” at the film’s official website:

http://www.spiderbabyonline.com

Banner had a short career, but she is mesmerizing in the film, and her story end on a very sad note…

By the way, while this was Jack Hill’s directorial debut, he went on to make some of the greatest 70’s exploitation films of all, like this:

Hill was also a master of “blaxploitation” as well – working with the legendary Pam Grier on this classic:

You can see more of his work on the film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/02/foxy-brown-cleopatra-jones-blaxploitations-kick-ass-women/

In researching this “True Hollywood Stories”, I have come across a number of stars who died before their time. The Jayne Mansfield story also has a tragic end.

Mansfield was a huge star in the 50’s and 60’s, a smart “sex kitten” who knew how to play the Hollywood game.

On June 29, 1967, Mansfield and her Attorney Sam Brody were driving home from a nightclub performance in Mississippi when they crashed into a semi-truck, instantly killing both of them. Jayne Mansfield was only 34 years old at the time of her death…

You can see more of her story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/28/jayne-mansfield-the-tragic-life-of-hollywoods-legendary-sex-kitten/

And here is another story of a rising star who died in a car crash:

Soledad Miranda has just stared in the exploitation classic “She Killed In Ecstasy” when tragedy struck.

In August, 1970, Soledad and her husband went out driving along the Costa do Sol highway in Portugal. They were involved in a collision with a small truck which completely crushed their car. Though her husband, who was driving, only had minor injuries, Soledad received serious fractures to her skull and spine, placing her in a deep coma. She died several hours after the accident…

You can see more about his great Actress here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/05/19/legendary-sex-kitten-soledad-miranda-ecstasy-vampyros-lesbos-new-cult-films-releases/

I know these are sad tales, but thanks to blu-ray and DVD, the work can live on for fans to appreciate…

“We Can’t ALL Be Nice Girls…”

Brie Larson gets down and dirty in this new action thriller!

“Free Fire” Is About To Unload!

“Free Fire” is a new British action-comedy film directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley, Armie Hammer and Cillian Murphy.

First, check out the trailer!

I am SOLD on this for two reasons: first, what a great cast, and they are all clearly having a blast with this film!

Second, it’s because of the Director, Ben Wheatley!

Sure, this picture was taken in jest, but if you haven’t seen any of his films, are you missing out!

“Kill List” and “High Rise” are just two of his terrific movies: gritty, unconventional and wildly entertaining, and “Free Fire” looks to be another great action thriller for us to enjoy!

I love that Brie Larson is taking on wildly different roles post Oscar win: it will help her avoid the “Oscar curse” in my opinion, especially if she keeps working with great new Directors like Wheatley.

Here is a great article from “The Guardian” all about the movie:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/23/director-ben-wheatley-cruelty-feels-more-honest-to-me-free-fire

And if you want to get a taste of his widely creative films, start here:

You can see the trailer for his “hit man horror” film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/19/kill-list-director-ben-wheatleys-shocking-thriller-brilliant-hit-man-horror/

I have to say, I’m loving this trend in film – empowered Oscar-winning women kicking ass!

Here is the red band trailer for Charlize Theron’s new action thriller “Atomic Blonde!”

https://johnrieber.com/2017/03/12/check-out-the-amazing-charlize-theron-trailer-for-atomic-blonde-celebrate-empowered-women-kicking-ass-on-film/

I can’t wait to see “Free Fire”!

I Love The 80’s!

How can you not? There are so many things that make the 80’s special: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, the best George Michael music, goofy sitcoms and of course “Back To The Future”…

“Stranger Things” Revisits The 80’s!

There is a lot of nostalgia for the 80’s right now, especially due to the phenomenal success of “Stranger Things” on Netflix, which captured perfectly the vibe of the decade, a “Stand By Me meets Stephen King” show that everyone loves…

Season two was just announced, and here is the trailer for the second season – which I cannot wait to see:

OK, that is certainly a trailer that gives NOTHING AWAY, but still, I cannot wait!

To celebrate this retro gem, I wanted to look at some of the best music and movies from that decade…beginning with one of the best comedies ever made:

Time To Enroll In “Ridgemont High!”

