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Michael Conrad

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1

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The Longest Yard poster
The Longest Yard

Apex Mountain

The Longest Yard The Rewatchables

Smokey and the Bandit is Burt Reynolds’s contemporary apex, while The Longest Yard is argued as his retrospective best work; other apexes include the film among football movies and the 1974 Maserati.

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:22Read transcript
  • Smokey and the Bandit is selected as Burt Reynolds’s commercial apex.
  • The Longest Yard is proposed as a retrospective apex because it remains among his most memorable films.
  • Eddie Albert, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, and Harry Caesar receive career-context discussion.
  • The Longest Yard is selected as the best football movie over a large field of alternatives.
  • The 1974 Maserati receives an immediate vehicle apex.
  • Saturday Night Special is considered for movie-song apex and compared with its use in Blue Collar.
  • The observed Anacott/Anacoste Steel reference remains more closely associated with Wall Street.
  • The movie is jokingly tested against other notorious West Palm Beach incidents.
The Longest Yard poster
The Longest Yard

Half-Assed Internet Research

The Longest Yard The Rewatchables

Research covers Albert S. Ruddy’s story, Robert Aldrich’s comedy takes, the real inmate-trooper game, Reynolds’s rapport with prisoners, Aldrich’s treatment of Michael Conrad, and the Maserati sale.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:23Read transcript
  • Producer Albert S. Ruddy is reported to have conceived the story in the late 1960s and hired a screenwriter.
  • The production shot at Georgia State Prison with cooperation from then-governor Jimmy Carter.
  • Aldrich reportedly kept cameras rolling for what he called schtick takes so Reynolds could improvise comedy.
  • After production, inmates used the remaining equipment to play state troopers and reportedly led 66–0 at halftime.
  • Reynolds reportedly ignored warnings and ate with prisoners during meal breaks.
  • Aldrich reportedly feuded with Michael Conrad and called him the Polish princess.
  • The recovered Maserati was reportedly sold by the producer for seven thousand dollars.
The Longest Yard poster
The Longest Yard

What’s Aged the Best?

The Longest Yard The Rewatchables

Burt Reynolds’s athletic movie-star performance, the sports realism, split-screen game coverage, car chase, period styling, Caretaker twist, and decision not to kill Crewe receive the strongest praise.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:38Read transcript
  • A giant movie star leading a sports film is praised as a model that has become rare.
  • The ashtray, cigarettes, radio football call, and gray leisure suit immediately establish the 1970s setting.
  • The split-screen game coverage is praised for introducing a new visual grammar late in the movie without breaking immersion.
  • The car chase benefits from the long skids and less precise handling of a 1973 Maserati.
  • Anitra Ford’s look is treated as specifically evocative of the mid-1970s.
  • The observed Ed Loudder is praised for a résumé spanning several sports movies.
  • Michael Conrad’s later Hill Street Blues presence is noted.
  • Using an announcer inside the sports movie is credited as a device later films repeated.
  • Caretaker’s ability to obtain steroids, vitamins, and stimulants is treated as funny period detail.
  • The very wide photography and multi-picture design are praised as theatrical choices.
  • Caretaker’s murder is called both devastating and an effective story turn that keeps prison danger present.
  • The decision to replace an ending where Crewe was shot preserves the movie’s satisfying resolution.
  • Burt Reynolds’s dismissive later account of the remake is treated as evidence of his cranky persona.
Displaying all 3 discussions

Films in the archive

The Longest Yard

1974

Rewatchables episodes featuring their films

The Longest Yard poster

The Longest Yard

1974 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Van Lathan

Aired June 19, 2024

Displaying 1 episode