The latest slate of online store additions includes yesterday’s Australian arrival, “Quiz Show,” and two of the titles that came in from Germany today: Jacques Tourneur’s “Canyon Passage” and — as it’s billed during the opening credits — “a Siegel film,” Don Siegel’s “Charley Varrick.” Based on John H. Reese’s novel “The Looters,” Siegel’s follow-up to “Dirty Harry” was going to star Donald Southerland until Universal decided that the picture’s Easter weekend release required a more “family friendly” lead (a ridiculous notion considering it’s a neo-noir about a bank heist). Thus, Walter Matthau — best known at the time for comedies like “The Odd Couple” and “Hello, Dolly!” — was enlisted to play against type and star as the titular character. As is often the case, the film was neglected at the time of its release but, first in Europe and then elsewhere, eventually developed an ardent following that it enjoys to this day.
New Additions: 10/20/16
The latest slate of online store additions includes yesterday’s Australian arrival, “Quiz Show,” and two of the titles that came in from Germany today: Jacques Tourneur’s “Canyon Passage” and — as it’s billed during the opening credits — “a Siegel film,” Don Siegel’s “Charley Varrick.” Based on John H. Reese’s novel “The Looters,” Siegel’s follow-up to “Dirty Harry” was going to star Donald Southerland until Universal decided that the picture’s Easter weekend release required a more “family friendly” lead (a ridiculous notion considering it’s a neo-noir about a bank heist). Thus, Walter Matthau — best known at the time for comedies like “The Odd Couple” and “Hello, Dolly!” — was enlisted to play against type and star as the titular character. As is often the case, the film was neglected at the time of its release but, first in Europe and then elsewhere, eventually developed an ardent following that it enjoys to this day.