Nickelodeon

In 1975, I was a Teamster Driver for the studios, and one of the first locations was a location caterer for the movie Nickelodeon. With all of the behind the camera activities, I happened to notice a "drop-dead" beautiful woman, who was always near Ryan. Feeling more confident with myself during the second week, we started a conversation about everything, but really about nothing. We stayed in touch; she went her way and I went my way. Before a short period of time, we went out (she insisted on driving). Why? Because she owned a 1925 Silver Cloud, black and silver in color. That was 1979, and during the summer of '80, I landed a prime job as the caterer for a total of 9 weeks; at sea; off Catalina Island; 3 meals per day; 7 days a week. It was just me and the ship's crew of 7. I had to always be there to service cast, crew and the ship's crew. O.K. not bad, but it got a lot happier on the 4th week end. I phoned Sheree and asked her to visit. She did. We stayed close friends, and in 1994, we got married. I never did see the movie!

Poor Peter Bogdanovich has suffered the fate of the clever and gifted in Hollywood - i.e. been screwed,particularly by the critics from whose ranks he emerged fully - formed (see "Targets" - 1968)as a Director of promise. He made some entertaining iconoclastic movies which the critics disliked but were nonetheless successful.As a former writer/critic he was,perhaps more than most movie makers,aware of and interested in early cinema and with "Nickelodeon" gave us his take on the works of the pioneers of the medium.It is a very well made funny movie that has apparently attracted few devotees over the last thirty or so years which is something I find rather strange. The ambiance of the Silent Era has been lovingly recreated,the little touches of detail convincingly presented.A cast of actors who can do comedy and look as though they enjoy it,an excellent soundtrack and some witty dialogue.......what more has Bogdanovich got to do?Wear a revolving bow tie? Anyone can write about movies - it takes a person of talent,iron will and with the eye of an artist to make one,even a mediocre one,and this is obviously a task far,far beyond the small - minded who willed him to fail.After a notable start,Mr Bogdanovich's career plateau'd out,beset by personal problems whilst his opponents rubbed their hands with glee. But with "The Last Picture Show","Paper Moon","What's Up Doc?"the brilliantly eccentric "At Long Last Love" and "They All Laughed" on his C.V. - not to mention "Nickelodeon" - he will be remembered long after their splenetic scribblings have been left to moulder in some long - forgotten Newspaper Morgue.

"Nickelodeon" is the heartfelt tribute by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich to the earliest days of movie-making, in the first dozen or so years of the 20th century. Apparently a stickler for accuracy, that does show in the script credited to both Bogdanovich and W.D. Richter. It's based on recollections of vintage directors such as Raoul Walsh ("The Big Trail", "Sadie Thompson") and Allan Dwan ("A Broken Doll", "The Forbidden Thing"), and it's a pretty colourful and often delightful look at the filmmaking process of over a century ago. The film begins by telling us that this was a time when big-shot producers would go out of their way to prevent independents from having ANY success. Its story begins in 1910 Chicago, when attorney Leo Harrigan (Ryan O'Neal) bumbles his way into a screenwriting gig for larger-than-life character H.H. Cobb (a hilarious Brian Keith). Eventually, he's roped into directing. Burt Reynolds plays Buck Greenway, a charming Floridian who comes to NYC and somehow manages to become a movie star. Lovely Jane Hitchcock plays the starlet who comes between them. "Nickelodeon" is not one of Bogdanovichs' most renowned films; in its time, it was an expensive flop. Part of the problem is that it's going to be far too silly for some viewers, that it goes TOO heavy on the old-style slapstick. It also probably could have used some tightening, as it DOES lose steam as it goes along. But there's still a fair amount to enjoy here. Bogdanovichs' obvious devotion to this period in film history is rather infectious, and the recreations of the era are well done. The stunts are likewise quite impressive. The main reason that this picture is able to sustain itself for just over two hours is that the cast is so great. O'Neal, Reynolds, and lovely Hitchcock do set off some sparks as their love triangle plays out. Keith steals all of his scenes, as does O'Neals' precocious, Oscar-winning daughter Tatum, who shines in her big negotiation scene. Stella Stevens and John Ritter provide likeable support as an actress and cameraman, and there are MANY familiar faces in character roles, including Harry Carey, Jr., James Best, Brion James, Priscilla Pointer, Don Calfa, Philip Bruns, George Gaynes, M. Emmet Walsh, and Hamilton Camp. You also get to see Lorenzo Music (voice of "Carlton, your doorman" and Garfield the Cat) in an actual on-screen bit, as one of Cobbs' writers. Some viewers may argue that the subject deserves a more clear-headed, less self-indulgent treatment, and certainly "Nickelodeon" does suffer from some excess. But this viewer personally found it rather charming, and it does create some interesting characters who are worth following from beginning to end. Also available in a black & white "director's cut" running approximately three minutes longer. Eight out of 10.