November 14 - The Last Picture Show

This movie has a scene that happens today – November 14. I hope you enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

Sonny Crawford and Duane Jackson, co-captains of the local high school football team, live in the dying small town of Anarene, Texas. Duane is dating Jacy Farrow, who’s rich and beautiful. Sonny was dating Charlene Duggs, but they break up on their first anniversary. On November 14, 1951 [14:56 to 23:20] the high school English class discusses Keats. Jacy’s mother is having an affair with Abilene, who works for her husband. At the town’s Christmas dance, Lester Marlow invites Jacy to a nude swim party at the home of Bobby Sheen. Duane is upset about Jacy going off with Lester. The boys set up Billy, a mentally challenged youth with a prostitute, which for a time earns them the enmity of Sam the Lion, who owns the pool hall, café and movie theater. Sonny and Ruth Popper, wife of the gay high school sports coach, start an affair. While Sonny and Duane are in Mexico on a road trip Sam the Lion dies. He left the pool hall to Sonny. After one unsuccessful attempt Duane and Jacy have sex, but she only wanted to do so because Bobby Sheen was only interested in her if she was not a virgin. Jacy dumps Duane and he leaves town. Jacy seduces Abilene. Joe Bob, a preacher’s son tries to molest a little girl, but is stopped. Jacy next seduces Sonny, who stands up Ruth to be with her. Duane returns and beats up Sonny, since he still considers Jacy his girl. Sonny and Jacy try to elope, but are stopped and taken back to Anarene. Duane enlists in the army. They see the last picture show at the movie theater, which is closing. Billy is run over and killed the next morning and Sonny returns to Ruth for comfort.

An interesting film. This town is the Peyton Place of the southwest. None of these characters really has any moral compass. The just do what feels good regardless of the consequences or harm to others or themselves.  

Date given on school blackboard at 15:47

Producer - Stephen J. Friedman

Director - Peter Bogdanovich

Awards – The movie won the Best Supporting Actor (Johnson) and Best Supporting Actress(Leachman) Oscars. It was also nominayed for the Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor (Bridges), Best Supporting Actress(Burstyn), Best Director, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars at the 44^th Academy Awards.  

Screenplay - Larry McMurtry and Peter Bogdanovich

Runtime – 1 hour 58 minutes

Released – October 22, 1971

Starring –

Ben Johnson as Sam the Lion

Jeff Bridges as Duane Jackson

Timothy Bottoms as Sonny Crawford

Cybill Shepherd as Jacy Farrow

Cloris Leachman as Ruth Popper

Ellen Burstyn as Lois Farrow

Eileen Brennan as Genevieve, the café waitress

Randy Quaid as Lester Marlow

Clu Gulager as Abilene

Bill Thurman as Coach Popper

Frank Marshall as Tommy Logan

Sam Bottoms as Billy the street-sweeper

Sharon Taggart as Charlene Duggs

Gary Brockette as Bobby Sheen