Norma Rae (1979)

A young single mother and textile worker agrees to help unionize her mill despite the problems and dangers involved.

From memory: Good political drama is more well-intentioned than effective, but is well staged and Sally Field is excellent in the title role.

Halliwell*: "Well-intentioned and well-acted pamphlet of political enlightenment with an inevitably ambivalent attitude."

Maltin***: "Field is excellent in Oscar-winning performance...Entertaining, though entirely believable..."

Hombre (1967)

John Russell, disdained by his "respectable" fellow stagecoach passengers because he was raised by Native Americans, becomes their only hope for survival when they are set upon by outlaws.

Excellent Revisionist Western carries a strong anti-racist message and exposes moral hypocrisy; Paul Newman, although dubiously portraying a "half-breed", is as cool as ever.

Halliwell**: "Slow but suspenseful Western melodrama which works up to a couple of good climaxes but falls away in an unnecessary tragic ending."

Maltin***: "Interesting Western......well acted, entertaining."

Conrack (1974)

A young, white teacher is assigned to an isolated island off the coast of South Carolina populated mostly by poor black families.

From memory: Old-fashioned feel-good drama with a dubious white saviour message;  Jon Voight's role, which he plays excellently, was obviously intended as Oscar bait.

Halliwell*: "Nostalgically mellow happy-film, lit by bright smiles all around."

Maltin***: "Pleasant film..."

New acquisition: The Front (1976)

Casey's Shadow (1978)

Casey is a young boy in a family that trains racehorses, and his best friend is a foal they call "Casey's Shadow".

I remember: this is a well-made family entertainment, if you like horses; and Walter Matthau is always worth the watch.

Halliwell (no star): "Shades of Maryland: an old-fashioned movie of the kind which absolutely nobody should want to revive, at least not so ineplty or at such length."

Maltin**1/2: "Generally satisfactory drama..."