Cinema Revisited: Number One (1969)

There is an early scene in "Number One" where Charlton Heston, as aging football quarterback Ron "Cat" Catlan, leaves the locker room after yet another disaster of a game, and is confronted by autograph seekers. He quietly stops to sign for a couple of kids, but brushes off two middle aged women, who act insulted by his indifference. When his car comes, he berates his wife for not picking him up quickly enough. This introduces the complex character Heston brilliantly plays in this remarkably good sleeper of a film.

Catlan was once a hero, but is now a disappointment. He was once young, but is now a tired 40. He is drinking a bit more, acting a bit angrier and has a guilty affair despite having a pretty young wife (Jessica Walter). Heston explores a character that is haunted by the limitations that come with the aging process, but who manages to still retain some level of celebrity perks. He attracts a younger woman, he gets out of traffic violation with the promise of tickets to the game, and struts confidently in familiar social surroundings.

However, when he fears losing his spot and realizes his past will always be better than his present, the character plummets into his own world, daydreaming of past glories as he investigates post-football career opportunities. Director Tom Gries, who had directed Heston in the hit "Will Penny" a couple of years earlier, does a nice job of maintaining the narrative flow with some artful establishing shots. The flashbacks are nicely placed in the context of the story, editing effectively with actual NFL stock footage.

The story boldly explores the coldness of the game, indicating the quarterback's advancement was as cynical in its handling as his own replacement. Some scenes stand out as impressively effective: The old unhappy former player who comes to Catlan to borrow some money, the anger and passion that explode between Catlan and his wife during a scene at her dress studio, and an ending that concludes the film so perfectly, the already commendable production jumps to classic status.

The film is dotted with familiar supporting players like John Randolph, Diana Muldaur, Bruce Dern, and Steve Franken. The Al Hirt music on the soundtrack, and his surprise cameo, give "Number One" an irresistibly kitschy 60s vibe that caps the entire package. "Number One" was a surprise. Expecting a run-of-the-mill melodrama, what I got was a truly great movie. It has a good story, clever direction, and is buoyed by an excellent performance by Charlton Heston.

"Number One" generated little interested when released in 1969. It lost money at the box office and quietly went away. It didn't become available in any home video format until a bare-bones DVD release came along in 2015. "Number One" is proof that some forgotten films are not forgettable.