No one seems to have many kind things to say about this Russ Meyer film, his second picture done for 20th Century Fox, and his only really "straight" picture - an attempt to dramatise Irving Wallace's best seller. It's normally a coda in his career - "oh and then he made Seven Minutes which failed so he went back to indies". But I liked it.
The script is solid and its interesting material. I've got a soft spot for courtroom dramas that tackle social issues. The screenplay puts forward both sides of the case - though Meyer makes his feelings clear by having several scenes depicting anti pornographers as fat filthy old men who hang around dancers and are hypocritical.
Wayne Launder is strong as the lead - he never had much of a career, but he's handsome, virile, a decent actor. Maybe a bit TV but he's good. Tom Selleck is in this but I didn't watch it going "I wish Selleck was playing the lead and not Launder."
Marianne McAndrew is sweet as the girl who works for him.
It's clearly Meyer trying to do something different - he takes the material seriously - but also feels very Meyer - there's actors like Charles Napier, and Edy Williams as Launder's sexpot fiancee, and the editing is rapid. There are some grotesques and one scene where Launder visits a person who is filming a porno. And the themes - anti censorship, pro liking sex (and unfortunately a bit of homophobia and hatred of impotence) - are very Meyer.
John Carradine pops up. Ron Randell is meant to be in this too. Phil Carey is a strong antagonist. It doesn't entirely work as drama - really the personal stakes aren't that high, I'm surprised they didn't bring in Williams' tycoon dad as a character - but it was enjoyable. I'm aware few people share this opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment