‘The Connection’ Portrayed Addiction Unapologetically in 1961—and Gave Us an Instant Classic Jazz Performance

TCM features films from 12 decades—and representing 44 countries—totaling 100 classic and current titles all created by women. Read more about this here! 

In Shirley Clarke’s first feature, The Connection, a group of artists and musicians jam, bicker and wait for their next “connection” (a drug fix). With interludes of jazz pieces and solos from a talented band, including saxophonist Jackie McLean, this story makes us think about the connections and disconnects that form in a community and culture built around addiction. (AEL: 5/5)

Review by FF2 Contributing Editor Amelie Lasker

Okay, I’ve given a lot of “5” ratings to TCM movies. But I don’t think this reflects my standards lowering as, gradually, this pandemic crushes my soul. Instead, it speaks to the quality and range of the films we’re discovering in TCM’s Women Make Film retrospective and the timeless and profound influence these films have as larger and larger audiences discover them.

The Connection, adapted from Jack Gelber’s play of the same name, shows us a couple of hours of an evening with a group of friends (I use the word loosely here) waiting for their next heroin “connection.” They often speak directly to the camera or crewmembers behind the camera. “Leach” (Warren Finnerty) gives us a tour of the apartment. With its exposed rafters and open, dusty rooms, the space feels less like a home than a stage set that might have accompanied the original theater production.

We soon realize that this is footage for a fictional documentary project, directed by “Jim Dunn” (William Redfield) and shot by a cinematographer, “J. J. Burden” (Roscoe Lee Browne). Dunn begins to direct the subjects on how to act and play to the camera. 

Even as the documentary appears to get derailed, the camera keeps rolling. A passerby, “Sister Salvation” (Barbara Winchester), wanders in as the men take turns going into the bathroom to get the drug. After observing quietly, Sister Salvation begins to lecture the men on their addiction to what she thinks is alcohol. Dunn, pressured by the subjects and hoping to uncover an interesting story, ends up taking the drug himself and getting very sick.

In this “unedited” format, the film provides an unflinching view of addiction. Group members wheedle each other, fight, and abandon friendships over sharing their drugs. They go one by one into the bathroom and then come out looking hazy or relieved or ill. Leach insists over and over that he isn’t high, that he needs another dose, and then finally, dangerously, is given what he wants.

All the while, there’s a band here, with saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Freddie Redd, drummer Larrie Richie, and bass player Michael Mattos. In soaring interludes, they play while the other actors listen passively or pay no attention at all. Their solos cement this film as a piece of cultural history worthy of preservation.

This is a movie about all kinds of connections: between one’s wants and needs, between loyalty and dependency, between the insular world formed by addiction and the outsiders who cross paths with it. Director Jim Dunn himself gave the group the money for this round of heroin, exploring the sometimes murky relationship between documentarian and subject.

Director Shirley Clarke’s performance background strongly influences this carefully paced, masterfully acted, beautifully scored drama. The Connection had distribution issues in its first release due to censorship. The New York Board of Regents banned the film ostensibly for language, but also likely because of its stark portrayal of drugs. This film is not a stark condemnation of heroin addiction. It’s a performance of that addiction, humor, nuanced challenges, and values members of the community built around it.

In recent years, Milestone Films has been working on restoring Clarke’s work, making it more accessible to audiences in an effort called “Project Shirley.” You can access The Connection and more of her films through them here.

© Amelie Lasker (12/8/20) FF2 Media

Top Photo: Freddie Redd as the “piano player,” Jackie McLean as the “sax player,” and Carl Lee as “Cowboy.”

Middle Photo: Warren Finnerty as “Leach.”

Bottom Photo: The cast of The Connection (Garry Goodrow as “Ernie” in the front right).

Photo Credits: Films Around the World

Q: Does The Connection pass the Bechdel-Wallace test?

No.

But it was directed by a woman in 1961. And that’s pretty amazing.

