The same year Richard Donner directed Danger Island from The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (last post), he also directed the movie Salt & Pepper, starring Peter Lawford (Pepper) and Sammy Davis Jr. (Salt) – the latter's another favorite here at Franklin Mint Blog. It's about two nightclub owners in London's swingin' Soho district who reluctantly get caught up in some government espionage and must double as secret agents. Their current assignment is to put the kibosh on a half-baked military officer, who plans to hijack a nuclear sub and hold England captive. Salt & Pepper was followed two years later by a sequel, One More Time, directed by Jerry Lewis.
Here's a scene where Charles Salt thinks he may have seen a dead body in his closet...
And here's a scene with Salt performing "I Like the Way You Dance"...
In my last post – My Top 10 Charles Bronson Films – # 4 was Twinky (1969) directed by Richard Donner. Donner has directed many famous films including, Superman (1978), The Omen (1976), The Goonies (1985), Lethal Weapon (1987), and Scrooged (1988). But early on in his career he directed the Danger Island live-action segments from The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968).
The story concerns Professor Irwin Hayden, his daughter Leslie, and his young assistant Link Simmons (Jan-Michael Vincent – a favorite here in the Franklin Mint Blog). The trio are searching for the lost ancient city of Tobanya – as well as for the professor's missing brother – among uncharted islands of the South Pacific when they are attacked by pirates seeking lost treasure. The pirates destroy their boat, marooning our heroes on the island -- but not ending their search. They are soon joined by newfound friends Morgan and Chongo, two merchant seamen who had been marooned themselves years before. Along the way, our heroes must not only fend off the pirates, who are after the rumored treasure of the lost city, but also outwit native island headhunters.
About two months ago my cable provider finally offered us the Boomerang cartoon channel, which airs all the cartoons I grew up watching. Among the shows currently in the schedule is The Banana Splits Adventure Hour with the Danger Island segments. I've been having fun introducing all these cartoons to my 4 year old son. Some of his favorites (as mine) are The Herculoids, Hong Kong Phooey, The New Scooby Doo Movies, Thundar The Barbarian, and The Banana Splits Adventure Hour – but more specifically...Danger Island. Every night before he goes to sleep he makes me fast forward (we DVR the show so we don't have to sit through the boring Three Musketeers and Arabian Knights cartoons...and let's face it...The Banana Splits characters are not as funny as the canned-laughter would have us believe) straight to the Danger Island segment. "Uh oh, Chongo!"
Up until a year ago I had only seen one Charles Bronson film, The Mechanic (which I've written about in length here). To me this is surprising because The Mechanic might very well be in my Top 25 Favorite Films of all time...and a large part of that is the Bronson persona. So about a year ago I rented Death Wish because it's Bronson's most famous role...and that started my Charles Bronson obsession. Since then I've seen many many Charles Bronson films – some aren't available on DVD so I had to hunt them down on VHS.
Charles Bronson was best known for his "tough guy" image and often times criticized for it. Some critics dismissed his movies for the random violence and killings – I've seen Indiana Jones kill more people then in some so-called "violent" Bronson films. While Bronson did star in these types of films that is not all he produced, which you'll see below. Many of Bronson's films also starred his wife, Jill Ireland...and judging by her acting skills it was probably a stipulation in his contract.
Below are my 10 personal favorite Charles Bronson films. I'm not a fan of westerns or war movies – which Bronson made his share of – so they're not represented in this list. You'll also see that I added a "Death by Bronson" tally under the film titles. This is to prove my point from above.
Here we go...
1-The Mechanic (1972) (Death by Bronson = 18) This is the second film Bronson made with director Michael Winner. In it Charles Bronson is a professional hit man who works alone for "The Organization." But when willing acolyte Jan-Michael Vincent proves he has the stuff aspiring killers are made of, Bronson agrees to train him. But Jan-Michael Vincent may have ideas of his own. In the scene below Bronson gets a new assignment...killing his longtime friend and father of Jan-Michael Vincent (this is before Bronson and Vincent team up).
2-Death Wish (1974) (Death by Bronson = 10) This is the fourth time Bronson teamed up with director Michael Winner. Death Wish became a franchise for Bronson/Winner but the sequels were not as good – Death Wish 3 was just ridiculous. In Death Wish, Bronson plays Paul Kersey, a New York Architect whose world is suddenly torn apart by the murder of his wife and the rape of his daughter. After a vacation to Arizona, Kersey returns to New York with a vengeance against crime, and takes to vigilantism. Here he is doing his thing...
