The Last Picture Show Movie Review 1971

Slice of life/nostalgic farewell to an innocent age, based on Larry McMurtry's novel. Set in Archer City, a backwater Texas town, most of the story plays out at the local hangout run by ex-cowboy Sam the Lion (Johnson). Duane (Bridges) is hooked up with spoiled pretty girl Jacy (Shepherd), while Sonny (Bottoms), a sensitive guy, is having an affair with the coach's neglected wife, Ruth (Leachman). Loss of innocence, disillusionment and confusion are played out against the backdrop of a town about to close its cinema. Shepherd's and Bottoms' film debut. Stunningly photographed in black and white (Bogdanovich claimed he didn't want to "prettify" the picture by shooting in color) by Robert Surtees. Followed by a weak sequel, "Texasville."

Distribution

Baker & Taylor Inc., 2709 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: (704)357-3500, Toll-free: 800-775-1800, Email: btinfo@btol.com, URL: http://www.btol.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 118 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Korean War, Books to Film: Larry McMurtry, Period Piece: 1950s, At the Movies, Texas, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Peter Bogdanovich, Larry McMurtry

Cast

Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Cybill Shepherd, Ellen Burstyn, Eileen Brennan, Clu Gulager, Sharon Taggart, Randy Quaid, Sam Bottoms, Bill (Billy) Thurman, John Hillerman

Cinematography

Robert L. Surtees

Director

Peter Bogdanovich

Producer

Stephen J. Friedman, Columbia Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1971: Support. Actor (Johnson), Support. Actress (Leachman); British Acad. 1972: Screenplay, Support. Actor (Johnson), Support. Actress (Leachman); Golden Globes 1972: Support. Actor (Johnson); Natl. Bd. of Review 1971: Support. Actor (Johnson), Support. Actress (Leachman), Natl. Film Reg. 1998;; N.Y. Film Critics 1971: Screenplay, Support. Actor (Johnson), Support. Actress (Burstyn); Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1971: Support. Actress (Burstyn).