This 1967 reissue poster for Never So Few elevated McQueen to co-star billing along Frank Sinatra. In the original poster from 1959, his name was well below the title. (Photo: Roger Harris, Steve McQueen Film Poster Site)

The web site Ask Men provides some interesting trivia regarding the iconic screen legend Steve McQueen. Among the 5 Things You Didn't Know is a story regarding McQueen's first big break in the 1959 Frank Sinatra WWII film Never So Few. Apparently, the role was originally intended for Rat Packer Sammy Davis Jr., but Davis alienated Sinatra with some remarks about being more popular than he was. The thin-skinned Chairman of the Board then replaced Davis with McQueen, thus allowing the young actor to play his most visible role yet in a major studio production. Other facts range from the less obscure (McQueen was paranoid after finding out he had been among Charles Manson's intended victims) to the purely speculative (because McQueen was sensitive about anyone who questioned his masculinity, he therefore must have been bi-sexual.) Draw your own conclusions by clicking here to read.

The New York Post has a revealing look at Clint Eastwood's work habits behind the camera and the reasons why he is so respected by his cast and crews. The article also delves into personal aspects of his life such as his dry sense of humor and his obsession with living a healthy lifestyle. To read click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Sometimes nice guys do finish first. Such is the case with actor Robert Davi, who has been a fixture in popular movies since his screen debut opposite Frank Sinatra in the 1970's TV movie Contract on Cherry Street. Over the decades, Davi- like any working actor - has enjoyed great successes as well as appearing in artistic misfires. I first met him last November when I interviewed him at his alma mater, Hofstra University, in Long Island. It was part of a James Bond event, and I was interested in meeting Davi because I had long admired his work onscreen and considered his performance as the villain Sanchez in the James Bond film Licence to Kill to be one of the best of the entire series. I was impressed by his complete lack of ego and his genuine respect for his fans. Davi spent a good deal of time mingling with people in the audience, signing countless autographs and talking with students about his days at Hofstra. Davi was at that time putting the finishing touches on The Dukes, a light-hearted, comedic crime movie that he was starring in as well as making his directorial debut with. Several months ago, I got to see the film, which, over the last year, has been making the rounds at international film festivals and picking up widespread critical praise as well as prizes. (Variety gave the film a rare unqualified rave without a single negative word.)  Suddenly, the first-time director found his film being shown alongside those of Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Redford and Sydney Lumet.

The Dukes is a moving and often very funny film that eschews car chases, violence and filthy language to concentrate on establishing strong characters. (Remember when most films took pains to do the same?). Davi and his pals are washed-up ex-Doo Wop singers who had a brief stint at the top of the charts in the 1960s but who have now fallen on hard times, working in menial jobs while desperately trying to find another gig on the nightclub circuit. When the financial burdens prove to be overwhelming, Davi and his partners decide to plan a heist that is as amusing as it is suspenseful.  I won't make this a formal review of the film, because the version I saw has since been modified. Thus, I'll wait until I see the finished product. However, I do feel I can say that while Davi's performance is a real gem, it's his skill as director that has been responsible for the praise he has been reaping. He's an actor's director and willingly makes himself an ensemble player among an inspired and highly talented cast that includes Peter Bogdanovich, Chazz Palminteri, Frank D'Amico, Miriam Margolyes and even veteran actor Joe Campenella. The performances are all terrific, as is the oldies soundtrack that will have you tapping your feet throughout as you cheer on the loveable losers onscreen. (Davi should make every effort to get a soundtrack CD out on the film.)

Devoid of major marketing dollars, Davi has been launching a "guerilla" campaign relying on visiting neighborhoods and getting the word out among every day people. (Though, to date he has thankfully avoided using the suddenly ubiquitous Joe the Plumber as a pitchman for the movie!) Against all odds, he's secured a major nationwide release for the movie, which opens on November 14 in New York, then rolls out in other areas on November 21. In an age of dumbed-down, CGI-filled movies, it's a joy to see a movie with great heart, great performances and great direction. Davi emerges as a major talent both in front of the camera, and behind it as well. I'm already looking forward to his next film.

To read the Hollywood Reporter interview with Davi click here

Visit The Dukes official web site and view trailer by clicking here

As we've often stated, we try to be down-the-middle when it comes to politics on Cinema Retro's web site, but occasionally the political world affords us some pop culture references we can't ignore. Months ago, we linked to John McCain's amusing James Bond-like ad that compared Barack Obama to Dr. No. Now, in the interest of fair play, we present this hilarious three minute, pro-Obama ad in which director Ron Howard makes a rare return to acting. He dons a striped polo shirt to resurrect his Opie Taylor character from The Andy Griffith Show and even reuinites with Andy to do some fishing in a b&w segment that is extremely amusing. He then bops over to reunite with Henry Winkler's Fonzie to bring Happy Days briefly back to life. Even if you don't share the political message, you'll be greatly entertained. Click here to view

A sequel to Blade Runner? "Noooooooo!!!!"

