Play Misty for Me (1971) Retro Movie Review

 

The film that set the standard for all deranged love stories to follow, Fatal Attraction (1987), Basic Instinct (1992), Single White Female (1992), Swim Fan (2002). Evelyn (the fantastic Jessica Walters) is a super fan of local DJ Dave (Clint Eastwood), she goes to the bar he hangs out at and seduces him into a psychotic web of chaos.

 Mr. Eastwood’s directorial debut, received critical acclaim making $10,600,000 on a budget of $725,000. Making the moving outside of Hollywood gave the first-time director more freedom to make the movie with his own vision. But more importantly shooting on site (Carmel-by-the-Sea and other North of LA coastal towns) saved money to be used elsewhere on production. Giving the movie a more authentic feel. Not only is it expensive to build sets but the look and sound “feel” is a lower quality effecting the acting on set. Payback on both movies and music always has lagged the recording quality. Watch Death Trap AKA Eaten Alive (1976) on a HD television, it feels fake. Having a classic performance by Robert Englund and directed by Horror titan Tobe Hooper it just seems like you’re watching a high school play with cheap props.

This movie still is enjoyable to watch fifty years later due to timeless quality of jazz and a great cast. Lots of Cartoons and Movies turned to Jazz to fill the background, who’s childhood memories aren’t filled with sound tracks from Looney Tunes and Charlie Brown. Jazz seems to have a larger part in this media than selling recording or tickets, sure it has been in style at certain times and parts of the country, but it’s always been the redheaded stepchild to other types of popular music.

Play Misty For Me Movie Trailer

Everyone knows about the movie star named Clint Eastwood. 1971 saw him break away from the westerns, to this film and Beguiled (great movie would love to see a remake!) and Dirty Harry. This started his impressive run as a director.

First leading role for Jessica Walter (1941-2021), more well know in 2022 for Arrested Development (2003-2019) and Archer (2009-2021). If you want to see one of the best send offs for a cast member who past, watch Archer S12 E8. She is perfect in Play Misty for Me. Sweet and innocent at first but plays crazy equally as well at the end of the movie.

Many other recognizable actors, Donna Mills, John Larch, Clarice Taylor, and frequent Eastwood collaborator Don Siegel. During this time it was common to have the same supporting cast for actors and directors movie after movie. Tv shows rotated the same guest stars and bad guys week after week. Lots of familiar faces in this movie. A classic that hasn’t stayed in the spot light, maybe once Clint stops making Oscar winning movies people will go back and check out one of his early movies that aren’t a western.