Obscurity factor: 9 (available on DVD and YouTube, largely forgotten)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor in The Driver's Seat (1974)
One of Brini's friends on Facebook reminded me of this film after seeing the post about yesterday's film X, Y & Zee. In this movie she plays Lise, a disturbed, middle aged woman who takes a vacation to Rome in search of a man. Not just any man, mind you, but a man who will help her achieve a goal. Along the way she meets an unusual cast of characters and gets tied up in a political assassination.
It's a dark film, and one that is little known today. It's also known as Identikit, the title it was released under in Europe. The splintered style of film making is well suited to the schizophrenic subject matter. Look for Ian Bannen, Mona Washburn and a cameo by Andy Warhol. It's available on DVD, and the entire film is available to watch on YouTube, though the uploader has disabled embedding. You can see it in this playlist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir0GWa5PU0g&playnext=1&list=PL1DA6971355933600. The poster above is available on MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 9 (available on DVD and YouTube, largely forgotten)
Obscurity factor: 9 (available on DVD and YouTube, largely forgotten)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor & Michael Caine in X, Y & Zee (1972)
Obscurity factor: 9
The loss of Liz Taylor this past week reminded me of how fascinating she was. This film is a great example of how she could lift even mediocre material and make it exciting. Zee (Taylor) and Robert (Caine) have had a tempestuous marriage and enjoy their sparring as much as their love making. When Robert meets Stella (Susannah York) he finds a different kind of relationship with her, one without the extravagant highs and lows of his relationship with Zee. She isn't to be cast away like an old shoe, however and does her best to hold on to her man. The story is a familiar one, but it's told with great style and an exciting, scenery chewing performance by Ms. Taylor.
The sets and costumes (Stella is a fashion designer and Robert is an architect) are just magnificently 70's. Look for Margaret Leighton as a boozy, mod hostess with an outrageous sense of fashion.
This film is available on DVD as a print to order title. It's also available on VHS. You can see the television spot for it above, uploaded to YouTube by braniki1. The poster is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 9 (largely forgotten title, available on print to order DVD)
The loss of Liz Taylor this past week reminded me of how fascinating she was. This film is a great example of how she could lift even mediocre material and make it exciting. Zee (Taylor) and Robert (Caine) have had a tempestuous marriage and enjoy their sparring as much as their love making. When Robert meets Stella (Susannah York) he finds a different kind of relationship with her, one without the extravagant highs and lows of his relationship with Zee. She isn't to be cast away like an old shoe, however and does her best to hold on to her man. The story is a familiar one, but it's told with great style and an exciting, scenery chewing performance by Ms. Taylor.
The sets and costumes (Stella is a fashion designer and Robert is an architect) are just magnificently 70's. Look for Margaret Leighton as a boozy, mod hostess with an outrageous sense of fashion.
This film is available on DVD as a print to order title. It's also available on VHS. You can see the television spot for it above, uploaded to YouTube by braniki1. The poster is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 9 (largely forgotten title, available on print to order DVD)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Judy Garland & Robert Goulet in Gay Purr-ee (1963)
This will be the third in Brini's Obscurity Factory screening series for Monday, March 28th. It's really an obscure classic. Judy Garland plays Mewsette, a simple French country cat who happens to be very beautiful. She yearns for the sophistication of Paris and decides to make her way there, much to the chagrin to her virile boyfriend Jaune Tom (Goulet). When he finds out she's left, he and his sidekick Robsepierre (Red Buttons) set out to find her. They aren't in time to save her from the clutches of Meowrice and his evil band of alley cats who want to sell Mewsette off to the highest bidder as a mail order bride.
Featured in the film is a charming original score by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen. The animation was spearheaded by the Chuck Jones team. Look for a beautiful sequence of paintings done in the style of famous artists featuring Mewsette. Also look... or listen rather for Hermione Gingold, Morey Amsterdam and Mel Blanc in the cast.
This film is rarely screened anymore, though it is available on DVD. It can also be watched (albeit with commentary by a Disney fan) on YouTube, but you're better off coming to the screening on Monday if you're in New York. The trailer can be seen above, uploaded to YouTube by TheManThatGetAway. The poster above can be bought at MoviePosterShop.com
Obscurity factor: 5 (fondly remembered by many from their childhood, available on DVD, rarely screened)
Featured in the film is a charming original score by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen. The animation was spearheaded by the Chuck Jones team. Look for a beautiful sequence of paintings done in the style of famous artists featuring Mewsette. Also look... or listen rather for Hermione Gingold, Morey Amsterdam and Mel Blanc in the cast.