Amelie Lasker

By Amelie Lasker

Amelie Lasker joined FF2 Media in early 2016 after graduating from Columbia University where she studied English and history. She has written plays and had readings for Columbia’s student-written theatre company Nomads, edited the blog for Columbia’s film journal Double Exposure, and worked on film crews and participated in workshops at Columbia University Film Productions. She spent junior year abroad at Cambridge University, where she had many opportunities for student playwrights to see their work produced. 

1,695 comments

  32. Консультация психолога онлайн.
    Консультация психолога Цены на услуги
    и консультации психолога. Профессиональные психологи.
    Консультация у психолога. Консультация Психолога – Профессиональная поддержка.
    Цены на услуги и консультации психолога.
    Онлайн консультация.

    Reply

  61. A user guide for the most reliable phone psychics online, top 5… Continue reading All our loans are available for a duration of 3 to 12 month. However, a short-term personal loan is almost always a better option. While some personal loan lenders have stringent credit requirements, others offer loans for bad credit that could be easier to qualify for. Getting a personal loan can be difficult when you have a bad credit score or no credit history at all. Lenders usually require a high credit score before approving any loan application. This is because your credit score tells them how well you handled past loans, and a low credit score can cause most lenders to reject your loan applications. https://dengamabuda.co.za/dengas-discussions/profile/mallory74827807/ Many have faced financial hardships in the last few months due to coronavirus, directly or indirectly. Even otherwise, if you have been victim to a cash crunch, it is worth a try to directly discuss with your banker or relationship manager, with whom you have had a good and long-term association. This may get you the loan you need and even better credit terms. Similarly, if at a later stage, your money matters get a boost and your financial status improves, say due to a pay hike, a better job offer or profits in business, then be sure to show evidence of this to the banker too. Doing so increases your chances of getting the loan application approved. One of the fastest ways to identify a bad deal is the little to no focus on the APR on the lender’s website. A trustworthy lender will be honest and upfront with you about the gross amount of your loan. If you cannot find the interest rates easily on a lender’s website, that is usually a big, bright red flag.

    Reply
  66. Pingback: trusted aduld sex games

  103. Artefact received best quickly. Ordered on Monday and received on Thursday the nevertheless week. Man servicing was gossamer supportive when I called to stay the matter was in stock. A herculean event all circuitously – pharm dunk.

    Reply

  108. Diogma Of those people that you can turn to for social support how many are just a few miles away versus on the other side of the country Just because of that distance it makes the social support a little more difficult to access and it may even limit the kinds of support that theyre able to provide. how to buy priligy as a child Buy Alli Starter Pack triash

    Reply

  116. In February of this year, you helped me to divulge my cat who is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a pain at a longer healthy life. You had sent me “zpack us” to start with. Within a handful days..she was another cat! My cat had an immediate turnaround with the treatment you advised. She responded so well. I still possess some of the other medication left, but the Thyroidinum 200CH was what unquestionably got her on the right path. I would like to fiat another vial of this from you. I have nothing to bow to at this point. She is eating a more intelligent regimen (canned vs arid) and penetrating quality and natural chicken, but I absolutely would like to sample a person more regime of this homeopathic pill. You are a awfully dedicated and friendly homo sapiens, and I own recommended you to all who find credible in this compare with to treatment. I bear no raison d’etre how hanker this will keep from her, but with my superior of reduce for her and your par‘nesis, she is doing as well as I could demand yet imagined. Tender thanks you so much again.

    Reply

  118. Upward of the years, the shaft at http://www.azithromycintok.com be experiencing gone into public notice of their avenue to help in any behaviour pattern that they can. They also non-standard like to suffer with “right-minded what I require” whenever I go there. I would enthusiastically recommend them to anyone looking for a great pharmacy! And no, I am not reciprocal to any of them.

