Quentin Tarantino curates classic movie marathon
I’m a big fan of Quentin Tarantino’s work (from the revered Reservoir Dogs to the criminally underrated Jackie Brown, and beyond). So, this movie marathon tie-in is a very creative and insightful to way celebrate the release of his eagerly-awaited Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Sony Movie Channel (available in the UK and in over 60 territories worldwide) will air Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and Quentin Tarantino Present the “Swinging Sixties, A Movie Marathon”, a series of nine films from the Columbia Pictures library, dating from 1958 to 1970, personally curated by the writer/director, all of which served as a specific influence in the creation of his latest 1969-set film.
Segments featuring specially created conversations between Tarantino and noted film writer and historian Kim Morgan will accompany each film, along with a first look at scenes from Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Tarantino said “Sony Pictures made their Columbia Pictures catalogue available to me so that I could select a series of films representative of the era in which Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is set, The Swinging Sixties. I’m thrilled to host these movies so we can enjoy them together.”
Known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of cinema and incorporating influences from classic films from all over the world, this will no doubt be an illuminating look his own work, development and tastes. And I haven’t seen some of these either, so I look forward to diving in…
The classic Easy Rider features among the curated list
The nine films that comprise this unique series, ‘Swinging Sixties, a Movie Marathon’, are:
Model Shop (1969; director: Jacques Demy)
Monday 5th August, 11:30pm
With the threat of the Vietnam draft looming over his head and the realities of unemployment sinking in, 26-year-old Californian George Matthews (Gary Lockwood) becomes increasingly hopeless about his future. Failing to relate to his live-in girlfriend, Gloria (Alexandra Hay), the young man finds himself drawn to Lola (Anouk Aimée), a model whom he photographs. In a desperate bid to make a meaningful connection, George decides to take a chance on having a romantic tryst with Lola.
Getting Straight (1970; director: Richard Rush)
Tuesday 6th August, 11:30pm
Graduate student Harry Bailey (Elliott Gould) was once one of the most visible undergraduate activists on campus, but now that he's back studying for his master's, he's trying to fly right. Trouble is, the campus is exploding with various student movements, and Harry's girlfriend, Jan (Candice Bergen), is caught up in most of them. As Harry gets closer to finishing his degree, he finds his iconoclastic attitude increasingly aligned with the students rather than the faculty.
Arizona Raiders (1965; director: William Witney)
Wednesday 7th August, 11:30pm
When Quantrell’s gang is almost destroyed two of the captured members agree to join the Arizona Rangers to help finish the job. Starring Audie Murphy, Michael Dante, Ben Cooper, Buster Crabbe and Gloria Talbott.
Gunman’s Walk (1958; director: Phil Karlson)
Thursday 8th August, 11:30pm
Rancher Lee Hackett (Van Heflin) spends so much time trying to keep the violent streak of his son Ed (Tab Hunter) in check, he neglects the needs of his other son Davy (James Darren). When Ed's temper results in the death of an innocent Native American, Lee tries his best to cover his son's tracks by making a deal with unscrupulous horse trader Jensen (Ray Teal), who falsely testifies on Ed's behalf. But it becomes clear that Ed can't change, and a shootout between father and son ensues.
Hammerhead (1968; director: David Miller)
Friday 9th August, 11:30pm
A U.S. secret agent (Vince Edwards) thwarts a criminal mastermind (Peter Vaughan) who seeks antique erotica and NATO defence secrets.
Easy Rider (1969; director: Dennis Hopper)
Saturday 10th August, 11:30pm
Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth. On their journey, they experience bigotry and hatred from the inhabitants of small-town America and also meet with other travellers seeking alternative lifestyles. After a terrifying drug experience in New Orleans, the two travellers wonder if they will ever find a way to live peacefully in America.
Cactus Flower (1969; director: Gene Saks)
Sunday 11th August, 1:35am
Distraught when her middle-aged lover breaks a date with her, 21-year-old Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn) attempts suicide. Impressed by her action, her lover, dentist Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) reconsiders marrying Toni, but he worries about her insistence on honesty. Having fabricated a wife and three children, Julian readily accepts when his devoted nurse, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman), who has secretly loved Julian for years, offers to act as his wife and demand a divorce.
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969; director: Paul Mazursky)
Sunday 11th August, 11:30pm
After returning to Los Angeles from a group therapy session, documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders (Robert Culp) and his wife, Carol (Natalie Wood), find themselves becoming vigilante couples counsellors, offering unsolicited advice to their best friends, Ted (Elliott Gould) and Alice Henderson (Dyan Cannon). Not wanting to be rude, the Hendersons play along, but some latent sexual tension among the four soon comes bubbling to the surface, and long-buried desires don't stay buried for long.
The Wrecking Crew (1968; director: Phil Karlson)
Monday 12th August, 1:45am
Secret agent Matt Helm (Dean Martin) and a blonde (Sharon Tate) track $1 billion in gold in the last of four Matt Helm movies.
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.
Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Al Pacino. It’s also stunt coordinated by Life of Action Vol. II alumni, Zoë Bell (Kill Bill, Death Proof, The Hateful Eight).
Swinging Sixties, A Movie Marathon starts from 5th August 2019 on Sony Movie Channel.
And, of course, I cannot wait for Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. Bring it!