From: Reviews and Criticism of Theatrical and Television Dramas (http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm) compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University ([email protected])

O6335 OPERATION DROP (USA, 1995)

Credits: director, ; writers, Gene Quintano, Jim Kouf ; story, Jim Morris. Cast: Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary, Doug E. Doug. Summary: War comedy set in in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam in the 1960s. In a village, a veteran Special Forces Captain (Glover) is about to be replaced by a newly arrived, by-the-book West Point graduate (Liotta). In retaliation for the villagers’ cooperation with the Americans, the Viet Cong kill the villagers’ elephant. The two captains, a resourceful supply officer (Leary) and a couple of unlucky enlisted men are then sent on a mission to purchase and transport a new elephant to the remote village in order to retain the villagers’ loyalty.

Clark, Mike. “‘Dumbo drop’ ambles amiably” USA today (Jul 28, 1995), p. D5. Crisafulli, Chuck. “How to drop the big one: Movies: Disney makes a leap of faith with ‘’ director Simon Wincer - and two life-like, animatronic elephants - in ‘’” Los Angeles times (Jul 25, 1995), Calendar, p. 1. ______. “The true story of a flying elephant: Disney’s newest star carries a lot of weight - 4 tons” Newsday (Jul 26, 1995), pt. II, p. 3. Dauphin, Gary. “Trunk shows” Village voice 40 (Aug 8, 1995), p. 54-5. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1996] Dretzka, Gary. “‘Dumbo Drop’ puts new spin on Vietnam films” (Jul 28, 1995), Friday, p. H. Farrell, Alan. “Operation Dumbo Drop” in Viet Nam war films II (edited by Jean- Jacques Malo and Tony Williams) [GB] Feld, Bruce. “Operation Dumbo Drop” Film journal 98 (Aug/Sep 1995), p. 24. Hinson, Hal. “Tusk, tusk, Vietnam? ‘Dumbo drop’: Disney’s facile trunk show” Washington post (Jul 28, 1995), p. B7. Horowitz, Jane. “Lumbering start hinders ‘Dumbo’” Washington post (Aug 3, 1995), p. C7. Leydon, Joe. “Operation Dumbo Drop” Variety (Jul 31-Aug 6, 1995), p. 36. Mandell, Jonathan. [Operation Dumbo Drop] Newsday (Jul 25, 1995), pt. II, p. 5. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1996] Maslin, Janet. “An elephant, a chocolate bar and Vietnam” New York times (Jul 28, 1995), p. C12. Medved, Michael. [Operation Dumbo Drop] New York post (Jul 28, 1995), p. 38. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1996] Monder, Eric. “Operation Dumbo Drop” Motion picture guide annual (edited by Jay Robert Nash and Stanley Ralph Ross) Chicago : Cinebooks, 1987-2000. (1996, p. 233-4) Murray, Steve. “Review: ‘Operation Dumbo Drop’ the verdict: Liotta, Glover upstaged by elephant in lightweight ‘Operation Dumbo Drop’” Atlanta constitution (Jul 28, 1995), Preview, p. 13. “Operation Dumbo Drop” Film review annual 1996 Englewood, N.J. : J.S. Ozer, 1981- (p. 1041-44) Potts, Jackie. “An elephant you’ll want to forget” Miami herald (Jul 28, 1995), p. 7G. Rich, Chuck. “Movies: ‘Operation Dumbo Drop’ starring Danny Glover and Ray Liotta” Washingtonian 30/12 (Sep 1995), p. 27. Ryan, Desmond. “An unwilling elephant on a farcical journey” Philadelphia inquirer (Jul 28, 1995), Weekend, p. 14. Shay, Estelle. “Pachyderms and parachutes” Cinefex n. 64 (Dec 1995), p. 121-22+ [3 p.] Stack, Peter. “Pachyderm by parcel post: Modest kids’ film ‘Dumbo Drop’ delivers a few smiles” (Jul 28, 1995), p. C4. Strickler, Jeff. “Wincer’s ‘Dumbo Drop’ is an upbeat, 4-ton charmer” Star tribune [Milwaukee] (Jul 28, 1995), Variety, p. 8E. Thomas, Kevin. “Movie review: ‘Dumbo’: Not typical Vietnam war film” Los Angeles times (Jul 28, 1995), Calendar, p. F14. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1996] Williamson, Kim. “Operation Dumbo Drop” Boxoffice 131 (Oct 1995), p. R87.

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