Now, Listen to me Lieutenant!

 Now, Listen to me Lieutenant!




"You sell whatever you want, but don't sell it here tonight."- Frank Bullitt

So many memorable films were made in 1968 and Greg somehow saw a lot of them even as a high school kid. One of his all time favorites was the adrenaline filled "Bullitt" starrring every boy's cool dude idol, Steve McQueen. The role was perfect for the ultimate badass who was not being swayed by "the man" and did what he knew was right, despite any political posturing. Frank Bullitt is tasked with protecting a witness in a major trial to convict a mob boss. The witness is the brother of the mobster and his testimony is essential for the politician played by the slick Robert Vaughn (aka Napolean Solo in the Man from U.N.C.L.E.) who is holding a Senate subcommittee on organized crime. Vaughn as part of the establishment is trying to control the independent Bullit who is doing things his way to protect his charge. Senator Chalmers is looking to make political currency over the case and is critical of Bullit's handling of the impossible situation. He has called Bullitt and is trying to lecture him with little effect when he hands the phone over to Bullitt's supervisor, a Captain Baker played by Norman Fell who shouts into the receiver "Now, listen to me lieutenant!" The next sound you hear is the hanging up of the phone on Bullitt's end signifying his disdain for the bullcrap grandstanders who don't get real police work. McQueen was so cool in this role his duds created fashion crazes: desert boots, a trench coat, a blue turtleneck sweater and, most famously, a brown tweed jacket with elbow patches. Also Bullitt's mustang was THE cool ride at that time. We all wanted to be McQueen.The movie is most famous for the instense car chase scenes on the streets of San Francisco but the dialogue was genuinely well written. Also, the rocking theme by Lalo Shifrin was outstanding to the point where Greg whistled it in total. Throughout our friendship many a telephone call to eachother was started by the phrase "now listen to me lieutenant!" 




https://youtu.be/H5pSPCAXrj8?si=j5I7j9fdndEzQeM3

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