#Sally Strothers

[travsd]

The Sally Struthers Story

Those of us of a certain age are apt to associate Sally Struthers (b. 1947) with a single role, but as you will see, it’s an injustice to do so. The prologues and epilogues are substantial chapters in and of themselves; the entire career deserves a salute. Given Struthers’ association with so many east coast characters it may surprise you to learn that she was originally from Portland, Oregon.…

[peter-ash]

[eyeliketwowatch]

The Getaway - Peckinpah Noir

One of the few Peckinpah films that I had yet to see. Great performance by Steve McQueen, and could almost be a ‘Parker’ film (see 'Point Blank’ among other films featuring this anti-hero). Features the usual bunch of Peckinpah regulars, and has an almost romantic ending. I’d rate this one either 4th or 5th among my favorite of this director’s films.

3.5 stars out of 5

Released 1972, First Viewing September 2014

[eyeliketwowatch]

Five Easy Pieces - fitting in, or not

Oddball character study of the sort that really doesn't get made much anymore. Jack Nicholson plays a classically trained pianist, and son of priviledge, who chooses instead to live the life of a blue collar worker, and lives with a rather dull-witted woman (Karen Black, in probably one of her best performances), who gets called back home to deal with the impending death of his father. Along the road we meet various oddball characters and eventually the family that he left behind, and we come to realize that he doesn't fit in well with either the estranged family, or his chosen life either. A breakout role for Nicholson, and he really chews up the scenery in classic style here.

Rafelson also made a few other films with Nicholson, and supposedly they make up a sort of 'trilogy' with Nicholson appearing as 'son' in one, 'brother' in another and 'father' in the third. ("The King of Marvin Gardens", "Blood and Wine") Well worth checking out if you like this sort of thing.

4 stars out of 5

Released 1970, First Viewing July 1994