American Graffiti (1973)

Curt and Steve are scheduled to leave for college tomorrow, but tonight is all about cruising and hanging out one last time. We follow four storylines:

1. Steve and girlfriend Laurie, the very much in-love "it" couple, as they contemplate breaking up to avoid the whole long-distance thing
2. Curt, the promising young man who isn't sure he's ready to leave, despite the fact that he's got a scholarship
3. Terry, the awkward friend who's entrusted with Steve's car, making it actually possible he could score tonight
4. John, the cool guy with the fastest car in town, tricked into driving around all night with someone's kid sister

Mostly, this is all feel-good vibes tied together by a great soundtrack and Wolfman Jack's distinctive voice that can be heard from everyone's car radio.

B

Night Watch (1973)

Ellen lives a comfortable life in an enviable home with her successful husband. On a rainy night, she claims to have seen a bloody corpse through the window of the boarded-up house next door. The cops, her husband, and the friend who's visiting all take it seriously, but no evidence of a body is found. Her continued insistence as well as her new reports of suspicious goings-on make her a bit of a joke to the police and begin to worry her husband and friend.

This is a surprisingly effective mystery with an ending I didn't see coming. Somehow, though, it feels a bit cheap, like an old network movie-of-the-week.

C+

Don't Look Now (1973)

A couple lose a daughter to drowning. When they're later in Venice, a blind psychic claims to see their little girl laughing and happy between them. And then it gets even weirder.

There's a serial killer on the loose, alleyways that disappear, sex just this side of porn (Julie Christie is luminous while Sutherland comes off as lecherous), what seems to be a split timeline, and such dizzying camerawork that I could barely keep my lunch down. 

This is about as 70s as it gets but it landed on the side of "cheesy" rather than "groovy."

C-

The Long Goodbye (1973)

So, I finally found the apparent inspiration for last year’s rambly, boring, thought-it-was-clever-but-really-wasn’t Inherent Vice. Not that I was looking for it.

This is squarely in the "no bueno" category.

D

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973)

The book has won awards for a reason: it’s pure magic and adventure. Who didn’t want to run away and live in a museum after reading this? Just the thought of it gave me shivers of excitement.

But this is not good. Although the child actors are a big part of the problem, there wasn't really anything that allowed me to look past their terrible performances as it all felt like it was put together by amateurs. The only bright spot was Ingrid Bergman, and she didn't show up up until the last act. She pulled the film up an entire letter grade all by herself.

D+

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

The owner of a haunted house employs a small group of people to spend five days living in it to see what they can prove about the afterlife.  There's a psychic, a physicist (and his wife), and a survivor of the last group that attempted to stay in the same house.

Nice creepy vibe with some genuinely scary moments. Alas, the expositional and almost silly end reveal nearly undoes the whole thing.

B-

Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973)

One of those "bored, depressed woman and her boring life shown in all its boring detail so that the audience, too, can be bored and possibly depressed by the time the credits roll" movies. Ech.

Still, it has Joanne Woodward and that always elevates the material somewhat.

D+

Charley Varrick (1973)

Hard to categorize this one - it could've been a thriller, but it's so matter-of-fact. Matthau just quietly, emotionlessly, does what he needs to do to save himself. It's good, but the lack of emotion does hurt it, in my opinion.

B

Cinderella Liberty (1973)

Surprisingly affecting movie involving a sailor stuck in port until his papers are found. While on short liberty, he sleeps with a tramp and because of his inherent decency, can't help but become entangled in her messy life (complete with mixed-race delinquent son and baby on the way). Successful on many levels.

B+

A Touch of Class (1973)

The first hour or so was trite and self-congratulatory in its "aren't we grown-up about our adultery arrangement" story line which then devolved into a wannabe comedy resulting from their stupid web of deception. Surprisingly, the finish was strong and, although I never liked either of the principals (or any of the supporters, for that matter), the last scene was almost touching in its loneliness. Glenda Jackson was a solid Oscar choice for her acting – too bad the movie itself is kinda slimy.

C

Paper Moon (1973)

It's unbelievable that Tatum O'Neal's film career didn't amount to much. In 1973, I would have been willing to bet she'd shine brighter than Jodie Foster could ever hope to. But, alas, she grew...she made "Little Darlings"....she married McEnroe.

Paper Moon is a winner. Ryan and Tatum work this charmer so well and interact with a naturalness that can only be due to their real-life bond. And, as if that weren't enough, Madeline Kahn is tossed in for fun. Nearly flawless entertainment.

A-