Written By: Jason S. LockardThis month we are spotlighting the iconic Charlton Heston and focus on one of his lesser known but unforgettable films!
Carlton was born John Charles Carter on October 4, 1923, in St. Helen, Michigan, U.S. Winnetka, Illinois. When Heston was 10 years old, his parents divorced after having three children. Heston was brought up as an Episcopalian, and has been described as "a spiritual man".
In 1944, Heston enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and served for two years as a radio operator and aerial gunner. He reached the rank of staff sergeant. After the war, Heston spent time on the theatrical stage. He would than move to television and and episode of CBS's Studio One. Film producer Hal B. Wallis offered him a contract. We know the rest Charlton Heston went on to star in many classic films over his career.
Now we could focus on many of his most iconic roles, but were would be the fun in that? I want to talk about one of my favorite films that's plot is known very well, but maybe a lot have not seen. Of course I'm talking about Soylent Green.
Ty Thorn (Heston) a Police detective who works in 2022's New York City. The world has suffered an ecological disaster and a population explosion. New York Alone has forty million inhabitants. Housing is almost unlivable and homeless sleep on the streets, staircases and fire escape anyplace they can find. Food such as fresh meat, vegetable, and fruit are so exurbanite in price only the wealthy can afford it. So most of the population lives on rations known as Soylent Red and Soylent Yellow produced and provided by The Soylent Corporation. When The Corporation announces There newest product Soylent Green made of "high-energy plankton" and that it is more nutritious and palatable than the red and yellow varieties. People are ecstatic, but like most food, it is in short supply, which often leads to food riots. It sounds like paradise!
Ty Thorn is assigned to investigate the murder of a wealthy man named William Morris Simonson (Joseph Cotten). He arrives at the crime scene, he finds Simonson lying in a pool of blood from being struck multiple times in the back of the head, but instead of looking for clues, Thorn helps himself to the wealthy man's food, liquor, shower complete with real hot water and soap and books. He questions Shirl (Leigh Taylor-Young), an attractive 24-year old "kept woman" who comes with the apartment, and Simonson's bodyguard, Tab Fielding (Chuck Connors), who claims that he was told to escort Shirl on a shopping trip when the attack took place, leading Ty to believe something deeper than the murder for food or money.
Ty lives in a dilapidated, cramped one-room apartment with his aged friend and roommate, Sol Roth a former professor played by the great Edward G. Robinson is his 101st and final film. He helps Ty in his investigations by searching through the now-disordered remnants of written records and books. Was the wealthy millionaire's death simply just a fortune killing, or was their a bigger plan a plan to hide something more notorious than anyone ever dreamed? You'll have to watch the film to find out!
The screenplay varies from Harry Harrison's 1966 novel of the name 'Make Room! Make Room!' In the novel the year was 1999, not 2022. While the film revolves around Soylent Red, Yellow, and Green; the book refers only to "soylent steaks". The book's title 'Make Room! Make Room!' was not used for the movie since producers felt it might confuse audiences thinking it film was a big-screen version of Make Room for Daddy, Danny Thomas' TV Show.
While it never won an academy award Soylent Green did receive the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 1973. It leaves an indelible mark on all who see it!
In 1998 Heston was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following a course of radiation treatment, the cancer went into remission. On August 9, 2002, he publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. And sadly on April 5, 2008, at his home in Beverly Hills, California, with Lydia, his wife of 64 years, by his side Heston passed away due to pneumonia.
An Amazing life lived and an amazing legacy of films left behind! We will never forget the man Charlton Heston.
Until next month when we award another Silver Spotlight Award to a classic actor or Actress this is Jason S. Lockard reminding you if you want to see a good film, check out a classic!
Moral Rating: Adult Situations and Mild Language
Audience: Parental Guidance
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 1 hr. 37 min.
Released: 1973
Our Rating: B-
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