Favorite movie quote - "They don't call that guy 'Bugs' for nothing!" (snicker-snicker)
Yep. I was really surprised to find out that 1967's The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (or, TSVDM, for short) was, in fact, directed by Roger Corman, the undisputed "king" of super low-budget horror and teen exploitation films of the 1950s and 60s.
(And, I must say that I was quite impressed)
Up to this point in his film-making career Corman had been directing "quickies" with budgets in the $250,000 range (or less). But, then, with this picture he was handed a cool million to throw around. And, by what I saw, I don't think that he recklessly squandered that dough on this production.
Set in the year 1929 (in the crime-drenched metropolis of Chicago), TSVDM's story is, indeed, based on actual events that led up to a very special sort of Valentine's Day surprise that made the most sensational headlines that you could possibly imagine.
Featuring plenty of swell-looking cars, cheap-looking whores, and deadly, drive-by shootings, TSVDM is an exciting gangster picture of treachery and double-crosses that, convincingly enough, captures the nostalgic feel of a "Depression Era" America.
Other than a few "damns", and a couple of "hells", thrown in for good measure, this rough, tough macho-man picture contained no profanity, whatsoever.
My one big beef about this picture has to do with the gross miscasting of actor Jason Robards as the ruthlessly violent Al Capone character.
I mean, let's face it, Capone was, without question, one of the meanest and lousiest bastards imaginable. And, nope, I'm sorry to say, Robards just didn't cut the mustard with his portrayal. No way, Jose.
