ALL MOVIES IN 1971

A Clockwork Orange – On the heels of the success of 2001 A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick uses Science Fiction again, but rather than metaphysical origins its this time as social comment on violence, gangs and mental health. Criticism of what was called ultra-violence at the time fell short as violence that was the point of the Anthony Burgess novel from 1962. Malcolm McDowell stars as Alex the Droogie leader. A lot of Beethoven and moog synthesizer on the soundtrack and of course that unforgettable rendition of Singing in the Rain. 

The Last Picture Show – Though it made stars of Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepard, it was old timer Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachmen who won Oscars. A Peter Bogdanovich coming of age film in a dying small Texas town in 1952. Filmed in Black and White from the 1966 novel by Larry McMurty.

Sometimes A Great Notion – A Ken Kesey novel brought to the big screen of an Oregon family of loggers who buck the union, and suffer being scabs. Directed and starring Paul Newman with Henry Fonda, Lee Remick and featuring Richard Jaeckel who was nominated for an Oscar for the famous drowning scene. The movie was also known as Never Give A Inch. 

New Movies 1971

Klute – Produced and Directed by Alan Pakula this crime thriller stars Donald Sutherland as a police officer investigating a string of murders of prostitutes in New York City. Inspector Klute meets call girl Bree Daniels played by Jane Fonda who won the Oscar for her performance. More Klute

Dirty Harry – Produced and Directed by Don Siegel Policeman “Dirty” Harry Callahan played by Clint Eastwood enjoys shooting the bad guys with his big .44 magnum. It is a big success and spins off 4 sequels. Also starring Harry Guardino and Andrew Robinson as the Scorpio Serial Killer. It is the first film in the Dirty Harry series.

They Call Me Trinity – Written and Produced by Enzo Barboni this spaghetti western was made for the laughs rather than the cool killer made famous by Clint Eastwood. It stars the blue eyed Terence Hill and the fat and sloppy Bud Spencer. The voice dubbing was terrible which made the movie even funnier. It was a very big worldwide hit and was soon followed by Trinity is Still my Name. The two teamed up for another dozen movies. 

Straw Dogs
Carnal Knowledge

Duel
Harold and Maude

Kotch
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Nicholas and Alexandra
Play Misty For Me
Plaza Suite
Willard

The Andromeda Strain
The Barefoot Executive
Big Jake
Carry On at Your Convenience
Carry On Henry
Countess Dracula
The Hired Hand
The Hospital
I, Monster
Summer of ’42
Support Your Local Gunfighter
Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song
Two-Lane Blacktop
Vanishing Point
Werewolves on Wheels
Who Killed Mary What’s ‘Er Name?

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

B Movies 1971

The Omega Man – Charlton Heston is the last man on Earth after a biological war between Communist China and Communist Soviet Union. Anthony Zerbe plays the evil mutant. In good NRA form, Heston shoots lots of ugly mutants! Following his starring role in Planet of the Apes and subsequent Soylent Green, this movie locks the once top draw Moses and Ben Hur as the Vincent Price of Science Fiction. 

THX 1138 – An unsuccessful Sci Fi movie starring Robert Duvall and Donald Pleasence. It is notable for it being the first foray of its producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) and its director George Lucas (Star Wars).
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Gamera vs. Zigra
Godzilla vs. Hedorah