Category Archives: Movies 1970s

‘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)

‘The Sting’ premieres in New York, Los Angeles 40 years ago today (12/25/1973)


Video: 'The Sting' trailer

(Tuesday, December 25, 1973, Christmas Day)The Sting, a caper film involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters to con a mob boss, premiered today in both New York and Los Angeles.

Directed by George Roy Hill, the film starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw.

‘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.

‘Papillon’ released in U.S. theaters 40 years ago today (12/16/1973)


Video: 'Papillon' trailer

(Sunday, December 16, 1973)Papillon, a prison film about two Devil’s Island prisoners who devote all of their time to hatching escape plans, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the film starred Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.

‘Serpico’ released in U.S. theaters 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Serpico' trailer

(Wednesday, December 5, 1973)Serpico, a crime film about an honest New York cop who blew the whistle on rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film starred Al Pacino.

‘The Way We Were’ premieres in Los Angeles 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'The Way We Were' trailer

(Tuesday, October 16, 1973)The Way We Were, a romantic drama film about two desperate people who have a wonderful romance but their political views and convictions drive them apart, premiered today in Los Angeles.

Directed by Sydney Pollack, the film starred Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.

‘The Paper Chase’ released in U.S. theaters 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'The Paper Chase' trailer

(Tuesday, October 16, 1973)The Paper Chase, a film about a first-year law student at Harvard Law School and his experiences with Professor Charles Kingsfield, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by James Bridges, the film starred Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner and John Houseman.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ opens in New York 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' trailer

(Wednesday, August 8, 1973)Jesus Christ Superstar, a film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera of the same name, about the last few weeks of Christ’s life, opened today in New York City.

Directed by Norman Jewison, the film starred Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman.

Actor Marlon Brando appears on ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Marlon Brando Interview 1973'

(Tuesday, June 12, 1973, 11:30 p.m. EST) — Actor Marlon Brando, who just months earlier had rejected his Academy Award for The Godfather to protest the plight of American Indians, appeared on tonight’s The Dick Cavett Show on ABC-TV with representatives of the Cheyenne, Paiute, and Lummi tribes to promote his views. Continue reading Actor Marlon Brando appears on ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)

‘High Plains Drifter’ opens in New York City 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'High Plains Drifter' (trailer)

(Thursday, April 19, 1973)High Plains Drifter, a Western film about a mysterious gunfighter hired by the residents of a corrupt frontier mining town to defend them against a group of criminals, opened today in New York City.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film stars Eastwood, Verna Bloom and Marianna Hill.