"Charley Varrick" (1973)

“Charley Varrick” (1973) - Intro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Intro:

Hi everybody, I’m Dave Karger and welcome to Turner Classic Movies. Coming up, we continue our showcase of Walter Matthau with our next film, from Columbia Pictures in 1973, starring Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, Felicia Farr, and Andrew Robinson, it’s “Charley Varrick.” The film tells the story of two small-time bank robbers Charlie (Played by Matthau) and his partner Harman (played by Andrew Robinson) who bite off more than they can chew. The two thieves pull off a heist at a tiny New Mexico Bank. But instead of the usual small loot the Robbers are used to, the robbers find themselves with $750,000. The loot turns out to be mafia money that’s being laundered through the bank. Charlie insists on returning the money, while his dimwitted partner can’t wait to begin spending it. Before long the mafia is hot on their trail. The film is tense, suspenseful, and smartly written with a blue-chip score and excellent photography. Matthau’s portrayal of the crafty and dubious Charley Varrick is one of his most memorable. During the early 1950s, the director of the film, Don Siegel, gained a reputation as an inspired maker of action and crime films, and “Charley Varrick” was no different. “Charley Varrick” is a sly, well-edited, thriller with no wholesome character in sight. From 1973, also starring Sheree North, Norman Fell, with top-notch editing from Frank Morris, and a superb score by Lalo Schifrin, here’s: “Charley Varrick.”********

“Charley Varrick” (1973) - Outro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Outro:

The son of poor, Jewish immigrants Walter Matthau began his acting career at the second avenue Yiddish Theater in New York City. Oye! Matthau became famous for his comically grouchy behavior and quickly became a staple of American cinema, a title he held for almost four decades. But in the Early 1970s, Matthau felt the urge to break out of his comedy routine. Matthau was looking for a role with a dramatic tone and wasn’t finding the task easy. Matthau settled on the skillfully crafted thriller “Charley Varrick.” But Walter was never a big fan of the script. Shortly after reading the script Matthau threw the script into the flames of his fireplace believing it to be, as he called it “Junk.” “When I was making it I came in every day and asked for thirty-five changes,” Matthau would later say, and “At the end, it was still junk!” While Matthau was never a fan, critics and moviegoers adored the film. “Charlie Varrick” was a critical success and a modest box-office success. Coming up, it’s Dan O’Helihy, Walter Matthau, and Frank Overton in director Sidney Lumet’s 1964 film “Fail-Safe.” See ‘ya next time, here on TCM!******

(Fail Safe - 1964)