tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post4552957036042624164..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: Everybody Wants His Picture In The PaperMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-14325428888722218152009-04-01T17:15:00.000-07:002009-04-01T17:15:00.000-07:00Marc--That's even more extreme than the longer TV ...Marc--<BR/><BR/>That's even more extreme than the longer TV cut of EARTHQUAKE with all those scenes on the airplane. It sounds fascinating and it seems a little bizarre that it's still shown from time to time. Thanks very much for the extra details on this odd bit of Universal City Studios history.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-68322415550573242462009-04-01T01:30:00.000-07:002009-04-01T01:30:00.000-07:00Yes, when NBC first aired the film, it was dramati...Yes, when NBC first aired the film, it was dramatically different. The network was ultra-paranoid that broadcasting this would lead to copycat terrorist behavior, especially because a decade before NBC and Universal made a TV movie called THE DOOMSDAY FLIGHT that did result in copycat (but empty) airline bomb threats. So Universal shot new footage with different actors (without Peerce's cooperation), which altered the story to suggest the sniper was really supposed to draw out all the police attention, to allow professional thieves to rob an art museum! NBC even proudly promoted "brand-new footage exclusively for television." It still pops up on TV sometimes, most recently on Universal-owned Sleuth channel, though AMC recently aired the original theatrical cut.Marc Edward Heucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-30442893594533614422009-03-29T14:07:00.000-07:002009-03-29T14:07:00.000-07:00Bob--Larry Peerce did direct both OTHER SIDE OF TH...Bob--<BR/><BR/>Larry Peerce did direct both OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND films, which also starred Marilyn Hassett from this film and TWO-MINUTE came right in between them. I've never seen either one. <BR/><BR/>BLACK SUNDAY has some amazing stuff in it and though it might not all come together (like some of the effects near the end) most of it is really an absolutely fantastic thriller.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-22447709820573639512009-03-29T09:52:00.000-07:002009-03-29T09:52:00.000-07:00Didn't Larry Peerce direct the two-hankie weep...Didn't Larry Peerce direct the two-hankie weeper, "The Other Side of the Mountain" (w/Beau Bridges) about the the skier who winds up in a wheelchair after a skiing accident? I remember that one being a big enough hit to warrant a sequel. <BR/>I saw "Two-Minute Warning" way back when & your review has made me nostalgic for another looksee. From what I remember of it, though, I have to agree with what you write here. Still, that's a great/odd cast. <BR/>"Black Sunday" is a helluva top-notch thriller. That whole "plot to blow up the Super Bowl" plot line gives it an impression of being camp or silly (although, now it seems way ahead of its time). Plus based on the novel by the once formidably great Thomas Harris. <BR/><BR/>- BobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-57242788155936081302009-03-28T09:22:00.000-07:002009-03-28T09:22:00.000-07:00Flying Maciste Brothers--Was I really that hard on...Flying Maciste Brothers--<BR/><BR/>Was I really that hard on the film. Oh yeah, I called it lousy. I always liked GOODBYE COLUMBUS which I haven't seen for years, but there's probably no defending WIRED. I always liked how on Robert Evans's audio version of his autobiography, we hear his voice dripping with contempt when he reels off who turned down THE GODFATHER with some of the most emphasis given to Larry Peerce. I think Sidney Furie as well. But I'm very glad you liked the piece and even agreed with some of it!<BR/><BR/>Beveridge--<BR/><BR/>I'd wager that you saw this movie once on TV and only remember a tiny fraction of it. Apparently there was a major recut done for the network version which included shooting a lot of exra footage and essentially reshaping the film. Maybe that explains why you can't be sure. But I can't help you with BREWSTER McCLOUD. Wasn't that set in Houston? I only remember Michael Murphy and the Astrodome. <BR/><BR/>Joe Valdez--<BR/><BR/>Now you've reminded me that I can't seem to find my Bruce Dern autobiography. Really, it's gotta be around here somewhere. TWO-MINUTE feels as slapped together as you indicate. BLACK SUNDEAY, at its very best, is really damn good. Thanks very much, I'm glad you liked the piece!Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-73108420323538135172009-03-27T08:52:00.000-07:002009-03-27T08:52:00.000-07:00Your appraisal of Two Minute Warning as a Black Su...Your appraisal of <EM>Two Minute Warning</EM> as a <EM>Black Sunday</EM> rip-off may have some basis in history, Peter.<BR/><BR/>According to Bruce Dern, Universal wanted to screw Paramount after they lost a lawsuit to produce the remake of <EM>King Kong</EM>. To retaliate, Universal rushed <EM>Two Minute Warning</EM> into production to beat <EM>Black Sunday</EM>. <BR/><BR/>Whereas I've always enjoyed the popcorn aspects of the John Frankenheimer picture, this one seems like it's disappeared from existence. And for good reason. Thanks for this entertaining synopsis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-37409480746498779252009-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:002009-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:00You know, I think I saw Targets and Black Sunday a...You know, I think I saw Targets and Black Sunday as a double bill in the 70s (college film society), and I now have the plots all mixed up (with bits of Brewster McCloud and other strange offerings). <BR/><BR/>So, my question is, did I see this movie too, or just an incredible simulation?Beveridge D. Spenserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12236771609113409521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-30999978256090989882009-03-25T15:48:00.000-07:002009-03-25T15:48:00.000-07:00Mr. Peel! For shame! The Macistes LOVE this movie!...Mr. Peel! For shame! The Macistes LOVE this movie! Nice write-up though -- lots to agree with as well! Everybody has a bug up their ass about poor Larry Peerce! First Cinebeats throws ASH WEDNESDAY out with the trash, now TWO-MINUTE WARNING! What has he become to this world, a sort of 1970's Uwe Boll? His films do have something to them, the same way a W. Lee Wilder film or a Sam Fuller film has something to them. What's fascinating at this point is how few seem to notice it or want to notice it. I said it before, I'll say it again -- to bastardize Lennon/McCartney -- "Give Peerce a chance!"The Flying Maciste Brothershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17342766561263208927noreply@blogger.com