BEST RICHARD LESTER MOVIES
“The Mouse on the Moon” (1963) Director Lester’s follow-up to “The Mouse That Roared” finds a small country getting caught in the midst of the international space race. “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) One of the most significant music-driven movies in screen history follows The Beatles as they get ready to make an appearance on British television. Under Lester’s direction, it’s a heightened view of the “Fab Four,” with Paul McCartney trying to keep tabs on his mischievous and “very clean” grandfather (Wilfrid Brambell) as the lads prepare for their home-screen performance.
“The Knack ... and How to Get It” (1965) A hapless romantic (Michael Crawford) worries that his new love (Rita Tushingham) will be swept away by his master-womanizer friend (Ray Brooks).
“Help!” (1965) Lester reunited with The Beatles – getting a bigger budget and color film – for this spy spoof that ultimately takes the group to the Bahamas, as villains chase them to gain possession of Ringo Starr’s special ring. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to
the Forum” (1966) With a Stephen Sondheim score, Lester’s screen version of the stage hit spoofing the Roman Empire is headed by such comedy greats as Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers and Buster Keaton.
“Petulia” (1968) This mature comedy casts Julie Christie in the title role of an unhappy newlywed set on having an affair with a divorcing doctor (George C. Scott).
“The Three Musketeers” (1973) Lester’s hugely entertaining version of the adventure classic boasts an all-star cast including Michael York (as D’Artagnan), Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway and Christopher Lee. A “Four Musketeers” sequel was made back-to-back with this film. “Juggernaut” (1974) One of the smartest examples of the disaster-movie genre casts Richard Harris as the leader of a bomb-defusing squad sent to dismantle extortionists’ explosives aboard a passenger ship. “Robin and Marian” (1976) Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn are magnificent together in the title roles of Lester’s grown-up take on the Robin Hood legend, which features a lovely John Barry music score. The picture leads a Lester double feature Sunday, Jan. 9, on Turner Classic Movies.
“The Ritz” (1976) Based on Terrence McNally’s hit stage play, this comedy involves mobsters and intended targets with those who populate a gay bathhouse; the terrific cast includes Jerry Stiller, Rita Moreno and Jack Weston.
“Superman II” (1980) Though a Richard Donneroverseen “Director’s Cut” eventually was released, this version that brought in Lester to succeed him was the theatrical release, with the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) and super-villains including General Zod (Terence Stamp) using Earth as a battleground.
“Superman III” (1983) While some of the action goes awry in this chapter, along with strangely placed Richard Pryor humor, a very strong suit of the film is the sweet romance between the reunited Clark Kent (still Christopher Reeve) and Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole).