VOL. XV, NO. 13
MAY 17, 1974
Movie Reviews
Screenplays Depict Rich, Rural Lives
Screenplays Depict Rich, Rural Lives
By JEFF SCHWARZ
"Where the Lilies Bloom" The man who created the Waltons has now scripted another moving story about a rural family. Earl Hammer, Jr. wrote the screen play based on the award‑winning novel Lilies. The story concerns four orphans who must stick together after their father dies.
The film is shot in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, which is as rural as possible. Consequently, the scenery is fantastic. The four young actors are handled well by director William Graham.
"Walking Tall" - This is the unusual story of Sheriff Buford Prusser, the legendary Tennessee lawman, who, as a small-town sheriff, confronts big-city vice racketeers. Joe Don Baker plays Prusser and makes a good hero.
The screenplay depicts Prusser's homecoming as a hulking ex‑marine and ex‑wrestler. Prusser is angered by the corruption in his hometown, so he starts a one‑man clean‑up crusade. Even though the film does not contain any big‑name stars (Elizabeth Hartman and Brenda Benet are co‑stars), it is well acted and fascinating.
"Where the Lilies Bloom" The man who created the Waltons has now scripted another moving story about a rural family. Earl Hammer, Jr. wrote the screen play based on the award‑winning novel Lilies. The story concerns four orphans who must stick together after their father dies.
The film is shot in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, which is as rural as possible. Consequently, the scenery is fantastic. The four young actors are handled well by director William Graham.
"Walking Tall" - This is the unusual story of Sheriff Buford Prusser, the legendary Tennessee lawman, who, as a small-town sheriff, confronts big-city vice racketeers. Joe Don Baker plays Prusser and makes a good hero.
The screenplay depicts Prusser's homecoming as a hulking ex‑marine and ex‑wrestler. Prusser is angered by the corruption in his hometown, so he starts a one‑man clean‑up crusade. Even though the film does not contain any big‑name stars (Elizabeth Hartman and Brenda Benet are co‑stars), it is well acted and fascinating.
"The Great Gatsby" - This new version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel of the rich life in New York during the 1930's follows the book extremely well. Many of the symbols of the book, such as Daisy's green dock light, the ophthalmologist's sign with the omniscient-like eyes, and Gatsby's white shirts are brought out as vividly on the screen as in print.
The most surprising thing about the movie is that Robert Redford appears infrequently throughout the first third of the film, and, even though making more appearances in the rest of the film, is not on camera enough.
It is true, however, that the action is seen through the eyes of Gatsby's shy neighbor, Nick Carraway. The pace is slow with some scenes dragging on, but the Robert Redford‑Mia Farrow combination should not be missed.
The most surprising thing about the movie is that Robert Redford appears infrequently throughout the first third of the film, and, even though making more appearances in the rest of the film, is not on camera enough.
It is true, however, that the action is seen through the eyes of Gatsby's shy neighbor, Nick Carraway. The pace is slow with some scenes dragging on, but the Robert Redford‑Mia Farrow combination should not be missed.