Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s - Letters from Readers

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:35:00 -0500

Hi Lee,

Your recent piece on inept screenings of old movies reminded me of a couple of horrific screenings I have been to.

I once saw The Third Man where the projectionist couldn't understand the Academy ratio of the film so expanded the picture so it filled the width of the screen. This caused the top of the picture to be projected onto the ceiling of the cinema and the bottom to spill over the first few rows of the stalls with only the centre of the picture hitting the screen. This had the effect in medium shot of everyone having their heads cut off, or in close-up just showing their nose. Needless to say it was money-back-time.

But even worse because it was my local art house cinema I saw Hitchcock's '39 Steps' expanded from academy to widescreen with the resultant distortion. When I complained they told me it was the new digital projection and they couldn't alter it. But the really scary thing I was the only one that did complain. Oh the sad lonely life of a suffering film buff.

All the best

Mark Ashby

Retro responds: We all have similar war stories, Mark. When I was working in a theater during my high school days, we had a very old projectionist named Mandrake who tended to doze off inside the locked projection booth. One time he didn't wake up in time to start the main feature. The theater wasn't in the best area and the local populace began screaming. The theater manager and I kept pounding on the projection room door...Startled, the projectionist awoke suddenly and presented The Valachi Papers without remembering to bring back the curtains. Thus, the entire first reel was shown on the curtains themselves. This Mandrake was no magician!- Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:08:00 -0500

The film adaptation of John Carter of Mars as been widely derided, but reader Jason Lenzi defends its attributes.

Hey Cinema Retro (and Lee Pfeiffer in particular!)-

Jason Lenzi here, I wanted to drop a note and tell you how much I continue to enjoy the CINEMA RETRO website. I check in on it every other day or so.

Something's stirring at the multiplex right now that's right up CR's alley: JOHN CARTER. Being the classic pop culture experts you are, I don't need to tell you about the history of CARTER, it's inspiring storytelling as we know it for the past 100 years, and the dozens of false starts a JC movie has had over the years. But it finally got made, and then subsequently ignored. Doomed from the start, there has already been miles of coverage given to all the ways the promotional department at Disney messed up, from the shortening of the title to the loathsome ad campaign. Before it's release, all the naysayers started calling it "the disaster of the year", or something to that effect. Which is a shame, because the deck became remarkably stacked against a great movie.

The kind of movie that DOES NOT get made anymore. Bursting with creativity, intelligent, action packed and beautiful to look at, for all it's faults and horrible marketing, JOHN CARTER is a refreshing throwback to the blockbusters of yesteryear, like RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. And I feel it's going to go down like THE ROCKETEER from the same studio, 20 years ago: it will become a classic that the world will catch up with a decade later.

But something very interesting is happening. The box office is great overseas, and while it had a tepid opening weekend (which in itself was a miracle considering how poorly it was promoted), the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that box office has increased from Monday to Tuesday. And a new website, www.thejohncarterfiles.com, has been launched, and this weekend they're urging everyone to hit the theater again for a 'Take a Friend to Barsoom' weekend. There's even a Facebook page urging the studio to make a sequel.

I'm writing to CR about all of this because I felt this is the kind of film you guys would get behind, and thus would get behind the fan campaign. I've been part of a podcast, called 'Geek Shall Inherit', and for the past several weeks I've been preaching the gospel of JC, and now that I've seen it and love it, will be doing more of the same. Because the world needs more movies like JOHN CARTER.

Just thought you'd like to get to Barsoom with the rest of us!