This film is rarely screened anymore, though it is available on DVD. It can also be watched (albeit with commentary by a Disney fan) on YouTube, but you're better off coming to the screening on Monday if you're in New York. The trailer can be seen above, uploaded to YouTube by TheManThatGetAway. The poster above can be bought at MoviePosterShop.com
Obscurity factor: 5 (fondly remembered by many from their childhood, available on DVD, rarely screened)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Peter Ustinov & Maggie Smith in Hot Millions (1968)
Obscurity factor: 6
Marcus Pendleton (Ustinov) has just been granted his freedom from prison, and after completing the warden's tax return, he steps out into the cool English afternoon. The warden gives him a warning that with the growing ubiquity of computers, the crime of embezzlement will all but die out, so he really should go straight. So what does Mr. Pendleton do? He impersonates computer expert Caesar Smith and gets a job in the London office of a major American corporation. Learning the ins and outs of their computer system, he's able to devise a scheme to skim a million pounds off the corporation. Along the way he meets Patty Terwilliger (Smith) - a girl who doesn't do anything particularly well, and demonstrates that with a series of disastrous jobs, including as Caesar's secretary. She and Caesar form a bond.
This film has been on my list to cover for this blog since I started it, but I was never able to watch it. Luckily it came up on TCM on Tuesday morning at 6, so I DVRd it. It's a really delightful film, with some lovely acting by Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith. Also look for Karl Malden and Bob Newhart in the cast, and listen for a sensational score by Laurie Johnson. It's also notable for including rare footage of the Beatles Apple boutique, which was only open in London for a short time.
Though there's no full length streaming video of this online, you can find it on DVD. I was surprised that Netflix didn't carry it. The trailer is above, uploaded to YouTube by stsgirlie.The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 6 (on DVD, rarely screened, no available to watch online)
Marcus Pendleton (Ustinov) has just been granted his freedom from prison, and after completing the warden's tax return, he steps out into the cool English afternoon. The warden gives him a warning that with the growing ubiquity of computers, the crime of embezzlement will all but die out, so he really should go straight. So what does Mr. Pendleton do? He impersonates computer expert Caesar Smith and gets a job in the London office of a major American corporation. Learning the ins and outs of their computer system, he's able to devise a scheme to skim a million pounds off the corporation. Along the way he meets Patty Terwilliger (Smith) - a girl who doesn't do anything particularly well, and demonstrates that with a series of disastrous jobs, including as Caesar's secretary. She and Caesar form a bond.
This film has been on my list to cover for this blog since I started it, but I was never able to watch it. Luckily it came up on TCM on Tuesday morning at 6, so I DVRd it. It's a really delightful film, with some lovely acting by Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith. Also look for Karl Malden and Bob Newhart in the cast, and listen for a sensational score by Laurie Johnson. It's also notable for including rare footage of the Beatles Apple boutique, which was only open in London for a short time.
Though there's no full length streaming video of this online, you can find it on DVD. I was surprised that Netflix didn't carry it. The trailer is above, uploaded to YouTube by stsgirlie.The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 6 (on DVD, rarely screened, no available to watch online)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Carol Channing in The Carol Channing Show (1966)
So often when I run across pilots of sitcoms from the 60's that didn't make it I'm disappointed. It seems like such a raw deal that we didn't get to see what The Decorator would have been like as a full series. The year after Bette Davis filmed that, Carol Channing put a pilot together too. In it we follow small town Carol as she figures out how to break into show business and make her way in New York. It was produced by Desi Arnaz after his split with Lucy and is featured as a bonus on The Mothers In Law DVD. While it's not a brilliant concept, it beautifully showcases Carol in all her darling quirkiness, though I'm not sure how suited to situation comedy she was. It also features Richard Deacon and Jane Dulo as the couple who take a destitute (but remarkably well dressed) Carol in. The theme song is just wonderful and its no wonder - it was written by Jerry Herman.
This is only available in full on The Mothers In Law series DVD as a bonus feature. The opening sequence is above, uploaded to Photobucket by PhiladelphiaSon.
Obscurity factor: 10 (never aired, never screened, only available as a DVD extra)
This is only available in full on The Mothers In Law series DVD as a bonus feature. The opening sequence is above, uploaded to Photobucket by PhiladelphiaSon.
Obscurity factor: 10 (never aired, never screened, only available as a DVD extra)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Harry Belafonte in The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1959)
Obscurity factor: 3
The cold war brought about all sorts of apocalyptic explorations, but few of them had the visual impact of this film. Ralph Burton (Harry Belafonte) emerges from being trapped in a mine for several days to find the world devoid of people. He makes his way to New York City but encounters no one. He claims an apartment and makes a lonely home there until he discovers another survivor - a girl. As their friendship develops, Ralph starts to become uneasy about the difference in their races. Matters are further complicated when another survivor - a white man - finds his way to New York.
