Hi this is Steve.

50 years ago, the studio system which had controlled Hollywood since the beginning was crumbling.

Under assault from television, and out of touch with the values of a younger and more rebellious generation, the old guards stubbornly held

onto a system which was beginning to seem fatally out of date. It took a group of

young filmmakers, inspired by European films and determined to question not only the methods of old

Hollywood, but the values as well. These films were challenging, ambiguous, erotic, sometimes

violent, and above all, filled with the energy and passion that only comes

from being an outsider.

1967 saw the release of one film after another that attacked authority, conformity, and the status quo.

Films like Bonnie and Clyde, The Dirty Dozens, In the Heat of the Night, Cool Hand Luke,

and of course, the movie which, in my opinion, symbolizes more than any other, The Clash of

generations.

Mike Nichols, the graduate, is a tour to force, both of filmmaking technique and acting

with tremendous performances from Dustin Hoffman,

Catherine Ross, and of course the magnificent and Bancroft as Mrs Robinson.

The graduate is available on iTunes and Amazon and there is an absolutely fantastic criterion

Blu-ray with multiple commentary tracks and lots of special features.

The graduate is dark, funny, disturbing, moving, and thought-provoking.

Pretty good for a movie that just turned 50.

We can't wait to talk about it this Friday on the Synophiles.

For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson.

Here we are, you got me into your house, you give me a drink, you put on music, now you start opening up your personal

...