3-Violent City (1970) a.k.a. Città Violenta (Death by Bronson = 10 plus 1 tarantula) In Violent City, Bronson plays a hit man who's double-crossed by his girlfriend (Jill Ireland) and barely escapes a murder attempt on his life. He then sets out to take his revenge on the woman and the shooter but finds himself blackmailed by a powerful crime boss (Telly Savalas), who's now with Ireland, who wants Bronson to join his organization. Violent City is one of the films Bronson made in Europe during the late 60's/early 70's before making it big in the States. It's my favorite from that time period...although I was a little confused the first time I saw it which I'll explain. Apparently, the DVD release is a directors cut (which I wasn't aware of) so besides there being some filler shots there are a few scenes that all of a sudden switch to Italian for no reason. I thought this was an odd choice but the reason is because the director added these scenes later so they weren't dubbed to English – even though Bronson is speaking English he was dubbed in Italian so I'm not sure what's going on there? One thing that I found fascinating in the DVD extras was the director talking about the amazing soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. The director explains that for the final scene (the elevator scene) Morricone had scored a beautiful piece of music but the director decided to keep the scene absolutely silent..not even ambient background noise...the only sound being bullets breaking through glass. Sometimes simpler is better. Anyway, here's the double-cross scene...
4-Twinky (1969) a.k.a. Lola (Death by Bronson = 0 but he breaks a young girl's heart) Directed by Richard Donner (of Superman fame) Twinky is a mod comedy of a middle aged writer of pornographic novels (Bronson) who meets and falls in love with a sixteen year old school girl (Susan George). This alone is cause for concern but when the couple get married and move to America, the trouble (and fun) really begins. For some reason they changed the title to Lola for the American release. I've seen both versions and the only difference is that they poorly overdubbed Bronson saying "Lola" everytime he says "Twinky", and they also butchered the theme song to take out the "Twinky" reference. Not sure what they achieved by changing the name? Here's a scene...
5-St. Ives (1976) (Death by Bronson = 1) Novelist Raymond St. Ives (Charles Bronson), an ex-reporter who covered the crime beat, may be in over his head when he agrees to negotiate the return of stolen ledgers for stinking rich Abner Procane (John Houseman). St. Ives will need all his mental acuity and physical prowess to complete the task: If the books fall into the wrong hands, an all-out gang war could follow. Also stars the lovely Jacqueline Bisset (which helped this film secure a spot high on my list). In this scene St. Ives applies pressure on a local snitch...
6-Mr. Majestyk (1974) (Death by Bronson = 5) Vietnam veteran Vince Majestyk just wants to grow his watermelons and live in peace on his farm. But he finds his peaceful existence shattered when racketeers threaten him after he refuses their demand to replace his migrant workers with their people. Majestyk winds up in jail on bogus charges and meets a local mobster and right away the two are at odds. But the favor is in Majestyk's court.
7-The Stone Killer (1973) (Death by Bronson = 10) In the third film Bronson made with director Michael Winner, Bronson plays Lou Torrey, a detective who's transferred to Los Angeles and uncovers a plot by a Sicilian mafioso for a future massacre. The mafioso's plot involves the use of Vietnam veterans to murder all his enemies in a rerun of the "Sicilian Vespers" when the previous generation of Sicilian mafiosi were all killed on a single day. Torrey gets various clues that something big is about to happen but will he discover what is planned before the big day? I chose this scene not for Bronson's acting, nor the action, but just for being whacked out...you'll see...
8-The Valachi Papers (1972) (Death by Bronson = 2) When Joe Valachi (Charles Bronson) has a price put on his head by Don Vito Genovese, he must take desperate steps to protect himself while in prison. An unsuccessful attempt to slit his throat puts him over the edge to break the sacred code of silence. This is a mob movie that doesn't show the glitz and glam of being a mobster...which is probably more accurate than some other films in this genre.
9-Hard Times (1975) (Death by Bronson = 0) In the depression, Chaney (Charles Bronson) rides into New Orleans with two dollars in his pocket. He meets Speed Weed (James Coburn), a fast-talking promoter of bare-knuckle fights. Speed, against his own instincts, gets Chaney a bout with one of the local toughs, and a career is launched. Speed goes on to borrow money from local mobsters to set up fights for Chaney, but then gambles away all winnings. This leads to a final fight that's a life or death matter for Speed.
10-Breakout (1975) (Death by Bronson = 1 but accidental) When American businessman Jay Wagner (Robert Duvall) lands in a Mexican jail after being framed for murder by his shady grandfather (John Huston), Jay's wife (Jill Ireland) hires maverick pilot Nick Colton (Charles Bronson) to break him out – a near-impossible task, as Colton soon discovers. Turns out Grandpa's in cahoots with the CIA and the Mexican government and will do everything in his power to keep Jay behind bars. Here's a scene where they dress Randy Quaid in drag for a conjugal visit with Duvall...to break him out, of course...
Some other Charles Bronson films that are worth a watch are: Cold Sweat (1970), Rider on the Rain (1970), Telefon (1977), Someone Behind the Door (1971), Love and Bullets (1979), and Chato's Land (1971) – I know the last one's a western but it's the first time Bronson worked with Winner so I had to include it.
And here's a compilation of music from various Charles Bronson movies...