It’s a classic 80’s comedy – with all of the hair styles, slang phrases and attitude that you equate to this memorable decade.

One of the most iconic moments of the decade happened when Phoebe Cates stepped out of a pool in “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” – well, at least in Judge Reinhold’s fantasy:

Check out the hilarious trailer:

“Fast Times” is one of the best movies about growing up in suburban America – check out more here, including some hilarious trivia about THIS GUY:

This movie is full of honest moments about growing up in the 80’s…and of course, the greatest character of all, thanks to Sean Penn!

Enjoy more Spicoli here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/12/01/living-in-fast-times-growing-up-as-a-horny-stoned-teenager-at-the-real-ridgemont-high/

There were many great cult movies in the 80’s, including this little-known comedy from Kurt Russell:

Check out the trailer for this comedy shown as a “used cars” ad:

“Used Cars” is a raucous comedy about disreputable salesmen – it bombed upon release, but is now seen as a classic 80’s comedy – two more bombs from the 80’s also have aged well:

these are three terrific movies that have been neglected – but thanks to blu-ray, area ll ready to be re-discovered…

See my story about “Used Cars”, “The King Of Comedy” and the brilliant “Withnail & I” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/06/20/cult-movie-weekend-neglected-80s-comedies-withnail-pupkin-kurt-russell/

Along with great movies, the 80’s gave us great music – and one very iconic Musician:

Billy Idol’s Rebel yell!

Talk about an 80’s classic! Billy Idol has the brains and the bravura – and he ruled the decade!

Here is the music video for his iconic hit “Rebel Yell”:

Billy Idol had a string of hits throughout the 80’s, and has remained a compelling figure, releasing a candid autobiography about his life and music:

This great Singer/Writer was also a great Actor – with his “spot on” camera from “The Wedding Singer!”

All of this makes you want to know more, doesn’t it? Well, there is lots of Billy Idol trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/02/billy-idols-rebel-yell-adam-sandlers-wedding-singer-cameo-why-billy-idol-matters/

As much of a “Survivor” as Billy is, some music Artists aren’t meant to endure – as Neil Young wrote:

“It’s better to burn out than to fade away…”

As you can see, that hair sure did! Yes, this was a hairstyle in the 80’s, thanks to a band that had a unique sound as well as look. While “A Flock Of Seagulls” didn’t persevere, this guy did:

Yes, Adam Ant Lives!

It all began in the 80’s with these lyrics!

“Unlock the jukebox and do us all a favor
That music’s lost its taste so try another flavor…Ant Music!”

Check out the music video – and I dare you NOT to click your fingers to it:

Adam And The Ants didn’t last long as a group, but boy, did they ever capture the sound of the decade…

Adam Ant still performs, and his music is pure 80’s magic – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/20/classic-80s-brit-pop-animal-style-flock-of-seagulls-adam-ant-bow-wow-wow/

And finally, there is a GREAT film that actually captured the raucous energy of punk rock going into the 80’s:

“Rude Boy” was a fictional movie about a roadie for The Clash – and they filmed great scenes of the band performing live – and just threw their fictional “roadie” on stage with them!

Read more about this terrific musical film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/09/the-clash-is-live-rude-boy-iconic-punk-music-meets-classic-cult-movie/

There you have it, a quick skim across the pop culture greatness of the 80’s…share your favorites!

Band: A Flock of Seagulls (Mike Score in the centre).
Bad eighties hair hairstyle

It’s A Superstar “Feud!”

My wife Alex and I are loving the new FX series “Feud”, highlighting the Hollywood battle between screen legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. The show is currently airing, and showcases these legendary Actresses trying to make a comeback in 1962 with the horror film “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?”

Their feud while making the movie was legendary, and led to the new FX series called “Feud”, starring Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange…who are phenomenal in the roles…

The surprise success of the film led to a string of “old lady horror” films, including another from Bette Davis, who discarded Crawford and made the smash hit “Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte”:

Davis was on a roll, chewing up the scenery – and her co-stars! Take a look at this terrific movie trailer from that time:

This was another smash hit – and over the next decade, some great Hollywood Actresses jumped on the bandwagon – let’s take a look!

