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Wally_Kalbacken
Reviews
The Gypsy Moths (1969)
Example of doing a nude scene when you really shouldn't
I saw this film on television perhaps 24-25 years after its theatrical release and caught what must have been close to the original 1969 theatrical release or cable version. I was shocked by a brief, partial nude scene that exposed Debra Kerr's breasts (Burt Lancaster on the couch with Kerr). Now I have absolutely nothing against seeing breasts on film - but this had to go down as a contender for the least appealing appearance of a woman's breasts in a film (ranking right up there with Olivia de Havilland in 'The Adventurers"). Yikes! The general rule should thus be: with some very rare exceptions, women over 45 should NOT appear nude on film.
D.O.A. (1949)
Peter Graves debut!
I'm pretty sure that Peter Graves as the hit man who gets shot and tumbles down the staircase at the Bradbury Building - was in his film debut.
Strange but intriguing film - very uneven. The additions to the soundtrack when Frank is at the hotel during the convention which signify his siting of a hot babe are absolutely laughable.
I really enjoyed the location shooting - which was uncommon in a film of this vintage - it was amazing to get a glimpse of the Fisherman's wharf area of S.F. as it was in the 50's.
The Hunter (1980)
Weak and unconvincing finale.
I did not see The Hunter until after McQueen died in November of 1980. It seemed weak - with sluggish pacing. Then it became known that he was ill during the filming and the lack of energy was understandable. Only some of the scenes where he wrecks the rental car in Nebraska even remotely rise to the excitement of some of his other action roles, and the feigned confusion with modern technology really falls flat. His constant appearance in the green Air Force jacket is overdone - or was it used to hide something?
Given all the great performances in the 60's and 70's - I often thought what kind of roles he might have had in the 80's and 90's. Were he alive today - he would be 72 and probably defining intelligent, cool action for older actors.
The Third Day (1965)
Location comments
What caught my eye in this film is the last few sequences which include a long chase along the Russian River in northern California. The rear projection looks feeble today but that is the way it was in 1965. Arte Johnson is miscast and that is underscored when, at the end of the chase, he and George Peppard haul out the fisticuffs in the surf. That final scene was filmed on the beach at Goat Rock State Park just south of Jenner, California.