Swithin Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 It was not well liked, as my 70's-survivor geezer memory recalls. The book made it a big hoped-for Oscar-bait sensation, but all of Richard Brooks' 70's-80's movies were trying too hard for "edgy", tripped, and never found mainstream love. There was some hope that Tuesday Weld would win for Best Supporting Actress (she was nominated), but Vanessa Redgrave won for Julia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoldenIsHere Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 It was not well liked, as my 70's-survivor geezer memory recalls. The book made it a big hoped-for Oscar-bait sensation, but all of Richard Brooks' 70's-80's movies were trying too hard for "edgy", tripped, and never found mainstream love. Your memory appears to be inaccurate. The final budget of LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR was approximately $2.5 million and the movie grossed over $22.5 million domestically so it was in fact a mainstream financial success. Paramount wanted a huge budget for the movie since it was based on a best-selling book, but Richard Brooks would not agree to write and direct the film unless the budget was small (around $2 million). It's interesting that some posters here have characterized Richard Brooks's attitude and tone as judgmental toward the main character's sexual promiscuity, but in reality his attitude was the complete opposite. Here's what he told The New York Times in an article published on July 24, 1977: [***SPOLIERS BELOW*** These would not haven been spoilers to NYT readers in 1977 who would most likely have been familiar with the ending of the book that the movie was adapted from] "In “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” everybody knows Terry is going to get killed in exactly an hour‐and‐a‐half, and too much is made of her death as punishment. God looked down and said ‘You went to bars so now we're going to have you murdered.’ I wanted to do a story about a contemporary girl who is influenced by the world in which she lives, not only by her upbringing and her physical handicap but by seeing Hustler and Penthouse on the newstands. By the advertisements on TV that are more violent even than knifings and car chases. ‘If you use this toothpaste, that fellow will kiss you.’ That is a violent lie. ‘If you wear these p a n t y hose, people will think you're not wearing anything.’ That is a violent provocation. Sex and violence are inextricably linked. There is more frustration and violence in the marriage bed than the battlefields.” In the same New York Times article, Richard Brook noted that he didn't like the character of the girl in the book: “I didn't like the girl because she was a crybaby, full of selfpity." Therefore, the girl in Brooks's screenplay and the girl that Diane Keaton played under Brooks's direction was less self-pitying than the one in the book and was, according to Brooks, "full of a joy of life. She has very deep desires—physical as well as emotional—and she wants to express them." 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Holden, you're making me really want to look out for MR GOODBAR... when is it coming on? ( and for the record, I've never seen it I just distinctly recall reading a handful of dismissive reviews by critics. I really do enjoy the films of Richard Brooks for the most part tho.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Ps: i, for one, refuse to blame anyone for having inaccurate memories of the seventies, because: 1. Drugs. and 2. It was such a TACKY time. I just can't blame anyone for wanting to put it out of their mind. Seriously, I was not around for most of them but, those of you who were, kindly answer this question for me: was there so much as ONE, single trend in fashion, technology, architecture, home decor or anything else during the 1970s that wasn't just PURE FUG to the nth degree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoldenIsHere Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Holden, you're making me really want to look out for MR GOODBAR... when is it coming on? ( and for the record, I've never seen it I just distinctly recall reading a handful of dismissive reviews by critics. I really do enjoy the films of Richard Brooks for the most part tho.) LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR airs on Thursday July 14. I'm not a huge Richard Brooks fan, but i think in the past I've unjustifiably blamed him for the way CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF was butchered in the movie adaptation. The terrible changes to Tennessee Williams's play were surely dictated by the studio and the production code in place at the time, not by Richard Brooks himself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR airs on Thursday July 14. I'm not a huge Richard Brooks fan, but i think in the past I've unjustifiably blamed him for the way CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF was butchered in the movie adaptation. The terrible changes to Tennessee Williams's play were surely dictated by the studio and the production code in place at the time, not by Richard Brooks himself. Thanks. IN COLD BLOOD and ELMER GANTRY are both films that I would say are easily among the best five made in their respective years. I think Brooks was a better writer overall than a director, but yeah you really can't blame Brooks for the mess that is CAT ON A... if anything he does a pretty admirable Salvage effort of a hobbled story.... and get some great performances out of his cast. