** I know enough about Bob Brooks to not wanna tangle with him, especially his
razor wit, which comes out when he's not even trying. I will say though, that
while more films are being made than ever before -- the truth is -- more films
were RELEASED by "major studios and distributors" from the 1920s to 1946 than
they are today. They had a monopoly and even owned the theaters to show their
OWN films. Movie attendance since 1946 has never been eclipsed, thanks to TV.
Foreign films -- more prevalent today -- were "near" unavailable to U.S.
audiences outside NY and LA before 1960. Most small towns never saw ANY films
with subtitles.
** Meanwhile, switching gears back to "Jaws" and it's so-called "cheap rubber
shark" -- good and classy response by Rich in the U.K.; I'm glad you clarified
your earlier remarks. That 1975 picture introduced the "blockbuster" mentality
to Hollywood, opening in more theaters on opening day than typical for most
studios at the time. The "disaster" genre wave preceded it and some say "Jaws"
just blew down the doors faster.
** "Jaws" was a big-budgeted film for the 1970s -- with everything riding on
the skills of a 26-year old "novice" -- who hadn't yet demonstrated a track
record of success in the U.S. "Jaws" began production before the 1974 release
of his theatrical debut, "The Sugarland Express." Most famously, Spielberg
ditched the domestic melodrama of the ultra-popular Peter Benchley novel and
turned his film into a high-seas adventure, with a triangle character structure
involving Shaw, Dreyfuss and Scheider.
** Most memorable were comments by actor Richard Dreyfuss, who dissed the film
(and Spielberg) throughout its production. Following historic sneak previews
in Dallas and Long Beach, and an exhibitor's preview in New York, Dreyfuss was
mobbed. (Like many people, he had underestimated Spielberg's skills as an
editor and storyteller -- and had no idea what the assembled film would look
like with John Williams' legendary score). Dreyfuss went bonkers, telling
everyone he was dead wrong, that he was embarrassed by his remarks, that
Spielberg was a genius, that the picture would be big for everyone. For many
people, "Jaws" remains Spielberg's "best" film -- and for collectors, probably
his best film poster, next to the bicycle and moon image in "E.T."
** After "Jaws," Spielberg would always have final cut. He made enemies
quickly. Many critics (except the late Pauline Kael) disdained Spielberg's
reputation as a "populist" director (akin to how they treated Hitchcock,
another "commercial" director whose legend grew anyway, esp. after his death in
1980). After the disaster of "1941," Spielberg's rep for "sentimental"
big-budget entertainment was sealed when he returned with the first "Raiders"
picture in '81. I know my appreciation for Spielberg's craftsmanship is a
minority view at MoPo. He's not highly regarded nor beloved as Scorcese or
Ridley Scott or Eastwood among living directors -- yet it's not difficult for
anyone to predict that Spielberg will indeed be considered legendary -- for
good and for ill -- by future generations (just not mine)....
-kuz.> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:32:24 +0100> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject:
Re: Can a major director shoot an "epic" on a low budget?> To:
MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU> > Stand corrected, must read up on my history.>
Point I meant to make, but failed badly with this example, I'd rather > have a
tale well told, with tension due to what you don't see, but are > scared you
will, rather than a film choc full of the most mind blowing > effects.> (Which
I don't equate with a rarely seen, obviously rubber, albeit > expensive,
shark.)> Regardless of the setting, I'll do without the water, just settle for
> a shower.> > Cheers,> Rich
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