Hey, Old Ladies! Calm Down!

Hey, it’s two crazy old ladies fighting! What’s up? And how does it lead to THIS???

Wait, Debbie Reynolds? In a horror film? What’s going on here? Oh, and can someone PLEASE calm Shelley Winters down?

Introducing Classic Old Lady Horror!

If you have not seen any of these movies – and these performances, you are missing out on some of the most entertaining “B” movies ever made – and great opportunities for America’s finest Actresses to bare their teeth! It was a fascinating trend in film in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Let’s look at some classic “old lady horror”!

First, the question:

“What Makes Her Garden Grow? Wouldn’t You Like To Know?”

Whatever Happened To Aunt Alice?

Oh, it’s EXACTLY what you think! I mean, in a world where “Soylent Green” is people, what do YOU think makes her garden grow? Oscar winners Geraldine Page and Ruth Gordon team up for a gem of a horror film – check out the trailer:

As “Aunt Alice”, Ruth Gordon applies for the job of housekeeper in the Arizona home of widow Claire Marrable in order to find out what happened to a missing widowed friend.

As you can see, a very whacked out Geraldine Page plays widow Claire. The crazed Page, left only a stamp album by her husband, takes money from her housekeepers, kills them, and buries the bodies in her garden. A perfect setup for a classic horror film!

Remember that Page later won an Academy Award as Best Actress in 1987…and here she gets the chance to showcase her scenery chewing ability…

Claire Marrable: You are the only mistake I made.
Alice Dimmock: Didn’t you ever think you’d be found out?
Claire Marrable: No and I won’t be.
Alice Dimmock: Giving yourself away like that…
Claire Marrable: To you? You are a dead woman.
Alice Dimmock: Oh no, I’m alive. See, I’m very much alive. And I’m not gonna be your next victim!

This is a terrific poster as well – memorable imagery for classic horror! And remember, Ruth Gordon ALSO WON AN OSCAR – doing a horror film – for “Rosemary’s Baby” – check out my story on that film here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/26/rosemarys-baby-jessicas-scared-to-death-great-halloween-horror/

Shelley Winters Bites Down HARD!

Now, time to move on to a classic “scenery chewer!”

“Aunt Roo is a witch!”

She sure is! Shelley Winters stars in this little-seen horror film, and she doesn’t leave a single scene unchewed!

Who Slew Auntie Roo?

Shelley Winters is evil Aunt Roo in this take on “Hanzel and Gretel” – note that the poster says “Who Slew Auntie Roo?” but the trailer says “Whoever Slew Auntie Roo”…whoever, whatever, check it out!

This is a retelling of the old tale of Hansel and Gretel, but set in England in the 1920s. To the children and staff at the orphanage, Auntie Roo is a kindly American widow who gives them a lavish Christmas party each year in her mansion.

In reality, she is a severely disturbed woman, who keeps the mummified remains of her little daughter in a nursery in the attic. Of course she does! I mean, look at crazy Shelley Winters!

To paraphrase The Doors, “The men don’t know but the little boy understands…”

Katy Coombs: You said she was going to eat us.
Christopher: She was, later.

Again, classic poster art sells this as another “crazy old lady” horror film!

Finally, let’s check out a film that offers a chance for Debbie Reynolds to get into the horror game!

“I offered you my blessing. You refused it. Now move along!”

What’s The Matter With Helen?

Yep, it’s crazy Shelley Winters again, but this time she tangles with “America’s Aging Sweetheart” Debbie Reynolds!

Set in the 30s, Helen and Adelle are two women whose sons commit a gruesome murder. After their conviction, they move to Hollywood change their names and open a dance school for girls. Adelle is looking for a good life and when one of the parents of her students who is wealthy takes a liking to her she thinks she’s got it made.

Calm Down, Shelley!

Helen is the crazy one, and she thinks that someone who blames them for what their sons did is stalking them. But Debbie Reynolds, as Adelle – thinks it’s all in her mind. Time for some blood to flow!

According to Debbie Reynolds, Shelley Winters’ psychiatrist advised her not to portray a woman having a nervous breakdown because, at the time, she was having a real-life nervous breakdown. “She’s the kind of actress who becomes the part she’s playing…” said Reynolds, “so all through the film she drove all of us insane!”

