craiggerard_2000

This movie is very good considering what a low budget it must have had. A combined Italian-French effort this film was the basis for Meteor, Deep Impact, and Armageddon many years later. The special effects are very good for the era. One of the most interesting aspects of the film is that it showed U.S.-Russian cooperation for peaceful means at the hight of the cold war, very different than most movies of the time. The other similar movie of the 1950's about a collision with Earth is When Worlds Collide. However even though When Worlds Collide is in color this is the better and more realistic of the two films. Also there is less damage to the Earth in this movie than in Meteor, Deep Impact, and especially When Worlds Collide where the earth gets completely destroyed. It is interesting to see primitive computers and airplanes of the time. If you like Deep Impact and Armageddon you need to see this film that those two movies were based on.

On the Beach was quite a dramatic film for its day. It told the story from the point of view of the people in Australia after World War III who face certain death from radiation. Outstanding performances were given by Gregory Peck, Ava Gardener, Anthony Perkins and in a dramatic role Fred Astaire. This was Anthony Perkins biggest film outside of the three Psycho movies which typecast him. Donna Anderson, Stanley Kramer's new discovery was a one movie wonder. The photography by Guisippe Rotunno was outstanding. The auto race scene was dramatic. I first saw this movie on television in April of 1981 when Fred Astaire was being honored with an award for all his outstanding work in cinema. It made quite an impact then with the cold war still raging. One of the things that I liked about the original version vs. the remake in 2000 is how they kept playing Waltzing Matilda throughout the film. The photography during the romantic scene at the lodge is particularly good. Also the scene towards the end where Ava Gardener is running towards Gregory Peck with the sun setting is also good. Stanley Kramer's direction is very effective. The two things I disliked about the movie was the science was flawed about how a nuclear holocaust would play out, also I think it would have been better had it been filmed in color. This movie was nicely updated with the 2000 TV movie remake. Although this film is somewhat dated now it is still worth seeing.

Cold Turkey is my all time favorite comedy and a very underrated film that many people have not seen. Still relevant today it is a classic satire of smoking and American life. Filmed in Iowa in 1969 and released to the theater in 1971 the comedy is timeless. I have the laser disc, it is not available on DVD as of yet but is available on VHS video tape. Barnard Hughes gives the performance of his career as Dr. Proctor, the town surgeon and doctor who is a chain smoker. The best scene in the film is when Dr. Proctor is in the operating room with a cigarette and Dick Van Dyke and friends are trying to convince him not to light up because the town will not get the $25 million dollars for everyone not smoking for thirty days if he does. Then Walter Chronic appears in the operating room under a round light which is made to look like a halo. Pippa Scott is Dick Van Dyke's long suffering wife. Graham Jarvis is President of the Christopher Mott Society, a takeoff on the John Birch Society. Tom Poston has a small but important role as the town drunk Mr. Stopworth. Dick Van Dyke is the preacher at the Eagle Rock Community Church who almost single handedly whips the town into action. Edward Everett Horton in his final screen appearance as Hiram Grayson, head of the Valiant Tobacco Company. Bob Newhart in a somewhat unusual role as the villain from the tobacco company who is trying to win the bet with the town. An early vehicle for Norman Lear, this movie foretold his eventual success later. The old lady who is so cantankerous is priceless. Comedians Bob and Ray play numerous news anchors of the time. Vincent Gardenia plays the towns Mayor. I have seen this film many times. I recommend watching it if it comes on TV or buying the video tape if you come across one.