01- Citta Violenta -- Ennio Morricone -- Citta Violenta 02- Svolta Definitiva -- Ennio Morricone -- Citta Violenta 03- Disperatamente -- Ennio Morricone -- Citta Violenta 04- Main Titles -- Roy Budd -- The Stone Killer 05- Jazz Source -- Roy Budd -- The Stone Killer 06- M1 (sk 10) -- Roy Budd -- The Stone Killer 07- Death Wish (Main Title) -- Herbie Hancock -- Death Wish 08- Joanna's Theme -- Herbie Hancock -- Death Wish 09- Fill Your Hand -- Herbie Hancock -- Death Wish 10- St. Ives Suite -- Lalo Schifrin -- St. Ives 11- Main Title -- Jerry Fielding -- The Mechanic 12- The Big Chase/The Big Drop -- Jerry Fielding -- The Mechanic 13- The Party -- Jerry Fielding -- The Mechanic 14- Twinky -- Jim Dale -- Meet Jim Dale And This Is Me 15- Mr. Majestick -- The Ray Davies Orchestra -- Flashpoint 16- Main Title -- Jerry Goldsmith -- Breakout 17- Ambushed -- Jerry Goldsmith -- Breakout 18- Breakout (Part 1) -- Jerry Goldsmith -- Breakout 19- Main Title -- Riz Ortolani -- The Valachi Papers 20- Tarantella Party -- Riz Ortolani -- The Valachi Papers
It's "Beatles Covers Week *Extended*!" Because a weeks worth of Beatles covers just isn't enough, I'm extending it one day. This time it's the solo years...
01- Instant Karma -- Bobby Shad and the Bad Men 02- Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey -- Hugo Montenegro 03- My Sweet Lord -- Percy Faith and His Orchestra 04- Let 'em In -- Les Reed 05- Ho Hey Ho (Mrs. Vanderbilt) -- Bourbon Family 06- Silly Love Songs -- James Last 07- What Is Life -- James Last 08- Oh Yoko -- Norman Candler & His Magic Strings 09- You're Sixteen -- Norrie Paramour & The Midland Radio Orchestra 10- Live and Let Die -- Franck Pourcel 11- It Don't Come Easy -- The Hollyridge Strings 12- Imagine -- The Button Down Brass 13- Woman -- Acker Bilk 14- Singalong Junk -- The Assembled Multitude 15- All Things Must Pass -- Billy Preston 16- Maybe I'm Amazed -- The Faces
So far the songs I chose for "Beatles Covers Week!" have been instrumentals, but to end "Beatles Covers Week!" I've chosen songs with vocals! Enjoy and have a Happy 4th!!
01- Hey Jude -- Unknown 02- Back In the U.S.S.R -- John Schroeder 03- The Ballad Of John And Yoko -- California Poppy Pickers 04- Lady Madonna -- The Spots 05- A Day In The Life -- Gabor Szabo & The California Dreamers 06- Ticket To Ride -- Cyril Stapleton 07- Eleanor Rigby -- The Standells 08- The Fool On The Hill -- Anita Kerr 09- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds -- William Shatner 10- Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band -- Bill Cosby 11- I've Got A Feeling -- Billy Preston 12- Something -- Telly Savalas 13- Good Day Sunshine -- Claudine Longet 14- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da -- Jack Wild 15- Day Tripper -- Mae West 16- A Hard Day's Night -- Mrs. Miller
01- Birthday -- Günter Noris 02- When I'm Sixty-Four -- Los Norte Americanos 03- All You Need Is Love -- The Keith Mansfield Orchestra 04- Don't Let Me Down -- Tony Osborne's Three Brass Buttons 05- The Fool On The Hill -- Pete Moore Orchestra 06- Something -- The Harry Roche Constellation 07- Norwegian Wood -- Enoch Light 08- Penny Lane -- Paul Mauriat 09- Golden Slumbers -- The Jazz Crusaders 10- Hey Jude -- Hair and Thangs 11- In My Life -- Marty Gold 12- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds -- The Tony King Sound 13- Get Back -- Paddy Kingsland 14- A Hard Day's Night -- Ena Baga 15- Yesterday -- The Village Stompers 16- Hello Goodbye -- Bud Shank
01- Back in the USSR -- Günter Noris 02- Come Together -- Frank Chacksfield 03- Get Back -- Little Big Horns 04- Eleanor Rigby -- Baja Marimba Band 05- While My Guitar Gently Weeps -- Charlie Byrd 06- I Want You (She's So Heavy) -- Sammy Kaye 07- A Day In The Life/I Am The Walrus -- John Tartaglia 08- The Ballad Of John And Yoko -- James Last 09- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da -- The Original Brasso Band 10- From Me To You -- The Torero Band 11- Lady Madonna -- José Feliciano 12- You Like Me Too Much -- The Waikikis 13- Hey Jude -- Area Code 615 14- Strawberry Fields Forever -- The Ventures 15- I Want To Tell You -- Mike Melvoin 16- Michelle -- Ray Martin
The same year Richard Donner directed Danger Island from The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (last post), he also directed the movie Salt & Pepper, starring Peter Lawford (Pepper) and Sammy Davis Jr. (Salt) – the latter's another favorite here at Franklin Mint Blog. It's about two nightclub owners in London's swingin' Soho district who reluctantly get caught up in some government espionage and must double as secret agents. Their current assignment is to put the kibosh on a half-baked military officer, who plans to hijack a nuclear sub and hold England captive. Salt & Pepper was followed two years later by a sequel, One More Time, directed by Jerry Lewis.
