Roland-Salazar Reviews

Love, American Style (1969–1974)

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[25 February 2005]

As most mentioned, this was a moment in time not to be repeated again. Definitely a show that stood out as pure fun. I recall vividly seeing this show with my other brother and sisters. The instant we would see the still photos at the introduction to the show we knew it would be funny. I think we were too young to realize it had an adult theme (we thought love was too mushy) but we watched anyway! As soon as we saw someone like Joanne Worley in the beginning credits we knew it would be hilarious. We always like the busting fireworks at the end and who can forget the theme song?! Lovvvve American Style that's you and meeeeeee!!!!

Torchlight (1984)

Saw it being filmed on location

[17 February 2005]

It was kind of neat having the opportunity to see this movie being filmed on location. At the time I was living in Venice, Ca and just happened to see the live shoots on the way to the beach. It was interesting to see how Pamela Sue Martin was completely done over wig, etc and Charles Railsback also appeared completely different from his most memorable appearance in Helter-Skelter. I still have photos from the filming. I always wonder what ever became of these 2 great actors? The film itself actually creeps the viewer out to see how far drugs can take a person in to a living hell. I wish it would be shown again, its been years since i saw it.

The Trip to Bountiful (1985)

Uncanny similarities

[1 February 2005]

This movie hit so close to home and maybe that's why I find it to be so great. Being a native Houstonian and the fact that I love nostalgic trips back in time. This film reminds me so much of my own mom because she was from a small town in Texas just like Bountiful and moved to the "big city" of Houston in the 1940's. From time to time we take her there and she points to where the school used to be and where they used to hang out as kids and so on. Many of her friends and family are now gone and only exist in memory for her. Sometimes we have to imagine what it might be like for us when we are that age. She always said when your young you really don't think much about life 40 to 50 years from now. She even has a daughter in law "devil" just like the one in the movie. Thank God she doesn't have to live with her. Geraldine Page was another rare talent we will always miss. I recall seeing her in "Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice" and I knew she was a great actress. This movie inspired me because one day when I am ready to go, I want to go to my childhood home and see it for the last time too. The part where she kneels down and puts the soil in her hands brings tears to my eyes!

Earthquake (1974)

You had to be there!

[27 January 2005]

To really appreciate this film when it 1st came out. I was hooked on disaster films because this one came almost immediately after The Poseidon Adventure. This was another of the coolest movies at the time because again you could see it with the whole family with out concern of nudity or too much swearing. I also managed to buy the small paperback book that profiled the making of the movie. To this day I still cannot distinguish how the special effects were pulled off so well. I believe it won best special-effects that year at the Oscar's! The scene where the office workers are trapped in the skyscraper was actually built just about full scale on the Universal set, quite large for its time. The crumbling concrete was made of a soft mortar of sorts and was to crumble on que. I know I felt quite claustrophobic when they are caught in the make-shift hospital at the end. Yes, some of the actors were mismatched but who cared the focus of the film was the event remember! I think the advertisement was "An Epic Event" so we all knew it was a disaster flick from the get-go. And for those that don't remember (or too young to remember) the ladies had to remove their panty hose so the men could tie them around a chair they were going to hoist and lower injured people to the next floor below. Which reminds me, the scene when everyone runs for the stairs is quite horrific! Those stunt people must have went through hell! I was glad to see that women were also showing how well they could do as stunt extra's. Also, the TV added parts ruined this movie. Worse mistake they could do. Everyone stick to the original video. I still have the original movie poster along with my Towering Inferno poster. Too cool even after all these years! Way to go Hollywood you really did a wonder on this film! Sensurround was waaaayyyy ahead of its time!

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

It was really cool at the theater!

[10/10 · 27 January 2005]

I recall everything about this movie. I was 12 at the time and this has to be my 1st true epic film that comes to mind. The publicity was great (TV Trailers and movie previews) I remember scanning the movie ads in the newspaper awaiting its release at the local movie house. It was a great family event too. I recall the theater being sold out for weeks at a time and see the crowd surrounding the building! This was a time when Panavision was still a big deal. The movie seemed so real mainly because of the music, sound and wide screen effect. The tidal wave seemed so real it appeared to ingulf the theater! I recall Shelly Winters on the Merv Griffin show I think she was describing how she had to put on so much weight because she wanted the part so bad. Wise choice! I recall mom saying you know she was once a very beautiful slim and trim starlet in the 1940's? I was shocked to say the least. I loved this movie so much I still have my ViewMaster slides on it! This was when there wasn't all this new computer animated special-effects junk we see now a days. There actually some of the best men and women stunt people used for those horrific scenes! I once had the behind-the-scenes book about the making of the movie but it has disappeared. However, when I saw the VHS I grabbed it and have worshipped it since! I couldn't stand to hear critics snub this movie. It made hundreds if not thousands of people happy and I am glad to say I was once of them!

Fat Albert (2004)

I remember the TV show quite well

[22 December 2004]

I think I can make a comment and maybe some will or will not agree. We as children used to like the original Saturday morning TV show. That was 30 plus years ago, (time flies). It would be sooooo dated to see the show now. Times have changed and I personally think the characters fuel negative stereotypes. I grew up in the inner city and I can assure everyone, the African-American people I knew in school did not behave nor act as the characters did in this show. I think it is such a disservice to the African-American community. Most of all; Bill Cosby's recent commentaries we saw in the news a few months ago is very contradictory. I cannot understand how he gives full support of this show & the movie. Was he just concerned about making more $ one has to wonder. He is mega-rich as it is.

Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Pop-Culture of the mid-sixties

[10/10 · 14 December 2004]

I agree on the most part that this is a movie you learn to appreciate. If you are really into pop-culture of the sixties then this is the film for you. I heard mostly negative comments about the movie "before" I purchased the VHS movie. This is one of the most underrated movies of all time people! All the main characters in the movie were played perfectly. Neely was supposed to be the main focus, the other 2 girls were supposed to be as they were. Yes Susan Hayward also played the part perfectly, pathetic neurotic and pompous just as most celebrities become once their names are up in lights! Everything of this movie was Right on! The clothes, hair style's and people, basically everything and I love it! Will always bring back great memories of that time. I have seen it over and over and never tire of it. I wish all of these styles would come back. The movie is also great because it shows how the culture was towards women at those times. Remember the beginning when Jennifer descends from the staircase in that huge headdress and she gets those disparaging, sexist comments from the stage guy? "Baby you are top heavy" That shows what kind of bologna women had to tolerate at the time! These day's she would have sued the talent agency for sexual harassment right? So thats what I mean that the movie captures a rare moment of Americana! Maybe younger people just don't get it. Too bad, the baby-boomer's get it! Far-out!