Actor Charlton Heston brought the idea of “Make Room, Make Room” (original title) to MGM and all the elements would come together. In 1973, MGM Studios was nearing its end of production and ready to move to Las Vegas as the MGM Grand. This would be their last major film shot on their famed back lot before it was sold off for real estate.
PLOT. Police Det. Thorn investigates a murder leading to a government conspiracy silencing those who know what’s in their new wonder food known as Soylent Green. (Based on a novel by Harry Harrison.)
What’s radically different about Soylent Green? Back then and still, most science-fiction is about outer space travel, aliens or an advanced technology. Instead, this predicts a crumbling civilization, over-population and the desperation of people trying to stay alive.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Shot in late 1972-early 1973, some fifty years before 2022, what predictions have come true?
We are beginning to see rampant inflation and food shortages. (In the movie, a jar of strawberries costs $150.)
“People are still the same” reads the poster ad. Truer words were never spoken. Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson), a voice from the past says, “People were always rotten. But, the world was beautiful.”
Police State. Many people don’t want to admit this is true, but it is. Gov’t police have absolute authority. Riot control police use “people scoops” – trash trucks – to herd rioters who go wild when they’re told there’s no more Soylent Green. [A supposed combination of soybeans-lentils-and high-energy plankton farmed from the sea!]
Some cast extra were masks.
Economy becomes socialist.
CAST
Charlton Heston as Detective Robert Thorn
Leigh Taylor-Young as Shirl
Edward G. Robinson as Sol Roth
Chuck Connors as Tab Fielding
Brock Peters as Hatcher
Paula Kelly as Martha
Joseph Cotton as William R. Simonson
ACTING
This would be legendary actor Edward G. Robinson’s last performance and it is memorable.
Heston commented: Robinson told him before filming their last scene together that he had terminal cancer. Heston admits “those were real tears” during filming.
Edward G. Robinson celebrates his 100th and final role. He was working on his autobiography at the time. Published posthumously as “All My Yesterdays”.
Leigh Taylor-Young is cast as “Shirl”, Simonson’s furniture girl. (She comes with the apartment.) Best acting moment: when confronted by a new tenant who asks her “Are you fun?”
Chuck Heston was the catalyst for “Soylent Green”. It is one of his best roles.
Sol prepares Thorn a rare treat: “beef stew”.
MUSIC
The score is composed by Fred Myrow. It’s most favorably utilized during the opening still frame photo sequence where mass-production, from the industrial revolution is shown to be the cause for our polluted world.
DIRECTOR
Director Richard Fleischer provides a commentary on the DVD, along with Leigh Taylor-Young.
Old newspaper ad for “Soylent Green”
Text © 2022 – EricReports
On the morning of November 29, 1981, the body of actress Natalie Wood was found floating off the coast of Catalina Island. What happened and why? To make sense of the circumstances of her death, we must first analyze what led up to it.
Bill Holden’s former lover was Stephanie Powers. (Co-star of ABC’s television series “Hart to Hart”.) Some felt that their breakup may have led to his death.
Friday, Nov. 27. The pleasure cruise begins aboard their yacht known as the “Splendour”. Although the tension between Wagner and Walken was obvious, it was not until the next day when things became ugly.
Saturday, Nov. 28. Wood and Walken flirt together at a Catalina restaurant to Wagner’s irritation. (Is she trying to get even for Wagner spending time with Stephanie Powers?)
Mr. Wagner refuses to give out any new information to the police and stands by his story: that Natalie Wood fell off their yacht while trying to board or tie down their dinghy. Many do not believe this story as Wood had trouble operating the complicated engine aboard the “Valiant”. Additionally, she was afraid of “dark water” and would not go out on the ocean alone.
The first and worst example is “Change of Habit” (1969), where the King portrays Dr. John Carpenter, a doctor working in the ghetto. He is joined by three nuns incognito. (Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara McNair and Jane Elliot.) In the plot, Dr. Elvis mistakenly believes the three women are there for abortions, which he refuses. (It was illegal then.) The punchline? He asks them “By the way, was it the same guy?” This scene was cut by Universal, I presume, so that people don’t know abortion was once considered a bad thing.
Next, “Elvis on Tour” (1972), is a documentary released by MGM. Today, it’s owned by Warner Bros. The original song over the title credits was “Johnny B. Goode”. It’s been replaced by “Don’t be Cruel”. Now, we can argue back and forth about Elvis being on something while singing “Johnny B. Goode”. I don’t care. Elvis on chemical substances is still ten times better than the singers of today. “Elvis on Tour” is not the same without this song.
Finally, “This is Elvis” (1981) is an excellent retrospective of the King’s career: part documentary-part reenactment. Towards the conclusion, Elvis sings “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” which has been removed for the “Special Edition” at the request of his estate. (His ex-wife? His daughter?) This song was cut because Elvis forgets the words at one point. It does show, however, Elvis at the end of his rope, raw and unvarnished.
It’s also a rarity, being one of the few films Chris Walken isn’t an insane psychic or murderer. He’s well-played as Dr. Michael Brace who helps invent the new wonder machine,
Natalie Wood is Karen Brace (wife of Michael) who designs the headphones for recording thought. It’s sad, of course, seeing the final performance of what they used to call a real movie star. (We don’t have any more.) At age 43, she’s still beautiful and it’s not surprising the film is dedicated to her in the final credits.