Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection: Clint Eastwood, Lee J. Cobb, George Kennedy, Jessica Walter, Geraldine Page, Susan Clark, Tisha Sterling, Don Stroud, Betty Field, Tom Tully, Melodie Johnson, James Edwards, Don Siegel, Albert Maltz, Dean Riesner, Hal Dresner, Herman Miller, Howard Rodman, Irene Kamp: Movies & TV

Mar12

Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection: Clint Eastwood, Lee J. Cobb, George Kennedy, Jessica Walter, Geraldine Page, Susan Clark, Tisha Sterling, Don Stroud, Betty Field, Tom Tully, Melodie Johnson, James Edwards, Don Siegel, Albert Maltz, Dean Riesner, Hal Dresner, Herman Miller, Howard Rodman, Irene Kamp: Movies & TV

Posted by admin | on 12 March, 09:06 PM

Amazon.com
Play Misty for Me
Clint Eastwood (making his very assured directorial debut) is a poetry-spouting stud-muffin DJ stalked by a maniacally amorous fan after a misguided one-night stand in this enjoyably schlocky, undeniably effective film about good intentions gone murderously wacky. Although many of the very ’70s trappings presented here may ultimately be too dated to be taken seriously (including a very self-indulgent jazz number and a hilariously gooey seduction number between Eastwood and Donna Mills), the core premise of infatuation taken out of bounds remains uncomfortably plausible–and was influential enough to be appropriated by one of the biggest hits of the ’80s. (Here’s a hint–it starred Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and a very unfortunate bunny rabbit). A well-staged and occasionally very frightening thriller worth watching for Jessica Walter’s peerlessly unhinged performance alone. Frequent Eastwood collaborator Don Siegel (director of Dirty Harry, Coogan’s Bluff, and The Beguiled, to name but a few) has a nice cameo as Murphy, the mustachioed, chess-playing bartender. –Andrew Wright

The Eiger Sanction
Clint Eastwood held the dual role of director and star of this 1975 spy thriller, which makes up for sluggish pacing with a breathtaking climax on a treacherous peak in the Swiss Alps. The plot kicks into gear when Eastwood, playing a retired assassin, is recruited back into a secret organization to avenge the murder of an old friend. He’s then blackmailed into making a second “hit”; this time his target is one of three men who will be attempting to conquer the Eiger, a dangerous peak in Switzerland. Himself an accomplished climber, Eastwood’s character joins the expedition with George Kennedy as leader of the ground crew. Shifting loyalties, apparent betrayals, and paranoid suspicion factor into the suspenseful climax on the sheer face of the mountain. This memorable sequence–for which Eastwood performed his own mountain-climbing stunts–is effectively intense, built on a standard plot of double-cross and intrigue that was intended to combine Eastwood’s screen persona with the global adventure of the James Bond films. For the most part it works–it’s not one of Eastwood’s better films, but it’s got some first-class thrills (and a sly performance by Jack Cassidy) to grab and hold your interest. –Jeff Shannon

Coogan’s Bluff
Clint Eastwood stars as a soft-spoken, straightforward Arizona lawman whose unorthodox methods of capturing an escaped murderer anger a tough NYC police lieutenant.

The Beguiled
In this psychological thriller of love, betrayal and hidden passions, Clint Eastwood stars as a wounded soldier who finds shelter in an all-girls academy during the Civil War.

Product Description
With over 50 years in show business, Clint Eastwood has established himself as a film legend by creating memorable characters and directing enduring movies. Now, four of his most unforgettable films are available together in the Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection. Featuring some of his most diverse roles, this set brings you the thrills and excitement of Play Misty for Me and The Eiger Sanction (both also directed by Eastwood), as well as the riveting intrigue and passion of Coogan’s Bluff and The Beguiled. Showcasing the career of a true Hollywood star, the Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection is a must-own addition to any film library.

Play Misty for Me
In his directorial debut, Clint Eastwood stars as a radio disc jockey who becomes the victim of psychotic obsession when he tries to end a torrid affair with a fan (Jessica Walter).

