Forgotten Films: WUSA (1970)
Released this week in 1970, it’s not hard to see how this low-key GP-Rated political film written by Robert Stone (based on his novel, “A Hall Of Mirrors”), directed by Stuart Rosenberg, produced and starring Paul Newman, slipped through the reels of memory. But not mine nor Newman’s, who considered this his most important film. I mean, look at that unique, terrific cast (including Robert Quarry and Clifton James). Lalo Schifrin provides a jaunty score (featuring Neil Diamond’s theme song), somewhat recalling his PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW done the same year. Although the film was not well-received, time has been kind to its bitches brew of character study, 70′s naturalism and symbolic portensions. Of course WUSA has been unavailable — until February when the movie angels at Olive Films release a welcome anamorphic DVD. And it’s apropos that the subject matter of WUSA deals with a powerful right-wing radio station amid its intersection of commerce, rhetoric and violence at the end of one turbulent decade and the start of another. Hey, it couldn’t happen here.
January 19, 2011 at 1:18 pm
This is great news! I’d seen WUSA when I was a kid, and didn’t “get” it, but it’s always stuck in my head, and as an adult movie-fan, I’ve been wanting to see it (again).
January 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm
It’s definitely memorable and is the peak of a certain kind of 60′s/70′s filmmaking that didn’t last long. Thanks for calling in, Ivan.
January 20, 2011 at 12:49 am
Tony Perkins is in this, no?
January 20, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Very much so in high sweaty nervous demeanor. He has one great back and forth confrontation scene with Wayne Rogers (yep) that’s one of my favorites in the film.