Best,

Jason Lenzi

Retro responds: Jason, we always have a soft spot in our hearts for courageous movie fans who stand up and defend movies that are widely derided by others. Frankly, I haven't seen the film, nor do I intend to, but that's primarily due to a lack of time. I share your respect for The Rocketeer, which remains an underrated gem that is just aching to be rediscovered.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WRAP'S COVERAGE OF THE FILM'S PROSPECTS FOR PROFITABILITY

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:14:00 -0600

Hey guys,

Love your site and magazine…

FYI…”The Poseidon Adventure” (1972) is FINALLY coming to blu ray on April 4^th, as are several other ship disaster movies around the same time. No doubt these are a tie-in with the Titanic 100^th Annivesary and Titanic (1997) re-release to theaters…

Anyway…thought I’d pass on the news about TPA….hopefully you guys will do a special issue for “The Poseidon Adventure” in the future…Dec. 12^th will be the 40^th anniversary since it’s release and this film has a huge cult following…would love to see a whole magazine devoted to it (just a wish and suggestion…haha) I believe there is to be a 40^th Anniversary showing on the Queen Mary in Long Beach California and hopefully lots of the former stars of the film will be there…and of course the die hard fans of this film…

Take care and look forward to more great articles…

Thanks so much,

Todd Leafgreen

Retro Replies: Thank YOU, Todd, for the kind words and support. You'll be happy to know that we're all Poseidon fans here at Cinema Retro and although we won't have a special issue dedicated to the film, we are already working on major coverage for later this year. We've got some super images for the issue and some rarities including the Poseidon Adventure Viewmaster set. We're glad it's due out on Blu-ray- should look magnificent. Can't wait to hear Ernie Borgnine scream "My Linda!" in hi def format! - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:14:18 -0600

Dear Lee, Dave and the Cinema Retro crew,

I have been going through the latest issue of Cinema Retro (Season 8 / Issue 22) and I'm overwhelmed. Before seeing it, I would have said it couldn't be done, but you've done it. This is really the best issue of Cinema Retro yet! All of the coverage on Cinerama is wonderful! Dark of the Sun is a knockout. You all just keep getting better and better. Keep up the great work. You now have another milestone issue to improve upon. Thank you!

Bill Shaffer

Tecumseh, Kansas

Retro responds: Bill, thanks so much. We take pride in the fact that we're probably the only film magazine in the world to devote so much time and attention to an otherwise neglected gem like Dark of the Sun. It's proven to be one of our most popular articles ever, an indication that the general public knows a lot more about the real value of certain films than some of those "historians" who think a movie only matters if it has sub-titles. We believe we've fulfilled our initial goal of providing in-depth coverage of movies that are often neglected by the traditional critical establishment, though I have to say any number of prominent critics do contact us to tell us they agree with our sentiments about some of these titles. Returning to Dark of the Sun specifically, kudos are in order for writer Howard Hughes for providing such fascinating insights into the movie. I should mention that Dave Worrall's painstakingly-researched sidebar addressing rumors of "uncut prints" of the film has elicited numerous responses from readers. Some claim they recall seeing specific scenes in British prints in remote cinemas back in 1968. However, we have not been able to verify any of this. In England, the board of censors must give approval for any final cut to be released. The notion that a film company would risk severe financial and legal penalties to smuggle a "rogue print" of a movie to a rural cinema defies credulity. We believe that many people read the source novel decades ago and believe they saw some additional graphic sequences from the book in the film, as well. Worrall's research proved that there were sequences shot for the movie and excised before it was released. However, we still have no conclusive proof that any print other than that shown in the majority of cinemas ever existed. Sometimes movie fan's minds play tricks on them and they believe they saw sequences that never existed. I will point out an analogy. Back in the 1950s, Groucho Marx hosted the TV game show You Bet Your Life. In one famous instance, Groucho interviewed a man who said he had a very large family. Groucho asked him why he had so many children. "I like kids", the man said. To which, Groucho replied, "I like a good cigar, but even I take it out once in a while!" Countless people believe to this day that they saw that broadcast and embellish their tales with recollections of how shocked everyone was that such a sexually provocative remark could be telecast during that era. In fact, it wasn't. Groucho did indeed make that wisecrack, but the only people who actually heard it were those in the studio audience. It was never broadcast, yet it became such an urban legend that people to this day can specifically remember seeing it on TV. Such may be the case with the much-rumored, never-proven "uncut" prints of Dark of the Sun.

To order issue #22 of Cinema Retro featuring Dark of the Sun, see our back issues section or click here to order from Ebay.

