Wednesday 5 January 2022

Thunderbolt & Lightfoot Rare FYC Jeff Bridges Oscar Ads

Thunderbolt & Lightfoot Rare FYC Jeff Bridges Oscar Ads

Here are a couple of very rare Academy Award FYC ads for Jeff Bridges as Best Supporting Actor in Thunderbolt & Lightfoot (1974). Back in 1975, it marked something of a departure for a Clint Eastwood movie to receive an Academy Award nod. There was no doubt about it; Jeff Bridges was certainly worthy of consideration. However, the company was incredibly tough that year with the likes of veteran star Fred Astaire for The Towering Inferno, Michael V. Gazzo, Lee Strasberg and finally Robert De Niro making up the trilogy of actors competing for The Godfather Part II. 

One could argue that the odds were a little stacked in Coppola’s favour that evening – and sure enough, on Tuesday, April 8th 1975, it was De Niro who walked away with the Oscar for his performance as the young Vito Corleone. Nevertheless, Bridges could walk away with his head held high. It was just a pity no prizes were awarded for the funkiest colour designed ads, I’d of certainly marked Thunderbolt & Lightfoot down as an overall favourite in that particular category. 

My kind thanks to our friend Richard Duval



No comments: