Towsman dbuskirk, have you ever seen the 1973 film Electra Glide in Blue? I caught about an hour of it on tv last night, and it seemed right up your two-lane blacktop.
The opening credits alone are worth the price of admission, playing like a fever dream of a Lou Reed album cover shoot.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, take a look at the credits! It stars Robert Blake, who’s always fascinating, as an Arizona Highway Patrolman. It’s directed by Chicago mastermind James William Guercio, in what would be his only film directing credit. Chicago bandmates Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Lee Loughnane, and Walter Parazaider play roles in the film. A few actors play characters who seem to be real people who also appear as actors in other roles. It’s loaded with well-traveled character actors, maybe most notably Elisha Cook Jr. and Mitchell Ryan. Maybe best yet, Nick Nolte appears uncredited as “Hippie Kid.”
The plot involves highway patrolmen, hippies, Harleys, hermits, Native Americans, and comic books! Best of all, I caught a scene with a smokin’ blooz-jazz-rock band in action, or maybe it was a jazz-rock-blooz band. I wish I could find the clip; it’s probably those Chicago dudes unleashed. Kath and Guercio do close out the film with this stunning contribution.
So I ask you, db (and other film buffs), how does this film compare with classics like Two-Lane Blacktop and Vanishing Point?
I look forward to your insights.
I assume you meant Vanishing Point?
Correct, BigSteve. Thanks.
I believe db is revisiting his Laserdisc edition of this film before providing the additional commentary and insights that only he, I believe, can provide. I’m going to have to keep an eye out for this movie next time it’s on. Has no one else seen it?
One of the great unsung films of the 70’s, a sort of variation on EASY RIDER, where Blake is still suffering under The Man despite being a cop. The directer James William Guercio was Chicago’s (and Moondog’s!) producer, they appear in the film as well. It is the only film Quercio ever directed.
This, along with IN COLD BLOOD have always been the evidence I held up to show Blake as a wasted talent, his craziness and low-ambition killed him (and maybe his wife) but given good material he could really elevate things.
It’s also one of the most beautiful desert films you’ll ever see, Conrad Hall was the cinematographer (COOL HAND LUKE, FAT CITY, AMERICAN BEAUTY etc.)and he was under orders to make the thing look like a John Ford color western.
Guercio also produced Moondog? I think my head is about to explode. Thanks for the background, db. Did Blake do any movies of note once he inhabited the role of Baretta?
Blake played that scary nameless character in David Lynch’s Lost Highway.
I’ve been on a big Moondog kick of late and recently got the Prestige “Moondog” and “More Moondog” as well as the twofer that includes his Columbia releases “Moondog” and “Moondog II”. Didn’t notice Guercio but I’ll have to check. Come to think of it, the monchromatic album titles indicate a strong link to Chicago.
Guercio also produced The Buckinghams. That was his “Get out of Jail free” card that I play to forgive him for Chicago.
Blake and Elliot Gould are in a very un-P.C. cop comedy from ’74 called BUSTING, which has its moments. He’s also the half-breed that Sheriff Robert Redford is chasing down in TELL THEM WILLIE BOY IS HERE, the comeback of Blacklist victim/hero Abraham Polonsky. That film has a crazy sex scene with Katherine Ross that’s unforgettable. He was memorable with Randy Quaid in a TV-movie version of OF MICE & MEN, he played Hoffa in an upscale mini-series and then did little of note until that tres-creepy turn he does in LOST HIGHWAY.
He was a live wire on Tom Snyder’s 90’s CBS show. He was full of scandalous stories about Alfalfa, Lana Turner, Steve McQueen, Bogart, Tracy as well as his own free-flying neurosis; he was mesmerizing. I was saddened that his personal problems stood in the way of getting him one last juicy role.
Your thoughts on Blake beg the question, db: six-pack or shotgun?
I was showing a friend Blake’s appearance on Tom Snyder; I was smiling and laughing along. My friend was in disbelief, “You like him? This guy is really crazy!”
I think he was sensing my six-pack while reaching for his shotgun…