Michael Moran of The Times of London reports on ten rumored sequels/prequels of varying legitimacy. Some range from the welcome (another sequel to 28 Days Later) to the ill-advised (Blade Runner 2) to the insane (porcine faux movie star Steven Seagal returning to the big screen direct from straight-to-video hell in Under Siege 3). Read it all and weep by clicking here

Subscriber Bob Collins is worried that with O.J. Simpson in jail due to his involvement with a bizarre break-in to retrieve sports memorabilia, the real killer of Simpson's wife Nicole and Ron Goldman will now be free to terrorize society! We're with you, Bob...the same terrifying thought crossed my mind, too. As we know, for the last thirteen years, society has benefited from O.J.'s relentless pursuit of the real killer. Who knows how many lives may have been saved because O.J. has been breathing down the bad guy's back? Selflessly, O.J. has left no stone unturned in his one-man crusade for justice. Like Roy Thinnes in The Invaders, he found himself battling on alone in a world of non-believers. With the tenacity of a modern day Javert relentlessly pursuing Jean Valjean, O.J. tirelessly pursued the killer to the point of exhaustion. It wasn't easy, to say the least.There wasn't a Florida country club he didn't have to stalk. There wasn't an opulent golf course the real killer could have hidden on with O.J. prowling the links seemingly 24/7. When the sun set and many of us kicked back with a cigar and cold one, O.J. was pounding the beat in the strip clubs and gin mills, bedding nubile women whose I.Q's were somewhat less than their bra sizes - and it was all to pick up leads on the real killer. Now O.J.'s been framed again and the poor guy couldn't even get a media circus. He had the misfortune to have his trial coincide with the biggest financial meltdown since 1929. People are so broke they can't even pay attention. He couldn't stir racial tensions again because he was frustrated by the fact that there's a good chance an African American may be elected president.Even Johnny Cochran let him down. Given the fact that O.J. made the man's career, you'd think the late attorney would be rattling around like Marley's ghost to get his meal ticket off the hook - but 'twas not to be.

O.J. is in jail- and the real killer knows it. Be afraid...be very afraid. - Lee Pfeiffer

By Spencer Lloyd Peet

It’s always a little disturbing to hear people getting excited by acts of violence, but with the announcement of the extended version of the fourth, and darkest, instalment of the hugely popular Planet of the Apes saga Conquest of the Planet of the Apes being included on the 40^th Anniversary Blue-ray box set, surely Ape fans, who have waited 36 years to see it in its entirety, can be forgiven for feeling elated over deleted scenes of brutality.  Just to elaborate briefly on the previous write-up posted on Friday, September 5, 2008 the graphic scenes that were chopped were deemed too violent by executives at 20^th Century Fox Studio and felt it would alienate their already well-established family audience – ultimately leading to a loss of money, no doubt.  A case in point was when an early screening in Phoenix lead to a flood of complaints opposing to the cruelty to animals by the human race.  But the African-Americans who were among the privileged few who saw a preview in Los Angeles loved it as they could relate to the injustice of ape slavery and the oppressive behaviour of the white man. 

After hearing the difference of opinions regarding the antagonistic content of the film between the two audiences director J. Lee Thompson soon found himself caught between a rock and a hard place; on the one hand he had to appease the younger audience, and on the other hand he wanted to make a social and political statement that reflected the riots between the black and the white populace that was making headlines across America.  Consequently, in order to obtain a PG rating the studio requested several scenes to be chopped and the climax watered down showing the apes’ leader Caesar, played by the brilliant Roddy McDowall, as a more compassionate character than what was initially proposed.  Over the years, everyone has come to accept that this is the only version that was ever distributed worldwide in 1972.

But according to producer Arthur P. Jacobs in a newspaper interview from June 1972, there were in fact three versions of Conquest being shown around the globe.  The first was the aforementioned standard 88-minute US edit, which is the one that has been available on home video and DVD and screened repeatedly on TV.  The second was specifically meant for UK cinema audiences and suffered further splicing (apparently at least an extra seven scenes) thanks to the censors - an action Jacobs deemed “ridiculous for a fantasy picture.”  The third and most violent of the three was shown in Japan.  “They can’t get enough violence and blood in their pictures,” commented Jacobs “and demand more of ours.”  It seems likely then that the newly restored version is the same as the one that was shown in Japan in ’72; making the Japanese moviegoers the only ones fortunate enough to have seen it on general release the way Thompson intended it to be seen – in all its vicious glory.  Publicity for the film in Japan included several people wearing ape masks parading human victims around the streets by metal leashes whilst some carried rifles. 

Interestingly, due to Ape-mania spreading to the Far East, a half-hour television series was produced in Japan in 1974 by Tsuburaya Productions called Saru no gundan (Army of the Apes) and lasted 26 episodes (not to be confused with the American series which aired the same year).  It was then re-edited and dubbed into English as a film ten years later by “legendary” American producer Sandy Frank and distributed internationally as Time of the Apes.  The result is best described as an appalling mess and should not serve as a representative of the original Japanese series nor the original five Apes films released by Fox between 1968 and 1973. 

But for many fans the uncut version of Conquest is the Holy Grail.  At last it can now be seen complete with the missing 9-minutes, and discussions will inevitably arise as to whether the hierarchy at Fox were right to give the order to tone down the bloody scenes involving the apes’ revolt.  Hail Caesar!  Let the debate begin!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PLANET OF THE APES BLU-RAY DVD COLLECTION PACKED WITH EXTRAS AND A COMMEMORATIVE HARDBACK BOOK BY THE PUBLISHERS OF CINEMA RETRO

 

If you haven't discovered one of the best film magazines around today, don't hesitate a day longer: Little Shoppe of Horrors presents their latest issue and it's one of their best yet. The magazine is only published once or twice annually and every issue is a gem. LSOH is dedicated entirely to the films of Hammer Studios and features the most in-depth articles and interviews imaginable, including a jaw-dropping selection of rare stills and artwork in every issue. The latest edition is dedicated to Hammer's classic Curse of Frankenstein starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in the first of their legendary teamings. Additionally, the issue has a vintage interview with the late director Terence Fisher as well as another top Hammer helmer Peter Sasdy. For more info and ordering instructions click here