SOMETHING WILD (1961)

 

Recently, I've been rewatching films that have been in my collection for years, many of which I've only seen once. I especially wanted to see films that I remember loving and to find out if the "second watch" experience would change my feelings. This little project ended with more than a few DVDs being added to my "to give away" pile.

One film that definitely didn't lose any of its power is Jack Garfein's SOMETHING WILD. This is a film I remember seeing on television decades ago. I only saw it once and then it seemed to disappear into movie limbo, but it stayed in my mind. When it was released by the Criterion Collection eight years ago, I picked up a DVD copy at my local Barnes & Noble without waiting for one of the semi-annual sales. This is a movie I was more than happy to pay full price for. 

The film stars Carroll Baker, who was married to Jack Garfein at the time. She plays Mary Ann Robinson, a young college student living in New York City. One night, while walking home from a class, she is raped. The rest of the film shows the effects of this traumatic experience and how Mary Ann's life changes in the aftermath. This film is so filled with such surprising twists and turns that I'm reluctant to describe anything more about the story. I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone reading this post, but I would hate to spoil anyone's first time experience. Suffice it to say that this is truly one of the darkest, most downbeat movies I've ever seen. The story goes off in directions that I never would have expected, and the ending is one that will baffle and most likely infuriate most viewers. Baker gives an incredible performance and is perfectly matched by her co-star, Ralph Meeker, and also Mildred Dunnock in a supporting role as Mary Ann's mother. Other familiar faces are Martin Kosleck, Doris Roberts, Diane Ladd in her uncredited film debut, and Jean Stapleton. At this point in time, it's impossible to see Stapleton without thinking of Edith Bunker, and the seedy character she plays here makes me perversely wonder if Edith may have had a secret life before she married Archie and found respectability! 

The screenplay, co-written by Garfein and Alex Karmel, was based on Karmel's 1958 novel, Mary Ann. The marvelous Black & White cinematography was by Eugen Schufftan, with location shooting in New York. The film begins with an intense opening credits montage by Saul Bass showing different shots of the city at accelerated speed, and the expressive, energetic musical score was composed by Aaron Copeland.

SOMETHING WILD was not a box office hit and received mixed critical reviews. One positive review came from Jonas Mekas in Film Quarterly, who said the film was "the most interesting American film of the quarter; it may become the most underestimated film of the year". When it was screened at New York's IFC Center in 2007, it was hailed as a "lost indie film classic".

Most of Jack Garfein's work was in the theater, and he only directed one other film, THE STRANGE ONE (1957), starring Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle and George Peppard, another dark, disturbing film that also struggled to find an audience, and one I highly recommend.

Ralph Meeker and Carroll Baker

Ralph Meeker found fame in the Broadway production of PICNIC in 1954. His best-known film role is KISS ME DEADLY (1955), in which he plays detective Mike Hammer. He was also in Stanley Kubrick's PATHS OF GLORY (1957), THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967), and played Tuesday Weld's father in I WALK THE LINE (1970). After suffering from several strokes, he died in 1988 at the age of 67.

Carroll Baker is a gifted actress who found screen immortality in BABY DOLL (1956), a role that haunted her for the rest of her life. She went on to have a prolific, if uneven, career. After she appeared in THE CARPETBAGGERS (1964), she was typecast as a sex symbol. She eventually left Hollywood and worked in Europe for ten years, making films such as THE SWEET BODY OF DEBORAH (1968) and ORGASMO (1969). After returning to the US, she appeared in Andy Warhol's BAD (1977). She retired from acting in 2003.

SOMETHING WILD (1961) Carroll Baker Trailer

NEW FROM THE CRITERION COLLECTION: SOMETHING WILD (1961)

The Strange One (1957) ORIGINAL TRAILER