![SUCH A SHAMUS](/images/headline/6410.png) He's a two-fisted loner who sometimes has to work outside the law. But he still could use a good script. ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_01.jpg)
Burt Reynolds: unacknowledged acting genius? Absolutely—and we'll fight anyone who says differently. He debuted in television in 1958, but wasn't a movie star until a decade later. He was brilliant in serious roles such as Deliverance and The Longest Yard, but also had an easy flair for comedy. Shamus, which premiered today in 1973 and for which you see a U.S. three-sheet above, is a typical Reynolds effort, an action-drama with humor sprinkled throughout. In terms of sheer performing, this is a lay-up for him. He handles the drama with no problem and charms his way through the upbeat sections with the help of equally affable foil Dyan Cannon. As a bonus, he also performs several impressive stunts we can't imagine a modern actor attempting.
Reynolds' detective character Shamus McCoy is a tribute to Humphrey Bogart’s Philip Marlowe in 1946's The Big Sleep, with two scenes lifted almost wholesale from that film—one in which he seduces a buxom bookstore clerk, and one in which he meets his client in a refrigerated office (instead of a hothouse). He's hired to solve a murder/jewel heist that turns out to be connected to arms dealing, but the caper is flat from beginning to end, failing to build much interest or momentum. Reynolds, who made several smarmy action-comedies like Smokey and the Bandit and Hooper, was not shy when assessing his own abilities. He said he was as good in those lightweight films as it was possible for an actor to be. We agree, but even Burt can't make Shamus good.
![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_02.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_03.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_04.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_05.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_06.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_07.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_08.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_09.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_11.jpg) ![](/images/postimg/such_a_shamus_10.jpg)
![THUNDERBALLS](/images/headline/172.png) Pardon me, did you happen to see my gimp come this way? ![](/images/postimg/thunderballs%2001.jpg)
Sean Connery has serious king-size Scottish stones. After greasing himself up and donning skintight swim briefs for the 1953 Mr. Universe contest, he squeezed into this red get-up for his 1974 sci-fi adventure Zardoz. In 2004 Total Film dubbed the costume the worst decision in movie history, but we disagree. Sure, he looks like he should be leading a gimp on a leash, and the easy-access tie-front diaper screams serial teabagger, but we suspect most women and not a few men enjoyed him in this outfit. He’s 44 at this stage, and holding together nicely. A little bearish perhaps, but manscaping hadn’t been invented yet. The point is, few actors could have pulled off the look. Besides, Zardoz was a good movie. Director John Boorman went all-in with the capital he had earned from the success of Deliverance, and Connery—along with co-star Charlotte Rampling—helped out with a committed performance. The result was first unveiled thirty-five years ago today. It was not well-received, but if you dare say so out loud Connery will jam a ball gag in your mouth.
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The headlines that mattered yesteryear.
2003—Hope Dies
Film legend Bob Hope dies of pneumonia two months after celebrating his 100th birthday. 1945—Churchill Given the Sack
In spite of admiring Winston Churchill as a great wartime leader, Britons elect
Clement Attlee the nation's new prime minister in a sweeping victory for the Labour Party over the Conservatives. 1952—Evita Peron Dies
Eva Duarte de Peron, aka Evita, wife of the president of the Argentine Republic, dies from cancer at age 33. Evita had brought the working classes into a position of political power never witnessed before, but was hated by the nation's powerful military class. She is lain to rest in Milan, Italy in a secret grave under a nun's name, but is eventually returned to Argentina for reburial beside her husband in 1974. 1943—Mussolini Calls It Quits
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini steps down as head of the armed forces and the government. It soon becomes clear that Il Duce did not relinquish power voluntarily, but was forced to resign after former Fascist colleagues turned against him. He is later installed by Germany as leader of the Italian Social Republic in the north of the country, but is killed by partisans in 1945.
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