By Richard Jutras for Curtains Up
With the Oscar ceremonies coming up (Sunday, February 24, 2013), and every film buff doing their last-minute push to see nominated films, I decided to go the opposite way. Upon seeing lists of “bad“ movies on critics lists, I was shocked and appalled to see some of the films on this list. I have most of these films in my collection and watch them quite frequently. I can even remember which cinema I had seen them in. I could taste the butter on my popcorn and remember phoning my mother out of pure excitement that I had made it into a movie “18 and over“ and I was only 14 or 15 years young.
I did, however, notice a trend. The movies listed below were all shot and released in the 70`s. I truly believe that some of these trendsetters should be pulled out of the vaults and given another shot and not a “Remake“ or “Reboot“. Enjoy. Sometimes it is good to be bad.
“Airport 1975“ (1974)
I had seen this film at Cinema Place du Canada. The first sequel of the series somehow manages to cast Helen Reddy as a singing nun and Linda Blair as a kidney patient on a disaster-ridden airliner. Karen Black is the heroic stewardess who saves them all with the help of airborne messiah Charlton Heston.
“Beyond The Door“ (1974)
At Cinema de Paris and being only 13 years old and escorted by my brother Normand, this Italian “Exorcist“ ripoff starred Juliet Mills and Shakespwarean actor Richard Johnson. Released in “PossesSound“, a device which hooked up theatres with four extra speakers.
“Burnt Offerings“ (1976)
I remember seeing this film at the Monkland theatre on the corner of Monkland and Girouard. This charming house destroys Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis and Lee H. Montgomery – much to the delight of Eileen Heckart and Burgess Meredith.
“The Car“ (1977)
At Cinema Place du Canada. This Unviversal picture about an automobile possessed by a demon that runs down people all by itself starred James Brolin.
“Demon Seed“ (1977)
A film I had seen the first time, at home, is about Julie Christie who is raped and impregnated by a lecherous computer. A film way before its time and should be given a viewing.
“Earthquake“ (1974)
First film shot in “Sensurround“ – a fabulous gimmick to put us in the action at the Seville theatre of a Los Angeles earthquake (The Big One ?). Cast includes a fifty-eight-year-old Lorne Green as the father of fifty-two-year-old Ava Gardner. All star cast includes the above along with Charlton Heston, Genevieve Bujold, Richard Roundtree and Victoria Principal – to name a few.
“Grizzly !“ (1976)
Fresh off the heels of “Jaws“, my viewing at Cinema Le Parisien proved that if a shark can do it in the water, a bear can do it in a national park. Starred Christopher George and Richard Jaekel.
“Lipstick“ (1976)
At the Palace theatre before it became a multiplex. This is the story of a piano teacher (Chris Sarandon) who rapes a top-fashion model and then goes after her thirteen-year-old sister. This is the film which introduced us to the Hemingway sisters – Margaux and Mariel.
“Looking For Mr. Goodbar“ (1977)
I remember seeing this movie many times at the Claremont on Sherbrooke street. Diane Keaton took a break from Woody Allen films to do this sleazy story of a schoolteacher who seeks the perfect man in her friendly neighborhood bars. Also starred Richard Gere and Tuesday Weld. This film garnered two Oscar noms for Supporting Actress (Weld) and Cinematography.
“Mahogany“ (1975)
“Do you know where you`re going to?“ asked the theme song. Once again at the Monkland theatre in N.D.G., I was whisked away with Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Perkins. Ross plays Tracy, a fashion designer who has struggled up from the ghetto, but still can`t find happiness among the jet set. This movie earned one Oscar nod for Best Song and was directed by Berry Gordy.
“Once Is Not Enough“ (1975)
I recently found a copy of this film on DVD. Actually, I made it a point to order it. Based on a Jacqueline Susann novel about beautiful people and their sexploits. I had seen this film at the Dorval Theatre on Dorval avenue with my Mom and my Aunt. The movie starred Kirk Douglas, David Janssen and the fabulous Brenda Vaccaro (Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actress and a Win at the Golden Globes). I must admit I was a tad titillated and even more embarrassed with Melina Mercouri and Alexis Smith in supporting roles as a pair of lip-smacking lesbiens.
“You Light Up My Life“ (1977)
I honestly can`t remember where I saw this movie – perhaps it was at cinema Cote Des Neiges. I may have blocked it out, perhaps because of the Oscar winning, Debby Boone title song. It is (the song) pleasant enough the first time you hear it, however, once hearing an elevator version of it, made me curious of the expression `harry carry`. It tells the story of Laurie Robinson (Didi Conn), a singer/songwriter/actress, who grows up in show business, gets involved in a serious romance, and learns that you can depend on no one but yourself.
Well, there you have it. I actually could go on and on. Hopefully, if you`ve read this far, you`re taking a trip down memory lane and know that you`re not the only person who likes or even loves to disappear with a little “kitsch“ in their lives. Because, as I mentioned above, SOMETIMES IT`S GOOD TO BE BAD(wink wink).
