Electra Glide in Blue (1973)

 Electra Glide in Blue (1973)

1973’s Electra Glide in Blue is a movie that only could have been made in the early 1970’s. It is a meandering film that features striking cinematography (from future Oscar-winning Conrad Hall) and tells a story about one’s disillusionment, this time within the police force. Eventually, the film would become a cult classic despite some production woes and gave more people an opportunity to discover Robert Blake. Despite the prodding pace, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Blake delivers a fine performance. The powerful ending was unexpected as it came out of nowhere, but it does fit the theme of the film regarding disillusionment and how people can be completely different people than what you expect them to be.

This project was directed by first-time (and last) director James William Guercio. He is better known as the producer of hit musical band Chicago. Some members of the band, such as Peter Cetera, actually make an appearance throughout. He was an inexperienced director, and you can tell as such. Blake later admitted in his autobiography that it was him and Conrad Hall directing the movie while Guercio “stood around.” The director did forgo his salary to hire Hall, but even they got into arguments about how the picture should look. Guercio wanted the film to be reminiscent of a John Ford pic which eventually did happen on the exterior. From motorcycle chases that looked a little fake to second-rate acting from extras, this is not the cleanest film I have seen from a director. Thankfully enough went right for me to become hooked to the story.

John Wintergreen (Robert Blake) is a motorcycle cop who spends his days writing traffic tickets in the Monument Valley area. He always had dreams to be promoted to Homicide. After a murder of a hermit, he finally got his wish. In order to solve the case, he must also come to the fact that the people around him, whether they are friends or co-workers, may not truly be who they seem.

For the most part, the performances were merely fine. Given the production woes, Blake managed to pull out a performance that will hook you. Especially during the final sequences. In fact, the movie managed to bring Blake to the eyes of others which allowed him to be cast in a television series about police, which he is best known for. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Mitchell Ryan, is a bunch of unknowns and band members of Chicago. They were good, I suppose?

Overall, I liked Electra Glide in Blue despite some clear inexperience on the directing side of things. That said, gorgeous cinematography, Robert Blake’s strong performance, great music (I love Chicago), and a gripping (albeit weird) story managed to save the film and even turn it into something of a cult classic. This is the type of picture that could only be made in 1973, not in today’s world. As motorcycle movies from this era, I enjoyed it more than Easy Rider oddly enough.

My Grade: B