LET'S GET LOST (1988)

Bruce Weber's excellent documentary about the life and career of jazz trumpeter/singer Chet Baker is filmed in dark, moody black & white, giving the entire film the ambience of a typical smoky jazz club at two in the morning. It's a fitting atmosphere for the story of this talented, tragic artist, who has become an almost mythical figure. 

Chet Baker was not just a brilliant musician, but also one of the most iconic images of the 1950's, a young man described as a cross between James Dean and Jack Kerouac. He rose quickly in the jazz world, playing with legendary artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, and Stan Getz, and eventually finding success as a solo artist. He also became a heroin addict, a curse that would follow him through the years until his death in 1988 at only 58. Before that, there were numerous professional and personal conflicts, criminal charges, comebacks, various marriages and relationships, four children, and attempts at being free from his drug addiction.

The film begins in 1987. It shows Baker at recording sessions, interacting with friends, and being interviewed. It also goes back in time to show his younger days, including clips from several performances. Like most documentaries of this kind, there is a certain frustration in only being able to hear small parts of performances before someone begins a narration, or the scene changes to something else. However, near the end we get to hear the man sing a song all the way through. It's Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue", recorded specifically for this film. The camera stays in close-up on Baker's haggard, yet still strangely handsome face. The tone and strength of his voice is perfect, almost as if he is haunted and possessed by the troubled ghost of his younger self. His performance is mesmerizing and heartbreaking.

J. Hoberman of The Village Voice described the latter-day Chet Baker as "a seamy looking drugstore cowboy-cum-derelict". Maybe so. But the talent was still as vibrant as ever. 

PRETTY POISON (1968)

 

It's the old familiar story: A couple of sociopaths meet at a hamburger stand, become partners in crime, and live neurotically ever after. 

OK, maybe it's not quite that simple.

PRETTY POISON, directed by Noel Black, is a true gem of a cult movie. It's one of those quiet, slow starting films that seems to be heading in a sure direction, but suddenly takes a sharp turn, giving the viewer one surprise after another. The screenplay, by Lorenzo Semple, Jr., is based on the novel She Let Him Continue by Stephen Geller.

At the beginning of the film, Dennis Pitt (Anthony Perkins) is being released on parole from a mental institution. He was sent there at the age of fifteen for setting fire to a house and killing his aunt. Dennis claimed he didn't know she was in the house. His parole officer, Morton Azenauer (John Randolph), has found a job for Dennis. One of Dennis' problems is that he creates fantasies in his mind that he believes are real. Mr. Azenauer warns Dennis that he needs to control his thoughts so they don't get out of control. 

When we next see Dennis, he has left the job the parole officer found for him and has moved on to a different town without letting the officer know. He works in a chemical plant. Dennis is concerned about the toxic waste the plant is pouring into a river that runs next to the plant. He sees the brightly colored chemicals, the "pretty poison", being discharged into the water and wants to do something about it. One day he's watching a local high school band practice their marching routine and he notices a beautiful blonde girl carrying the American flag. He meets this same girl at an outdoor hamburger stand where he eats lunch every day. Her name is Sue Ann Stepanek (Tuesday Weld). They begin talking and Dennis is immediately attracted to the teenager. Sue Ann complains about her strict mother (Beverly Garland). Dennis tells Sue Ann that he's a government agent on a secret mission that concerns the pollution at the chemical plant. It isn't clear whether or not Dennis is once again experiencing a delusion or if he just wants to impress Sue Ann by pretending to be something he's not. Whatever the case, the seemingly innocent girl believes his story and wants to be a part of his secret mission. As Dennis becomes more smitten with Sue Ann, he soon learns that there is another kind of "pretty poison" at work in this small town.

The film's introduction to Sue Ann Stepanek (Tuesday Weld).

The career of Anthony Perkins was so affected by his brilliant performance as Norman Bates in PSYCHO that he never escaped that image of a mentally unstable man who always seemed on the verge of a breakdown. PRETTY POISON was actually his first American film since the Hitchcock classic, and it's tempting to see Dennis Pitt as another incarnation of Norman Bates, being released from an asylum several years after his murder spree in the earlier film. His performance here is excellent, full of tension, and with all of the nervous ticks and voice inflections that became his trademarks. Equally impressive is gorgeous Tuesday Weld. The twenty-four year old actress may have been too old to play a high school girl, but she is completely believable as Sue Ann. Miss Weld had been acting since the late 1950's, often in inconsequential comedies. Occasionally she was given a chance to show her abilities in more serious roles such as in SOLDIER IN THE RAIN (1962), WILD IN THE COUNTRY (1961), and THE CINCINNATI KID (1965). She also proved herself adept at black comedy in another cult film called LORD LOVE A DUCK (1966). 

