1969

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Campanile Productions 1969.

Before watching the movie:

I am realizing now how many of the movies with title duos that come to mind as the most legendary are mainly known for their ending scenes. The ambush of Bonnie and Clyde, the Bolivian Army shootout, and another that’s coming that can probably be guessed at. So obviously all I know is how this movie ends.

I have the impression that this movie is held up as an example of machismo and friendship. Butch and Sundance in popular culture sound like tough guys who are devoted to each other in that unspoken and stoic way that Manly Men are allowed to love each other.

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Paint Your Wagon

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Paint Your Wagon. Paramount Pictures 1969.

Before watching the movie:

I didn’t mean to put two westerns back to back, but I couldn’t finish a month of musicals without Paint Your Wagon and I didn’t realize this was a short month.

I know precious little about this movie other than that it has Western movie stars not known for singing bafflingly cast in a musical. And I also know about the Simpsons taking the mickey out of it, but it’s so ridiculous that it has to be completely unrelated to the actual movie, no matter how ridiculous the movie itself is.

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Hello, Dolly!

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Hello, Dolly! Chenault Productions 1969.
Hello, Dolly! Chenault Productions 1969.

Before watching the movie:

I’m sure there are other movies that reach this level of substanceless fame, and probably ones that I’ve reviewed here before, but while I know I’ve reviewed well-known movies nobody actually seems to discuss the content of before, I can’t think of one so big yet so mysterious.

I roughly know its time period, but mainly because Wall-E used some clips. Otherwise, it’s somehow the codifier of what a classic musical film is, to the point that it’s taken as a generic for “musical”. But it’s theoretically in that position because it’s good and because it’s influential. But the mold got overused and eventually musicals started defying it. Later on Broadway reinvented Disney reinvented Broadway, but that’s beyond the scope of a review of Hello, Dolly! Continue reading →

A Boy Named Charlie Brown

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A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Lee Mendelson Film Productions/Bill Melendez Productions 1969.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Lee Mendelson Film Productions/Bill Melendez Productions 1969.

Before watching the movie:

I’m a bit unsure about how Peanuts will work as a movie. I know for a fact that there will be sketches gleaned from strips before the plot gets going, but I don’t know if there’s going to be a “movie” enough story when it does. I don’t even know what the plot is, but I have the impression it involves a season of baseball.

It’s unusual for me that this is a well-known franchise, but I don’t particularly expect great performers or direction. Aside from Charles Schultz, the best-known artist associated with Peanuts is Vince Guaraldi, and I’m not even sure if his trio is doing the music for this.
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