$

$ (1971)

Runtime: 121 minutes

Directed by: Richard Brooks

Starring: Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Gert Frobe, Robert Webber, Scott Brady

From: Columbia

It eventually became the idea to see three 1971 motion pictures in a row-there won't be a fourth-and this one was chosen because the soundtrack-an awesome affair from Quincy Jones that I've been familiar with for years-has several Little Richard tunes. It's ironic that last night was the first time I actually have seen the movie.

Dollars was shot on location in Germany and Denmark, most of it in the former. It is a heist picture where Beatty and Hawn rip off the safety deposit boxes from some nefarious characters at a bank ran by Frobe. As an aside, what a conversation early on Hawn and Frobe have concerning her “private box”... yes, it goes there. Anyhow, the scheme that Old Warren concocts is interesting yet with that, it seeming overlong at times and overall quality, this isn't among the best heist movies ever-Rififi has nothing to worry about.

That said, I can still say this was fine overall. The European locations add nice flavor, the main cast's ability is an asset, and there is an extended chase sequence involving multiple parties & locations. At least now I can confirm that the funky as hell soundtrack-it also includes contributions from Roberta Flack-is still the true highlight of the whole endeavor. I do have to mention: this had more female nudity (including full frontal) than what I was expecting... and “seeing three movies in a row which feature bad things happening to animals, whether real or staged” was not on the itinerary but this was what occurred. In case there were any doubts, giving concentrated LSD to a feline does not result in a good trip.