Hi there and welcome to Ado's Blog. I am obsessed with nostalgia, especially 1960s & 1970s nostalgia and I enjoy nothing more than reflecting on days and times that have sadly long since gone! So join me, as I take a nostalgic gander down Memory Lane and celebrate all things past and occasional present, both good and bad! (All images used that are copyrighted are copyrighted to their respective publishers and are only used here for review purposes.)
Thursday, 23 June 2011
1919 Chicklets Candy Coated Chewing Gum
Cockleshell Bay: Episode Four - The Grand Old Duke of York
Queen - Sheer Heart Attack!
2. Killer Queen
3. Tenement Funster
4. Flick Of The Wrist
5. Lily Of The Valley
6. Now I'm Here
7. In The Lap Of The Gods
8. Stone Cold Crazy
9. Dear Friends
10. Misfire
11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
12. She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
13. In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited
Bonus CD:
1. Now I'm Here - Live At Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975
2. Flick Of The Wrist - BBC Session, October 1974
3. Tenement Funster - BBC Session, October 1974
4. Bring Back That Leroy Brown - A-Cappella Mix 2011
5. In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited - Live At Wembley Stadium, July 1986
The Long Good Friday (1979)
It might not have quite the iconic value of Get Carter (d. Mike Hodges, 1971) or the brash energy of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (d. Guy Ritchie, 1998), but for many The Long Good Friday represents the high-water mark of the British gangster film, its reputation resting not just on a startling central performance from Bob Hoskins, but on its near-prophetic illustration of emerging 1980s values.
For while Hoskins' Harold Shand's gangland empire is recognisably in the mould of the notorious Kray brothers' 1960s reign, his brand of ruthless, thrusting capitalism makes him an archetype, albeit an exaggerated one, for the Thatcher government's enthusiastic sponsorship of individual enterprise (in a bid for legitimacy, Shand calls his domain the Corporation). This parallel is reinforced by Harold's choice of London's then still largely derelict Docklands area for his ambitious business project - anticipating the massive investment that transformed that region during the 1980s.
Harold is a truly monstrous figure: a corrupt political player with senior policemen and politicians on his payroll, a brutal overlord who responds to the unknown threat to his empire - in one of the film's most memorable scenes - by suspending rival gang bosses upside down on meathooks in an abbatoir, and who, faced with the betrayal of right-hand man (and surrogate son) Jeff, enacts revenge with ferocious violence. Yet in his fall, thanks to Hoskins' flawless playing, he becomes almost a tragic 'great man' of Shakespearean proportions. The increasingly wanton destruction enveloping him leaves him panicked and bewildered, and in the tender moments he shares with girlfriend Victoria we see a vulnerable, reduced and strangely pitiable Harold.
As Victoria, Helen Mirren is every inch Hoskins' equal, transforming the passive gangster's moll of genre convention (Mirren demanded extensive rewrites of the character) into a genuine power behind the throne - a tough, shrewd negotiator with equal and absolute commitment to the cause, whose ingenuity and resourcefulness crucially balance Harold's ruthlessness and discipline.
Originally funded by Lew Grade's Black Lion Films, The Long Good Friday fell into the lap of Handmade Films when Grade, who had taken exception to the IRA plotline, ordered his own re-cut for television, which added up to what producer Barry Hanson called "about 75 minutes of film that was literal nonsense". Handmade's outlay was some £200,000 less than the film's production cost, an investment that was handsomely repaid.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Episode Four: Never Trust A Ghost!
While out on a late-night stroll Marty Hopkirk witnesses the murder of a Mr. Howarth by the hitman, Rawlings as Howarth enters his home.
He travels back to Jeff's apartment to wait for him, whereupon Jeff turns up in the early hours of the morning with a beautiful girl in tow. Marty demands Jeff send his date home and call the police, which he eventually begrudgingly does, travelling with Inspector Clayton to the house where the murder took place. However, when they arrive they find his wife and it appears that Mr. Howarth is back alive and well.
Jeff leaves after Howarth threatens to sue him, only to arrive back the next morning to apologise to Mrs. Howarth, again at Marty's insistence. Marty sees Rawlings in the study and calls Jeff in, by which time Rawlings has disappeared into the secret room branching off it. Engrossed with the case, Marty spends time in the Howarths' house, whereby he learns that both Mr and Mrs Howarth have been murdered and replaced by impostors. Insisting Jeff returns after he locates the bodies in the basement, Jeff returns to the house again, only to find the bodies are no longer there.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Sons and Daughters - Episode Eight
Fiona tells John that Bill won't be able to help, and that John is going to the worst possible place to get an answer. She reminds him that he has no money, and says he's throwing away his life (not to mention the job she's set up for him). Fiona says she's going to bed, and tells John that if he's not there in the morning, he can go to hell for all she cares.
A while later, John is hitching a lift at the roadside. A car eventually stops, and an attractive woman driver lets John get in. She tells him she's driving to Melbourne from Surfer's Paradise, then adds that she's going to Russell Street, where she's a police cadet!
Patricia tells Angela that she's an inverted snob and likes "Scott" because he has no money. Angela says that "Scott" makes her feel happier than anyone else, and adds that she wants to invite him over to Dural again. She calls the boarding house and Fiona answers. She tells Angela that "Scott" has gone back to Brisbane because of a family problem. Angela asks if he's coming back, to which Fiona replies that she would say if she knew.
Lynn and Kevin lie on Kevin's bed. Kevin tells his girlfriend that he's glad he's best man, and she's bridesmaid, so they can spend the wedding day together.
At Bill's house, Bill tells Susan that he's had a heavy day at work, and wants to unwind. Susan offers to pay for a trip to the movies, and Bill suggests they go at once as he wants to avoid his mother. He says he's looking forward to moving out after the marriage.
