A complete edition of the first movie review program featuring the Chicago Tribune's Gene Siskel and the Chicago Sun-Times' Roger Ebert.
NOTE: Downloaded from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Contents:
Opening credits
Introduction, featuring clip from THE BLACK STALLION
Reviews:
a. LITTLE MISS MARKER, a Universal release. This remake of the 1934 Shirley Temple vehicle yields one of Siskel & Ebert's harshest disagreements on public television. Roger loves the film for what it intends to be and what it is; Gene really finds the film incredibly disappointing for Walter Matthau, and believes his relationship with Julie Andrews ultimately destroys the film. (Roger YES, Gene NO)
b. SIMON, an Orion Pictures release through Warner Bros. Gene notes that this comedy marks the directorial debute of Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote SLEEPER, MANHATTAN and the Oscar®-winning ANNIE HALL with Woody Allen, but only finds its one-liners funny; both find it a terribly unoriginal recycling of typical comic chase jokes (both NO'S)
c. LITTLE DARLINGS, a Paramount release. Neither of them are able to recommend it, but Roger at least finds it a mature and thoughtful consideration of teenage sex; both believe it could have been a lot better than it is and think it should have been rated PG instead of the R it was assigned in the U.S.. (both NO'S)
d. THE BLACK STALLION, a United Artists release. This time, Gene and Roger have a great many great things to say about the Francis Ford Coppola-produced adaptation of the 1941 Walter Farley novel; Roger especially likes the first half, and believes it is strong enough to overcome its G rating and be admired by adults. (both very strong YES'S).
e. HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release through United Artists. James Caan makes his directorial debut in this espionage drama, which Roger and Gene believe is completely unexciting and burdened by an emotionally dishonest performance by Mr. Caan. (both NO'S)
Dogs of the Week:
a. Gene picks DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE, a typical slasher film whose title he feels speaks for itself in too many ways to name.
b. Roger picks LAST RITES, which he feels is the worst vampire movie of all time.
Recap of reviews
Preview of next week's show
Closing credits
Funding credit: "Public Television Stations"
Logo: PBS