Despite her excellent performance, Tuesday Weld was unhappy with the film, mainly because she disliked the director. As a result, she refused to do anything to promote PRETTY POISON, and the film was released to theaters with little fanfare and disappeared very quickly. In subsequent years, especially after the advent of home video, the film has become more popular with fans and critics. Strangely enough, it has been described as a black comedy. To me, that's a ridiculous way to classify it, as there is nothing comical going on in the story. One of the fascinating things about the film is that it has the look and tone of a TV movie of the week. I don't know if this is what the director intended, but the somewhat laid back quality of the opening sequences only add to the visceral punch in the gut that comes when the narrative suddenly leads to darkness and violence. 

Beverly Garland, another talented, underrated actress in films and television, has one of the best roles of her career as Sue Ann's mother. Her interactions with Weld and Perkins are some of the most memorable scenes in the film. Also on hand is the brilliant character actor John Randolph, who was so unforgettable in SECONDS (1966). Also in the cast are Dick O'Neil, Clarice Blackburn, Joseph Bova, Ken Kercheval, and Don Fellows.

The talented Beverly Garland in one of her standout roles.

Anthony Perkins and John Randolph

The film received mixed critical response and failed financially. Still, Lorenzo Semple, Jr. was given the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay in 1968. Tuesday Weld and Anthony Perkins would reunite for PLAY IT AS IT LAYS in 1972. Noel Black continued to work in feature films and television with different degrees of success: JENNIFER ON MY MIND (1971), A MAN, A WOMAN, AND A BANK (1979), PRIVATE SCHOOL (1983), and a 1985 TV movie called PROMISES TO KEEP, starring Robert Mitchum.

FILM DIARY FOR OCTOBER 2021

 All films are first watches unless marked with *.

*BLOODY PIT OF HORROR (1967)

Bodybuilding champion Mickey Hargitay stars as a deranged recluse who imagines himself to be the reincarnation of an ancient criminal known as The Crimson Executioner. This delusion causes him to commit a series of rather complicated, bizarre murders of members of a film crew working in his opulent Italian castle. Strange little film has a kind of hypnotic quality to it, but is lacking in passion or any real suspense. Hargitay is a trip.

GOTHIKA (2003)  Another movie I picked up at Big Lots a few years ago. I finally decided to give it a watch so I could get into the Halloween spirit. What a surprise! Very involving horror thriller with Halle Berry playing a prison psychiatrist who quite suddenly finds herself a patient in her own hospital after being accused of a brutal murder. Co-starring Robert Downey, Jr. 

*INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS     (1978)

One of the rare instances when the remake is every bit as good as the original. And maybe even better. The special effects are terrific, but they don't overwhelm the story or the characters. First rate science fiction. Starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright and Leonard Nimoy. Classic cameo by Kevin McCarthy.

CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER (1974)  From Hammer Films, this is a very unique and exciting take on the vampire legend. Horst Janson is the handsome, Nordic, swashbuckling hero who makes short work of some bloodsuckers who are terrorizing a village. With Caroline Munroe.

*STAGE DOOR (1937)  A perennial favorite, one that I can enjoy no matter how many times I've seen it. Ginger Rogers and Katherine Hepburn are among several wannabe actresses living in a theatrical boarding house in New York City. Adolphe Menjou is the slick playboy producer who has the power to make one of them a star. Great dialogue that comes fast and furious from a once in a lifetime cast. With Gail Patrick, Andrea Leeds, Lucille Ball, Ann Miller and Constance Collier.

DOCTOR DRACULA (1978) 

Schlockmeister Al Adamson took a softcore porn flick called LUCIFER'S WOMEN, did a major makeover, added John Carradine, and came up with this. Not much to recommend, but Carradine is always worth watching.

*FACE OF TERROR (1962)

Mexican horror flick starring beautiful Lisa Gaye as a sociopathic escapee from a mental hospital. She gets her disfigured face redone by a doctor who is experimenting with a new method of plastic surgery. When things start to go wrong, she flips out and goes on a murderous rampage. Good film, done with the utmost seriousness.

THE MAD MAGICIAN (1954)

I can't believe I never saw this terrific film before. Great performance by Vincent Price as the title character. Originally released in 3D. Directed by Crane Wilbur, who also directed Mr. Price in THE BAT (1959).

HOUSE OF THE BLACK DEATH  (1965)  This falls into the category of "missed opportunity". With genre icons Lon Chaney and John Carradine as the stars, and capable character actors Tom Drake and Andrea King in support, not to mention some striking sets and camera work, this could have been a much better film. Katharine Victor also appears.

LUTHER (2003)  Another find from Dollar Tree. Joseph Fiennes gives an effective performance of Martin Luther during his rebellion against the Catholic Church and the resultant Protestant revolt. Definitely made from the Lutheran point of view. Not surprising, since the film was partially produced by a Lutheran organization.

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (2007) Surprisingly engaging film with a plot that could have been used as an off color comedy. Ryan Gosling is a mentally ill, repressed man who buys a sex doll and introduces her as his girlfriend. His family and friends go along with it because they love him and don't want to hurt him. Well played by all concerned.

WALERIAN BOROWCZYK: SHORT FILM COLLECTION

Another amazing find from Dollar Tree! Fourteen short films made by this French artist between 1959 and 1984. In black & white and color. Some fascinating imagery.

