THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT (1970)

by Kimberly Lindbergs | November 25, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, American Cinema, Drama, Movie Morlocks, TCM

Bruce Davison & Bud Cort in THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT (1970)

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday. I’ve been wrestling with a lot of personal stuff lately and some big changes are coming to this blog soon. But I just wanted to share a quick update about my latest piece for The Movie Morlocks titled, ‘Politics, Protest & Progress in THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT.’ It’s a detailed look at Stuart Hagmann’s neglected first film, which should interest some politically-minded readers. Here’s a brief sample from my post:

“Stuart Hagmann’s THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT (1970) is often dismissed today as a dated relic of the early ‘70s. During its initial release it was singled out for being exploitive and failing to be a straightforward adaptation of the book it was based on. Many critics claimed that Stuart Hagmann’s direction was erratic and too creative for its own good, which supposedly diminished the film’s political message. When I recently set aside some time to watch THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT I prepared myself for the worst. I expected to see a confusing, opportunistic, dated and laughable Hollywood film made to cash in on the political zeitgeist of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. But I came away from the movie with an entirely different opinion and immediately understood why it had been nominated for a Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1970 and walked away with a Jury Prize. Not only is THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT a much better film than I had anticipated but it’s particularly poignant considering the current political climate. Student protest, police brutality, free speech and social activism are still hot button issues today. Not a lot has changed in 40 years. We’re still fighting the same battles and wrestling with the same complex issues that have been plaguing the country for decades. Like other controversial films from the same period such as MEDIUM COOL (1969), ZABRISKI POINT (1970) and PUNISHMENT PARK (1971), THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT asked some important questions that still haven’t been answered.”

Lots more about this timely film at the Morlocks:
- Politics, Protest & Progress in THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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Jacqueline Susann’s The Love Machine

by Kimberly Lindbergs | November 3, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, American Cinema, David Hemmings, Drama, John Phillip Law, Hammer Glamour, Movie Morlocks, TCM

I recently got the chance to review the Warner Archive DVD release of THE LOVE MACHINE (1971) based on Jacqueline “Valley of the Dolls” Susann’s book and naturally I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve mentioned the film at Cinebeats before during my farewell post to John Phillip Law, which was written after he passed away in 2008. I think it’s a great film so I went to bat for it at the Movie Morlocks this week. It’s not an easy movie to recommend. It’s been mocked by Mystery Science Theater 3000, bashed by an endless parade of critics over the years and celebrated as a kitsch classic worthy of cult camp status and not much else, but I think it’s got more to offer than unintentional laughs. Few films feature three leading men that I absolutely love (John Phillip Law, Robert Ryan AND David Hemmings!) as well as Hammer glamour girls, Mary and Madeleine Collinson (TWINS OF EVIL), Anitra Ford (INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS) and ’60s beauty icon Lynda Moran just to name a few of the lovely ladies in this film. THE LOVE MACHINE also contains lots of fabulous ’70s fashions, plus stylish decor by the likes of Burke and inspired by designer Eero Saarinen. Do I need to say anymore? If you’re a Cinebeats’ reader chances are you’re going to enjoy this film as much as I do. An excerpt from my post:

“Taken seriously, THE LOVE MACHINE could be seen as an interesting predecessor to NETWORK (1976), which depicted the drama unfolding in the boardrooms and backrooms of high-powered television networks. The film also smartly critiques our blind fascination with popular news personalities who often manipulate the public trust for their own gain. Like Mark Robson, who adapted VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, director Jack Haley Jr. was obviously inspired by filmmakers like John M. Stahl and Douglas Sirk who created shrewd and stylish melodramas in the 1940s and ‘50s such as MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION, LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN and ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS. And although I wouldn’t categorize THE LOVE MACHINE as a “woman’s picture” it was based on a woman’s novel that appealed to a large female audience. As a period piece, THE LOVE MACHINE is an unusal time capsule. It’s of its time and yet totally outside it. But as pure entertainment I think it has lots of visual interest and an oddly involving (and at times convoluted) plot. However you decided to approach the film, I think it makes for some unforgettable viewing.”

You can find my full post about THE LOVE MACHINE at The Movie Morlocks:
- Jacqueline Susann’s The Love Machine @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

I also created a Flickr Gallery for THE LOVE MACHINE that you can view here.

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Remember My Name (1976) & TCM News

by Kimberly Lindbergs | June 2, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, News, Horror, Japanese Cinema, American Cinema, Science Fiction, Anthony Perkins, Thrillers, Movie Morlocks, TCM

Anthony Perkins & Geraldine Chaplin in Remember My Name (1976)

I’ve been really busy lately so please excuse the lack of updates around here. Lately it seems like I only have enough free time to share my Movie Morlock updates and today is no exception. I recently got the opportunity to watch Alan Rudolph’s unusual thriller Remember My Name (1976). I was originally interested in seeing the film because one of its stars was the one and only Anthony Perkins but I was surprised by how terrific the movie was. Follow the link to read my thoughts about this intriguing neo-noir:
- Remember My Name …or else. @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

I also wanted to let my readers know that during the month of June TCM is hosting a bunch of Drive-In Double Features every Thursday night! If I had my way TCM would make these Drive-In Double Features a regular part of their programming schedule but at least me and my fellow monster lovers will be able to enjoy some great movies this month. TCM put together a terrific promo video for this event that I just couldn’t resist sharing. June is going to be a fun month!

