To get everyone in the mood for his ninth film, director and cult film guru Quentin Tarantino has something special in mind for the Sony Movie Channel. From the 5th of August Tarantino’s ‘Swinging Sixties-a-Movie Marathon’ will showcase nine films which perfectly set the tone for Once Upon a Time …in Hollywood, which comes out in cinemas on the 14th of August.
Each of these films has been specially curated, having influenced the director’s new film, and will play individually or as double features. As always with the director, there are some surprises here. In amongst ’60s classics Easy Rider and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice are secret agent specials, violent Westerns and a little bit of love in all its complicated forms. In short – it’s a masterclass in movie mood – just the thing to dive into before you take a trip back to the Singing Sixties with one of the greatest living filmmakers.
In addition to curating this exclusive season of films Tarantino will be debuting some scenes from his latest film – worth tuning in for on their own – as well as sitting down with film historian Kim Morgan to talk about Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. Tarantino said of the special season,
“Sony Pictures made their Columbia Pictures catalogue available to me so that I could select a series of films representative of the era in which Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is set, The Swinging Sixties. I’m thrilled to host these movies so we can enjoy them together,”
Quentin Tarantino’s Movie Marathon
Here’s a list of the dates and times when each of the films are playing, along with further details of what you can expect when you tune in.
● Model Shop – Monday 5th August, 11:30pm
(1969; director: Jacques Demy)
With the threat of the Vietnam draft looming over his head and the realities of unemployment sinking in, 26-year-old Californian George Matthews (Gary Lockwood) becomes increasingly hopeless about his future. Failing to relate to his live-in girlfriend, Gloria (Alexandra Hay), the young man finds himself drawn to Lola (Anouk Aimée), a model whom he photographs. In a desperate bid to make a meaningful connection, George decides to take a chance on having a romantic tryst with Lola.
● Getting Straight – Tuesday 6th August, 11:30pm
(1970; director: Richard Rush)
Graduate student Harry Bailey (Elliott Gould) was once one of the most visible undergraduate activists on campus, but now that he’s back studying for his master’s, he’s trying to fly right. Trouble is, the campus is exploding with various student movements, and Harry’s girlfriend, Jan (Candice Bergen), is caught up in most of them. As Harry gets closer to finishing his degree, he finds his iconoclastic attitude increasingly aligned with the students rather than the faculty.
● Arizona Raiders – Wednesday 7th August, 11:30pm
(1965; director: William Witney)
When Quantrell’s gang is almost destroyed two of the captured members agree to join the Arizona Rangers to help finish the job. Starring Audie Murphy, Michael Dante, Ben Cooper, Buster Crabbe and Gloria Talbott.
● Gunman’s Walk – Thursday 8th August, 11:30pm
(1958; director: Phil Karlson)
Rancher Lee Hackett (Van Heflin) spends so much time trying to keep the violent streak of his son Ed (Tab Hunter) in check, he neglects the needs of his other son Davy (James Darren). When Ed’s temper results in the death of an innocent Native American, Lee tries his best to cover his son’s tracks by making a deal with unscrupulous horse trader Jensen (Ray Teal), who falsely testifies on Ed’s behalf. But it becomes clear that Ed can’t change, and a shootout between father and son ensues.
● Hammerhead – Friday 9th August, 11:30pm
(1968; director: David Miller)
A U.S. secret agent (Vince Edwards) thwarts a criminal mastermind (Peter Vaughan) who seeks antique erotica and NATO defence secrets.
● Easy Rider – Saturday 10th August, 11:30pm
(1969; director: Dennis Hopper)
Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth. On their journey, they
experience bigotry and hatred from the inhabitants of small-town America and also meet with other travellers seeking alternative lifestyles. After a terrifying drug experience in New Orleans, the two travellers wonder if they will ever find a way to live peacefully in America.
● Cactus Flower – Sunday 11th August, 1:35am
(1969; director: Gene Saks)
Distraught when her middle-aged lover breaks a date with her, 21-year-old Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn) attempts suicide. Impressed by her action, her lover, dentist Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) reconsiders marrying Toni, but he worries about her insistence on honesty. Having fabricated a wife and three children, Julian readily accepts when his devoted nurse, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman), who has secretly loved Julian for years, offers to act as his wife and demand a divorce.
● Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice – Sunday 11th August, 11:30pm
(1969; director: Paul Mazursky)
After returning to Los Angeles from a group therapy session, documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders (Robert Culp) and his wife, Carol (Natalie Wood), find themselves becoming vigilante couples counsellors, offering unsolicited advice to their best friends, Ted (Elliott Gould) and Alice Henderson (Dyan Cannon). Not wanting to be rude, the Hendersons play along, but some latent sexual tension among the four soon comes bubbling to the surface, and long-buried desires don’t stay buried for long
● The Wrecking Crew – Monday 12th August, 1:45am
(1968; director: Phil Karlson)
Secret agent Matt Helm (Dean Martin) and a blonde (Sharon Tate) track $1 billion in gold in the last of four Matt Helm movies.
The series will premiere on Sony Movie Channel (Freeview 32, Sky 321, Virgin 425, Freesat 302).
