AntennaTV, channel 114 on Cablevision in NYC, ran a film that received a lot of hype before its release only to disappoint many movie-goers and critics. Electra Glide in Blue (1973) is the story of a diminutive Arizona highway motorcycle cop, a Vietnam vet, who dreams of advancing to the homicide squad. I didn't like it back then, and my opinion did not change last night. Despite a great cast, it frequently comes off as labored and silly. If it makes a large statement about America, I've missed it. It does touch on the themes of loneliness and isolation, which the location shooting does bring out. Part of it was filmed in Monument Valley, where John Ford made so many memorable westerns. Robert Blake, at the height of his career, stars, supported by Billy Green Bush, Mitchell Ryan, Elisha Cook Jr., Royal Dano and Jeannine Riley. All have done or did far better work during their careers, especially Ryan and Cook. Robert Boris wrote the screenplay. He is still working, his 14th script currently being shot. Perusing his credits, he has had "only" modest success. What makes Electra Glide notable is the director: James William Guercio, who made his mark in the music business. It is his only completed movie work. He was replaced as the director of Tom Horn (1979). He started in the music business with Dick Clark in 1962. He toured and performed as a guitarist, bassist and arranger with Gene Pitney, Brian Hyland, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Bobby Darin, and Chad and Jeremy. He was an original guitarist with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, and produced, arranged and composed numerous hits for Chad and Jeremy and the Buckinghams. He has won two Grammy Awards as a producer. His legendary Caribou Ranch studio recorded artists including Chicago, Phil Collins, Earth, Wind and Fire, Amy Grant, Billy Joel, Elton John, Carole King, John Lennon, The Beach Boys, Supertramp and U2. Four members of Chicago appear in Electra Glide in Blue. Guercio, a native son of the Second City, has 36 Grammy nominations, winning Album of the Year in 1969 for Blood, Sweat, and Tears along with a Grammy for his work with Chicago. He produced works by the Beach Boys. In 1986 he purchased and became the primary shareholder of Country Music Television, which was sold to Gaylord/Westinghouse in 1991. The 3000+ who have rated his work at IMDb would disagree that Electra Glide in Blue is a failure, forging to a consensus of 7.2 of ten. I think they're way off. I rate it two on a scale of five, and that may be generous. There is no disagreement about Guercio's mark on the music industry. Kudos, sir.
The floating book shop continues to glide along, dodging rain. My thanks to the gentleman who purchased the bio of Sammy Sosa, which is in both in Spanish and English, and to the couple who bought Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, who must have got it for a friend.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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