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Blake Edwards and THE PARTY (1968)

by Kimberly Lindbergs | April 27, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, Directors, American Cinema, Comedies, 1968, Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers and Claudine Longet in The Party (1968)

I recently wrote a piece about The Party (1968) for the newest issue of Screening the Past that you can read online. Issue #30 of Screening the Past is a tribute to the late director Blake Edwards and The Party is my favorite Edwards’ film. I really enjoyed delving into the movie again and discussing the ways in which Edwards’ film dealt with identity and the cultural climate of the the late 1960s. I admire the way that Edwards used The Party to take a swipe at old Hollywood, which is so often celebrated as “The Golden Age of Cinema” while its worst aspects like the subtle but abundant racism, sexism and religious intolerance is too often swept under the rug although not a lot has changed really. I love old movies but I have no problem discussing their faults and The Party is a great example of why I like to refer to the ’60s and the ’70s as “The Platinum Age of Cinema.” The following link will take you to my piece on The Party:
- The Party @ Screening the Past

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What Ever Happened to Jennifer?

by Kimberly Lindbergs | April 15, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, American Cinema, Thrillers, Movie Morlocks, TCM

Ida Lupino in Jennifer (1953)

In my latest post at the Movie Morlocks I take a look at an unusual and little known thriller called Jennifer (1953), which features a great performance from Ida Lupino and some breathtaking black & white cinematography from James Wong Howe. If you enjoy unconventional noir films or low-key horror movies that rely on mood over visceral scares, you might find Jennifer as intriguing as I did. Follow the link to read more.
- What Ever Happened to Jennifer? @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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It’s Women’s History Month

by Kimberly Lindbergs | March 10, 2011

Categories | Books, Actors, American Cinema, Actresses, Movie Morlocks, TCM

Top: Lon Chaney and Roman Navarro
Bottom: Joan Crawford and Anna May Wong
All photographs by Ruth Harriet Louise

In case you haven’t heard, it’s Women’s History Month, so this week I decided to focus my attention on one of Hollywood’s little known female pioneers, studio photographer Ruth Harriet Louise. Louise was MGM’s chief portrait photographer and the first woman to hold that position at a major Hollywood studio. Between 1925 and 1930 she photographed some of the MGM’s most iconic stars including Greta Garbo, Lon Chaney, Joan Crawford, Roman Navarro, John Gilbert, Norma Shearer and Anna May Wong. She died much to young in 1940 at age 37 but she left an incredible body of work behind. If you would like to know more about Ruth Harriet Louise you’ll find my latest piece about this fascinating woman and her brief but impressive career at TCM’s Movie Morlocks.
- Hollywood’s First Woman of Photography: Ruth Harriet Louise @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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Vincente Minnelli’s Metaphysical Musical

by Kimberly Lindbergs | February 24, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, American Cinema, Musicals, Costume Design, Romance, Movie Morlocks, TCM

Barbra Streisand in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)

Last week I had planned on writing about some romantic films in honor of Valentine’s Day but I never got around to it. I’m still fighting off that cold bug but this week I decided to share some thoughts about one of my favorite romantic movies, Vincente Minnelli’s metaphysical musical On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970). This lush production has gotten a lot of negative press over the years and I’ve never understood why. I think it’s one of Minnelli’s best films and it features Barbra Streisand at her loveliest. It also contains some of the most beautiful costume designs ever created. Few films can boast the talents of Cecil Beaton and even fewer films feature the work of acclaimed fashion designer Arnold Scaasi but On A Clear Day You Can See Forever provided both men with an incredible canvas to showcase their artistry.

Unfortunately audiences have never had the opportunity to see Minnelli’s original film. An entire 60 minutes of On A Clear Day You Can See Forever ended up on the cutting room floor before it was released. My thoughts on the film as well as my plea to see it restored can be found at The Movie Morlocks.
- Vincente Minnelli’s Metaphysical Musical @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)

by Kimberly Lindbergs | January 21, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, American Cinema, Thrillers, Movie Morlocks, TCM

At the Movie Morlocks this week I wrote about my disappointment with James Goldstone’s 1972 film They Only Kill Their Masters. This dull and unimaginative mystery wasted the talents of all the actors involved including James Garner, Katherine Ross, Peter Lawford and Hal Holbrook but it does showcase a pretty groovy beach house if you’d like to see a movie with some eye-popping ’70s style interior design.
- “Was the murderer a man… or man’s best friend?” @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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Anne Francis in The Satan Bug (1965)

by Kimberly Lindbergs | January 13, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, Spies & Secret Agents, American Cinema, Actresses, Science Fiction, Anne Francis

Anne Francis in (1965)

I was disappointed to learn that Anne Francis had passed away on January 2, 2011 so I decided to revisit one of her best films, John Sturges’ action-packed sci-fi thriller The Satan Bug (1965) for the Movie Morlocks. Sturges is an undervalued director and like many of Sturges’ movies, The Satan Bug deserves much more praise than it’s received since its initial release. If you’re an Anne Francis fan or just enjoy smart stylish thrillers I highly recommend heading over to the Movie Morlocks where you’ll find my tribute to the actress and Sturges’ terrific film.
- Anne Francis in The Satan Bug (1965) @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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