American Graffiti (1973)

George Lucas did just fine with a movie "no one wanted to do."

The soon-to-be creative force behind Star Wars had a tough time lining up financing for American Graffiti: Special Edition, his ode to cruising, cars and the American teen experience in the early 1960s.

It wasn't until Francis Ford Coppola, who recently wrapped up the first Godfather film, that Lucas was able to get financing for his follow-up to THX 1138.

I love American Graffiti soundtrack - a double album set I picked up, if memory serves, at Sam the Record Man in Barrie in 1991 or 1992. If you're a fan of American rock and roll from that period - songs such as The Great Pretender (The Drifters), Runaway (Del Shannon) and Party Doll (Buddy Know), get the disc.

The movie, marking early career appearances by a slew of stars including Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Charles Martin Smith, is OK, but not stellar.

The film is set over one night in a California community in the early 1960s. Curt (Dreyfuss) and Steve (Ron Howard) leave for college the next morning. Curt is starting to doubt whether he'll head east to study. Steve can't wait to pull up stakes for greener pastures.

Curt's final night in town is largely focused on trying to track down a beautiful blond (Suzanne Somers) driving a T-Bird. "I just saw a vision," he proclaims after seeing this beauty for the first time. Steve's girlfriend, Laurie (Cindy Wiliams) wants her beau to stay in town and is cool to his suggestion that they should both date others while they're separated.

Terry, or The Toad (Martin Smith) is elated to finally get a car of his own to drive, at least for awhile, and enjoy the company of Debbie (Candy Clark), a fine-looking lady he meets that night.

Rounding out the high school gang is John (Paul Le Mat), the champion dragster who cruises the strip with the very young Carol (Mackenzie Phillips). He is, depending on the moment, interested or infuriated to have her along for company. He's sought out for a race by Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford). Harrison, I think you're an awesome actor, but this may be the worst performance I've ever seen you give. The cowboy hat and Texas accent just don't work.

Give American Graffiti credit for centring so much action in, and around, cars. Given how much time characters talk to others while behind the wheel, it's amazing more drivers didn't drive through red lights or rear-end other vehicles.

There's some laughs, but no real drama. The cars look great. The music is fantastic, but the story is just OK.

RATING: 7/10

FUN FACTS: See if you can spot Kathleen Quinlan and Joe Spano. I couldn't.

This is the first film appearance by legendary American disc jockey Wolfman Jack.

Another beef with this film - old actors playing teens. Bo Hopkins, a gang leader, was in his early thirties when he made this film. Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams and Candy Clark were all in their mid-twenties.

Johnny Weissmuller, Jr., son of Tarzan, is billed as Badass #1.

The Conversation (1974)

Harry Caul makes a good living by not asking questions about what his clients want.

Based in San Francisco, Caul (Gene Hackman) is a surveillance expert, revered by others in the business for the quality of his work and the equipment he creates to do his job.

Trouble is, Caul has a conscience that is starting to interfere with his work. He's already bothered by an earlier assignment that resulted in two people being murdered.

A job to record a conversation between a young couple in a public square causes him to cross a line and get involved with what he hears.

Caul is convinced something will happen to Mark and Ann (Frederic Forrest and Cindy Williams) if he doesn't intervene.

The stress he's facing on the job isn't helped by what's happening in his personal life.

His girlfriend, Amy (Teri Garr) is frustrated by how she little she knows about Harry's life. She appears to be a bit of a ditz, but Amy notices how Harry likes to watch her.

Another big name in the surveillance world, Bernie Moran (Allen Garfield), is eager to join forces with Harry, get access to the tools he has conjured up, while also reminding him of that earlier incident that led to lives being lost.

Harry makes a point - as Amy notes - of not letting others know about his personal life. Birthday wishes from other tenants, and signs colleagues and foes are watching him causes his life to start falling apart.

Director Francis Ford Coppola made The Conversation between the first and second Godfather films. This drama from 1974 features a much smaller world and cast of characters. Hackman stands out in a film that can be uncomfortable to watch. Harry is on the edge and The Conversation's final moments are disturbing to see.

Harrison Ford makes an early screen appearance as Martin Stett, a right-hand man to the director of, well I think it's a business. His name doesn't appear in the credits, but this veteran of other Coppola films including Apocalypse Now should be identifiable.

See this film - and give a listen to Coppola's commentary.

RATING: 9/10

The Conversation was nominated for three Academy Awards - best picture, screenplay and sound.

Elizabeth MacRae was Lou-Ann Poovie, girlfriend of Gomer Pyle, USMC.

The Conversation marks the film debut of Mark Wheeler.