*ONE BODY TOO MANY (1944)

Jack Haley and Jean Parker star in this somewhat tired  comedy/mystery concerning a group of people gathering in an old dark house for the reading of a will. Bela is once again the butler and has very little to do, despite his star billing.

*THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA (2001)

This lovingly made homage to the sci-fi movies of the 1950's is played very, VERY broadly. It's great fun, but might have been more effective it it had been played with a slightly more serious tone. In glorious black & white, naturally.

1984 (1956) I was pleasantly surprised at how exciting and effective this adaptation of the Orwell classic novel is. Starring Edmund O'Brien, Jan Sterling and Michael Redgrave.

*IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955) Starring Kenneth Tobey and Faith Domergue. Ray Harryhausen did the excellent special effects for this monster movie. The problem is, we see too little of the sea monster and spend too much time listening to the actors talk. Not nearly as exciting as I remember when I saw it at age 12!

HOUR OF THE WOLF (1968)

Terrifying, baffling film from Ingmar Bergman. I will have to watch this a few more times to come even close to understanding it. Starring Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullman.

*AUTUMN SONATA (1978)

Absolutely fascinating, devastating portrait of the troubled relationship between a mother and daughter. Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullman work together perfectly. It's a real pleasure hearing Miss Bergman speaking her native language in a film.

THE EMBALMER aka THE MONSTER OF VENICE (1965)

Another horror film that had the potential to be much better than it turned out. One of the last of the Italian Gothics, it has excellent B & W photography and some impressive sets. But the execution is dull and the story makes little sense.

*I VAMPIRI (1957) The modern Italian horror cycle begins with this stylish B & W feature from director Riccardo Freda, with much help from his able cinematographer Mario Bava, who ended up finishing the film when Freda walked off the project. Very impressive.

*THX 1138 (1971) A second watch of George Lucas' futuristic nightmare left me cold and detached. Maybe that's the point of the film! Starring Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasance and Maggie McOmie. Without a doubt, the whitest movie ever made.

*A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (2014)

This story takes place in Iran, but was made in California by Iranian-Americans. Stark B & W cinematography. One of the things we learn is that vampire girls sometimes like to ride on skateboards. Who knew? Fascinating take on the vampire legend. In Farsi with English subtitles.

PARANORMAL ACTIVIY 2 (2010) After wasting my time sitting through this mind numbing experience, I have happily said goodbye to this entire franchise. The first movie had some scary moments. But this...forget about it. 

*BLOW-UP (1966) I love this film so much, I return to it again and again. Totally unique, and one of the best mysteries ever made. Also a clever gaze at the culture of the 1960's. And to think that the first time I went to see this film I walked out after the first twenty minutes! Apparently I wasn't ready for it.

*HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945)

The last of the Universal monster series before the advent of the "creature comedies" that began a few years later. This is well done and totally serious in tone. Good work, as always, by Lon Chaney, John Carradine, Lionel Atwill, and a very brief appearance by Glenn Strange as the Frankenstein monster.

*THE WITCH (2015) Dark, atmospheric, impressive and totally unique horror movie. But I found myself enjoying it much less than I did when I saw it in the theater in 2015. Still, I recommend it to horror fans. 

*SALEM'S LOT (1979) 

Essential viewing for Halloween! As creepy and effective as ever. James Mason, David Soul, Bonnie Bedelia, Lance Kerwin and Marie Windsor. 

*EL MUNDO DE LOS VAMPIROS aka THE WORLD OF THE VAMPIRES (1961)

Typically insane, atmospheric Mexican vampire flick dubbed into English. These movies are fantastic!! In black & white.

*THE MUMMY (1959) Hammer Films continued remaking the Universal monster movies with this excellent retelling of the Kharis legend. Great performance by Christopher lee as the title creature, with his able adversary, Peter Cushing, in hot pursuit. 

*NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) Still holds my attention after all this time. Maybe because it's a human survival story as much as a visceral horror film. I actually care about the people trapped in that house. I have nothing good to say about the sequels or remakes.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HELEN? (1971) Another entry into the "aging actress" horror genre. What stands out most about this desultory exercise is that Debbie Reynolds was still a beautiful, talented actress who should have been getting much better work in films. The story exists to show as much blood as possible. With Shelly Winters, frantic as ever, Dennis Weaver and Agnes Moorehead. Brief appearances by Timothy Carey and Yvette Vickers.

THE DEVIL DOLL (1933) An absolute masterpiece from director Tod Browning. Starring Lionel Barrymore as an escaped prisoner seeking revenge against the men who had him falsely accused of a crime. He joins with a couple of mad scientists who have found a way to shrink people to doll size and get them to do their bidding. Fantastic special effects. Co-starring Maureen O'Sullivan.

*HORROR OF DRACULA (1958)

The perfect way to spend Halloween night! Christopher Lee makes his debut as Count Dracula in this Hammer Films remake of the Universal 1931 classic. Peter Cushing co-stars as a determined Dr. Van Helsing. With Michael Gough and Melissa Stribling. Still effective and exciting.

 And now, on to Noirvember!!!