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:00 -0600

Dear Mr Pfeiffer,

I'll have to disagree with a major point about your review of 'Tora Tora Tora'; namely the Zanucks refused to use major stars. The Zanucks and the unknown but influential Elmo Williams were stung by the critics going after 'The Longest Day' because of all the big stars. Zanuck Sr had to fill 'The Longest Day' full of major stars to guarantee big box office for the shareholders for the increasing budget of TLD. I read he nearly was going to drop the project until United Artists made a large scale offer for the rights to the film. Mr Z realised that if UA was going to pay a huge amount the film would gain at least twice that at the box office and went back to it.

Instead Tora used experienced character actors, many very well known (Joseph Cotton, James Whitmore etc). I had recently researched the film prior to screening it at our WEA film society.

Your point about the defeat is well taken; it's interesting that the Bruckheimer 'Pearl Harbor' film featured a triumphant revenge Doolittle Raid and started out with action of the Battle of Britain.

James Peter Young,

Sydney

Retro Responds: James, we've also done a great deal of research on Tora! as part of our book The Great Fox War Movies . There is no doubt that Fox's official story is that the actors were chosen because of their talents and physical characteristics. However, the new Blu-ray edition makes the point that a major factor was the amount of money that the film was going to cost at a time when the studio's finances were shaky. Even Richard Zanuck admits he was less-than-enthused to take on this "dream project" for his father Darryl and producer Elmo Williams. I find it a bit hard to believe that Zanuck would have been apologetic about the use of major stars in The Longest Day. Unlike George Stevens' star-packed The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Longest Day was an enormous success with both critics and the public. Reviewers generally praised Zanuck's use of major stars as opposed to Stevens, who used them as stunt casting. Additionally, The Longest Day was a major boxoffice hit and was nominated for a number of key Oscars. So it seems hard to believe that Zanuck would have been sensitive about any aspect of that film. I think that, faced with skyrocketing pre-production costs, Zanuck and Williams realized that the addition of major stars would have sent the budget into the stratosphere at a time when the studio was skeptical about the project itself. The film was supposed to have gone into production in 1966 but costly delays added three years to the schedule. I guess we'll never know the definitive answer, but these are our theories. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and opinions about a very under-rated film.

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:57:10 -0600

Cast a Giant Shadow: can young Ben Whishaw overcome Desmond Llewelyn's indelible portrayal of Q?

I don't care if Ben Whishaw is considered one of the best young English actors of his generation; he is all wrong for the part of Q precisely because he is too young and handsome. I'm not expecting a clone of Desmond Llewelyn or John Cleese or Alec McCowen to reprise the role of Bond's sarcastic old gadget provider in Skyfall, but Whishaw's delicate features and tousled hair are more suited to decadent poets and rock and roll stars (you may remember his young Keith Richards in STONED/2005). Whishaw would also make an excellent Dr. Who. (I think 70-year-old Jon Finch – once considered to play James Bond – would have been an interesting choice for Q.) I have a bad feeling about Whishaw's taking on the role. Back in 1999, the luscious 28-year-old model Denise Richards was cast as a nuclear scientist in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, starring Pierce Brosnan as Bond. Sex bomb Richards (fresh from her success in STARSHIP TROOPERS) was so miscast as "Dr. Christmas Jones" that her scenes elicited laughter... The part of Q requires a certain amount of gravitas that 31-year-old Whishaw at present is rather lacking in.

- Harvey Chartrand

Retro responds: Judging by the general reaction across the board among Bond fans, most seem to be siding with your point-of-view. To your point, I think it would be a mistake to present the character of Q as a loveable eccentric. That vision of the role is indelibly the domain of the beloved Desmond Llewelyn. Although I have my concerns, history has taught us not to jump to conclusions about casting decisions in Bond movies. The notion of Denise Richards playing a scientist and Tanya Roberts playing a geologist seemed to be laughable on the surface-- and those fears proved to be well-founded. On the other hand, right up to the night of the royal premiere of Casino Royale you would be hard-pressed to find anyone enthused about the chances of Daniel Craig making a good James Bond. There were even web sites entirely dedicated to predicting disaster due to his casting. Not many people are making that argument today. As for Whishaw, one must remember that Eon are continuing to reinvent the franchise from the ground up. Thus, any preconceived notion of the character of Q has to be relegated to history. There are some serious and enormously talented people working on Skyfall - and those in the know who have seen the script say its sensational. So let's reserve judgment until we see how creatively Whishaw's talents are utilized. - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:53:25 -0600

