Exactly seven and a half
years after I started this project, today marks the conclusion of daily posting
here at Every ’70s Movie—but that
doesn’t mean the project is done. Regular readers should think of today as the
beginning of a new phase. After all, the subject matter of this blog is finite:
There were only so many American-produced feature films released on U.S.
screens between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 1979, especially if one
excludes hardcore porn. While my parameters also encompass key documentaries
and foreign films, as well as a representative sample of made-for-TV movies, it
was inevitable that I would hit a wall in terms of getting access to films for
review purposes. As of this writing, I have pathways to seeing about a dozen
more titles, and I’ll get to those over the course of the next month or so. I
might also parachute back into the realm of TV movies and write up a few
interesting titles that caught my attention while conducting research. And of
course I welcome suggestions from readers about “new” titles—after seven and a
half years of investigating this topic, nothing surprises me more than learning
about some film that escaped my notice. Generally speaking, however, if a ’70s
movie isn’t on this blog (notwithstanding the aforementioned in-progress reviews), it’s because the film isn’t readily available through home video or
streaming or a reputable archive. Please contact me if you know of a legitimate
video source for an obscure title. Anyway, that’s all for now, but I’ll be back
next week to kick off the new phase—occasional reviews as movies become
available. Until then, as always, keep on keepin’ on!
21 comments:
Thank you Peter! I have thoroughly enjoyed your entertaining blog. If you decide to publish your work in book form, I will definitely buy a copy. Best wishes and warm regards to you.
A standing ovation! Your blog is amazing and an inspiration.
Congratulations, Peter. What an incredible accomplishment, and what a great resource for people interested in 70s cinema. I've enjoyed reading your blog for the past 3 or 4 years and am going to have to go back through your archives now to get my daily fix. I too think a book (maybe even with some reviews expanded?) would be a great idea.
Peter, excellent work! You have immeasurably increased my '70s film knowledge, which has only increased my wish list queue.
Don't forget 1977's FRENCH QUARTER, a low budget exploitation feature that includes Bruce Davison and even Virginia Mayo (and music by Dick Hyman!). It played at the Skydrome Drive-IN in Lake Worth, FL back when I was eight or so. It is available on Amazon Prime.
Cheers!
Such a conclusion can only be bittersweet. The highlight of my afternoon for these past years has been to click on the bookmark to your blog in order to read the latest review. I never thought I’d get choked up with emotion over the efforts of a crosstown Bruin. Until we cross paths at the UCLA Archives. Take care, Peter.
This blog has been a joy to read each day. Congratulations on a job well done.
Thanks for the posts this far, and the ones to come..
Damn. You never got around to "Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World" (1973). Viewable on YouTube, btw. Nevertheless, fantastic site which I've visited almost daily since 2010 (the year, not the film). I'll really miss the 1980 Weeks.
Thanks for the kind words and keep the suggestions coming! "French Quarter" is one of the in-progress reviews. Alas, "Digby" is not since it's a UK film -- though I've covered what I believe to be the most significant UK films of the period, I leave the daunting task of "Every '70s British Movie" to some other brave soul with a stronger appetite for the "Carry On" franchise than I can muster. Meantime, Alan, feel free to console yourself with "George!", which is another big-dog picture already reviewed on the site...
I only hopped on this entertaining blog a few months ago and I now use it to break up my afternoons. Entertaining, compelling and kind of addictive, I'm a) glad you did it and b) glad its so damn good. I don't care whatsoever if I agree or not (after all, Rider on the Rain is maybe my favorite movie ever), because your arguments are sound and your particular set of sensibilities always serve to spark thought and re-assessments. And yes, me too, count me in for the book version.
Thanks for the many fine reviews you've written and published here. Perhaps you can catch up with The Centerfold Girls (1974), starring Andrew Prine. I could swear I'd seen your review of it here, but I can't find it now. You can stream it from Amazon Prime.
Thanks for the kind words, Peter. And your memory is correct: I reviewed Centerfold Girls about a year ago. The reason it doesn't appear on the long list that runs along the right side of the blog's homepage is that some months back that functionality stopped working, so I haven't updated that list in quite a while. Those curious to find particular films are encouraged to enter the title into the search box, located in the upper-left corner of the blog, just above the logo. Meantime: Centerfold Girls:
http://every70smovie.blogspot.com/search?q=centerfold+girls
"Digby" received a U.S. theatrical release in the summer of 1974, which is how I first saw it (I was 7).
Indeed, you can pay me enough to sit through a job lot of '70s British sex comedies, especially up Robin Askwith pops up.
I meant to say"You couldn't pay me enough..."
Congratulations on such a mammoth undertaking. It never failed to be entertaining even when the subject was utter dreck - and boy, did you suffer through a lot! - and insightful when the subject warranted it...or didn't. That you were able to keep this up on a daily basis and yet never become repetitive or rote in your reviews deserves the highest of praise. Bravo!
Sorry to see it end... but as you said... there's only a finite number of movies made in the 70s. Although I'm surprised that you didn't review "The Uncanny." I know it is a UK production, but I always thought you had a penchant for reviewing anthology horror flicks.
One rather silly idea, if you feel like adding a little something to the blog from time to time... ever consider reviewing modern films that take place in the 70s? I'd be curious if you had any favorites and/or any choices that do the best at replicating the decade. One movie that sometimes tricks me in my subconscious is "Drugstore Cowboy."
Anyway, thanks for creating one of the more interesting blogs out there and one can assume you've probably seen more films from that decade than any other human on this planet.
FIVE + years I've been following your blog Peter and it's just an amazing thing you've done. Thank you so much for all the great suggestions, reviews and input. When I look at the dvds and vhs that adorn my many shelves, there's more than a few titles that wouldn't be there if not for your work. Many thanks again! TR PS -- Suggestion - How about a "1969 week"? ;-)
I find myself coming back to this site more than any others. You created an in depth investigative look at 70s cinema...and your writing is superb. Id like to see you review 1975s THE NIGHT CALLER...a pristine print of the dubbed version I remembered so well from HBO.Although its a French film it was released widely by Columbia Pictures . Also the elusive THE BLACK PEARL amd the excellent MAN ON THE ROOF. Keep em coming
I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog over the years and have admired your tenacity in uncovering so many lost or forgotten films. Even when I've disagreed with your critiques of the films I've found them thoughtful and insightful. Thanks.
Another - 1976's SMILE ORANGE, a Jamaican film that was at least released in NYC and L.A. It stars Carl Bradshaw, who played Jose in THE HARDER THEY COME. It is available on DVD and YouTube.
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