Our delinquency has been noted. However, we here at Cinema Shame have been grappling with some strong emotions regarding the passing of Burt Reynolds on September 4th. As a result, we’ve scrapped our planned prompt for September — instead we’re going to celebrate Burt.
As one of the great movie stars in the history of Cinema Reynolds’ on-screen career spanned 60 years. Reynolds made his first TV appearance in 1958 on two episodes of a series called Flight.
James wrote a short piece on Burt Reynolds for the Action a Go Go website.
Instead of rehashing a summary of all that text here, we’ll give you the opportunity to link on over and read the piece in its entirely.
The takeaway, in case you don’t feel like a click, is that Burt made a lot of great movies that many movie fans overlook as a result of a populist, good ol’ boy beer swilling, car driving, mustache grinning late 70’s persona. Burt Reynolds made musicals and comedies and action films and detective thrillers, many of which settle into the shadows behind his “Bandit” persona.
Before we turn to horror in the month of October, we’re going to ask you to toss in a few of those Burt Reynolds movies you might have overlooked. Like Smokey and the Bandit? Try Hooper. Did you think that Burt’s career peaked with Deliverance and The Longest Yard? Take a chance on Sharky’s Machine, Hustle or Breaking In. Maybe you prefer the lighter side? He sings and dances (at least better than Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia!) in Peter Bogdanovich’s At Long Last Love and makes for a fascinating comic duo with Ryan O’Neal in Nickelodeon. His surprising pairings with Jill Clayburgh in Semi-Tough and Starting Over will make you wonder why they didn’t make a dozen movies together.
We’re asking you, during these last few weeks of September, to set aside some time for Burt. If you need any recommendations for deep cuts, James (@007hertzrumble), as our resident Burt aficionado, will be happy to supply you with a lengthy list of worthy choices.
Rest in Peace, Burt Reynolds. May your movies continue to endure and entertain for generations to come.
Remember to post your thoughts on your blog or on the pages of the CinemaShame website. We’ll post a roundup at the end of the month featuring the thoughts of all of our grieving moviewatchers. Submit your Shame by tweeting your post to @CinemaShame or emailing us at cinemashame@gmail.com. Look forward to an upcoming episode of the Cinema Shame Podcast featuring a collection of conversations about Burt and his films.
–JDP
Cinema Shame 