    Reply

  128. Nyrkkisääntönä voidaan sanoa, että parhaat nettikasinot antavat pelaajilleen suuria bonusprosentteja ja antavat pelaajan valita, mihin peliin hän haluaa rahat käyttää. Jotta kasino otetaan mukaan parhaat kasinot 2021 -listalle, sen tarjoamien bonusten on oltava: Asiakaspalvelu. Ystävällinen, nopea ja vielä suomenkielinen asiakaspalvelu on parhaiden kasinoiden tunnusmerkki. Parhaat nettikasinot pitävät huolen pelaajiensa viihtyvyydestä hyvällä asiakaspalvelulla. Nettikasinot toimivat usein osana isompia yhtiöitä, joten erityisesti arvostamme varta vasten tiettyä sivustoa varten palvelevia asiakaspalveluita. Kasinohai.com on monipuolinen sivusto, josta löydät parhaat vinkit netticasinoilla pelaamiseen sekä parhaat nettikasinot listattuna. Jaamme sivuillamme mm. herkullisimmat vinkit siihen, mistä ne löytää, mitä etsintä prosessissa tulee ottaa huomioon ja kuinka pelaaminen oikeastaan toimii. https://learnchessonline.in/community/profile/elimenge5642947/ casinobud.com Tervetuloa uudetkasinot.comiin tutustumaan CasinoBudiin! Casinobudin julkaiseminen on varmasti yksi kasinovuoden 2020 tapauksista. Casinobudin ainutlaatuisen systeemin ansiosta kasinopelien parissa ei tarvitse jurnuttaa yksin, vaan isoja voittoja voi jännätä porukalla. Kimpassa kerätyllä pääomalla voittoja voi tavoitella isommilla panoksilla kuin yksin, ja voitot jaetaan jokaisen satsaaman summan mukaan. Casinobud on suoraviivainen ja helposti lähestyttävä pelisivusto, joka tarjoaa uudenlaisen ryhmäpelimahdollisuuden. Tämä ainutlaatuinen pay’n play -kasino kuuluu The Mill Adventuren kasinoperheeseen, joka on viime aikoina kunnostautunut toden teolla lanseeraamalla useita huippukasinoita, kuten Klirr ja Frank&Fred. Casinobud tarjoaa laadukkaan kokonaisuuden, Maltan lisenssin, hyvin suomennetun sivuston ja verovapaat voitot. Sen huomaa selkeästi, että tähän kasinoon ja koko ideointiin on nähty vaivaa. Erittäin mukava myös nähdä, että mukaan on tuotu jotain uutta ja innovatiivista.

    Reply
  132. Pingback: buy ivermectin canada

  136. From one end to the other of my 37 years in this manufacture, I’ve never dealt with a company that knows purchaser services like otc hydroxychloroquine of Minnesota. When we transitioned to Keeper, our complete nursing shaft in a jiffy jumped on provisions after experiencing the added-level of constant security from the pharmacy’s integrated services. During partnering with Insigne and his team, we be aware that we are doing the master in spite of our patients and residents.
    Awesome forum posts, Appreciate it.

    Reply
  145. Pingback: Anonymous
  150. Pingback: Anonymous
  153. Pingback: Anonymous
  155. Pingback: where can i buy ivermectin
  156. Pingback: flccc ivermectin
  158. Pingback: stromectol walgreens
  162. Pingback: ignition casino check by courier
  163. Pingback: ivermectin kaufen

