Movie review - "Follow the Boys" (1963) ** (warning spoilers)

 MGM tried to repeat the success of Where the Boys Are but never quite did - I think because they went too light, while Boys had an aspect of reality about it with the Yvette Mimieux plot.

This has an interesting idea - the story of women who follow their naval men from base to base around the Riviera. Yes they chase the men but also... it is the Riviera. It wouldn't be a bad life if you were into it.

The women are: Janis Paige, getting sick of chasing hubby Ron Randell; Paula Prentiss, determined to nab lothatio Richard Long, Dany Robins, who is French and with Russ Tamblyn, and Connie Francis, desperate to be rooted by her new husband.

There's pleasing views of the south of France and Italy. Richard Long is made for this sort of thing and Randell acquits himself well. 

The film is geared heavily towards Francis, who gets several songs - she's fine but her character is depressing and the storyline is sad. Because she wants to have sex and it's difficult. I think she should've just had a good old fashioned stalking storyline eg "you said you loved me I want you" - something fun.

Depressing endings - Randell gives up his dream of a command for Paige, Francis decides to stick it out with her guy but he's still carted off arrested ie they still haven't had sex, Prentis is with Tamblyn but they haven't resolved the fact she doesnt want to marry a naval guy and he wants to go career, Long is with Dany Robin but she's a debt collector and he's got no money... Literally no one's relationship looks like it has a future! 

No sense of camraderie or even funny set pieces.

Movie review - "Satan's Sadists" (1969) **

 A big hit for Al Adamson with its raping bikers, going sleazier than even AIP would go. There is a very interesting cast and some decent music. And the plot is effective low budget stuff - basically people in a diner cross with some bikers led by Russ Tamblyn and the bikers start killing people.

Tamblyn was in his hippy stage now and looks spaced but he's got an impressive, unsettling presence. It's a convincing performance as he goes mad.

Regina Carroll is fun as his moll and there's a lively support cast even though Ken Taylor is so square as the hero (he and a girl are the protagonists I guess). Desert location works.

Movie review - "Hollywood Boulevard" (1976) *** (re-watching)

 I've seen this a lot. I have such affection for it.

Random thoughts

- the rape sequence is very unpleasant but it does show Candice Rialson to be genuinely traumatised by it. And later on when watching the film at the drive in she's traumatised again. And then is almost raped again in a scene played for comedy

- likewise in the scene where Tara Strohmeier is shot dead it has a real impact - ditto when Rita George is killed

- the love for movies is so endearing, the injokes, the names, the cut in footage, the whole vibe.

- the drive in sequence drags and isn't fun - rape played for gags isn't great

- the camraderie between the three girls is very lively and a shame there isn't more

- the romance between Jeffrey Kramer and Rialson is sweet

- the ace in the hole were the actors - everyone is good,Rialson is wonderful, Kramer amiable, but Mary Woronov and Paul Barrel are the stand outs. I really liked Rita George too she's very pretty and competent I'm surprised she

- sometiems the exploitation is awkward (the wet T shirt scene), other times offensive (the rape sequence), other times very effective (the producer in bed with two girls, the three girls lying around topless) - I know Dante and Arkush didn't have their hearts in exploitaiton but they could do it well (eg slasher scene)

- the basic mystery is fine with clever leading that we think the killer is Kramer

Movie review - "War of the Gargantuas" (1969) **1/2

 Handsome looking kaiju with impressive effects and photography as two creatures run amok, a goodie and a baddie. Not Godzilla but Gargantuas, Frankenstein's monster types.

Russ Tamblyn ambles through it seemingly stoned. Apparently he improvised his dialogue. But his presence adds to the fun.

There's some singing people at camp, lots of destruction, a decent budget (it seemed to my eyes). Fun.

Movie review - "Bottoms" (2024) ****1/2

 A movie of some blinding brilliance, a worth successor to Heathers. The first half hour is dazzlingly good. I worried they'd be able to maintain it and there are wobbles but it keeps bringing out the goods - a genuinely moving romance, pushing the edge with the finale (going to murder), a shocking sequence where a girl is genuinely beaten up. The two leads are stars, the cast is fabulous.

MGM Films About Australia

 1) The Man from Down Under (1943) - created as a vehicle for Wallace Beery, turned into one for Charles Laughton, set in Australia

2) The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney - MGM proposed filming this in the late 1940s as a vehicle for Gregory Peck and Greer Garson which actually makes sense

3) Interrupted Melody (1955) - biopic of Australian opera singer Marjorie Lawrence, developed as a vehicle for Greer Garson, given over to Eleanor Parker - has some scenes set in Australia

4) Million Dollar Mermaid (1953) - biopic of Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman, turned into a (quite good) Esther Williams vehicle

5) Captain Bligh Returns - proposed sequel to MGM's Mutiny on the Bounty which Frank Lloyd wanted to make after that 1935 film's success, set during the Rum Rebellion

6) Dr Gillespie's New Assistant (1943) - Dr Kildare movie featured two Australian characters, one played by Aussie Shirley Ann Richards, the other by Richard Quine

7) The VIPs (1963) - Rod Taylor gets to play an Aussie

8) The Shiralee (1957) - MGM-Ealing film set and shot in Australia starring Peter Finch

9) Rhapsody (1954) - Elizabeth Taylor movie bassed on Aussie book by Henry Richardson

10) They Were Expendable (1945) - John Ford on US troops in the Philippines helping MacArthur escape to Oz

Movie review - "Rock n Roll High School" (1979) **** (re-watching)

 Saw this again because I read the book about it. It's just fun. Such a good heart. The film is about love. PJ Soles loves The Ramones, Joey Ramone loves pizza, Dey Young loves Tim Van Patten, Paul Bartel comes to love the Ramones, Mary Woronov loves Facism and is defeated. So much energy. Blowing up schools is probably less funny now with all these shootings but this is a great time.