The Eiger Sanction
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this action thriller about a professional assassin who is forced out of retirement in order to avenge a friend’s murder in the Swiss Alps.

Coogan’s Bluff
Clint Eastwood stars as a soft-spoken, straightforward Arizona lawman whose unorthodox methods of capturing an escaped murderer anger a tough NYC police lieutenant.

The Beguiled
In this psychological thriller of love, betrayal and hidden passions, Clint Eastwood stars as a wounded soldier who finds shelter in an all-girls academy during the Civil War.

4 early Eastwood films at a great price!,

By Darin K. Giard (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This mini 4 film collection is deal and a half. All 4 look great in their original aspect ratios and are enhanced for 16 X 9 widescreen TV’s.
Audio is still the original mono but it sounds clean and clear.
Some good extra’s on the Play Misty For Me disc, incl. a Clint Eastwood interview and the others have trailers and production notes.
Can’t beat the value for the price!

A Quartet of Eastwood Features ,

By The Movie Man “tenebre89″ (Maywood, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

“Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection” is a box set containing four Eastwood feature films. In his directorial debut, “Play Misty For Me,” Eastwood stars as a radio DJ who becomes the victim of psychotic obsession when he tries to end a torrid affair with a fan (Jessica Walter) in a forerunner of “Fatal Attraction.” “The Eiger Sanction” is an action thriller about a professional assassin who is forced out of retirement to avenge a friend’s murder in the Swiss Alps. “Coogan’s Bluff” finds Eastwood as a soft-spoken, no-nonsense Arizona lawman whose unusual methods of capturing an escaped murderer cause havoc with a tough New York City police lieutenant (Lee J. Cobb). “The Beguiled” is a psychological thriller that combines love, betrayal, and hidden passions. Eastwood is a wounded Civil War soldier who finds shelter in an all-girls academy.
In “The Beguiled,” Eastwood’s John McBurney is more of a sexual character than Eastwood typically portrays. Geraldine Page plays the wary headmistress and Elizabeth Hartman is the teacher who falls in love with him. Director Don Siegel shifts the tone of the film to one of horror about midway through, incorporating a good deal of violence.
The three-disc set includes many bonus extras, including a featurette on the making of “Play Misty For Me,” a photo montage, production notes, and a featurette in which Eastwood and director Don Siegel discuss their five-film collaboration.