Shelley Winters decided that after they came in from the rain, her Helen character should have a moment when she kissed Debbie Reynolds Adelle character on the lips. This unscripted moment was filmed but removed from the final print of the movie to avoid attaining an R-rating.

Another classic movie poster – and a fun movie once again starring two of Hollywood’s classic movie stars, in roles you don’t think of them for!

And thanks to MGM, you can get two of these gems on one double bill DVD!

The tragic deaths of Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher make the HBO documentary on their lives even more poignant…see more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/12/29/rip-carrie-fisher-rip-debbie-reynolds-hbo-bright-lights-documentary-captures-their-life-together/

Let me know what you think of “granny horror!”

25 Years Of “Basic Instinct!”

Wow, time flies when you are getting naked on screen! Yes, it was 25 years ago that Sharon Stone cemented her place in movie history, thanks to an erotic thriller with one very memorable scene:

“Basic Instinct” Sneaks A Peek At Movie Infamy!

Without a doubt the most controversial movie of 1992, and one of the most notorious Hollywood films of the last 30 years – you know, because of THIS scene:

Sharon Stone made Hollywood history with this memorable “show and tell” during her police interrogation in “Basic Instinct”…immediately turning the cops into a bunch of drooling idiots…

AND THE LEGEND GROWS!

Every movie buff knows that Stone wasn’t wearing any underwear in the scene, but here’s some backstory:

“According to Sharon Stone, director Paul Verhoeven asked her to remove her underwear for the leg-crossing scene, as he said they were too bright and reflected at the camera. Stone agreed to do so under the assumption that her genitals weren’t visible. It was only at an early preview that Stone discovered Verhoeven chose to use this specific shot. ”

However, Director Paul Verhoeven’s version of the story is different.

He says that “he told Stone beforehand about the leg-crossing shot, as it was important for showing Catherine Tramell’s free-spirited nature and her constant drive to toy with people. Stone was reportedly excited about the idea and shot the scene. However, during the early preview, her agents supposedly disproved of the scene, fearing it would harm her future career. According to Verhoeven, Stone radically changed her mind about the shot and demanded that he remove it, which he ultimately refused.”

Either way, the controversy about the scene made the movie a huge hit – at a time when Michael Douglas was one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars.

“Basic Instinct” was also one of Douglas’s “penis movies” – he was letting it fly onscreen at the time – here are the others from that era!

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/13/fatal-attractions-basic-instincts-full-disclosure-the-infamous-michael-douglas-penis-trilogy/

The “Vanity Fair” Story!

The success of “Basic Instinct” is the setup for a terrific new article in the latest Vanity Fair magazine.

This sex-filled murder mystery in 1992 led to the rise of a whole new genre of “direct to VHS” erotic thrillers, which is covered in a terrific new Vanity Fair article!

As you can see by the cover, Vanity Fair covers all sorts of “inside entertainment” stories, but this one is fascinating!

“The Sexpendables!”

The article talks about the era after “Basic Instinct”, when erotic thrillers were wildly popular, and smart companies flooded the marketed with movies like “Sins Of Desire”….here is an excerpt from the article:

“For prolific and proficient B-movie directors, the erotic thriller was another color to add to their palette. Before Basic Instinct, Jim Wynorski was best-known for such horror cult favorites as Chopping Mall, Sorority House Massacre 2, and 976-Evil 2. Following the release of Basic Instinct, he got the call to do Sins of Desire (“She was seduced into a world of sexual adventure . . . and dangerous deception”). “I was good and I was fast,” Wynorski tells Vanity Fair. “They knew the product would be solid.”

These B-movies ultimately helped brand a pay cable channel – they became “skinamax” features, sexy erotic thrillers that earned Cinemax a reputation for showing them all day and night – classic cult stuff like this!

Yep, even Madonna dove deep into the b-movie pool – here is the Vanity Fair article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/basic-instinct-anniversary-sharon-stone-video

Of course, in an earlier era, these films would have been shown on New York’s notorious “grindhouse” district of 42nd Street!

