Have yet to see "Midnight Cowboy" (1969) in its entirety. I've only seen certain scenes such as the "I'm walkin' here!" part and the death of Ratso Rizzo but I know its reputation as one of the finest movies ever made. Then, there is the theme song in the opening scene "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson.
I was reminded of that movie and the theme when I listened to Monta & Brothers'（もんた&ブラザーズ）"Journey". This was the B-side to the group's debut single and biggest hit "Dancing All Night" from April 1980. In contrast to the sultry downtown Tokyo feel of that A-side, "Journey" is about as different as it can get. Written by Keiji Mizutani（水谷啓二）and composed by the gravelly-voiced Yoshinori Monta（門田頼命）with arrangement by Tadashige Matsui（松井忠重）, the song is a laconic and very American-sounding tune with elements of country and folk as the protagonist is on a solo journey throughout the United States, making stops in places like New York, Chicago and the Grand Canyon. I wonder whether Monta & Brothers were really inspired by the likes of "Midnight Cowboy".
I have neither seen nor heard of "Midnight Cowboy" until now so I am a bit skeptical about the greatness of this movie. I have heard of and seen "The Ten Commandments"(1956) movie which was released a decade earlier than "Midnight cowboy". I have also heard of "Cleopatra" (1963), "Ben Hur" (1959), "The sound of music"(1965) that I think may be some of Hollywood's greatest movies. As, for Harry Nilsson song's I guess it is okay, but it isn't really my style of music.
ReplyDeleteFair enough statement. I think everyone has to see the movie for themselves to give their opinion on how good it is. I saw "Citizen Kane", which has been noted as the greatest Hollywood movie ever made, and although I think some of the techniques Orson Welles used were ahead of its time, I was OK but not completely won over. For me, "Casablanca" which is often in second place is my favourite for old Hollywood. I'm also aware that there are people who will never approach black and white movies.
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