1973: A Vintage Final Year for Great Movies, Great Music

1973 was the last year we were all together as a class at Vanderbilt. It was also another year for great movies and great music. Take the Number #1 box office hit and Best Picture of that year, "THE STING" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It brought back the forgotten ragtime melodies of Scott Joplin, and the movie's theme song "The Entertainer" was soon on the pop charts, decades after it was written.

Here's how it looked and sounded as the movie started (and the cons began)......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xWS3h-apmk

A very different kind of music was spotlighted in another box office hit of 1973. "AMERICAN GRAFFITI" was all about cruising in hot cars, getting ready (or not) to go off to college, and of course, rock and roll hits on the radio with Wolfman Jack. The flick was set in 1962, so it was a time and era a bit ahead of ours (maybe more for our older brothers and sisters). But the film and its music remain classics even today. Here's a trailer from the movie to take you back ("Where we you in '62?" Umm....6th grade?).....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBI0p5OGlDw

The romantic box office hit in 1973 had to be "THE WAY WE WERE" starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford. And, of course, its theme song flew up the pop and easy listening charts. Ahhh...memories...like the corners of my mind...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV4E9VUe3JE

All three of the movies we have featured in this segment were among the Top 10 grossing pictures of 1973. That year also saw the cinematic climax of the religious "Rock Opera" phenonmenon that began while we were in high school. Both "GODSPELL" and "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" were put on the screen, following up on their successes on both the stage and as best selling albums.

First, here's the biggest hit song from "GODSPELL", "Day by Day".....

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1101660441/

"Jesus Christ Superstar" had many hit songs, especially on its original album. Here's how the original movie trailer played it back 40 years ago....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEUDcqYGK74

I sure hope you have enjoyed this look back at the hit movies and hit songs while we were at Vanderbilt (1969-1973). Now it's back to the hits you reccommend for the Centennial Class 40th Reunion CD that we will be playing at our Friday night class party at the newly remodeled Rand Hall on Friday, October 3. Don't forget, you can already go on line to register to attend our fabulous weekend together and check our weekend schedule of events.

http://reunion.vanderbilt.edu/

And also don't forget to send me your song requests!