Angela turns up at the boarding house. Jill answers the door, and, not knowing that Fiona told Angela that "Scott" had gone to Brisbane, tells Ms. Hamilton that "Scott" is probably out with Fiona.
John has reached Melbourne and catches up with Bill. He explains that he needs help to clear himself by finding out who really killed Sam Selmar. John wants Bill to go around asking questions such as whether Selmar had any enemies, or whether Mrs. Selmar could have murdered her own husband. Bill tells John that Mrs. Selmar has re-hired him and that she couldn't kill anyone. Bill advises John to give himself into the police, as they won't convict him if he's innocent. John accepts that Bill won't help him. Bill gives his friend some money, tells him to find somewhere to stay, and says he'll call him in the morning.
Jill tells Fiona that Angela visited. Fiona tells her boarder that "Scott" has gone away for a while. Jill says Angela might be alright if she didn't act as if there was a permanent bad smell all the time.
At the Hamiltons', Patricia answers the 'phone to Simon. He wants to speak to Angela, and he invites her out that night. She agrees to go. Patricia tells her daughter to cheer up as it's no use moping for "Scott".
The next morning, Susan and Beryl discuss the wedding - there's still so much to arrange. Susan offers to drive her mother to the market to get the shopping.
John rings Bill from a callbox. Bill says he will help John, and John says he's staying at the Rembrandt Hotel, in room 23. Bill tells John to stay in his room to keep out of danger.
Angela tells her mother she had an OK-ish time last night. Patricia says she realises Angela thinks she takes too much interest in her daughter's social life, then adds that she's happy Angela is seeing Simon. Patricia tells Angela it was so unusual for her to be interested in someone like "Scott"
Angela goes back to the boarding house, wanting to see "Scott". Jill comes to the door and, when she sees who's there, she calls Fiona. Angela introduces herself and Fiona looks startled. Angela wants to know who out of Fiona and Jill was lying the previous day. Fiona says she won't tell Angela where "Scott" is, and adds that it would be better if Angela didn't see "Scott" any more. When Jill leaves the room, Fiona tells Angela that Jill is pregnant to "Scott"! Fiona says "Scott" wanted one last fling to blot out his responsibilities. Angela asks if "Scott" is going to marry Jill, to which Fiona replies that "Scott" is very fond of Jill but isn't sure if he loves her. Fiona says she's sorry Angela had to find out. Angela tells Fiona that she knows she isn't really sorry, and won't be bothering her again.
In Melbourne, John watches Beryl from a distance. When she leaves the market to head home, John runs towards her, and they have an emotional reunion. John tells his mother he's going to sort things out by himself and says he'll explain everything when it's all over. Beryl tells John to stay in touch; she is overwhelmed to see him.
At Bill's flat, Bill makes a telephone call: he calls the police, and tells them John's hotel address. Bill won't reveal his name, but says he's not a crank and that he's telling the truth.
Music Star (1973) Part Two
The Beatles - Baby It's you
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Episode Three: All Work & No Play
Making a Monkey out of Clint!
Philo Beddoe is a truck driver for a pipe supply company and a part-time auto mechanic living in California's San Fernando Valley. He lives in a small house behind that of his best friend Orville Boggs and his mother, Ma. Philo also has a pet Orangutan named Clyde. Philo makes money on the side by hustling as a bare-knuckle fighter; he is often compared to another fighter named Tank Murdock (Barnes), of legendary status.
One night Philo becomes smitten with Lynn Halsey-Taylor, an aspiring Country Music singer he meets at the Palomino Club, a local honky-tonk. His relationship with her seems to be going well until one day she and her camping trailer disappear from the ramshackle trailer park. Believing that he is falling for her, Philo decides to set off for Lynn's home in Denver, Colorado.
Throughout all of this is a subplot involving a motorcycle gang called "The Black Widows", who incur Philo's wrath after two gang members insult him and Clyde at a traffic light one day. Philo chases them down and takes their bikes (which he repaints, repairs, and resells), and every attempt they have made to get even has resulted in even more disaster, including a showdown with the shotgun-wielding Ma. Philo also unknowingly has incurred the wrath of a LAPD officer named Putnam, whom he roughed up at the Palomino after learning that Lynn has left town. The cop, his partner Herb, and the Widows learn of Philo's trip to Colorado and head off to find him.
Orville and Clyde accompany Philo to Denver, and on the way, they meet the feisty Echo working at a produce market. She becomes Orville's girlfriend. The trio earn their money for the trip by booking Philo fights with other area bare-knucklers. One fight in a slaughterhouse in nearby Santa Fe almost goes awry when a man holding the money for the fight tries to stiff Philo, clearly outnumbered. Two gunshots fired by Echo's .38 pistol, causes the man to quickly hand over the money and they leave without further incident.
Later, it is revealed that Lynn uses men for sex and money in the towns where she plays her gigs. Knowing that Philo has come to look for her, she assists Black Widow gang leader Cholla into luring Philo into a trap. Philo takes the bait and unwittingly engages in a showdown with the Widows. Philo manages to fight most of them until Orville, watching the fight, intervenes. He gets into a parked garbage truck with a dumpster hoist, and dumps every Widow bike into the back of the truck to be crushed. The rest of the Widows chase the garbage truck in a futile attempt to catch it, but it is of no use. Philo, Echo, and Orville reunite and continue their trip.
Philo finally finds Lynn and she reveals her true cold-hearted nature to him. Hurt at her callousness and after she calls him dumb, Philo says that he has been the only one dumb enough wanting to take her further than her bed. Feeling cheap, Lynn erupts in a fit of rage, where she strikes him repeatedly until she collapses in tears of anguish.