Blue City was written before Macdonald established the formal style of the Lew Archer books. It's relentless, visceral action; page-turning story, deep-enough characters, and a lurid grind-house style. So of course someone made a shit movie out of it. The critics raved: "The worst major studio film we've seen in recent memory." "How many ways can a movie go wrong? ... subzero chemistry ... preposterous action ... dull sex ... witless wisecracks ..." First-time director Michelle Manning never directed another movie, which was the only silver lining in this stinking cloud of smog.
Unfeasibly, Ry Cooder supplied the soundtrack. It's probably one of his rarer waxings, and deserved better than the "ham and cheese" of the movie.
(Hey! If any of youse bums read books, I'll upload the original novel. I ain't holdin' me breath. Gettin' to th' end of your own wanted poster is more than most of youse can manage.)
Love me some Russ and Ry -- hook me up Farquhar!
ReplyDeleteerrr "Ross" that is, as in Chandler Binged Ross's sister
DeleteHuge Cooder fan, and had no idea that this existed. Send us some love, Farq!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHamonry
If anyone wants to read the book, let me know!
Geez! I'm currently in the middle of a collection of Macdonald's short fiction. Coincidence? Sadly, even the Paul Newman films didn't do Mr. Millar's work any justice. Hollywood? Now, Ry Cooder on the other hand...
ReplyDeleteFor youse highbrow types:
Deletemobi format for kindle.
Have you read any Thomas Perry. His Butcher's Boy is a classic. Written from the point of view of a hit man. You end up rooting for.
ReplyDeleteI have not read Blue City. I will add it to my Kindle. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the heads up! I haven't read him, and found a torrent.
DeleteIf we're going to get all literary here I would also suggest to members of the House 'o Foam Book Club the Parker series by Richard Stark which also features a criminal (bank heists, armored car robberies, etc) as the protagonist. The great '67 Point Blank movie staring Lee Marvin was an adaptation of the first of the series. And if we're talking McLovin' McDonalds we should also pay some respects to Ross's literary brother John and his Travis McGee PI series (Deep Blue Goodbye, etc. etc.). See I used to read! (if we're counting audiobooks that is ....)
DeleteI have most of Ry Cooder's soundtracks. I will be happy to post any or all if the debonair Mr. Farquhar Throckmorton III so wishes.
ReplyDeleteAlamo Bay
Crossroads
The End Of Violence
Geronimo
Johnny Handsome
Last Man Standing
The Long Riders
Paris, Texas
Pecos Bill
Primary Colors
Trespass
A compilation of film music by Ry including previously unreleased tracks from Southern Comfort and Streets Of Fire.
The one soundtrack I know I don't have is:
The Border
Ry also did some TV work. One of which "Cutter to Houston" he does not receive credit in IMDB.
Bob, you should wait for a request, I think. Thanks for the offer!
DeleteFor your delectation, 1982's The Border (OST) can be found here https://we.tl/t-p49QsvS9uT
DeleteYours aye
JJWombat
House Marsupial JJWombat takes time out from sewing mailbags to upload this. That's the kind of dedication we shall never take for granted.
DeleteI too have loved Hammett and Chandler for a very long time, though some of Hammett's early stories have eluded me, impossible to find. I had never come across MacDonald until I picked up a copy of The Far Side Of The Dollar my son had happened to leave lying about. Magnificent stuff, though sometimes it seemed that it was easy to spot the killer. Guess the woman and you were nearly always right. No, I do him an injustice there. Never read any Kenneth Millar stuff, must try to find some. (Don't have a Kindle, I like the feel of a proper book in my hands, same reason I don't like mp3) though it might be easier to pack, going on holiday.
ReplyDeleteReading is reading, and that's what matters. Is it the feel of the glass in your hand you like when you're necking a brewski? Having a Kindle totally changed my reading habits. I used to have a room stuffed with books, including shelves of firsts and some really rare stuff, but I never read more than I did since I offloaded that "proper book" fetish. Same with MP3. Brilliant, brilliant invention. Never without either.
DeleteI can understand the appeal of Kindles and mp3s in one way because 6 years ago we left our 4 bedroom detached for a 2 bed bungalow and it was heartbreaking for me to have to decide what to keep and what to donate to the charity shop as far as my books were concerned (not to mention the demise of my 300 vinyl records and 1300 bootleg cassettes and nearly all my live bootleg CDs). That was actually before I discovered Mr RM. So all his volumes and my Martin Becks are in a box in the loft, although my complete Maigret (in French) and 2 dozen or more Montalbanos (in Sicilian, he says showing off) are on display. I agree, reading is the thing, which is why I'm so glad my twin 8 year old (half Italian) grandsons are beginning to get the habit.
DeleteEsteemed Farq - James Crumley! Especially The Last Good Kiss. I say no more...
ReplyDeleteThank you - I've found a torrent but it looks dead on its feet.
DeleteSome other faves:
John Franklin Bardin
James Cain
"Fast One" Paul Cain (no relation)