We finally wrap up April 1981 with Michael Caine, Diane Lane, and a trashsploitation classic
It seems insane this month took this long
Yes, it’s true. We are finally wrapping up our coverage of the films of April 1981.
As I said last time, I know I dropped the ball here. I appreciate everyone who patiently waited for me to get the newsletter back on track. I may hate the necessity for this strike, but it is giving me a chance to get this project back up and running at full power.
Today’s newsletter features three titles. We’ve already done two titles released on that final weekend of the month, Beyond the Reef and Bloody Birthday, and now we’re going to pick up with a movie that proved to be one of the more delightful surprises in my overall approach to this entire ‘80s retrospective…
APRIL 24
Cattle Annie and Little Britches
Amanda Plummer, Diane Lane, Scott Glenn, Redmond Gleeson, William Russ, Kenny Call, John Savage, Buck Taylor, Michael Conrad, Burt Lancaster, Chad Hastings, John Quade, Yvette Sweetman, Perry Lang, Tom Delaney, Matthew Taylor, John Sterlini, Rod Steiger, Steven Ford, Mike Moroff, Johnny Hock, Roger Cudney, Jerry Gatlin, Russ Hoverson
cinematography by Larry Pizer
music by Sahn Berti and Tom Slocum
screenplay by David Eyre and Robert Ward
based on the novel by Robert Ward
produced by Rupert Hitzig and Alan King
directed by Lamont Johnson
Rated PG
1 hr 37 mins
Two teenage girls join a legendary gang of outlaws they have read about, only to realize that these real-life figures are nothing like they were on the page.
From the moment the film opens with a not-quite-a-train-robbery, it’s clear that Lamont Johnson is interested in an affectionate interrogation of the conventions of the Western. Not a complete demolition, but a gentle tweaking. Based on a true story, this is a shaggy, character-driven film that features some great performances and a very sly relationship with reality that seems totally appropriate considering the subject matter.
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