A Clint Eastwood on the brink of super-stardom!,

By Robert Badgley (London,Ontario,Canada) - See all my reviews

Universal brings to DVD four of Clint Eastwood’s post spaghetti western films,and they show a star on the cusp of super-stardom.Two directed by Eastwood himself(The Eiger Sanction and Play Misty For Me) and two by his good friend director Don Siegal(Coogan’s Bluff and The Beguiled).
Let’s take each film from what I consider the best and end with my least favourite.
Play Misty For Me,1971,concerns the story of a Carmel,California DJ(Eastwood).He starts getting regular on air phone calls from a listener requesting the song Misty.Clint has been trying to woo back an ex girlfriend,so far unsuccessfully,when said Misty requester finds his local watering hole and gets him at just the right time.He beds her but she keeps coming back again and again,many times unannounced and taking too many liberties unnerving Clint.He tries to straighten her out first politely then forcefully ,but she will not stop trying to contact him.Clint does finally succeed in getting his ex back but his indescretion is haunting him day and night.Things turn very violent and nasty as she terribly maims Clint’s housekeeper,kidnaps his ex and kills a policeman.Clint barely excapes with his life.
Misty still packs quite a punch and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.Jessica Walter really plays the part of his stalker beautifully.
Coogan’s Bluff,1968,concerns an Arizona policeman(Clint) who comes to New York to take into custody a felon who is wanted back in his jurisdiction.Upon arrival he is told his “charge” is in Bellevue and won’t be out for some time.It’s a “don’t call us,we’ll call you” thing which Clint chafes at.He goes to the hospital to get him on the pretense he has permission from the NYPD.At the airport he is jumped by the felon’s co-horts and he escapes.It’s a mad hunt all over New York and Clint comes in contact with some very strange and grubby people.A wild motorcycle chase in a park ends in the final take down of his prisoner and his return to Arizona.
It was a tie whether to list this one next or The Eiger,but I think this JUST edges it out.It’s a pretty straightforward story but an interesting one and the pace nevers weakens too much.The 60s really creep into the story line however.Watch for that crazy discoteque Eastwood is forced to go into.
The Eiger Sanction,1975,concerns a top secret organization of the US Government that wants Eastwood to return to their fold to do another job for them,after one of their agents was taken out in Europe.After much persuasion and more than a little coersion,Eastwood finally agrees.It seems the man they want is going to be climbing the Eiger Mountain in Switzerland but they are not sure who it will be.Eastwood must find out before HE is killed.Eastwood trains with an old buddy in the States but is hounded by an ex military buddy,now working for the other side.Before he leaves to climb,he is forced to eliminate him as he finds out it was he who supplied the other side with the info on who to kill in Europe in the first place.The climb is upon him and the only info he has is that it is someone with a limp.All but Eastwood die and in a strange twist in the end he finds the man he was to kill was close to him all the time.
This film hasn’t lost much of its’ appeal either.It has an interesting story line but at times it tends to get bogged down in itself,but usually not for long.Jack Cassidy does a great turn as a homosexual who comes to his untimely end and George Kennedy,his old friend..
Finally The Beguiled,1971.Eastwood is a corporal in the union army who is wounded near a seminary for girls run by a head mistress played by Geraldine Page.He is almost captured a couple of times but is saved by Page.However Eastwood is not the saint(Quaker,to be specific)he is pretending to be.His presence disrupts the seminary and it brings to the fore suppressed feelings amongst a 17 and 22 year old and the head mistress herself.Eastwood is like the fox in the proverbial hen house and when the 22 year old catches him with the 17 year old,a tussle ensues and Eastwood goes careening down a spiral staircase.His leg is broken and the head mistress decides to amputate just above the knee.When Eastwood learns of what she has done he is in a vengeful mood.Before he can do any harm he is poisoned and carried dead outside the gates of the seminary.
This is one of the oddest if not THE oddest film Eastwood ever did.And it is probably the only one that portrays Eastwood in the role of a bad person;a manipulating cad to the girls and women in the film and a lecher to us.In the scene where he gets his leg amputated,while they don’t actually show the process,you hear every little scrapping pass of the hack saw.It makes one cringe and it is something they should have left out.From the reception this film got it is likely Eastwood learned that the public wanted their man on the up and up and portrayed in a more positive light.This is an Eastwood film that has always been the lowest on my list of his films.
Despite what YOU may think of each film,I must tell you Universal has done a tremendous job in their releasing of these films.Each film has been digitally remastered to perfection here and they are in the best shape they have ever been in.An absolute joy to watch.
There are three discs included here.The first one has Play Misty For Me,the second The Eiger Sanction,and the third contains The Beguiled and Coogan’s Bluff.The first two discs contain the special features which include a featurette looking back at Play Misty For Me,one on Eastwood’s directing and acting at the same time,photo galleries and others.
All in all this is a set worth I recommend to all Eastwood fans out there.This is an Eastwood on the verge of superstardom and on a personal basis,it was Play Misty For Me that really put him on my radar screen way back when and I have been a fan ever since.Remastered beautifully this release is bound to please his fans and maybe even make new ones.Search Amazon.com: Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection: Clint Eastwood, Lee J. Cobb, George Kennedy, Jessica Walter, Geraldine Page, Susan Clark, Tisha Sterling, Don Stroud, Betty Field, Tom Tully, Melodie Johnson, James Edwards, Don Siegel, Albert Maltz, Dean Riesner, Hal Dresner, Herman Miller, Howard Rodman, Irene Kamp: Movies & TV from AmAzon

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