This film has some of the most disconcerting footage of New York I've ever seen. The deserted streets with evidence of the chaos that preceded is at once majestic and ominous. The films attempts to delve into the touchy subject of race is thought provoking, but leaves many questions unanswered. In addition to Harry Belafonte look for Inger Stevens and Mel Ferrar in the cast.
This has just been released on DVD as of January of this year. It was a much anticipated release by many who remembered the film and had trouble finding it. It's occasionally aired on TCM. The trailer for it is above, uploaded to YouTube by conelrad6401240. The poster above is available at MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 3 (Recently released on DVD, little remembered film except by hard core fan base)
The cold war brought about all sorts of apocalyptic explorations, but few of them had the visual impact of this film. Ralph Burton (Harry Belafonte) emerges from being trapped in a mine for several days to find the world devoid of people. He makes his way to New York City but encounters no one. He claims an apartment and makes a lonely home there until he discovers another survivor - a girl. As their friendship develops, Ralph starts to become uneasy about the difference in their races. Matters are further complicated when another survivor - a white man - finds his way to New York.
This film has some of the most disconcerting footage of New York I've ever seen. The deserted streets with evidence of the chaos that preceded is at once majestic and ominous. The films attempts to delve into the touchy subject of race is thought provoking, but leaves many questions unanswered. In addition to Harry Belafonte look for Inger Stevens and Mel Ferrar in the cast.
This has just been released on DVD as of January of this year. It was a much anticipated release by many who remembered the film and had trouble finding it. It's occasionally aired on TCM. The trailer for it is above, uploaded to YouTube by conelrad6401240. The poster above is available at MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 3 (Recently released on DVD, little remembered film except by hard core fan base)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Demi Moore & Jeff Daniels in The Butcher's Wife (1991)
Obscurity factor: 3
Marina (Demi Moore) has a knack for second sight. She's able to see exactly what everyone else needs. As with many psychics, however, she has trouble seeing her own path clearly. When New York butcher Leo (George Dzundza) washes up on the shore of her North Carolina island home she recognizes him from dreams she's had and believes that he's her soulmate. Who is he to argue? Demi Moore just proposed marriage! He brings her home and they begin life together in the cozy, New York neighborhood he lives and works in. Marina, however, continues to use her second sight to help the lives of the neighborhood residents, which disturbs Leo and psychologist, Alex Tremor (Jeff Daniels). Will Marina's influence on the neighbors and her inability to see what's right for her threaten to destroy the little world of the neighborhood?
This charming film has a delightfully mystical quality to it. It's also such a lovely portrayal of the nature of New York neighborhoods to become close knit communities. It's a bit disconcerting to see Demi Moore as a blond, but that can be forgiven for the honest performance she gives. Also in the cast are Mary Steenburgen (singing, quite well, actually), Frances McDormand, Margaret Colin, Christopher Durang and female impersonator, Charles Pierce.
The film is available on DVD and can also be seen in full you YouTube. The link to the first installment is above, uploaded by filmfreak420. The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 3 (fairly recent production, available on DVD and YouTube, not a huge hit when released and not well remembered)
Marina (Demi Moore) has a knack for second sight. She's able to see exactly what everyone else needs. As with many psychics, however, she has trouble seeing her own path clearly. When New York butcher Leo (George Dzundza) washes up on the shore of her North Carolina island home she recognizes him from dreams she's had and believes that he's her soulmate. Who is he to argue? Demi Moore just proposed marriage! He brings her home and they begin life together in the cozy, New York neighborhood he lives and works in. Marina, however, continues to use her second sight to help the lives of the neighborhood residents, which disturbs Leo and psychologist, Alex Tremor (Jeff Daniels). Will Marina's influence on the neighbors and her inability to see what's right for her threaten to destroy the little world of the neighborhood?
This charming film has a delightfully mystical quality to it. It's also such a lovely portrayal of the nature of New York neighborhoods to become close knit communities. It's a bit disconcerting to see Demi Moore as a blond, but that can be forgiven for the honest performance she gives. Also in the cast are Mary Steenburgen (singing, quite well, actually), Frances McDormand, Margaret Colin, Christopher Durang and female impersonator, Charles Pierce.
The film is available on DVD and can also be seen in full you YouTube. The link to the first installment is above, uploaded by filmfreak420. The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.
Obscurity factor: 3 (fairly recent production, available on DVD and YouTube, not a huge hit when released and not well remembered)
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