Hi Lee,

I've just read your online review of Red, White and Zero and thought I'd clear up some of the mysteries surrounding MGM's DVD release before someone else does! The title given to the DVD is in fact the intended title of the three-part omnibus film you mention, which seems never to have been shown commercially in its complete form, though both other parts were in fact completed and still exist. The White Bus is the correct and, to the best of my knowledge, only release title of Lindsay Anderson's contribution; the composite title was never used.

Tony Richardson's episode was called Red and Blue and starred Vanessa Redgrave and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (!) It's a short romantic musical, seemingly influenced (like much of Richardson's 1960s work) by the French New Wave and especially Jacques Demy. It was the supporting featurette to The Graduate when the latter (released by United Artists in the UK, not Embassy) opened at the London Pavilion in 1968, but public complaints caused it to be pulled before the main feature had completed its run. A slightly faded colour print exists in the BFI Archive and I have shown it myself at the Showroom in Sheffield, which may have been one of its very few commercial screenings.

The third and shortest segment of the omnibus film is Ride of the Valkyrie which stars - you guessed it - Zero Mostel as an opera singer involved in a "madcap" chase to the tune of - you guessed it again - "Ride of the Valkyries". I'm not aware of its having had a commercial release in the UK (though IMDb indicates a December 1979 screening in the US), but I certainly remember it being shown on TV here in the 1970s.

For the record, Ride of the Valkyrie was directed (badly) by Peter Brook. Red and Blue is quite favorably reviewed in the October 1968 issue of Films and Filming. The September issue indicates is was meant to support The Graduate on general release, but it is omitted from subsequent listings. I assume that after its disastrous London engagement it was shelved altogether.

MGM could easily have performed a public service by putting the three films together for the first time on home video if someone there had known what they were doing. But as I recall all three were shown together at a conference I attended at the University of Stirling a few years ago, the location of the Lindsay Anderson Archive; the screening venue was the Macrobert Arts Centre on the university campus. So the full version has actually been shown, if only to a specialised academic audience. I can see why UA didn't want to release it!

Best regards,

Sheldon Hall

RETRO RESPONDS: Ah, Sheldon- I should have known that a Cinema Retro contributor would hold they keys to this mystery. This minor film has generated a lot of interest among our readers, thus they'll be happy to know how Redgrave and Mostel came to be associated with the original errant packaging by MGM. To be fair to the studio, there is no evidence that the packaging was ever released. I think the photo in question in my review just pertains to an early prototype done for marketing purposes. Apparently, the error was caught in time as the screener we received has correct packaging. As for releasing the entire film, let's just say that the right people are reading this so perhaps they will. It might be, however, that the master prints are in poor condition. Studios are reluctant to sink substantial money into restoring films that have limited financial prospects. Although I'm not a fan of The White Bus, I do appreciate the fact that MGM has put it out. It's an interesting experiment by a man who would become a respected director.

(Sheldon Hall teaches film studies at the University of Sheffield and is the author of numerous books about the cinema.)

Update: Reader Dave Williams advises that The White Bus is also available for streaming through Netflix.

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:06:00 -0600

Excited to hear about your 8-page feature on "Dark of the Sun". Earlier this year, I finally got a re-mastered DVD through Warner Bros Archives. It's a beautiful print (unfortunately no special features) and the film holds up remarkably well. It's gratifying to see one of the best action films ever get some long-overdue recognition. As I'm sure you know, it's a "guilty pleasure" of both Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino (part of the reason Tarantino cast Rod Taylor as Churchill in "Inglorious Basterds".) As for "The White Buffalo", I obviously liked the film better than you did. I never really thought of it as "horror" movie-western hybrid, but I was struck by its mythic, haunting ambiance. One of the many things I admired about it was the authentic-sounding period dialogue. How many films use words like "flummery"?

