On Spielberg's Duel (Videos 1, 2)

You Tube ^ | May 1, 2008 | N/A

[beaversmom]

Video 1 (runs 9:29):

Steven Spielberg reflects on his early work in television as a freelance director for such shows as Night Gallery, Marcus Welby, M.D., Columbo, and for his first made for TV movie Duel starring Dennis Weaver. Spielberg's talent was evident from the get-go.

Video 2 (runs 9:26):

Richard Matheson talks about his inspiration for writing the novelette, Duel, working on the script for the movie, and his thoughts about Spielberg's final product.

Even though I was just a kid in the 70's, I sure do miss some of those shows from the era.

[raccoonradio]

Thanks for linking. Matheson talked about his writing stories of people facing “insuperable odds”. Two I can think of: I Am
Legend (filmed 3 times: Last Man on Earth, Omega Man, I Am Legend) and The Incredible Shrinking Man (later remade as a Lily Tomlin comedy)

[beaversmom]

I didn’t realize he wrote the Incredible Shrinking Man—I think I have that book in the house somewhere too.

[Misterioso]

That looks more like Mint Canyon headed north. I meant to say Soledad Canyon in my first post. I’ve had a couple of close calls on that road. It winds up in Acton at Highway 14.

[Misterioso]

“I Am Legend” was a favorite of mine as a teenager.

[Twinkie]

“Duel” WAS an exciting movie at the time. We were on a vacation at Wrightsville Beach at that time. Watched that movie there one night.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sigh, to bad Speilberg and Weaver both turned into libs. Weaver is a flaming greenie.

[beaversmom]

Well he WAS a flaming greenie while alive ;) It is a disappointment that so many great talents are on the left. Some of my favourite films are Spielberg movies—movies that I grew up with. Some people I have to give a pass—Spielberg is one of those for me. As for Weaver, maybe he was a flaming a-hole as well as a flaming greenie, but I enjoyed the part he played in Duel. I don’t remember much about the series now, but growing up we used to always watch McCloud too.

[beaversmom]

I’ve never even stepped a toe into California :) It looks like an interesting area though.

[discostu]

Kolchak is a Matheson script too. Really one of the great talents of entertainment.

[denydenydeny]

"Born of Man and Woman" is on many lists of the greatest horror stories of all time which is all the more remarkable because Matheson wrote it when he was 22 years old, and because it's only two pages long.

[mad_as_he$$]

lol... I forgot he died!!! Just saw a show where some green nut was driving across country stopping for “alternative” places to fuel/charge etc and Weaver was one of his stops.