Author: Topher

I've always enjoyed writing. I see this as an opportunity to share my love of movies, action figures, comics, music, and just about anything else. As much as I enjoy writing, I also enjoy interacting with other folks online. If any of my stories or articles spark an idea for discussion, let me know. I read every email and comment I get! So look around, make yourself at home, and above all, enjoy your visit to my virtual discussion page!

The Eagle Has Landed

I’m a HUGE military history enthusiast. I remember watching old re-runs of “Combat!” on TV with my dad. He was also a history buff, and I think I inherited a lot of it from him. It spilled over into the comics I read (i.e. Sgt. Rock,) building plastic models (mostly WWII tanks and figures,) and reading all about the military. To this day, my favorite movies are old war movies.

The mid 1970s were a great time for war movies. The Eagle Has Landed, directed by John Sturges, and based on the novel by Jack Higgins, is a fictional story about a group of German paratroopers, tasked with dropping into England, disguised as Polish soldiers. The cast included Michael Caine as Colonel Kurt Steiner – the leader of the German commandos, Donald Sutherland as Liam Devlin – an IRA spy, providing logistical support to the Germans, and Robert Duvall as Colonel Radl – the German officer tasked with planning the operation.

In addition to the fantastic leads, there are a handful of noteworthy supporting players; in particular, Donald Plesasence has a small, but very convincing role as Heinrich Himmler, and a 25 year old Treat Williams plays a young Army Ranger officer.

As I said earlier, the movie is based on the Jack Higgins novel of the same name. I loved the movie so much that I read the book.  Like many 1970s espionage stories (especially those centered around WWII and its aftermath,) the action is fast paced. The story focuses on military accuracy with regard to things like rank, weapons, and historical events. It also is ripe with adventure – adventure that comes at a high cost of plausibility. If, as a viewer, you can suspend that disbelief, it makes for an exciting story. Today’s audiences are considerably more sophisticated, and the movie probably seems dated to most people. As a 9 year old in the mid-70s, I had no such hang-ups. It was COOL!

It is one of those movies I will always go back and re-watch, over and over again. I can just about quote every scene. I first saw the movie on HBO, and once it was available on VHS, I HAD to own it for myself. I’ve long since upgraded to a DVD version, but I hung on to the first edition hardback novel.

Jack Higgins died in 2022, at the age of 92. He remains one of the masters of the spy / thriller genre.

-Toph

The 1977 movie poster

Top 20 Albums

A few months ago, some friends on Facebook were challenged to share their own lists of the 20 most influential albums growing up. The exercise combines two of my favorite mental activities – thinking up lists, and reminiscing about why something means what it does to me. So I’m making my own, and sharing it with you.

A couple (3 actually) rules.  It’s MY list, so it’s MY rules.

First – they are not listed “least to best” or in any chronological release order, (but I did use a hint of organization in each group of 5. See if you can figure it out.)

Second – only 1 entry per act. Can’t list every record by a band. It’s a cop out! It also doesn’t have to be the band’s best, most successful, or most critically acclaimed album; only the one that was personally significant, for whatever reason.

Third – Multi – artist compilation albums (K-Tel “best of the 70’s” or movie soundtracks) are not allowed, but a band’s greatest hits is OK.

Without further delay, the list:

  • The Stranger – Billy Joel
  • American Pie – Don McLean
  • Don’t Say No – Billy Squire
  • Tapestry – Carole King
  • Crimes of Passion – Pat Benatar
  • Through the Fire – HSAS
  • Finyl Vinyl – Rainbow
  • Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy – The Who
  • Classics Live! – Aerosmith
  • At Budokan – Cheap Trick
  • E5C4P3 – Journey
  • High Infidelity – REO Speedwagon
  • CODA – Led Zeppelin
  • Pyromania – Def Leppard
  • Diver Down – Van Halen
  • Aqualung – Jethro Tull.
  • Bat Out of Hell – Meatloaf
  • Rumors – Fleetwood Mac
  • Paradise Theater – Styx
  • Hotel California – Eagles

So, there it is. Now it’s YOUR turn. I’m tossing the challenge out into the universe. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment. Give your own list, or include any thoughts of what these records meant to you. I love food for thought!

-Toph


I can almost smell the incense and vinyl.