Review of Coogan's Bluff (1968) by Lee M — 19 Feb 2011

While this early Clint Eastwood cop drama has been overshadowed by the later Dirty Harry movies, it is worth watching as it literally shows his transition from a cowboy to a cop. This movie is quite fun, having much more humour than the Dirty Harry movies.

He is constantly having to correct people who assume he is from Texas just because he wears a cowboy hat and boots. While there is a bit of violence (such as a fantastic brawl in a pool club) it isn't too gory, some people might find the way he interrogates Ringerman's girlfriend by throwing her around the room then sleeping with her a bit chauvinistic for this day and age.

.. although I suspect it was for many people back then, certainly the police psychologist he gets involved with doesn't approve of his more physical approach to law enforcement! Although this is obviously a Clint Eastwood movie, the rest of the cast aren't bad either, in particular Lee J.

Cobb as a New York police lieutenant. We also get to see some parts of New York not used that much in movies. I'd definitely recommend this to anybody who is a fan of Clint Eastwood or of '60s/'70s cop movies.