The Long Goodbye (1973)

Elliott Gould puts a bold new spin on Raymond Chandler’s beloved hardboiled hero Philip Marlowe in Robert Altman’s unorthodox adaptation of The Long Goodbye (1973). Many of the auteur’s signature trademarks — overlapping dialogue, wry humor, and a talented ensemble cast – are on display here, and it all adds up to one of the sexiest mysteries of the 1970s. Set on the hedonistic beaches of L.A., the R rated film includes Danish treat Nina Van Pallandt, youthful body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Bouton, comedian Henry Gibson, martial arts actor David Carradine, and four topless hotties stretching on a balcony! Mr. Skin would love to move into their hood. When the wisecracking Detective Marlowe isn’t making late night runs to the store for cat food, he’s trying to crack the case of a missing husband named Roger Wade (Sterling Hayden). Throughout the course of the thriller, audience members get to uncover plenty of clues as well as the nude boobs on Rutanya Sweet (Rutanya Alda). Luckily for us, the Latvian-American actress adjusts to the sun-kissed California beach life by reclining without her swimsuit. In other words, as the crime flick’s twists and turns appear, so do Ms. Alda’s beautiful bare breasts! Perhaps that’s why the National Society of Film Critics named Vilmos Zsigmond Best Cinematographer. Without his candid camerawork, fans couldn’t see Rutanya’s ravishing rack and work her into their spank banks. Suffice it to say, The Long Goodbye says hello to all kinds of private dicks!