The Birds (1963)

Another blog post from Two Dollar Cinema here

Susanne Pleshette

Tippi Hedren stars as a carefree socialite enjoying a brief flirtation with lawyer Mitch (Rod Taylor). During a birthday party for Mitch's younger sister, a flock of birds attacks the children in what seems to be a random incident. In fact, it signals the beginning of a massive assault on the residents of the town by ordinary birds. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Co-starring Jessica Tandy and Suzanne Pleshette as the local schoolteacher. (Part of the 2004 Outdoor Film Fest in Chicago's Grant Park)

Mister Buddwing (1966) starring James Garner

The movie begins with James Garner's character waking up on a park bench in New York with a serious case of amnesia. He has no identification other than a strange phone number and a ring with initials.

I loved the movie's mystery that slowly unfolds over the course of the film; the Garner character slowly remembers his past which is revealed via flashback sequences. The movie was shot on location in New York and I loved seeing all the scenes on the street. 

The film has a good supporting cast:  Jean Simmons, Suzanne Pleshette, Angela Lasbury, Katherine Ross, Jack Gilford, Nichelle Nichols.

They all play interesting characters that Garner meets along the way who may or may not be truly related to his character.

One of my favorite scenes occurs when a man in a park may or may not have discovered that Garner's character is a escaped mental patient. A cop comes up to Garner and questions him intensely, only to be sidetracked by a bunch of young college kids who stage a faux protest. 

It is directed by Delbert Mann (Marty), and features a cameo by Joe Mantell who played Marty's best friend Angelo. 

Interesting bit of trivia: It was nominated for Best Costume (B/W) and Best Art Direction (BW) for the year of 1966. It lost to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?   

If you are a longtime reader of my blog, you will remember that I think Virginia Woolf's Oscar win for Costume is one of the most bizarre wins in the history of the Oscars.

Believe it or not, the Oscar nominations for Mister Buddwing are almost as bewildering. For example, James Garner wears the same suit and tie throughout the entire film, which takes place over the course of a couple days. I don't ever remember seeing the suit spotted in any way. As far as art direction, much of the film showed Garner on the streets of New York: in a park, on a bridge, on the streets, in a taxicab. Oscar-worthy technical achievement?  Sigh! No wonder 1966 was the last year Black-And-White Oscars were presented.

Nonetheless, the movie is enjoyable with bouts of humor, but it is not a comedy. Overall the tone is somewhat somber.  I recommend the movie if you are fan of James Garner or anyone in the cast, or want to see New York City in the mid-1960s.

Additional Reviews:  Filmsnoir.net | Original New York Times review

The Magnificent 60s