I don’t think I’ve seen this movie before? But the name does sound awfully familiar. Perhaps I’ve read the Mad Magazine version?
Heh heh, parking on the top of a building so that you can have a shot of the streets below without filming on the streets. Hm… the director is Bob Rafelson…
Oh oh oh — Five Easy Pieces and The Postman Always Rings Twice. I’ve seen those.
And also Head, the Monkees movie.
It’s not a very… extensive career, though?
Yes, this is another Hazel Flagg movie.
Is that Freddie Kruger?
IT IS!
Yes, it’s Arnold. I think this movie is mostly mentioned as “and then Arnold tried to do a serious movie”.
It seems like the critical reaction was very positive, and it apparently did well at the box office? But modern audience ratings are pretty negative…
The plot here is so classic that I kinda understand why this is a film that’s been rather forgotten: It’s about a hoiti toity capitalist that’s going to do nefarious things with a couple of city blocks, but there’s one business that refuses to sell! So he goes in and becomes rather enamoured with the people he should be swindling. So… is he going to betray them or not!?!?
I mean, there’s a reason this plot is so popular — I’ve seen at least a couple dozen movies that are variations on this plot — but you have to do something more with it to not just seem… plodding.
And this film almost does that, but then it tips over into ridiculousness.
Can’t fault the wig people.
It’s such a weird movie. It’s mostly a drama, but then it takes these detours into Benny Hill territory. But without any actual jokes that make sense.
The movie does have a certain jenneseqoia — but it’s just a hard sell. It mixes broad farce with drama and ends up not making much sense. If I had a dollar for every scene where I went “wait what?” I’d be able to buy a pretty fancy burger.
But it’s pretty likeable.
Stay Hungry. Bob Rafelson. 1976. ⚂
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