  165. 今回は気軽にステーキングができるサイト、 Stake Kings を紹介したいと思います。 BlackRain79が2007年にポーカーを初めて10年で学んだことを12の項目でまとめています。 それまで２NLで適当に4面でプレイしていたのをやめて数万ハンドぐらいでしょうか、2面にしてずっと そのため、ポーカーで生活しているプロプレイヤーは、ポーカースターズを主戦場としている方が大半です。 アレイポーカー 勝ってる時に取り戻せばいいので問題ありません。   テーマの著者 Anders Norén. オンラインポーカーにおけるNL2（2ドルバイイン卓）とNL5（5ドルバイイン卓）で、私は最も多くのチップを獲得したプレイヤーとしてよく知られている。私はほぼ間違いなく、これらのレートにおける24面打ち（24テーブルの同時打ち）で最高のウィンレート*を叩き出している。*Win rate＝100ハンド当たりいくら稼いだかという指標。ポーカーにおける時給の様なもの。 http://simontjxm431086.blogoscience.com/10962485/ポーカー-チップ-アプリ ドラクエ12はPS5での発売は濃厚ですよね？スイッチ版が出るかどうかが微妙なだけですよね？PS5用に最適に設計したゲームはスイッチではまともに動かないです。DQ11Sのようにスイッチで遊べるように設計したゲームはPS5でも遊べます。任天堂とスクエニでDQ12はスイッチ版しか出さないという契約でもない限りはPS5でも出せば売れるはずですから出さない理由がないですよね？違いますか？ グロッタのルーレットが、モンスターカジノではなく、正規のカジノとして開放されるのは終盤なので、このタイミング、またはルーレット以外でのジャックポットの出し方はわかりません。ソルティコでのビビッとスロットがコインを稼ぎやすいみたいですが、どうなんだろう。今度時間ある時にやってみよう。

    Reply
  166. Pingback: ivermectin uk
  167. Pingback: prednisone 5mg over the counter
  168. Pingback: tadalafil goodrx
  171. Pingback: order tadalafil
  173. Pingback: ivermectin 3mg dosage
  175. Pingback: stromectol 3 mg dosage
  176. Pingback: viagra pills prescription
  178. Pingback: how to get cialis without a prescription
  180. Pingback: generic viagra over the counter usa
  184. Pingback: what is ivermectin used to treat in humans
  186. Pingback: how to buy cialis without a prescription
  187. Pingback: cialis dosage
  189. Pingback: where to buy generic cialis online safely
  190. Pingback: real sildenafil pills online
  191. Pingback: generic cialis usa
  192. Pingback: generic cialis professional
  198. Pingback: buy ivermectin cream for humans
  199. Pingback: sildenafil tablets australia
  200. Pingback: how to purchase sildenafil pills
  202. Pingback: cialis price walmart
  203. Pingback: tadalafil lilly
  204. Pingback: roman tadalafil
  206. Pingback: cost of prednisone 20mg
  207. Pingback: buy prednisone 1 mg
  209. Pingback: where to buy cialis online no prescription
  212. Pingback: merck pill for covid
  213. Pingback: canadian pharmacy no prescription cialis
  217. Pingback: tadalafil nebenwirkungen
  218. Pingback: how to buy cialis in uk
  219. Pingback: tadalafil sale
  220. Pingback: cialis with dapoxetine
  225. Pingback: brazil ivermectin
  226. Pingback: side effects of prednisone
  228. Pingback: cialis tablets
  229. Pingback: viagra dosage
  232. Pingback: online casino real money usa
  234. Pingback: tadalafil and dapoxetine
  236. Pingback: ivermectin uses in humans
  238. Pingback: stromectol ebay
  240. Pingback: real cash casino
  241. Pingback: us generic cialis
  242. Pingback: cialis dosis
  243. Pingback: generic viagra for daily use
  246. Pingback: buy cialis online
  249. Pingback: ivermectina oral
  250. Pingback: 3 tadalafil prescription
  261. Pingback: prescription tadalafil online
  264. Pingback: ivermectin tablet online
  273. Pingback: ivermectin medicine
  285. Pingback: buy ivermectin 6 mg
  289. Pingback: ivermectin dr pierre kory
  301. Pingback: buy ivermectin canada

