Heavy Traffic (1973)

Ralph Bakshi initially developed the storyline concerning a tale of gritty, inner city life in the late sixties and approached producers with the idea of it as an animated feature film. With his experience primarily in industrial short subjects and commercials, producers balked. It was only after some success as the director of the X-rated animated feature Fritz the Cat in 1972 that Bakshi was given a green light on this more personal project which would also go on to receive an initial X rating. Samuel Z. Arkoff produced and distributed this for American International Pictures, as he earlier had for Fritz the Cat.

Heavy Traffic centers on Michael, a troubled underground cartoonist, living at home with his Mob connected Italian father and Jewish mother as they verbally argue and physically fight constantly. His outside world is equally chaotic and filled with odd and interesting characters, many prone to violence and profane outbursts. Live action gives way to animated scenes while photographic or filmed backgrounds often have animation overlayed.

the trailer

the feature

The Crazies (1973)

Released in 1973, The Crazies (aka Code Name: Trixie or The Mad People) was directed by George Romero with many of the same crew/production staff from his ground breaking feature Night of the Living Dead and has since been the subject of a Hollywood remake.

The plot plays out as an unknown, untested bio-toxin is released into the drinking water supply of a small Pennsylvania town after a military plane crashes nearby. The toxin causes strong, visceral reactions in those exposed as it creates an unrestricted id with extremely violent urges. The government storms into town, establishes martial law, and begins a round up of the townspeople. Some folks are understandably leery of the occupying force and find themselves caught between the infected "crazies" and the increasingly trigger happy "peacekeepers" sent in to maintain order. Screen time is also given to scenes illustrating the government/military's ongoing attempts to quell and localize the growing problem by any means necessary.

the trailer

the feature

The Vault of Horror (1973) - Repost

Repost with updated movie link.

Amicus Productions followed up on 1972s Tales From the Crypt with director Roy Ward Baker's 1973 horror anthology The Vault of Horror.

Vault follows the anthology structure of Tales, using stories/ideas from the namesake EC Comics as well. Milton Subotsky adapted and wrote the screenplay. Many familiar faces from British/Hammer films appear, such as Anna Massey (Peeping Tom, Frenzy), Denholm Elliott (Alfie, Trading Places) or Tom Baker (The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Dr. Who). While still an engaging horror show, the film's overall mood is somewhat lighter than Tales, with the story concerning an uptight neatnik providing some subtle comic relief.

the trailer

the feature

Fantastic Planet aka La Planète sauvage (1973)

I first got turned on to Fantastic Planet when it aired as part of Night Flight's programming during the 1980s. The film was directed by René Laloux with production design by Roland Topor, written by both and animated at Jiří Trnka Studio. The production itself was handled by French and Czechoslovakian companies and after winning the special jury prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, distribution rights in the United States was picked up by Roger Corman's New World Pictures.

The film's source material was the 1957 French science fiction novel Oms en série (lit. Oms Linked Together) written by Stefan Wul. The film's plot concerns a human like race, known as "Oms" who are existing on the Draags' planet. The Draags are somewhat humanoid is appearance but are much larger and live longer than the diminutive Oms. Some of the Oms are brought into the Draag's homes as domesticated pets but periodically the Oms are hunted and exterminated. A group of Draag children accidentally kill an Om female and take her orphaned offspring home to raise the child. The story continues on filled with curious alien creatures and fauna found throughout the film.

 

the trailer

the feature

The Candy Snatchers (1973)

Released in 1973, The Candy Snatchers is a sleazy movie that follows a crew of three anti-social miscreants who hatch a plan to kidnap a teenage girl on her way home from Catholic school and then make a pile of loot by making her family pay a substantial ransom for her safe return.

The initial scheme goes off well and in short order the girl is grabbed and buried alive in a field, with only a small tube providing her with air. An autistic and mute boy is a witness to the crime but due to his condition cannot communicate this to his parents. Things quickly go south as the kidnappers discover her step father is not the rich dude they assumed he was, in fact he is rooting for her demise since he stands to inherit money in that scenario. The gang fights among themselves as dread and desperation overtake them and eventually lead to a truly nihilistic conclusion.

the trailer

Bell From Hell (1973) La Campana del infierno

Bell From Hell (1973)

aka La Campana del infierno

Directed by Claudio Guerín

This kinky Euro thriller tells the story of a man who has just been released from an asylum. He then heads back home in order to exact revenge on the aunt and her daughters, who were responsible for him being committed.

An odd and tragic note concerning this film is that director
Claudio Guerín died in a fall from the title's bell tower on the final day of shooting.

Bell From Hell by crazedigitalmovies

Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) - MST3K

  As a pre-Christmas treat, here's the  Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew tackling 1973s Godzilla vs. Megalon - from their second season.  

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)

Bringing together iconic film tough guy William Smith with The Price is Right "Barker Beauty" Anitra Ford, 1973s Invasion of the Bee Girls (aka Graveyard Tramps) delivers on an over the top tale. An alien force is turning Earth women into black eyed bee creatures who kill the men they have sex with as part of an enterprise to take over the planet. Well alright then.

Heavy with 70s fashion and styles, you also get a visual time capsule of the Earth toned era. The soundtrack is superb, filled with lots of chukka wakka, interesting fuzzy funk. Sure, a lot of the acting is wooden and the film's pace could be a bit faster at times, but the bevy of attractive women plus the preposterous/puzzling plot turns up the 70s cinematic popcorn/cheese charm factor for me, making this a long time film favorite.

Robert Ebert gave the film a positive review back in 1973.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19730620/REVIEWS/306200301

If you have Comcast, this is currently a free On-Demand movie.


the trailer

the feature

The Exorcist cast reunion on GMA - 1984

When it comes to Halloween horror shows, director William Friedkin's 1973 film The Exorcist still stands out amongst most fright flicks. Caught the reedited version a few years ago and viewing the film in a theater was a hell of a memorable experience. Below is a Halloween treat featuring a 1984 segment with Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller and William Peter Blatty reuniting for an appearance on Good Morning America.





plus 1973 audience reactions




and trailers

My Name Is Nobody (1973) – Mio nome è Nessuno, Il

People seem to be split on their feelings towards this film, either very much a fan or absolutely hating it. For my tastes, I find it to be one of the better "spaghetti" westerns ever filmed. An easy brickbat often hurled at the movie is that Sergio Leone only produced and that one of his assistants handled primary directorial duties. While it is true Mr. Leone served chiefly as producer and perhaps director of a few scenes, the director Tonino Valerii is established on his own merits. He directed several films including A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1972) as well as one of my all time favorite movies Day of Anger (1967) – a standout Euro western.

The basic premise of the film is that Jack Beauregard (Henry Fonda) is a gunslinger of high renowned and skill who feels age catching up with him and wants nothing more than to venture to Europe and retire. The only obstacle facing Jack is young buck of a gunslinger named "Nobody" (Terence Hill) who thinks Jack should cement his reputation with a final last stand/shoot out with the 150 strong "Wild Bunch" of rough riding tough guys. Needless to say, Jack is less than enthused by the proposition.

A number of elements combine to create an incredible movie. Seamlessly meshing a western and comedic score, the Ennio Morricone soundtrack works well at conveying the shifts in tone and scene. The direction is taught and economical, perfectly befitting the action/comedy. Locations are a huge plus in this film. Unlike many other Euro westerns, a great deal of shooting was completed in the United States. Beautiful outdoor locations in New Mexico and Colorado; as well as city locations in New Orleans, Louisiana were all used with colorful results. Filming was also conducted in La Calahorra, Granada, Andalucía, Spain and Italy.