Category Archives: Movies 1970s

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ released in U.S. 40 years ago today (Oct 1 1974)


Video: 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' trailer

(Tuesday, October 1, 1974)The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a slasher film about five friends visiting their grandfather’s house in the country who are hunted and terrorized by a chain-saw wielding killer and his family of grave-robbing cannibals, was released today in the U.S.

Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film starred Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen and Teri McMinn.

‘Chinatown’ released in U.S. 40 years ago today (June 20 1974)


Video: 'Chinatown' trailer

(Thursday, June 20, 1974)Chinatown, a neo-noir film about a Los Angeles private eye who unwittingly sets up an innocent man for murder, then joins his seductive widow to unearth the corruption behind the crime, was released today in the U.S.

Directed by Roman Polanski, the film starred Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston.

‘The Sting’ wins Best Picture at 46th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1974)


Video: '1973 Oscar Winners'

(Tuesday, April 2, 1974, 7:00 p.m. PDT)The Sting, a caper film involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters to con a mob boss, won seven Oscars tonight at the 46th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and George Roy Hill for Best Director (click here to watch 16 videos from the ceremonies). Continue reading ‘The Sting’ wins Best Picture at 46th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1974)

‘Magnum Force’ opens in Holland 40 years ago today (12/20/1973)


Video: 'Magnum Force' trailer

(Thursday, December 20, 1973)Magnum Force, a police thriller film about a maverick San Francisco police detective who hunts down a band of vigilante cops, opened today in the Netherlands (it opened in the U.S. five days later).

Directed by Ted Post, the film was the second to feature Clint Eastwood as maverick cop Harry Callahan. It also starred Hal Holbrook, Mitchell Ryan, David Soul, Felton Perry, Robert Urich and
Tim Matheson.