  310. Betway comes pack with features. Moreover, Betway’s nice selection of cricket betting options with great odds makes it one of the best betting sites for Indians. The betting site is also equipped with a great live betting section as well as a live casino, for punters who enjoy in-play betting the most. The key differences to betting sites around the world is that betting sites for Indians specifically offer services that put Indian priorities in full focus. For example feature on betting sites in India will include: We also have a football investment scheme where we unveil the world of football investment and guide you on how to increase your profits immediately! Our investment tracker shows our recent performance as we encourage transparency in football investments. This differs us from all other forecasting platforms across the world. Our platform also gives punters the heads up by predicting sure football predictions. We also have a store where punters can use in making selections for football predictions tips for the weekend. All of the best online betting sites in India are known for their efforts to protect players so that they bet responsibly. Winning big on football betting or at IPL betting can be tempting – we’ve all felt the lure! In the popular list of you may also see some of tomorrows football tips or this weekend football tips. If you are a once a week punter you may just want to look at Saturday football tips, we know that many people come here looking for football accumulator tips, so you can order the tips by date also by clicking on the events tab.  To see the latest football fixture lists check out the BBC Football section.  https://knowledgehub.wel.or.ke/community/profile/eloygutman49532/ MUN vs LEI, Premier League: Football Prediction Tips For Today’s Manchester United vs Leicester City on May 11, Tuesday:Also Read – Premier League: Philippe Coutinho Joins Aston Villa on Loan From Barcelona Midfielders –Bruno Fernandes (C), Paul Pogba, Pellegrini, Veretout Our team of IPL betting experts are focused on finding the best value and the most competitive odds in all of the IPL betting markets, from the daily match winner markets to the tournament winner, top batsman, and top bowler betting options. Our site is the go-to site for today’s and tomorrow’s IPL match prediction and should be your first port of call for IPL betting tips and advice. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on India.com. IND vs WI Today Match Prediction: Having pocketed the first T20I by 6 wickets, the Men in Blue would be hoping to seal the fate of the series in the second T20I scheduled to take… Kick-Off Time: The Champions League match between Real Madrid vs Liverpool will start at 12:30 AM IST – April 7. Defenders – Г“scar Mingueza, Jordi Alba, IГ±igo MartГ­nez For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on India.com. TIME- The kick-off time of 2022 FIFA Qualifier match India vs Oman is 08:30 PM (IST). For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on India.com.

    Reply
  313. Pingback: stromectol where to buy
  314. Pingback: topical ivermectin cost
  318. Pingback: furosemide 20 mg otc
  319. Pingback: furosemide lasix 20 mg
  322. Pingback: ivermectine arrow lab

  329. No deposit bonuses are a type of casino bonuses given to players without the need for them to deposit their own money into the casino. Casinos use them as a promotional tool to give new players an incentive to create an account and start playing. No deposit bonuses make it possible to essentially gamble for free, but their values are generally low. This No Deposit Bonus Casino USA allows the gamblers to try and play Casino and its most popular or most expensive games for absolutely free. CASINO MOONS Casino gives a exclusive welcome bonus of $55 Free Chip bonus with no deposit required, just sign up a new account and your $55 free bonus money will be automatically credit, you will also get a 200% bonus + 30 free spins with your first deposit and the fun are not over, you will get deposit bonuses for your 5 first deposits. https://2kfbnews.com/community/profile/aliceharis64586 Looking to enjoy the thrill of a Las Vegas casino, but from the comfort of your own home? You’ve come to the right place! With over 150 FREE slot machine games, countless features and hundreds of prizess, Caesars Slots will provide you hours of FREE entertainment! It’s no wonder Caesars Slots is one of the most talked about and renown casino games available! You can find the best free online slots here on this page. At Casino.org we’ve rated hundreds of free online slot machines and every month we update this page with the best free slots games in the market. Hello, our objective is to bring to you a superior experience in the Slots arena. It’s the up’s and downs and the highs and lows that give us the adventure that we so seek in Slotomania. Have a great day! All free spin bonuses have the same purpose: to give you extra cash that can help you win real money when playing slot games at your preferred casino. However, not all free spins bonuses are alike. Check out our overview of free spins bonus offers below so you can figure out which ones you like best.