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkblue Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 It was such a TACKY time. You woulda fit in perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr6666 Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Ps: i, for one, refuse to blame anyone for having inaccurate memories of the seventies, because: 1. Drugs. and 2. It was such a TACKY time. I just can't blame anyone for wanting to put it out of their mind. Seriously, I was not around for most of them but, those of you who were, kindly answer this question for me: was there so much as ONE, single trend in fashion, technology, architecture, home decor or anything else during the 1970s that wasn't just PURE FUG to the nth degree? maybe there were Other priorities...? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrat Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Ps: i, for one, refuse to blame anyone for having inaccurate memories of the seventies, because: 1. Drugs. and 2. It was such a TACKY time. I just can't blame anyone for wanting to put it out of their mind. Seriously, I was not around for most of them but, those of you who were, kindly answer this question for me: was there so much as ONE, single trend in fashion, technology, architecture, home decor or anything else during the 1970s that wasn't just PURE FUG to the nth degree? I'm thinking, I'm thinking. What about the white shirt open to the navel to show the chest hair and gold jewelry look? Very popular in gay bars and even in straight bars at the time. It was the era of lots of songs with the word "boogie" in them. It was the era when a hugely popular song was about the porn industry ("More, More, More!" by the Andrea True Experience). Um, maybe this is proving your point. Men having chest hair was considered a good thing and an aphrodisiac. This was definitely a good thing for men with chest hair. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkblue Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 I'm thinking, I'm thinking. What about the white shirt open to the navel to show the chest hair and gold jewelry look? Very popular in gay bars and even in straight bars at the time. It was the era of lots of songs with the word "boogie" in them. It was the era when a hugely popular song was about the porn industry ("More, More, More!" by the Andrea True Experience). Um, maybe this is proving your point. Men having chest hair was considered a good thing and an aphrodisiac. This was definitely a good thing for men with chest hair. Get down - boogie-oogie-oogie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 maybe there were Other priorities...? RIGHT ON, BROTHER! All others take note: this is how you serve someone. I will now proceed to take a whole row of seats, for I have been vanquished. Good show, Sir 6666! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountVictorGrazinsky Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Two things I note in re: LOOKING FOR MISTER GOODBAR 1. I have never read a good review of it, outside of praise for Diane Keaton. I know Tuesday Weld was nominated for supporting actress for it, but she's never mentioned. critics really seemed to have not liked it at all. . Most people blame director Richard Brooks for taking a "judgy" tone with regard to the sexual liberation movement of the 70's. 2. I TRIED to read the book and just could NOT. It's too dark and (this is gonna seem like SEINFELDian quibble, I know, but...) THERE ARE NO CHAPTERS. It's just a solid 200 pages, no chapter breaks- which I know shouldn't make a difference, but it did. (maybe the fact that the book is so dark and brutal, you just need some place to pause and step out of it.) Lorna, you might appreciate this story, as a teenager in the '70s I used to take my grandmother and her best friend to the movies a couple of times a month. Both had been widowed within a few months of each other and so I enjoyed taking them out. I told my mom that I was thinking of doing something rather bold and taking the ladies to see "Looking For Mr. Goodbar". She gave me a serious glare like, you've got to be kidding, but, without missing a beat, she said, "I think you should, they might learn something"! Well, I took them to see "Goodbar", which was playing exclusively at one of the major theaters in town, and after the movie we walked out of the theater and the line for the next showing was down the block and around the corner. My grandmother said, "I can't believe all of these people are lined up to see this trash"! Her friend, who had a great sense of humor, said, "I think it was good that we saw this movie, we read about these things happening and we just don't realize what's actually going on in the world. But one thing, that scene with Tuesday Weld, her husband, and that other couple all in the buff, I just couldn't figure out what was going on in that group"! My grandmother laughed, as we all did, and I knew that I wasn't going to be chastised for taking them see such an explicit movie. It actually turned out to be a positive experience, they became more open to seeing other movies, better movies, with stronger themes. They were great ladies! