Movie Cosmos - Sometimes a Great Notion

Description:

Hank Stamper and his father, Henry, own and operate the family business by cutting and shipping logs in Oregon. The town is furious when they continue working despite the town going broke and the other loggers go on strike ordering the Stampers to stop, however Hank continues to push his family on cutting more trees. Hank's wife wishes he would stop and hopes that they can spend more time together. When Hank's half brother Leland comes to work for them, more trouble starts.

Top Cast >

Paul Newman

As Hank Stamper

Henry Fonda

As Henry Stamper

Lee Remick

As Viv Stamper

Michael Sarrazin

As Leland 'Lee' Stamper

Richard Jaeckel

As Joe Ben Stamper

Linda Lawson

As Jan Stamper

Cliff Potts

As Andy Stamper

Sam Gilman

As John

Lee de Broux

As Willard Eggleston

Jim Burk

As Biggy Newton

Roy Jenson

As Howie Elwood

Joe Maross

As Floyd Evenwrite

Roy Poole

As Jonathan Draeger

Charles Tyner

As Les Gibbons

Bennie E. Dobbins

Alan Gibbs

Mickey Gilbert

Dick Hudkins

Terry Leonard

Fred Lerner

Gary McLarty

Hal Needham

As Man at Racetrack

J.N. Roberts

Dean Smith

Fred Waugh

Fred Zendar

Charles Horvath

As McElroy (uncredited)

Melissa Newman

As Lissy Stamper (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Paul Newman

Director, Co-Executive Producer

Ken Kesey

Novel

John Foreman

Producer

John Gay

Screenplay

Richard Moore

Director of Photography

Bob Wyman

Editor

Philip M. Jefferies

Art Direction

Henry Mancini

Original Music Composer

Terry Leonard

Stunts

Hal Needham

Stunts

M. James Arnett

Stunt Coordinator

Fred Lerner

Stunts

John Inzerella

Makeup Artist

Gary McLarty

Stunts

J.N. Roberts

Stunts

Jim Burk

Stunts

Stan Barrett

Stunts

Carol Daniels

Stunts

Dick Hudkins

Stunts

Roy Jenson

Stunts

Bennie E. Dobbins

Stunts

Frank Caffey

Associate Producer

Don Wolz

Special Effects

William Kiernan

Set Decoration

Alan Gibbs

Stunts

Gae Clark Butler

Hairstylist

Edith Head

Costume Design

Mickey Gilbert

Stunts

Everett Creach

Stunts

Jim Markham

Hair Designer

Monty Westmore

Makeup Artist

Ben McMahan

Special Effects

Michael D. Moore

Assistant Director

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (5/10)

For the most part, this is just an excuse for Paul Newman and Henry Fonda to make a movie together. Much of it consists of extended shots of the logging industry at work, as he and his father work hard with their family business despite a strike that is affecting neighbouring outfits and causing local resentment. When younger son "Lee" (Michael Sarrazin) returns home after an indecent with an oven, some weed and the fire department the family, which also includes an underused Lee Remick, have to make some very tough decisions. Of course you just know that some form of sabotage will happen, and also that tragedy is going to follow - and that really robs this of any jeopardy as it floats along towards quite an entertaining conclusion (though that may have as much to do with Henry Mancini's toe-tapping score). As an observation of how grit and determination can sometimes win out, it has it's moments; but otherwise it is a colourful but rather disappointing story.

2022-03-26