Ray Cunneff

Retro Responds: Thanks, Ray...We're probably the only magazine on the planet that would feature a film like Dark of the Sun in such detail, but the movie is a true gem. I totally agree that it stands up well over time and in fact is far superior to just about every action movie made today. Re: The White Buffalo, I do think the film is a failure, but I will concede at least it's an original and ambitious failure. However, I think in its attempt to be highbrow, it comes across as somewhat pretentious. The film is ultimately undone by an uneven script and some distractingly cheesy special effects. However, before anyone puts much stock in my opinions, I also consider The Ghost and Mr. Chicken to be a comedy classic. - Lee Pfeiffer

(Dark of the Sun will be featured in Cinema Retro issue #22 in a major article by contributor Howard Hughes.)

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:31:03 -0500

Pharoah Kingsley as Chaplin

Hi Guys,

Brooke from POP INC. I'm a confirmed fan of Cinema Retro and wanted to send you a link to our new video, which recently screened in Los Angeles at the Downtown Independent.

It's called Boulevard of Broken Dreams, was shot on location in Hollywood and it's hero is street performer Pharaoh Kingsley, one of Hollywood's longest running Chaplin impressionists.

For nearly 25 years running, Kingsley has played Chaplin's Tramp on the Boulevard and has asked for nothing more than for people to "Smile". We thought it was time he scored a starring role. Last, we're raising awareness for My Friend's Place, a day center for homeless youth in Hollywood. Hope you like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtI7xnug85c&feature=share

Best,

Brooke

POP INC

http://www.reverbnation.com/popinc

Retro responds: Brooke, we're always happy to put the spotlight on worthwhile indy productions, especially when they pertain to retro cinema. Boulevard of Broken Dreams is very charming and conveys a positive message in its brief running time. Congratulations to all involved- and keep up the good work. - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:30:00 -0500

I recently picked up your special edition of Kelly's Heroes. I'm an Eastwood fan but I hate this movie, so that says a lot about your publication. When I came across it, I put it down twice trying to convince myself not to purchase it! It was just too good to pass up!

Retro responds: Brian, with enemies like you, who needs friends? The sales of our Kelly's issue are far above expectations. The compelling stories behind the making of this movie seem to intrigue even those who don't care for the film itself. - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:20:00 -0500

Hello!

This is a note to let you know that in addition to our extensive stock of original UK quad film posters, we also have thousands of original 8"x10" front of house stills.

Here is a link which will open a PDF document listing our current stock of front of house stills (FOH) and other miscellaneous photos and press stills (PHO) ...

http://www.quadbod.co.uk/stills.pdf

... there are no images in this document, it is simply a list of titles.

Prices are quoted in GBP (pounds sterling) and do not include shipping.

We have created a Picasa online web album into which we have uploaded images of a small selection of our front of house stills ...

https://picasaweb.google.com/quadbod12/QuadbodFrontOfHouseStills?authuser=0&feat=directlink

... if there are titles which you would like to see but which are not yet included in our Picasa album, please let us know and we will prepare and upload those images for you.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,
Terry & Sue
Quadbod media memorabilia
http://www.quadbod.co.uk

QUADBOD MEDIA MEMORABILIA
12 SHERWOOD MEWS
HALL GREEN
BIRMINGHAM B28 0EW

0121 778 1714

Retro responds: We're happy to spread the word, Terry and Sue...Quadbod is internationally known as a primary source of great movie collectibles. How's that for a blatant, biased plug?- Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:36:00 -0500

The Men From U.N.C.L.E. in One Spy Too Many

Hi, I truly enjoy your magazine,and pick up every new issue...and wish I could get a few older ones if possible? Started way back with your "Batman" issue with Adam West. But I really like your issues on U.N.C.L.E. my favorite T.V. show of all time,do you think Cinema Retro may revisit this fine show now that a new movie is begining production in the up coming year. Thank You, so much your friend and loyal reader...Richard W. Fisher