Here is a look at some of the wildest films that populated Times Square in the 70’s!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/23/a-42nd-street-grindhouse-tour-of-new-york-seven-sexploitation-classics-that-turned-times-square-down-and-dirty/

Here’s to 25 years of “Basic Instinct” wildness!

Want To Hang Out With John Wayne and James Caan?

Well, the best I can do is take you to the place they filmed together – so you can recreate the action scenes for yourself!

Welcome To The “Gold Rush” Town Of Nelson! Population: 37!

I love to travel, and I am fascinated with America’s abandoned “ghost towns”…especially those that have a cinematic past – now, thanks to a great website and book, I found the location of the classic movie “El Dorado!”

Wooden Shack Of Americana – Eldorado Canyon Techatticup Mine – Nelson NV – HDR

Bravo To “Atlas Obscura!”

I found a website that is devoted to amazing stories and pictures of some of the most forgotten, abandoned or just off the beaten path places in the world!

“Atlas Obscura” sends me a ton of great stories about towns like this: yes, this is what remains of Nelson, Nevada!

Here is how “Atlas Obscura” describes the place:

“Nelson, known by the Spaniards that discovered it as El Dorado, was the site of the scandalous Techatticup Mine. An area rich in gold, silver, copper and lead, the land was mostly settled by Civil War deserters, and was the site of one of the largest booms the state of Nevada ever encountered.”

For those familiar with the John Wayne movie “El Dorado”, scenes were shot here – this was one of his biggest westerns, and gave James Caan a huge supporting role as well …you can see more about this film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/02/05/the-wrath-of-caan-james-caans-greatest-hits/

You can drive right onto the set today, as this rich piece of cinema history exists today, and I absolutely want to go here and see it in person.

Nelson is located at the very bottom of the state of Nevada, about 25 miles from Boulder City.

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Atlas Obscura continues:

“What remains of Nelson lies above the flood channels, a few scattered ranch houses, the remnants of a Texaco station, and the standard weather-torn buildings and machinery. Used as the location for many photo shoots, music videos and several feature films, the site features one unusual spectacle of a small aircraft seemingly smashed nose-first into a dune.”

Here’s the kicker: this plane never crashed, it was placed there as a prop for the 2001 Kevin Costner movie “3000 Miles to Graceland.”

Thanks to Atlas Obscura for illuminating this classic wild west ghost town…see more of their story and pictures here:

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nelson-ghost-town

I follow the website, and plan to buy the book they just released as well:

It’s a huge book full of unique places to visit…as they describe it:

“Inspiring equal parts wonder and wanderlust, Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders celebrates more than 600 of the strangest and most curious places in the world.”

Sold! See the ad for the book here:

http://www.atlasobscura.com/books/

As I said, I love to travel, and offbeat places fascinate me. I was in rural Oklahoma last year and came across a LOT of virtual ghost towns there as well:

Much of rural America is dying – young people can’t wait to leave, and there is little or not industry to draw anyone new…these were the kinds of towns I came across on my car tour:

You can see more pictures of this disappearing part of our country by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/11/12/morning-in-red-state-america-how-the-dying-towns-of-oklahoma-help-explain-election-2016/

A great Writer spent a year in rural Mississippi and recorded his adventure as well:

Richard Grant tells a great story of a small state also dying off…read my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/12/dispatches-from-pluto-terrific-new-american-travel-richard-grants-dangerous-adventures/

I will post more pictures once I get to see Nelson closeup – until then, kudos again to Atlas Obscura!

Wooden Shack Of Americana – Eldorado Canyon Techatticup Mine – Nelson NV – HDR

The Stars Are Shining Bright In Hollywood!

The legendary Chinese Theater is ablaze this weekend with an amazing event – the Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival, which is celebrating legendary films from Hollywood, and the legends who made them.

Pete Hammond from Deadline.com posted a terrific story yesterday about the opening night event for 1967’s Best Picture winner, “In The Heat Of The Night.” It’s the 50th anniversary of this classic movie.

This is from Hammond’s story in Deadline.com:

“In a youth obsessed industry, the Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival, which runs through Sunday in Hollywood, is an oasis of cinematic treasures in the midst of a business that doesn’t always value its storied past. Once again the brain trust behind this unique orgy of movie magic from another time has created a whirlwind of non-stop cinema of every possible stripe.

