"Logan's Run" released 1976

Logan's Run, the Saul David production based on the novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, was released June 23, 1976. It starred Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Peter Ustinov, and Farrah Fawcett(-Majors) and was directed by Michael Anderson.  

It depicts a utopian, hedonistic society where every wish can be fulfilled, but at a cost.  When a person reaches the age of 30, they are executed.  

Reviews were all over the place when Logan's Run was released.  Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars, but Gene Siskel gave it 0 out of 4 stars.  However, it was a success at the box office, earning $2.5M in its first 5 days of release, which was substantial for that time.  

It was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction.  There were no visual effects nominations that year, because the committee didn't consider any of the movies to attain the level needed for accolades.  The Academy reversed the decision and awarded Special Achievement Awards in Visual Effects to Logan's Run and King Kong.  The visual effects committee resigned in protest.

It won 6 Saturn Awards (see my post from Jan 15, 2025).

Happy birthday, actor extraordinaire Michael York!

Michael York, born March 27, 1942 in Buckinghamshire, England, has had a lengthy and stellar acting career, including some daring roles. He has appeared as D'Artagnan in several musketeers films as well as the Austin Powers movies.  He first appeared in Accident in 1967, but it was his role as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet in 1968 that proved to be his break-out performance.  He starred with Angela Lansbury as a bisexual man in Something for Everyone.

He then went on to star as D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and its sequel, The Four Musketeers. He appeared in Murder on the Orient Express in 1974. 

In 2001, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in The Lot.

I think it is tragic that such an accomplished, versatile actor has not been nominated for more awards, especially an Oscar.  He truly is remarkable and seems under-rated.  He's one of my favorites.

"Murder on the Orient Express" released 1974

Agatha Christie's classic novel, Murder on the Orient Express, published in 1934 was brought to the screen November 24, 1974.  It boasted an all-star cast that had 58 Academy Award nominations and 14 wins.  The movie itself won an Oscar.  Ingrid Bergman won for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, beating Madeline Kahn for her performance in Blazing Saddles.  It had been nominated for five other categories.  

Murder on the Orient Express starred Albert Finney (as Hercule Poirot), Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins and Michael York.

It was nominated for a Grammy for Best Original Score.  It was the 11th highest grossing movie of 1974 and received a 90% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes. 

My favorite movies - 1974

1974 is another year that I cannot pick one favorite out of so many good ones, so I chose my top 4 plus an "honorable mention".  In just these five films, I think everybody in Hollywood made it onto the screen.  Each one has a stellar cast, whether comedy, drama or action.  How many actors and actresses can we name that did NOT appear in one of these!

Blazing Saddles starring Mel Brooks, Cleavon Little, Madeline Kahn, Gene Wilder and everybody else.



Young Frankenstein starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman and everybody else.




The Towering Inferno starring Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway and everybody else.



Earthquake starring Charlton Heston, George Kennedy, Ava Gardner and everybody else.



Murder on the Orient Express (honorable mention) starring Michael York, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall and everybody else.