Steelyard Blues

source: Steelyard Blues

Trailer—Steelyard Blues

Steelyard Blues

I recall seeing the movie in '73 and enjoying it. I was about 24 then, and it seemed like a "normal" film with "normal" people doing "normal" things, at the time! lol. What I've been trying to figure out for decades now, is if this is the Sutherland/Fonda film where he rolls the black super ball (which he refers to as a "marble") from the back of the empty bus down the aisle, past Fonda, the only other passenger, as she sat up front ignoring the ball, which was clearly, a message from him. Without turning to acknowledge him, she hurriedly gets off the bus, trying to slip away into the night. He gets off the bus, catches up with her and asks: "Why didn't you answer my marble?" Somebody! Please! Tell me if this is the film that the line came from! I'm desperate to "get closure" on this one! lol. Been using the line all these years thinking it was from "Klute", but that's wrong! Nobody I've ever known seems to recall what I would term "THE classic line" from the film. Thanks! CMAR

Not a great movie, but the scene between Sutherland's character and his brother in the brother's office is worthy of the best Marx Brothers material. Unlike the other commentators here, I found Peter Boyle's work in this movie annoying and overwrought, and that's why I gave it an 8. But everything Sutherland did in this movie was comedy magic and totally unexpected, given his reputation as a serious actor. Fonda, on the other hand, seemed to be phoning it in, doing a watered down caricature of her Bree Daniels persona in "Klute." Too bad, there was a lot of talent in this picture.

Career criminal and demolition derby driver Jesse Veldini (Donald Sutherland) gets released from prison. His DA brother Frank Veldin (Howard Hesseman) just wants to keep him out of trouble. He reconnects with hooker/girlfriend Iris Caine (Jane Fonda) and his old friends. They decide to fix up a rundown PBY Catalina airplane. They do various petty crimes to finance the rebuild. There is a confusing info dump early in the movie. This is trying to be an irreverent comedy but it's more quirky. It's down and out. I don't really know these characters' logic especially Jesse. He seems to be aimlessly searching for something that he doesn't even know. It's a bit muddled. It has the grim of 70's Oakland. I don't find this that much fun but these actors keep me interested. It's a borderline case.

After making the cult classic, Klute Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland followed their big screen collaboration with this amusing black comedy about a bunch of oddballs repairing an old plane in the hope of flying away from it all. Some fair moments of high farce, and a good supporting cast, including Peter Boyle. However, the off set stories, such as the alleged fling between producers Julia Phillips and the late Don Simpson, proved to be far more interesting than the movie itself.

This is one of my favorite movies from the '70's. Peter Boyle steals the show, he is just over-the-top hilarious. Sutherland shows signs that he is becoming a famous actor, even though he doesn't seem to be trying very hard, but then that's Donald. Fonda seems like she is still trying to learn how to act. Then again, maybe it was just because they all may have been stoned during the entire film (although that subject does not come up in this movie). The scene at the demolition derby is one of my favorite scenes ever, even though I'm a car guy and it kills me to see the '50 Stude destroyed. This is probably more of a guy film even though Fonda brings out the "new woman".

... required. Escapism grounded in grim reality. You just really want them to get away with it, and then, even when it's all going horribly wrong, they somehow do!!! Excellent early 70s vibes aplenty. Sadly, Peter Boyle passed away today, so I should point out that his presence lights up the whole film. I can never understand why he never got more character parts. I include this film with a number of other early 70s films such as Easy Rider, Two Lane Blacktop and The Getaway. Intelligent escapism, with a tinge of cannabis. Cannot understand why it doesn't have a DVD release, especially when many other, lesser, movies are brought into the equation. It deserves the whole extras/commentary/scene setting that Fear and Loathing got, after all!

Steelyard blues is a terrific addition to the Woodstock, or anti-establishment, era movies which include Easy Rider, Vanishing Point and Zacharia, to name a few. Peter Boyle is priceless as he does an impression of Marlon Brando and later scales a building without the use of ropes -- also a terrific early performance by KWRP's Howard Hessman. Don't miss this hip, fun farce. They don't make em like this anymore. Fantastic sound track featuring Maria Muldaur -- among others.