Photo Opportunity #74: A Rookie Rarity

Photo Opportunity #74: A Rookie Rarity 

Aside from our dedicated Rookie page, The Rookie is a film that doesn’t really get a lot of coverage here on the Archive. It was, and still is a film that often draws mixed opinions. I remember first seeing it at the cinema at the start of 1991 – That same year, the global landscape was marked by a rise in international terrorist incidents, and as such, a lot of actors and actresses remained grounded while promoting their latest project, many just didn’t fancy stepping onto a jet plane and travelling. This was the case with Clint too, the film was promoted and Clint pushed the film – usually via a satellite link up from L.A. 

It’s very much a typical buddy cop movie, with Clint playing the familiar grizzled, pissed off character of Nick Pulovski – a veteran cop and Charlie Sheen as the rookie cop David Ackerman. Together they are assigned to smashing an outfit stealing high end, luxury cars. The group are led by both Raul Julia as Erich Strom and Sônia Braga as his partner Liesl. 

The film is packed with some great action sequences, some impressive stunt work and a rather embarrassing rape scene which didn’t do the film any favours. Eastwood was also criticised for casting two Hispanic actors as German characters?  There are also some moments of enjoyable light relief, but overall, it is the script (especially Sheen’s lines) that let the film down. 

The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. The Variety staff added to the general dismay with the film saying, "Overlong, sadistic and stale even by the conventions of the buddy pic genre, Clint Eastwood's The Rookie is actually Dirty Harry 5 1⁄2 since Eastwood's tough-as-nails cop Nick Pulovski could just as easily be named Harry Callahan." In fact, one does wonder if this was just another exchange film with Warner Bros, a trade off that gave Clint the green light to make the previous (and much more personal project) White Hunter, Black Heart (1990)?  

Clint followed up The Rookie with Unforgiven (1992), a film which came from the other end of the spectrum and would ironically cement Clint’s reputation as a master film director. How things can turn around in the movie business… 

Anyway, for the summer season I thought I’d post this fantastic shot of Clint from The Rookie. It was originally sourced from a 35mm transparency which was part of the Warner Bros publicity campaign, but it’s rarely seen these days. 

Celebrating Clint’s 96th Birthday

Celebrating Clint’s 96th Birthday

Aging is not merely the passage of time; it is a journey of accumulating knowledge, understanding, and perspective. Life experiences—both triumphs and challenges—shape our ability to make thoughtful decisions and offer guidance to others. Wisdom is a treasure that comes with reflection and learning, not automatically with age.

On behalf of all your fans around the world – Have a wonderful 96th Birthday Sir. 

The Clint Eastwood Archive

Rare Gator Creek Vinyl LP from 1970

Rare Gator Creek Vinyl LP from 1970

I was very lucky to spot this album for sale within the UK this week, I’ve been after it for a very long time, but they’re usually tucked away deep within the United States rather than in Coulsdon in the London Borough of Croydon. The stars were perfectly aligned - not only was it the first pressing, but also the PRC Pressing (Philips Recording Company, Inc.) The LP of course is the self-titled album by Gator Creek - (in fact, it turned out to be their only album). The group had a pretty impressive line which included future High Plains Drifter composer Dee Barton, Gene Pello, Kathy Deasy, Kenny Loggins (yes, that’s Kenny Loggins of Footloose fame), Michael Omartian, Mike Deasy and Ray Neapolitan.

I suppose it’s fair to consider that Clint first got to know Barton from this project which may have led to him scoring High Plains Drifter.

Above Gator Creek - Dee Barton is far left.

I should at this point explain why this album is so significant. The album includes a great little track called Dirty Boogie, which may not mean a lot to some fans - while others will instantly recognise it as the main theme to Play Misty for Me. 

With all my years of collecting Eastwood and his movie music, there has never been anything officially released from Play Misty for Me - which is a great shame, the soundtrack is sprinkled with some classic cuts (inc all those performances from the Monterey Jazz Festival footage), Roberta’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Misty (of course) and Dee Barton provided a pretty cool and creepy score. So, landing the main theme from Misty isn’t a bad thing at all. 

Anyway, well worth looking out for, especially if you can avoid having a copy sent over from its native America. 

Cat details: Mercury – SR-61311,Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, PRC Pressing U.S.A. 1970. 

Credits: Arranged By – Dee Barton

Backing Vocals – Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Venetta Fields

Baritone Saxophone – Allan Beutler

Bass – Ray Neapolitan

Drums – Gene Pello, Nick Ceroli

Flute – Allan Beutler

Guitar – Kenny Loggins, Larry Knechtel, Louie Shelton, Mike Deasy

Keyboards – Dee Barton

Percussion – Kathy Deasy

Performer – Allan Beutler, Dee Barton, Gene Pello, Kathy Deasy, Kenny Loggins, Mike O'Martin*, Mike Deasy, Ray Neapolitan

Piano – John Banister, Mike "Smackwater" O'Martin*

Producer – Bob Todd, Dee Barton

Trumpet – Chuck Findley, Louie Gasca*

Vocals – Dee Barton, Kathy Deasy, Kenny Loggins, Mike Deasy

This Record was specially made to be played loud.

