Netflix's Milestone Movies - The Anniversary Collection : The Lords of Flatbush (1974)

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Calaroga Shark Media. Welcome back to
TV in the Basement, the podcast where

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we delve into the world of classic
films and TV shows. Today, we're

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turning back the clock to the nineteen
seventies and exploring the gritty and nostalgic world

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of the Lords of Flatbush. But
before we hit the streets of Brooklyn with

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this iconic film, let's take a
moment to appreciate the significance of nineteen seventy

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four in the realm of cinema.
It was a year that celebrated the fiftieth

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anniversary of the film industry, and
Hollywood responded with a wave of creativity and

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innovation. In nineteen seventy four,
the silver screen lit up with a remarkable

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array of films that would go on
to become classics. It was an era

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when cinematic brilliance was on full display. Netflix's Milestone Movies the Anniversary Collection,

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brings together fourteen of these cinematic gems, and The Lords of Flatbush proudly stands

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among them. Now, let's step
back in time and explore the coming of

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age tale that is The Lords of
Flatbush, directed by Martin Davidson and Stephen

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Verona, The Lords of Flatbush is
a nostalgic trip to the nineteen fifties,

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a time when leather jackets, greased
hair, and teenage dreams ruled the streets

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of Brooklyn. Released in nineteen seventy
four, this film takes us into the

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lives of a group of high school
friends as they navigate the challenges of adolescence

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and the complexities of growing up.
The plot centers around four close knit friends,

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Chico, Stanley, Butchy, and
Wimpy. These young men are the

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self proclaimed Lords of Flatbush, a
Brooklyn gang with dreams of cruising the streets

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on motorcycles, impressing girls, and
finding their place in the world. Stanley,

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portrayed by a young Sylvester Stallone,
is the charismatic leader of the group.

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He's known for his motorcycle and bad
boy image, but beneath the tough

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exterior lies a boy with dreams of
a brighter future. Stallone's performance in this

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film is a testament to his early
talent and charisma. Chico, played by

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Perry King, is Stanley's best friend
and the voice of reason in the group.

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He dreams of becoming a writer and
escaping the confines of Flatbush. Perry

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King brings depth and sensitivity to the
character, making Chico one of the film's

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stand out figures. Butchy, portrayed
by Henry Winkler, yes the same Henry

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Winkler who would later become famous as
the Fawns in Happy Days, is the

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ladies man of the group. His
character adds humor and charm to the film,

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and Winkler's performance hints at the comedic
talent he would become known for.

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Wimpy, played by Paul Mace,
is the quirky and lovable member of the

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gang. His unique personality and quirks
provide moments of heartwarming humor throughout the film.

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Lords of Flatbush is a slice of
life story that explores the challenges and

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dreams of these young men as they
come to terms with the realities of adulthood.

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It's a coming of age tale that
captures the essence of teenage friendships,

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love, and the bittersweet passage of
time. While The Lords of Flatbush may

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not have garnered a plethora of awards, it remains a cherished film for its

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portrayal of teenage aspirations, friendships,
and the timeless allure of nostalgia. Henry

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Winkler was honored with the New York
Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor

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for his memorable role as Butchie.
The Lords of Flatbush was made on a

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modest budget of approximately three hundred fifty
thousand dollars, which was quite low even

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for the standards of the nineteen seventies. However, it managed to make a

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significant impact at the box office,
grossing around four point five million dollars in

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the United States. This impressive return
on investment highlighted the film's appeal and the

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bird careers of its cast. Here's
an intriguing tidbit. Richard Gear, who

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would later become a Hollywood superstar,
was initially cast in The Lords of Flatbush.

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He played the role of Chico,
which was later portrayed by Perry King.

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Gear's scenes were shot, but he
was eventually replaced due to creative differences.

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While Gear's role was recast, his
early involvement in the film is a

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fascinating piece of trivia. To capture
the authentic feel of Brooklyn in the nineteen

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fifties, the film was shot on
location in various Brooklyn neighborhoods. The use

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of real Brooklyn settings added an extra
layer of authenticity to the film's nostalgic atmosphere.

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In two thousand and seven, a
special reunion event for The Lords of

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Flatbush took place in Brooklyn, celebrating
the film's enduring legacy. Cast members,

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including Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler,
came together to reminisce about their time working

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on the film. The Lord's Bikes, the character's aspirations of cruising the streets

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on motorcycles in the film are a
nod to the popularity of motorcycle culture in

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the nineteen fifties. While they never
actually ride motorcycles in the film, the

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desire to own one is a recurring
theme. The film's inclusion in the Criterion

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Collection, a prestigious series of releases
featuring classic films, underscores its enduring impact

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on cinema. It's a testament to
the movie's cultural and historical significance. As

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we conclude our journey through The Lords
of Flatbush within the context of Netflix's Milestone

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Movies the Anniversary Collection, I encourage
you to revisit this heartwarming and nostalgic film.

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It's a reminder of the universal themes
of youth and growing up that continue

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to resonate with audiences of all generations. I'll be taking a look at more

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films in this exciting Netflix feature.
Until next time, stay warm and hit

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that follow button as we all watch
TV in the basement.