Where else will you see 94 year old Carl Reiner get a Chinese Theatre hand and footprint ceremony along with son Rob Reiner (who just turned 70 last month)?”

Hammond is right, our business is youth-obsessed, and these legends don’t get enough acknowledgement, with BOTH Reiner’s being perfect examples.

Here’s a terrific shot of the Reiner ceremony courtesy of Michael Tran with Getty Images:

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Hammond goes on to explain what happened on opening night Thursday:

“Where else will you see the 5oth anniversary of the Oscar winning “In The Heat Of The Night” celebrated with its producer, director and stars – all in their 90s and all sharp as a tack, recalling every moment of its making?”

Hammond also gives credit to the TCM Execs who have brought this festival to life:

“As usual the powers that be, including programming director Charles Tabesh and Festival director Genevieve McGillicuddy, are pulling out all the stops for this 8th edition of the live and in person version of their popular cable network, which trumpets all things to do with old movies – except don’t call them old. Thursday night’s opener, the aforementioned In The Heat Of The Night simply never looked as good as it did projected on the massive TCL Chinese screen than it did this time. And it certainly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to actually see it with so many of its key creative forces there to watch it including star Sidney Poitier, who just turned 90, and seemed to be having a great time viewing the entire film again as he sat right in front of me with his family, and its 95 year Oscar winning producer Walter Mirisch right there too.”

The 50th Anniversary Screening of “In the Heat of the Night” (1967) Red Carpet & Opening Night at the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival In Hollywood, California.

“Poitier didn’t go on stage to participate in the pre-screening Q&A moderated by TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz, but Mirisch did and had total recall of just how the landmark film about race relations came about in the midst of turbulent times for this country, every bit as pertinent today as it was then. A couple of other 90 year olds, director Norman Jewison and co-star Lee Grant (who is also getting a tribute here this weekend) joined them, recalling great stories about the making of the film which was set in the deep South but actually shot in Illinois – Poitier understandably did not want to shoot it in the South at that time. They all received standing ovations, but none so massive as the one accorded the legendary Poitier.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 06: Actor Sidney Poitier attends the 50th anniversary screening of “In the Heat of the Night” during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 26657_005 (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for TCM)

Stefanie Keenan captured this beautiful shot for Getty Images…bravo!

Here is more of Hammond’s story, talking about the age of the participants in the event:

“Co-star Scott Wilson was also there to see it again, as were the writers of the memorable theme song, 91 year old Alan Bergman and his 88 year old wife Marilyn. Quincy Jones, the 84 year old composer of that song and the film’s score, appeared on the red carpet before having to rush off to another current film premiere he was involved with.

At this festival, age is just a number, not an attitude, and the extraordinary work these artists have accomplished over the course of their lives is celebrated in pristine condition even as most of them are still active in the business. It’s heartening. The Graduate and Bonnie And Clyde, two of the films Heat beat at the Oscars a half century ago, are also part of the program here.”

Beautiful writing, and Hammond is making such a strong point – the legends of our business are getting older, and now is the time to show our appreciation for their lifetime of work…bravo to TCM for a festival that is doing just that!

I am also getting updates on social media all day long from my friend Alison Martino…

Alison is reporting from the event, so I have already seen a lot of terrific insight from her on Instagram and her Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page:

Alison has also hosted classic film screenings, including a memorable night celebrating “Bonnie & Clyde” – which as noted above, LOST to “In The Heat Of The Night” in 1967. Read about that event here – and an incredible book that tells the dramatic story of 1967 int he movie industry, through the five films nominated for best picture that year:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/17/bonnie-clyde-vintage-la-screening-amazing-live-guest-pictures-from-a-revolution/

Also, be sure to check out Alison’s website here:

http://alisonmartino.com

As I said, I couldn’t have written anything better on the event taking place, so please click here to read more of the terrific Pete Hammond coverage at Deadline.com here:

http://deadline.com/2017/04/tcm-classic-film-festival-poitier-reiner-brooks-1202065505/

So happy to see classic Hollywood stars being given the respect they deserve!

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