Robert F. Blumofe Movies
A notable catalyst for such films as Around the World in 80 Days, West Side Story, and 12 Angry Men, longtime producer and studio executive Robert F. Blumofe's career proved an exciting journey from law to film production. A New York native and graduate of the Columbia University law school, Blumofe got his first taste of show business when he joined Paramount Pictures' legal staff in New York shortly after earning his law degree. Packing his bags for Hollywood and shifting careers to television production in 1952, a producer job at Revenue Productions (later Universal Television) eventually led to a position at United Artists, and Blumofe held the position of vice president in charge of production and West Coast operations for 13 years. His departure from the studio in 1966 prompted work as an independent producer, and it was during that time that Blumofe turned out Yours, Mine and Ours (1968), Pieces of Dreams (1970), and Bound for Glory (1976). From 1977 to 1981, Blumofe served as director of the American Film Institute West and, as a trustee, he raised more than $50 million for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. Blumofe died July 22, 2003, in Los Angeles. He was 94. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Adapted by Robert Getchell from Woody Guthrie's autobiography, Hal Ashby's biopic portrays a few pivotal years in the life of the celebrated folk singer and social activist. In the Depression 1930s, Midwesterner Guthrie (David Carradine) plays music locally but cannot make enough as a sign painter to support his wife (Melinda Dillon) and children. With only his paintbrushes, Woody joins the migration westward from the Dust Bowl to supposedly greener California pastures via boxcar and hitchhiking. When penniless Woody is turned back from the California border, he sneaks into the state alone and meets Luther (Randy Quaid), who takes Woody to a farm where hundreds of workers scrounge for a few ill-paid harvesting jobs. When singer Ozark Bole (Ronny Cox) arrives both to entertain and to urge the workers to unionize, Woody joins Ozark in song, fleeing with him after thugs break up the assembly. He lands a job singing with Ozark on the radio, and the two become partners in union agitation. Unable to commit in his personal life as he finds his political voice, Woody brings his family west, but his wife can't tolerate Woody's wandering ways. Reluctant to sell out his ideals for a lucrative career, Woody hits the road again, bringing his songs of freedom and protest to a nationwide audience on his own terms. Opting for atmospheric story-telling over strident polemic, the filmmakers present Guthrie as a complex individual with contradictory virtues and faults. Despite critical praise and nominations for several Oscars, including Best Picture, Bound for Glory proved less than glorious at the box office. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Carradine, Ronny Cox, (more)
- 1970
- PG13
Father Gregory Lind (Robert Forster) is the Catholic priest who questions his dedication to his parishioners. He becomes disenchanted with the church over the official stance on birth control, unwanted pregnancy and social change. He tries to confide in his family but they rebuke him for questioning his faith. He falls in love with Pamela Gibson (Lauren Hutton) a wealthy social worker. The Bishop (Will Geer) tries to bring Gregory back to the fold, but his love for Pamela is too much. He is beaten up by street thugs who believe he is gay. Gregory considers leaving the church for a new life with the woman he loves. The story for this romantic melodrama is taken from the novel The Wine And The Music by William E. Barrett. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Forster, Lauren Hutton, (more)
This story is taken from the real-life marriage of two people in the early 1960s. Helen North (Lucille Ball) is a widow with eight children who falls in love with Naval officer Frank Beardsley (Henry Fonda), a widower with ten children of his own. The two marry as comedy ensues from the sheer numbers and diverse age groups of the offspring. Narration is used in the first half of the film to help set the stage for the impending nuptials. Van Johnson is the mutual friend who brings the couple together. Tom Bosley plays the harried doctor who makes a house call and finds almost two dozen patients under one roof. The newlyweds are soon off to the hospital when Helen becomes pregnant with the couple's first child in this amusing family comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, (more)
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