“We’re about to make film history, right here… on videotape.”
Time to praise Burt Reynolds, the biggest star of the 70’s – and an Actor is many TERRIFIC FILMS!
Reynolds grew up in Riviera Beach, Florida. His father, Burt Sr., eventually became Chief of Police of Riviera Beach which is adjacent West Palm Beach to the north.
Reynolds worked as a stuntman – as well as small tv and movie roles, before starring in several TV shows in the 60’s, which led to work in movie westerns….
Then, in 1972 he starred in one of the most acclaimed and controversial films ever – and it propelled him to stardom…
Deliverance.
Lewis: Can that chubby boy handle himself?
Ed: Bobby? He’s rather well thought of in his field, Lewis.
Lewis: Insurance? I never been insured in my life. There’s no risk.
Reynolds won the role of outdoor fanatic Lewis Medlock, who is intent on seeing the Cahulawassee River before it’s turned into one huge lake. Lewis takes his friends on a river-rafting trip they’ll never forget into the dangerous American back-country.
“Deliverance” was one of the most iconic films of the 70′s, but it’s a bit overlooked these days. In 1972, this was an extremely controversial film – “squeal like a pig!” anyone? It was also one of the great action dramas of the seventies – Burt Reynolds became a superstar based on this film…
If you haven’t seen this brilliant movie, check out new blu-ray and DVD versions that have documentaries and commentary attached, and they are all worth viewing – and of course, there are the “dueling banjos!”
This was such a controversial film – brutal and violent, and of course “dueling banjos” and “Squeal like a pig!” became permanent fixtures in pop culture forever…
Speaking Of Pop Culture Notoriety!
His breakout performance in Deliverance in 1972 made Reynolds a star. The same year, Reynolds gained even more notoriety when he posed naked in the April issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine – a landmark moment in publishing.
Reynolds claims the centerfold in Cosmopolitan hurt the chances for Deliverance and the film’s stars, including himself, from receiving Academy Awards. Regardless, he was now a superstar, leading to a number of huge box office hit, like this one:
“First Down And Ten Years To Go!”
The Longest Yard
This 1974 classic stars Reynolds as a pro football Quarterback who gets in trouble with the law and ends up in a grimy prison, run by Eddie Albert…
This was a perfect role for him: not only was he the biggest star in the world at the time, but Reynolds had played for Florida State University and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts!
Reynolds plays Paul Crewe, a pro football player-turned-convict – who organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. That’s right: convicts versus GUARDS!
Paul Crewe: You know what my problem has been all my life? I’ve always had my shit together. Always. My problem’s been I couldn’t lift it.
His dilemma is that the warden asks him to throw the game in return for an early release…which leads to this conversation with the Warden, beautifully played by Eddie Albert.
Paul Crewe: You know, there’s only one thing I’m sorry about.
Warden Hazen: What’s that, Mr. Crewe?
Paul Crewe: That you’re not out here with us knockin’ heads.
Warden Hazen: I’m afraid I’m a little old for that.
Paul Crewe: No, you never had the guts to begin with!
“The Longest Yard” is one of the best sports movies ever, and Burt was great.
Half A ‘Stache!
Reynolds had a great sense of humor, as evidenced when he went on The Tonight Show and shaved half his mustache off for a stunned Johnny Carson!
He was also a gifted comic actor, as evidenced by the arrow through his head – and he used that goofy humor to good box office effect in action comedies like this one:
Fuzz.
Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city. The cops in charge of finding this “mad bomber” are Burt Reynolds, Racquel Welch and Tom Skerritt.
According to IMDB, Raquel Welch did not like Burt Reynolds because of unsavory comments he made while they were filming “100 Rifles” together.
So, in “Fuzz” Welch insisted that she not have any direct scenes with Reynolds. The closest they get is during an interrogation scene. Still, the movie was a huge hit, in large part because of Reynolds and his comic ability.
Reynolds made many comedies, such as the action spectacle “Smokey And The Bandit”. During the first half of the 1990s, he was the star of the CBS comedy “Evening Shade”, for which he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1991).
Now, an important word from Jack Horner!
Adult Film Director Jack Horner with some words about how complex and expensive moviemaking can be…
Jack Horner: Before you turn around, you’ve spent maybe 20, 25, 30 thousand dollars on a movie!
Boogie Nights!
This is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made, pure and simple – and one of Reynolds’ best performances.
Paul Thomas Anderson directed this epic look at the rise of a adult film superstar, and his journey through the changing world of porn. Anderson uses the adult film industry to tell a much larger story of the changing world of art and commerce, innocence and corruption.
Inspired by the tragic story of John C. Holmes – aka “Johnny Wadd”, Mark Wahlberg does an amazing job as Eddie Adams, who is “discovered” by an adult movie Director – due to his “unique” talent – and overnight becomes porn superstar Dirk Diggler!
Adult Film Director Jack Horner Knows What Sells!
Jack Horner: I got a feeling that behind those jeans is something wonderful just waiting to get out.
Burt Reynolds was nominated for his role as the X-rated Movie Director who discovers a Superstar…
Burt Reynolds plays Jack Horner, who loves film – and sees his movies as “films”, as he says in this scene when he’s told the future is “videotape.”
Floyd Gondolli: This here’s the future. Videotape tells the truth.
Jack Horner: Wait a minute. You come into my house, my party, to tell me about the future? That the future is tape, videotape, and not film? That it’s amateurs and not professionals? I’m a filmmaker, which is why I will NEVER make a movie on tape.
Of course, Mark Wahlberg was also sensational as “Dirk Diggler”, the “biggest” talent in the business…here is Reynolds watching while Diggler films his first sex scene perfectly…
The entire cast is phenomenal in the film, with Burt Reynolds doing an amazing job in what was called the comeback role of a lifetime…
Burt brings a real honesty and sympathy to his character, as he watches the business turn away from his own artistic ambitions….
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance and took home a Golden Globe Award. He was considered a front-runner for the Supporting Oscar, but ultimately lost to Robin Williams, for Good Will Hunting. I can watch this movie any day of the week…a masterpiece.
Time to watch some Burt!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Awards, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Golden Globes, Movies, Movies About Movies, Obscure Movies, Revenge Movies, Sports, Sports Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
I thought Burt was great in ‘Deliverance’, but they all were, as it was just a standout film. Much of the time, I had a problem getting past his outlandish wigs and toupees though. I have never seen ‘Boogie Nights’ as I didn’t fancy the subject. Based on your rave review, I will look out for it.
Best wishes, Pete.
I understand the subject matter of “Boogie Nights”, but it’s a masterpiece. Pure and simple one of the greatest films ever…of course, that’s just my opinion – but the performances all amazing, and the story is really fascinating! Thanks as always for your comments Pete!