September 1981 in Columbus Ohio

A sampling of what was playing in Columbus in September, 1981.

The first time I felt a bit disillusioned with Hollywood horror was with American Werewolf in London. It seemed like the movie makers couldn't decide on comedy, drama or horror, and they kept stopping the action to show off their special effects.

I saw Body Heat before I saw its inspiration, the classic noir Double Indemnity. Indemnity is great, and Body Heat is pretty good, too.

How proud the local Loews theaters must have been to snag the premiere of Soggy Bottom USA with Ben Johnson (years after he won a well-deserved Oscar for The Last Picture Show), Dub Taylor (lots and lots of big-bellied parts on TV), and Don Johnson (pre-Miami Vice). Looks like a Southern family comedy, though info on it is hard to find.

John Travolta triple feature from Paramont: Blow Up, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever.

The Unseen, a "what's in the basement?"horror film with Barbara Bach, former Bond girl and wife to Ringo Starr.