Soylent Green (1973)
I wasn’t around in 1973 when Soylent Green was released, but watching it fifty years later is certainly an experience. It’s set in a futuristic world (2022) where pollution has made a greenhouse effect on the planet, destroyed the ozone layer, and made unlivable conditions that are too hot and toxic to grow produce anymore. As that is happening to the planet now, and the quality of food is being questioned by many, it does add an extra eerie tone to the film. By coincidence, I rewatched the movie in 2022, and it gave me goosebumps.
In the futuristic film world, there’s a huge class distinction. The poor are overpopulated and sleep in stairwells, have to use bicycle generators for electricity, and line up during certain days of the week to receive government-regulated, nutritious food substitutes. The rich live in spacious, air-conditioned places with running water and soap. They have access to real food, and they don’t have to crowd in streets to get a rationed green food bar. There’s an incredible scene when Charlton Heston smuggles home some food to his roommate, Edward G. Robinson. It’s a tiny tomato, a wilted stalk of celery, and a cut of beef. Eddie G is overjoyed, but then he starts to cry because he’s ashamed that the world has come to such a sorry state.
Obviously, with futuristic movies (and especially ones made in the 1970s), there are secrets, corruption, and a lone rebel who battles against The Man. If you liked Chuck in Planet of the Apes, you’ll like him in this similar role. You’ll also see Brock Peters, Chuck Connors, Joseph Cotten, Whit Bissell, and Dick Van Patten. It’s very sad to watch Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green. He was in very poor health, and was even deaf so he had to read his costars’ lips during filming. He received an Honorary Oscar the following year, but he died before he could accept it. After forty years of service to Hollywood in classic gangster roles, comedies, and heavy dramas, it was downright insulting that he never received even a nomination. The Members of the Board at the Hot Toasty Rags awarded him his second Rag for the film, and he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Sara Corales" for posting!
More Whit Bissell movies here!
More Joseph Cotten movies here!
More Edward G. Robinson movies here!
In the futuristic film world, there’s a huge class distinction. The poor are overpopulated and sleep in stairwells, have to use bicycle generators for electricity, and line up during certain days of the week to receive government-regulated, nutritious food substitutes. The rich live in spacious, air-conditioned places with running water and soap. They have access to real food, and they don’t have to crowd in streets to get a rationed green food bar. There’s an incredible scene when Charlton Heston smuggles home some food to his roommate, Edward G. Robinson. It’s a tiny tomato, a wilted stalk of celery, and a cut of beef. Eddie G is overjoyed, but then he starts to cry because he’s ashamed that the world has come to such a sorry state.
Obviously, with futuristic movies (and especially ones made in the 1970s), there are secrets, corruption, and a lone rebel who battles against The Man. If you liked Chuck in Planet of the Apes, you’ll like him in this similar role. You’ll also see Brock Peters, Chuck Connors, Joseph Cotten, Whit Bissell, and Dick Van Patten. It’s very sad to watch Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green. He was in very poor health, and was even deaf so he had to read his costars’ lips during filming. He received an Honorary Oscar the following year, but he died before he could accept it. After forty years of service to Hollywood in classic gangster roles, comedies, and heavy dramas, it was downright insulting that he never received even a nomination. The Members of the Board at the Hot Toasty Rags awarded him his second Rag for the film, and he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Sara Corales" for posting!
More Whit Bissell movies here!
More Joseph Cotten movies here!
More Edward G. Robinson movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Supporting Actor of 1973: Edward G. Robinson
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Dramatic Screenplay