Retro responds: Thanks for your long-term support, Richard. It's readers like you that keep the dream alive. Our back issues that have sold out are now available as digital editions on line. As for U.N.C.L.E., we've pretty much exhausted the comprehensive analysis of the feature films, having devoted sections in eight individual issues to each of the movies. However, our December issue will revisit the show to a degree with reviews of the recent DVD release of the U.N.C.L.E feature films as well as a review of The Venetian Affair with Robert Vaughn. - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:25:00 -0500

While American movie fans in the pre-video age had to settle for compilations of feature films or promotional featurettes on 8mm (such as this one for Major Dundee), England's Derann Films offered collectors pristine, complete 8mm prints.

I enjoy reading your online CR and stop by every other day or so, just to check out what's happening. I'm a little disappointed that you have not covered the closure of Derann, the last of the great super 8 film distributors, who closed their Dudley shop on Sunday. Even more surprising when one considers one of your finest, Dave Worrall, used to work there! In this day and age people forget the importance of the small film formats in the years prior to the vhs boom, but Derann dominated the hobby and then kept going through the lean times of the mid 80's, producing stunning low fade full length prints of some of the greatest movies ever to grace the silver screen. Come on guys, give Derann an acknowledgement and let's celebrate the wonderful prints they put out.

Rant over. Keep up the good work,

Mark

Retro responds: Fair point, Mark. Most American collectors don't understand the importance Derann once had in the UK market where movie fans could legally buy complete 8mm feature films. In the USA, we had to settle for ludicrous 8mm "digests" which reduced films like The Longest Day to about 15 minutes of cobbled together footage. Amazingly, even in the DVD age there were still loyal 8mm collectors who supported Derann, but alas, not enough of them to sustain the business. You're right about Dave Worrall working there in the 80s through early 1990s before he went freelance. Dave points out that he was Derann's Marketing Manager and designed the company's promotional materials as well as their magazine, Film for the Collector. Dave recalls it was Derann's founder, the late Derek Simmonds who took him under his wing and encouraged him to become a freelance designer and writer. You don't find bosses like that anymore and you don't find companies like Derann, either. May it rest in peace. - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:12:00 -0500

Hi! I just have to dash off these few comments about your review of "Where the Boys Are". I feel you may have misread Yvette Mimieux's character's reaction after as you phrase it she "goes all the way". It is not her guilt re: losing her virginity that causes her to became suicidal, but her being used as a sexual plaything and then tossed aside as if she were worth nothing that brings about her suicidal depression. In this way the film is still relevant in that many men today still look upon woman as nothing more than sex toys to throw away once they have had their way with them. Yes "Where the Boys Are" is still important as a document of its time. Also the cast did spend some time on location as George Hamilton recounts in his autobiography, as he had his friend, Sean Flynn, son of actor Errol Flynn come on over and join him, so they could party in the sun. I believe it is also the first of its type as all the major studios began producing films starring young, up and coming stars frolicking in different locations during school breaks. While I already have a copy of "Where the Boys Are" I am almost tempted to buy this new edition. Thank you for the fine review. --A. L.Rivera

Retro responds: Thanks for your insights...such plot points are open to subjective interpretation but I share your overall assessment as well as your affections for the film. It's a bit darker and deeper than the mindless "beach movie" many write it off as.- Lee Pfeiffer

I very much enjoyed the most recent CR special issue dedicated to Kelly's Heroes. It sounds like James Aubry did not like anyone or anything. There is a Frankenheimer commentary on "The Gypsy Moths" DVD where he mentions the problems he had with lack of marketing, etc.

Keep these special issues coming.

