This is the last of several collections of media from other noteworthy films that played the Pacific Northwest in 1966. While these don't have enough content to warrant their own pages they should not be dismissed :)
Click on images for larger versions
Our only movie remaining for the cinema year 1966 is yet another run for the "Poor White Trash" retitling of the 1957 potboiler "Bayou." This isn't the last of them either. At least this time the film got an appropriate second feature with "Common Law Wife" from 1961.
Bayou (1957)
"Bayou," also known as "Poor White Trash," is a drama film that delves into the complexities of life in a small bayou town in Louisiana.
The movie follows the protagonist, a young architect from New York City, Martin Davis, who travels to the South to oversee the construction of a new building project. He finds himself in a world starkly different from his own, where the people and the environment exude a raw, untamed beauty. The town is filled with colorful characters, each with their own stories and struggles, but it's Marie Hebert, a local Cajun girl, who catches Martin's eye. Their relationship becomes a central element of the narrative, highlighting their cultural and societal contrasts.
As Martin navigates this unfamiliar terrain, he encounters opposition from Ulysses, a brutish character who sees Martin as a threat to his way of life and his interest in Marie. The tension between Martin and Ulysses escalates, leading to dramatic confrontations and a deeper exploration of themes like love, prejudice, and survival in the rugged landscape of the bayou.
Director: Harold Daniels
Writer: Edward I. Fessler
Stars: Peter Graves, Lita Milan, Douglas Fowley
Common Law Wife (1961)
"Common Law Wife," directed by Eric Sayers (with a lot of footage from an unreleased film by Larry Buchanon entitled "Swamp Rose"), is a Southern drama set in the mid-20th century that explores themes of power, control, and relationships in a rural setting. The film follows the life of a wealthy yet domineering old man named Shugfoot Rainey, who has lived with a woman named Linda for five years, treating her as his common-law wife.
Now bored with Linda and yearning for his youth, Rainey decides to rekindle a relationship with his former flame, Nita. He goes to great lengths to have Nita return to him, seeing her as a more suitable companion. This sets off a chain of events that brings tension and drama into Rainey's household. Linda, unwilling to be cast aside, stands her ground, leading to conflicts that reveal deeper issues within the characters and their relationships.
The film delves into the complexities of love, commitment, and the societal norms that define them. It portrays the manipulation and power struggles that often accompany personal relationships, set against the backdrop of a small-town community.
"Common Law Wife" is a rich tapestry of human emotions and flawed characters, depicting a time and place where tradition and personal desires often collide. The narrative keeps viewers engaged as it navigates the turbulent waters of human relationships and the consequences of choices made.
Directors: Eric Sayers, Larry Buchanan
Writer: Grace Nolan
Stars: Annabelle Weenick, George Edgley, Max W. Anderson
September 7, 1966 ad (Seattle)
October 5, 1966 ad (Portland)
Poor White Trash (1957) poster
Common Law Wife (1961) poster
Poor White Trash (1961) radio spot
Common Law Wife (1961) trailer
I'll wrap up 1966 with an article/interview on Our Patron Saint Roger Corman by Kevin Thomas of the Washington Post that was published in the July 13, 1966 issue of The Oregonian.
July 13, 1966 Roger Corman Article (Portland)