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Lorna, you might appreciate this story, as a teenager in the '70s I used to take my grandmother and her best friend to the movies a couple of times a month. Both had been widowed within a few months of each other and so I enjoyed taking them out. I told my mom that I was thinking of doing something rather bold and taking the ladies to see "Looking For Mr. Goodbar". She gave me a serious glare like, you've got to be kidding, but, without missing a beat, she said, "I think you should, they might learn something"! Well, I took them to see "Goodbar", which was playing exclusively at one of the major theaters in town, and after the movie we walked out of the theater and the line for the next showing was down the block and around the corner. My grandmother said, "I can't believe all of these people are lined up to see this trash"! Her friend, who had a great sense of humor, said, "I think it was good that we saw this movie, we read about these things happening and we just don't realize what's actually going on in the world. But one thing, that scene with Tuesday Weld, her husband, and that other couple all in the buff, I just couldn't figure out what was going on in that group"! My grandmother laughed, as we all did, and I knew that I wasn't going to be chastised for taking them see such an explicit movie. It actually turned out to be a positive experience, they became more open to seeing other movies, better movies, with stronger themes. They were great ladies! that is an awesome story. thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyCronin Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 I'll add a few things that were good about the disco/dance culture of the '70s: Platform shoes for men were fashionably so the height challenged guy could dance with tall(er) girls. Sure, the clothes may not have been attractive, but polyester/synthetic shirts and pants did not have to be dry-cleaned, but tossed into the washer and line dryed. Dancing all night required frequent washes. The line dances allowed girls who came in groups with no male partner to participate and the really, really good clubs had hair dryers in the men's room to poof up your perm or redo your shag. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesJazGuitar Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 I'll add a few things that were good about the disco/dance culture of the '70s: Platform shoes for men were fashionably so the height challenged guy could dance with tall(er) girls. Sure, the clothes may not have been attractive, but polyester/synthetic shirts and pants did not have to be dry-cleaned, but tossed into the washer and line dryed. Dancing all night required frequent washes. The line dances allowed girls who came in groups with no male partner to participate and the really, really good clubs had hair dryers in the men's room to poof up your perm or redo your shag. If these few things are the good things I would hate to see a list of the bad things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Tomorrow I'll be recording It's a Bikini World and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, because I haven't seen them, and because bikinis. Oh, and I don't know if it's been mentioned, but Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) is on at 12:15 AM EST. I'll be taping it since it's unavailable on disc, and it's in my top ten films of that year list. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 If these few things are the good things I would hate to see a list of the bad things. Nominee for Post of the Week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Tomorrow I'll be recording It's a Bikini World and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, because I haven't seen them, and because bikinis. Oh, and I don't know if it's been mentioned, but Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) is on at 12:15 AM EST. I'll be taping it since it's unavailable on disc, and it's in my top ten films of that year list. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoldenIsHere Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Tomorrow I'll be recording It's a Bikini World and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, because I haven't seen them, and because bikinis. Oh, and I don't know if it's been mentioned, but Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) is on at 12:15 AM EST. I'll be taping it since it's unavailable on disc, and it's in my top ten films of that year list. I'm pretty sure you were being sarcastic about LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR not being mentioned already, but thanks for the reminder about it airing. I don't think the movie has ever been released on Region 1 DVD. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 Thursday, July 14 8 p.m. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). Ellen Burstyn is terrific in this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricJ Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Thursday, July 14 8 p.m. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). Ellen Burstyn is terrific in this one. And it has the original Mel and Tommy, although they changed Flo and Vera for the series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SansFin Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 I have been told that: The Stepford Wives (1975) earned the: Good Housekeeping™ Seal of Approval. I like the movie. I find it a gentle horror story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkblue Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 I find it a gentle horror story. Not to mention a pretty good idea. The Japanese are working on it patiently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LornaHansonForbes Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 I have been told that: The Stepford Wives (1975) earned the: Good Housekeeping™ Seal of Approval. I like the movie. I find it a gentle horror story. How did you manage to do the trademark symbol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineHoard Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 I don't think I would call STEPFORD WIVES a "gentle horror story" unless you're referring to its lack of gore. If you're one of the wives in the story who isn't perfect, an independent thinker interested in things other than homemaking, your outcome isn't going to be so "gentle." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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