    Reply
  334. Pingback: buy stromectol
  337. Pingback: what is ivermectin used for humans
  339. Pingback: ivermectin uk

  344. After m‚tier our look over, then my wife, I ushered lasix 500 mg price into the barn & did my paramount to suppress the bleeding, and prove to stand by patiently for the cavalry to arrive. Our validate looked George upward of & determined the disposition & solemnity of the slash was “inoperable”; spirit that independently from administering some antibiotics to repel situated infection, we had no determination but to abate George & Protect Nature work together on this one. This was unsuitable to us; so the next broad daylight I paid a visit to Henry at the Cloverdale Pharmasave. Kudos. Ample facts.

    Reply
  369. Pingback: joe rogan ivermectin
  376. Pingback: luckyland slots casino bonus
  377. Pingback: cialis and viagra
  418. Pingback: merck and ivermectin
  433. Pingback: ivermectin 4
  455. Pingback: ivermectin cream 5

  467. I purchased a product from Medshop.com. I wanted to exchange it in the interest of a different size. I ended up buying the contrasting extent and then was to return the essential item. I went to embark it backtrack from, the shipping was more than the sell for of the memorandum, because of the size. I asked himshairloss.com for a shipping label. They said it would be a settled sacrifice, which was half the cost of the item. I only paid $7 shipping but it would be 3 for the nonce at once that to go back it. It doesn’t seem to be a reasonable traffic policy. I finger I extinct out-moded all around. It was reasonable an truck but I would experience lost half the refund just to ocean it back. Then they suffer with to forge sure it is resealable. If it wasn’t I guess I would accept been visible the full tariff gain not require the product. Seriously tons of good knowledge.

    Reply
  477. Pingback: hydroxychloroquine and pregnancy

  489. I can’t say enough all over the prodigious customer service we gain from viwithout.com. We recently partnered with them and converted from paper MARs to QuickMar with their assistance. Auspices of their monogram training and their on-going corroborate, Winyah made this shift seamless, and the modus operandi has worked wonderfully. From their overwhelming relationship with our physicians and staff to the valuable drilling they state look after our nurses, Winyah has become an basic large of our body that we would not demand to be without. Whoa plenty of awesome info!

    Reply

  549. Borys Gudziak, archbishop metropolitan for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who recently returned from Ukraine, addressed the crowd and called on the governments of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania to supply military equipment to volunteer fighters in Ukraine. You have many options for relocating your belongings today aside from full-service movers and moving truck rentals. One option that some Chattanooga residents choose is household freight shipping. Most often used for long-distance moves and large shipments that won’t fit on a single truck, this option requires you to load your own belongings onto a freight trailer which is then transported for you. Usually, because of the constraints of the service, we offer moves within a local or regional setting with our hourly service. If you’re looking to move farther afield, you’re welcome to check out our classic moving options, including those that cater to one-day moves. Give Three Movers a call today to find out more. https://themythicimagination.org/community/profile/ahmedschaeffer0/ Elvis and Nelson showed up on time, very extremely polite and helpful and quickly completed my project. I would definitely call again. While these were some tips that can help you find the best packers and movers, always remember that the best packer and mover does not exist; the only thing that exists is the best packer and mover for you. While one company can be beneficial for one party, it might not be suitable for another. Hence when you select a packer and mover company, make sure you keep all these tips in mind. You should also not fall for offers that are too cheap just because you have been wanting to keep that budget in place! I don’t see my city! Show me movers near me. I don’t see my city! Show me movers near me. I don’t see my city! Show me movers near me. I was very impressed with We the States Moving. They arrived within the scheduled time window as promised. They listened well to what we needed to have done, and took confident initiative to get it done effectively and efficiently. Our crew of three interacted well with each other and had a great, positive attitude. The work went much more quickly and smoothly than I anticipated. If I had to move, I would definitely hire them again, and would heartily recommend them to anyone needing movers.

    Reply
  591. Pingback: ivermectin 0.5 lotion india
  602. Pingback: ivermectin cream canada cost
  632. Pingback: ivermectin 3mg dose