          

Rare finished concept artwork for the Quad cinema poster "Play Misty for Me" (1971)

Rare finished concept artwork for the Quad cinema poster "Play Misty for Me" (1971)

As comparison with the printed Quad shows, this was the finished concept that was commissioned for illustration for the UK Quad for the first release of the film. Artist John Stockle's composition features a photo-mechanical print showing a rough drawn image of Clint Eastwood's head with a dagger shaped aperture. In the aperture is the hand-painted design which was subsequently re-painted for the Quad but the image of Clint Eastwood was carried over onto the Quad without further alteration. The Donna Mills image appears more smiley and happier in the finished version. Hand annotations indicate Stockle wanted the Quad printed with a "pea green" background. There is an acetate overlay that largely mimics the finished Quad though cast/credits information was later added. John Stockle worked alongside the artist Vic Fair & the juxtaposition of imagery in this design was clearly influenced by Fair's fondness for this device (commercial artists frequently "borrowed" & adapted ideas from each other). 

Below: With the clear acetate overlay

The artist John Stockle was particularly known for his caricature illustrations (the kind used often for British comedies in the 1950’s-60’s) but he also did some posters for Hammer (Terror of The Tongs, The Revenge of Frankenstein, Camp on Blood Island) & others like Cockleshell Heroes, Obsession, Squirm and Virgin Soldiers. In the 80’s Stockle went through a period of “black” background compositions. Stockle (1928-2000) was a commercial and film poster artist, who worked in Wardour Street, London, from the 1950 to the 1980s. He worked with fellow poster artist Brian Bysouth (b.1936) and joined the notable and prolific commercial artist Eric Pulford (1915-2005) at the top London film publicity agency Downton Pulford.

Original Clint Eastwood movie poster artwork is rare. In 2017 Heritage Auctions sold Enzo Nistri finished art for the Italian poster for "High Plains Drifter" (1973) for £7,100. This lovely piece of original artwork is approx. 15"x 22" . It’s interesting also that the acetate overlay has a slightly different tagline – ‘and his Nightmare began!’ as opposed to the finished quad version, ‘and his Nightmare begins!’

Anyway, I’m very pleased and happy to own this rare and unique piece. 

Above: The production shot from which the main artwork was based, this would also be used later on The Eiger Sanction UK artwork

Above: The finished UK quad poster for Play Misty for Me

Below: The original art in a custom 'vintage Green' Gold edged frame

Cinema Retro’s latest issue featuring an extensive feature on The Eiger Sanction

Cinema Retro’s latest issue featuring an extensive feature on The Eiger Sanction

Well, at last I can announce this great piece of news. Cinema Retro’s latest edition has a great Film-in-Focus cover story (some 10 pages) on The Eiger Sanction. This excellently compiled piece is written by Simon Lewis. I was very proud to contribute many images to this piece, including the spectacular cover photo scanned from a photo I obtained from a Film Fair back in the early 80’s. 

The article is packed with information and is well worth ordering – or even better – sign up for a subscription. 

Also featured in this latest edition: Roger Moore’s Crossplot, Dave Worrall takes a look at Cliff Richard’s Sixties Musicals The Young Ones and Summer Holiday. Lee Pfeiffer pays tribute to Brigitte Bardot and Robert Duvall. We also take a look at Robert Mitchum’s The Good Guys and the Bad Guys, as well as all the latest Books, Blu-rays and DVD releases. Not to be missed. 

For ordering and subscribing please visit the Cinema Retro website HERE

Photo Opportunity #73: Dapper Days – Clint in Incident on the Road Back

Photo Opportunity #73: Dapper Days – Clint in Incident on the Road Back

For our May Photo Opportunity I thought we’d travel back to the Rawhide years and a rare chance to feature Clint as Rowdy – rarely seen out of his usual costume attire. Clint’s dress was rather dapper in the 1961 episode “Incident on the Road Back” (aired on February 24th). 

"Incident on the Road Back" was the sixteenth episode of the third season, and features the drovers Gil Favor and his crew as they gather for the next drive. The episode is regarded as something of a slow starter, which included a lengthy discussion about hangovers, followed by slapstick comedy and a prank by Gil Favor. However, the story picks up with Gil Favor's arrest for horse stealing, leading to a series of events involving the sheriff's wife and a mysterious plot involving the $50,000 he is carrying. The episode was directed by George Templeton. The Director went on to work on 33 episodes of Rawhide and work on the Elvis Presley western movie, Charro! (1969). 

The Outlaw Josey Wales Roy Anderson Artwork

The Outlaw Josey Wales Roy Anderson Artwork

Now here’s something you don’t see every day – so rare in fact – we didn’t even have it featured on the dedicated Outlaw Josey Wales page. Rather surprisingly this somewhat unique design is actually a British poster by Roy Anderson. In terms of size, it is effectively a Three-sheet measuring up at 40.75" X 61" and was commonly used and known in the UK as a ‘Bus Shelter’ poster. 

The design features a Three tone blend, which is rarely seen. I can’t say I’m particularly fond of this design, but I’d hardly worry abut it as I doubt very much I'd ever be owning one any time soon! There is currently one up for auction which is Linen backed and has an asking price of £1,036.23 or if you prefer, $1,400.00 – I wish you luck should you decide to go after this little collectable.