Howard Hawks 1955-1977 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 4) /
Howard Hawks in a still from a 1977 interview near the director’s home in Palm Springs
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
In the 1960s, many American directors saw their fortunes turn after they notched massive hits. In the case of Howard Hawks – a director who had thrived in virtually every Hollywood genre since the late silent era– the undisputed masterpiece of Rio Bravo gave way to four poorly-received efforts, each of which bared the marks of a dying studio system, if they weren’t compromised by the literal dying off of the previous generation of stars. In the middle of this run, Hawks made Red Line 7000, a car racing drama which was at once familiar and personal to Hawks, and also totally foreign in that it was a movie set in the 1960s, infused with ‘60s sexual politics, and built around future New Hollywood star James Caan.
Still from Red Line 7000, 1965, Paramount Pictures.
SHOW NOTES:
Sources:
Who the Devil Made It? by Peter Bogdanovich
The American Cinema: directors and directions 1929-1968 by Andrew Sarris
Hawks on Hawks by Joseph McBride
Focus on Howard Hawks by Joseph McBride
Howard Hawks: New Perspectives by Ian Brookes
Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood by Todd McCarthy
Leading Lady: Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker by Stephen Galloway
“The Ultimate Caan Game,” Stephen Rebello, Movieline, October 1993
“Sponsor Without Pause,” Newsweek, December 27, 1965
“Red Line 7000 Tieups with 10 Big Companies,” Hollywood Reporter
“Red Line a winner,” Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times, November 26, 1965
“HAWKS,” Joseph McBride, Film Comment, March-April 1978
“Latest from Howard Hawks: Hatari,” Andrew Sarris, Films and Filming, 1962
Plimpton! Shootout at Rio Lobo (1970)
Rare 7-minute interview with Legendary director Howard Hawks
Please note: as an Amazon Associate, Karina earns from qualifying purchases. #ad
Howard Hawks and John Wayne on the set of El Dorado, 1966, Paramount Pictures
Music:
The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.
Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode:
"Jat Poure” - The Sweet Hots
"Holo” - Grey River
"Slimheart” - Bitters
"The Face of the Thrush” - Migration
“Dakota” - Unheard Music Concepts
“Railroad’s Whiskey Co” - Jabzzar
“Engine” - Oslo
“Borough” - Molerider
“Gaddy” - Little Rock
“Laser Focus” - TinyTiny Trio
“Magenta” - Coquelicot
“Our Only Lark” - Bitters
“Lick Stick” - Nursery
“Ranch Hand” - Truck Stop
“Au Coin de la Rue” - Marco Raaphorst
“One Quiet Conversation” - K2
This episode was written, narrated, edited and produced by Karina Longworth.
Our editor this season is Evan Viola.
Research, production, and social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.
Logo design: Teddy Blanks.
Still from a 1977 interview with Howard Hawks at the director’s home in Palm Springs