1st July – THE MEXICO OLYMPICS
On the screen – for one day only – THE MEXICO OLYMPICS – The Olympics in Mexico (Spanish: Olimpiada en México) is a 1969 Mexican documentary film directed by Alberto Isaac. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. This movie indeed catches the spirit of 1968 and what the young Mexican people was experiencing. The Olympics as presented in this movie where a success in terms of people meeting people. The Mexican people took on their own the welcoming of all the athletes and visitors, Mexicans expressed openly as it is for them natural, their unconditional friendship and hospitality. For the first time Mexico won a medal, a bronze medal that no matter how small it was the prize the masses went out to celebrate Mexico! This movie also shows the spirit of the Mexican athletes who participated not to win but to represent their country showing effort, the pain of the events happening then, a government who doesn’t deserve their people, the poor, humble, illiterate but noble people, the greatness of their spirit no matter the economical circumstances.
Watch the complete documentary here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVsQYRZgb10
5th July – BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES
On the screen – for seven days – BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES – is a 1970 American science fiction film from 20th Century Fox, directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, and Linda Harrison, and features Charlton Heston in a supporting role.
In this sequel, another spacecraft crashes on the planet ruled by apes, carrying astronaut Brent who searches for Taylor and discovers an underground city inhabited by mutated humans with psychic powers. Beneath the Planet of the Apes was a success at the box office but met with mixed reviews from critics. It was followed by Escape from the Planet of the Apes.
In support was THE MONEY JUNGLE a 1968 American drama film directed by Francis D. Lyon and written by Charles A. Wallace. The film stars John Ericson, Lola Albright, Leslie Parrish, Nehemiah Persoff, Charles Drake, Kent Smith and Don Rickles.
12th July – THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA
On the screen – for seven days – THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA – is a 1969 film distributed by United Artists. It was produced and directed by Stanley Kramer and co-produced by George Glass from a screenplay by Ben Maddow and William Rose. It was based on the best-selling novel by Robert Crichton. The music score was by Ernest Gold and the cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno. The film stars Anthony Quinn, Anna Magnani, Virna Lisi, Hardy Krüger, and Sergio Franchi. It also features Renato Rascel, Giancarlo Giannini, and Eduardo Ciannelli; with Valentina Cortese making an uncredited appearance. It almost entirely was shot on location in Anticoli Corrado, Italy (near Rome).
The world premiere was held in Los Angeles, USA on October 20, 1969. Television coverage included a special split-screen selection during The Joey Bishop Show. Army Archerd, Regis Philbin and Buddy Hackett interviewed Stanley Kramer, Anthony Quinn, Virna Lisi, and Sergio Franchi from Los Angeles. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing (William A. Lyon and Earle Herdan) and Best Music Score (Ernest Gold). It was nominated for an Eddie award by the American Cinema Editors, USA for best edited feature film. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Comedy; and was nominated by the Golden Globe Awards committee for Best Director (Stanley Kramer), Best Actor Comedy (Anthony Quinn), Best Actress Comedy (Anna Magnani), Best Original Score (Ernest Gold) and Best Original Song (“Stay”, Ernest Gold and Norman Gimbel)
19th July – AIRPORT
On the screen – for seven days – AIRPORT – is a 1970 American air disaster-drama film directed and written by George Seaton and starring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin. Based on Arthur Hailey’s 1968 novel of the same name, it originated the 1970s disaster film genre. It is also the first in the Airport film series. Produced on a $10 million budget, it earned over $100 million.
The film is about an airport manager trying to keep his airport open during a snowstorm, while a suicide bomber plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight. It takes place at fictional Lincoln International Airport near Chicago, Illinois. The film was a commercial success and surpassed Spartacus as Universal Pictures’ biggest moneymaker. The movie won Helen Hayes an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an elderly stowaway and was nominated for nine other Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design for designer Edith Head.
With attention paid to the detail of day-to-day airport and airline operations, the plot concerns the response to a paralyzing snowstorm, environmental concerns over noise pollution, and an attempt to blow up an airliner. The film is characterized by personal stories intertwining while decisions are made minute-by-minute by the airport and airline staffs, operations and maintenance crews, flight crews, and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers.
Although, Ernest Laszlo photographed it in 70 mm Todd-AO, it was never shown in Southampton either at the Odeon or ABC (both equipped for Todd-AO) in this format. It is the last film scored by Alfred Newman and the last film role for Van Heflin and Jessie Royce Landis. It was also Ross Hunter’s last film produced for Universal after a 17-year tenure.
In support was SAFARI SHORES a short travelogue sponsored by BOAC and distributed by Rank.
26th July – THE BOATNIKS
On the screen – for seven days – THE BOATNIKS – is a 1970 American comedy film directed by Norman Tokar and starring Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers, Don Ameche and Phil Silvers. It was made by Walt Disney Productions.
Young and awkward, Coast Guard Ensign Thomas Garland (Morse) suffers from the comparison with his late father, a war hero, which does not prevent him from falling for pretty Kate Fairchild (Powers), a young woman who manages a sailing school. Of course, the way he expresses his deep feelings for the lady leaves much to be desired, and the situation does not improve when a trio of bumbling jewel thieves interferes. Wally Cox had a supporting role playing a man who manages a boat for girls to give parties for the purposes of socialising with men.
There were two supports, IT’S TOUGH TO BE A BIRD, a 1969 educational animated short made by Walt Disney Productions. It was directed and produced by Ward Kimball. The short won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Cartoons in 1970 and was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Animated Film in 1971.This was the last animated short film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios to win an Academy Award, until Paperman in 2013. In the short, a red bird explains how birds have contributed to human culture, even as people often try to kill them. He claims this may be because humans were jealous that birds can fly but people cannot, mentioning the legend of Icarus and featured films of early unsuccessful flying machines.
Also included was a 45 minute drama, HANG YOUR HAT ON THE WIND from Walt Disney about Goyo, a Navajo boy, finds a thoroughbred in the desert. After devotedly caring for the horse he learns of its true owner. Goyo intends to return it but the stallion is stolen by two men and the youth is determined to get the animal back.
