4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Burt Reynolds has his own section in my massive physical media collection. I love the guy. And he was massively popular in his prime. From 1978 – 1982, Reynolds was named the number one box office star in the United States by the Quigley Poll, an annual survey of movie exhibitors. He was a true movie star. Happy Birthday in heaven, Burt! Thanks for all the great entertainment you’ve provided in my life!
WHITE LIGHTNING (1973)
HOOPER (1978)
SHARKY’S MACHINE (1981)
CITY HEAT (1984)
Through the Shattered Lens 
I shared this homage to Burt when he died…I loved his ability to be serious, goofy and always charming. Watching him on The Tonight Show is great and his cameo on “The Larry Sanders Show” is hilarious as well…my favorite I think is “The Longest Yard” although his work in “Deliverance” and “Boogie Nights” showed what a great actor he was as well…his memoir is terrific: https://johnrieber.com/2018/09/06/rip-burt-reynolds-from-white-lightning-to-cosmo-centerfold-americas-hottest-star-of-the-70s-has-died/
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John Rieber, thanks for sharing your homage and writing about Burt Reynolds’ life. I read his autobiography, but not too much stuck with me. Two things, one is he and Loni Anderson never saw each other unless they were ‘camera-ready’ and that seems like a tall order! Two is that he was counting on residuals from “Evening Shade” to be a giant annuity, but it hit the syndication market at a marked low and he only received 10% of what he originally expected.
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Those are two great facts to point out: he never seemed to receive a fair compensation for his hits…and wasn’t that great of an investor either because he was one of the biggest stars of the 70’s!
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The Longest Yard is probably my favorite as well. I watched it today to celebrate Burt’s birthday! I’m looking forward to checking out your article!
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HIs last film “The Last Movie Star” was actually pretty good and he was great as well…willing to stare his mortality and career down…and of course his “hicksploitation” run as well!
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Brad! Always enjoy your writing, and choices and these are great. That is Hal Needham making the ‘river jump’, in White Lightning, and then directing ‘Hooper’. Burt and Hal made quite a team. Burt got to direct “Sharkey’s Machine” but am recalling him saying that it took too long to direct (not to make the movie, just the chore!) and he didn’t like the questions from the studio. (Am assuming questions had to do with cost-and-schedule). Am recalling the ‘City Heat’ promotion, and the Liza Minelli addition really was a buzzkill. Clint and Burt were on the cover of TIME and Newsweek that opening week, that was kind of a big deal then. Tried to rewatch Hooper not long ago, and the drinking-and-driving, tossing empty cans out the window, etc. made it a tough watch. Standards and tastes change! Like you, I still love Burt’s work and enjoyed “The Last Movie Star” for it’s repurposing of his movie history. Thanks for sharing this!
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He’s jumping into the Arkansas River! I just love that White Lightning and Sling Blade are filmed in my town. I seem to remember reading an article that Burt was seriously injured on the set of City Heat.
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Luv Burt Reynolds.
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He was a great movie star who coasted mostly on his charm, but who also proved several times in his career that he was a true talent.
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