Jim Hollis

Texas

Retro responds: Thanks for your support of our magazine. The issue is selling at an amazing rate. It surprised us how complex the story behind the making of Kelly's Heroes was. James Aubrey, who headed MGM at that time, was widely loathed by many in the industry. His meddling with final cuts alienated many prominent filmmakers during that time. It was Aubrey who insisted on cutting significant scenes from Kelly's Heroes against the protests of director Brian G. Hutton and Clint Eastwood. In fact, Eastwood made good on his vow to never make a movie for MGM again.(The whole story appears in detail in the magazine) Frankenheimer's The Gypsy Moths is another gem even in its truncated state. The fact that it bombed at the time doesn't diminish its many merits. - Lee Pfeiffer

Hello,
I am a big fan of your site but there's one little thing I would like to critizise: Carpenter's "The Thing" is not a remake of "The Thing from another world" but a truer adaption of the classic tale "Who goes there". And strangely enough, as Carpenter is a big fan of Howard Hawks, it's possibly his most anti-Hawksian-film - there are no professionals under pressure here but 12 victims of their own mutual distrust.

I hope I did not come across as too pedantic.

Best wishes,

Tobias Kessler

Germany

Retro responds: Among those of us who spend an unhealthy number of hours debating old movies, nothing is pedantic. I confess to not being overly conversant regarding the original film, so I'll cede your point. However, I would consider being trapped in an ice-bound building plagued by a wretched and murderous being from another world to be an example of being "under pressure". If you don't, Tobias, I would greatly like to know your definition of "pressure." Many thanks for writing from one of my favorite countries on the planet. Auf weidersehen! - Lee Pfeiffer

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE: LETTERS TO CINEMA RETRO

nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:43:00 -0500

Dear Cinema Retro,

Your web site passes the time wonderfully until your next issue comes in. A comment. Could you have more interviews with actual stars, directors, producers, cinematographers, composers etc rather than people whining about films they don't like without being constructive?

Your review of 'Kona Coast' comes at a time when I've just picked up 'Knight without Armor' a smashing biography done of Richard Boone. The author writes it like the format of 'Citizen Kane', the facts, then interviews with various people who knew and worked with Mr Boone. Much better than something like Nick Tosche's bio of Dean Martin where I think that Mr Martin's only comment to him was 'get off my lawn, punk' and there are no quotes from Mr Martin in the book, just what Nick wants to write.

Anyway, 'Kona Coast' was meant to be a pilot for a series for CBS. CBS offered Boone the lead in 'Hawaii Five 0' which he turned down in favour of his KC series but CBS went for Jack Lord and 'H50'.

Interesting factoid in there in an interview with Andrew McLaglen who said John Wayne called him to arrange a meeting with Jim Arness to discuss playing the Sam Houston role in his 'The Alamo' film. Mr Arness agreed for a certain time, then without any word left Mr Wayne waiting. As AML was also directing 'Gunsmoke' as well as 'Have Gun Will Travel' Mr Wayne asked him 'who's that other guy you work with' and that's how Mr Boone played Houston.

Enjoyed the 'Magnificent 7' trailer but I prefer the original. Not even FSM knows who composted the song that appeared in this trailer and I recall being used on radio spots. As the film supposedly was released in Europe after a limited release in the US and one of the gun shots sound effects on the trailer sounds like the Spanish ones, maybe some Italian wrote it like the 'Mighty Sons of Hercules' themes. Any comments?

(Click below to view original trailer for The Magnificent Seven featuring theme song not heard in the film)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnfvPbvWOYA&feature=related

Thanks for a great magazine

James Peter Young

Retro Responds: James, thanks for the very informative letter. Regarding interviews, we feature as many as we can given limits on our time and resources. Not only does every issue of the magazine generally feature at least one major interview, but some of our columnists have provided still others specifically for the web site. Thanks for the insights into Kona Coast - they certainly explain why the movie has the look and feel of a TV show. I share your enthusiasm for Richard Boone and can highly recommend David Rothel's outstanding 2001 book A Knight Without Armor. This is the only biography of Boone I am aware of and it's a superb achievement, featuring episode guides to his shows and insights from his son. In fact, the book includes a really cool bonus CD - Johnny Western's original title theme for Have Gun Will Travel. (Click here to order book from Amazon) As for The Magnificent Seven, I can only assume that the song included in the trailer was not in the final film because it must have been pretty corny even in 1960 and certainly didn't fit the mood of the film and Elmer Bernstein's wonderful score. The same was true with theme songs recorded for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Sink the Bismarck and others. Thanks for supporting both the web site and the magazine.