MovieChat Forums > The Anderson Tapes (1971) Discussion > Some observations

Some observations

posted 13 years ago by whosit
12 replies | jump to latest

Allow me to preface this by saying I saw this movie during it's first theatrical run and have always liked it. Funny thing is that I know the exact surplus store where "The Kid" worked, it was on Canal Street. Up till the early 70's there was a stretch of Canal St that was littered with war surplus and various electronic supply stores. After the movie came out they had a sign on the same counter which made mention of them having been featured in the movie along with a still shot with Christopher Walken and Connery.

The other connection I have with this film is that the targeted apartment building (actually a convent) was just a couple of blocks away from where I lived and I recall seeing Christmas trees for sale in that enclosed driveway. Most odd!

The observations I wish to relate is how Sean Connery's acting smacks of someone reading from a script. It's really forced and sounds rehearsed, not off the cuff at all. Very strange performance from him. Many of the other actors came off as believable. Although that can't be said of Ralph Meeker, I found him to be a great comic relief and love his accent.

There's a nonsensical hole in the script when the gang meets at Spencer's apartment (the driver of the moving van). His buddy shows up and is introduced as Jimmy only to be told by Connery not to mention any names. Just then Socks appears and Connery introduces him as Socks! The gang gets a good laugh out of this.

Later on when they're robbing the various apartments Connery refers to Socks by name numerous times. Sheesh

Did anyone notice all the defunct TV sets in the old lady's apartment? This is/was so typical of older people, when a set became irreparable (or not worth repairing) they'd buy a new replacement but not junk the old one. The sets are stacked on top of one another and in the background is a new solid state 11" set (approx).

On the table in the room of the kid with asthma is a copy of the August 1970 issue of Popular Electronics magazine. This is a little hard to see on video but is quite noticeable on the big screen. It popped out at me as I had that very issue at home. What a geek! Here's a pic for anyone who may care:
http://bonanzleimages.s3.amazonaws.com/afu/images/7100/2044/cap1100190 .jpg

Lastly, while I really like the score and felt it fit the film perfectly, I could do without those crazy electronic sounds that would blare out from time to time. Watching this on TMC with my classic Marantz receiver and Large Advent speakers (talk about stuck in the 70's LOL) I would just about flip my toupee when these sounds would appear.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] whosit 13 years ago

The irony of all the surveillance on Anderson, which for some reason is lost on lots of people, is that he was never the target subject! He was just someone who wandered into view (as it were).

It's pretty amusing how at the end after the heist goes bad that all those tapes were erased lest the various agencies get busted for their quasi-legal activities. A modern version of this would be chilling with today's miniaturized surveillance technology, I could see them even using drones.

As for the crippled kid, he could still tip off the cops by using a ham radio (after Anderson takes away his iPhone) as no one would suspect anyone having a 2 way radio these days LOL

[–] jim2121 13 years ago

I remember all the electronic war surplus stores all over Canal Street in the early 70's... I used to work at Liberty Electronics Inc. 548 Broadway, NY, NY 10012. I still have there Catalog in Mint condition!

[–] whosit 13 years ago

You lucky ducky! I don't think I ever visited your shop. If you could scan at least the cover I'd very much appreciate it.

The neighborhood around where the Whirled Trade Center would be built was known as Radio Row" as it was filled with electronics stores. I suppose when they tore down this area that some electronic stores migrated to Canal St. Something that is seldom known or remembered these days, this same area at a much earlier time was called "Little Syria" What a bizarre thing that is looking at it with post 911 eyes.

There were so much WWII was surplus still available in the 60's that it boggles the mind at how much that must've been produced. Can't tell you how many things I bought which were still sealed in their original carton with a date stamp from the early/mid 40's! I eventually built a crude flight simulator (weird kid = weird adult). Wish I still had all those new old stock parts as I'm sure they could've been helpful in restoring various warbirds.

[–] CaperGuy 12 years ago

I followed your link but it was broken. Can you fix it?

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. - Proverbs 23:7

[–] whosit 12 years ago

Just checked that link and it works but the website is broken. Also checked for an archived version and sadly there's none. All I can suggest is to try it again in the future or try contacting that site's webmaster. Good luck.

[–] moosefeathers 12 years ago

More irony....While showing cops listening to tapes there's a picture of Tricky Dicky adorning the wall, right over the desk with the tape recorder....LOL.

Also, Iron Balls Delaney -- wasn't he the Edward X. Delaney from the Deadly Sin's series of books by the author?

Swing away, Merrill....Merrill, swing away...

[–] artistathome 11 years ago

Yes, I felt sorry for Anderson because he was so out of touch with reality having been gone for ten years. Angelo even tried to tell him that in the limo.

He definitely got caught in other criminals secret tapings.
I didnt' read the book. Did Anderson go back to jail or die or what?

[–] MajorWoody (21) 8 years ago

Yes, he was.

He was portrayed by Sinatra in The First Deadly Sin.

[–] MajorWoody (21) 8 years ago

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[–] dave_starsky77 9 years ago

I assumed he referred to Socks as Socks during the crime in front of witnesses because he knew he had to kill him and cared little whether the apartments inhabitants heard the name.

[–] 9 years ago

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