In the original 1974 version of this action-packed thriller, a flu-plagued Koch-lookalike mayor is on the spot when he receives an ultimatum: Cough up the dough—$1 million—in an hour or 17 passengers on the downtown 6 train get wasted. Wisecracks and bullets fly as quick-witted Transit Authority cop Walter Matthau negotiates with Robert Shaw’s all-business “Mr. Blue.” — Bruce Goldstein

Bruce Goldstein is one of the country’s most beloved programmers and distributors of classic movies. He has run the repertory program at Film Forum since 1986. He is also the founder and co-president of Rialto Pictures, which restores and distributes a wide range of American and international films.