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Putney Swope (1969)
The Truth & Soul Movie is a 1 of a Kind Original - Like Nothing else!
1969 was the year. New York City was the place. Putney Swoope was the second Robert Downey film to achieve some recognition. The first was Chaffed Elbows (1966). Putney Swoope achieved a much wider release. Pound (1970) and Greasers Palace (1972) were even more profane and obnoxious. Those 2 films were mean spirited to the point that they actually stalled the Prince's feature film career for several years.
The subject at hand is Putney Swoope. And it is a mad farce/satire that has to be seen to be believed. I'm not going to go through the plot here. What Plot?? People looking for a plot are going to be scratching their heads. Keep Scratching!! This film is not about PLOT! One could compare this to a Mel Brooks movie; only without the Hollywood parody party that Mel always threw. I also see a little bit of Monty Python in this. By the way: This film was shot before Monty had debuted on the BBC!!!
I notice that the Gags and Lines that are drop dead hilarious DO NOT transfer well by word of mouth. You have to see them within the context of the film. There are some flaws in the film; but even the flaws are unique. For instance: Actors often repeat the SAME LINE over and over again; and somehow it works. How Many Syllables Mario? Putney Says the Borman Six Girl Has Got to Have Soul! etc...
The B/W photography is outstanding. The Sound/Score is even better! The editing is only so-so. The acting is above average. The script is priceless. The jokes are as un-PC as you can get: MR. Bad News says "Sonny Williams just got caught in a motel with a 13 year old girl" Putney says "Well at least He's not superstitious" Uptight conservatives beware. The Anti-Establishment mindset of this film will drive you straight out of the room. Nothing is sacred.
There are many things in this film that pertain to today: NO SMOKING!!! Reverse Racism; with African Americans treating Caucasions like trash. The manipulation of Mass Media over the masses; Madison Avenue, Deroit, Hollywood intentionally pedaling something that any 8 year old can tell is pure garbage; The Internet, I'm talking about "the drum"; Interracial dating; I could go on and on....
I should also mention that there is about 8 min of this film that was shot in 16 mm Color. These are the commercials shot by Putney's agency. The spots work fairly well the first time around. They get tiresome though on repeated viewings. The real magic here is within the B/W sections of the film. It's the non-scenically lines they stay with you: "Rent Yourself A CHORT Schmuck". "I love You, I Love You, I love You... did you take your pill?". "anything that I have to say would just be redundant". And a host of others. I also really like the bit with the mounted minnow up on the wall: "The game warden wanted me to throw it back... I put up such a fight, I decided to have it mounted!"
Standouts in the cast include Buddy Buttler as Putney's bodyguard #1. He should have been a much bigger star. Antonio Fargas as the Arab. He did go on to stardom on TV and in Films. Arnold Johnson has the right look as Putney Swoope. Robert Downey used his Own voice instead because Arnold couldn't remember some of his lines. Also Downey realized that He could fill in any additional dialog/jokes later on if he dubbed his Lead actor.
The film does have some shortcomings. The short run time is one. I wish the beginning with the White board members would have been extended. Stan Gotlieb and Allen Garfield are outstanding. The ending seams to have been thrown together as if he just couldn't think of any more gags. All in all, this is one of the Best low-budget independent films of it's time. A time when very few indys' played outside of New York, Chicago, San Francisco and L.A. Anyone who loves satire and comedy should see this at least twice. Downey's Putney Swoope is Ahead of and Beyond it's time.
Murder a la Mod (1968)
De Palma's Homemade Solo Feature Debut!
I'm so glad that Something Weird Video has issued this lost low budget film. This is Brian De Palma's first Solo attempt at feature film making. The Wedding Party was made earlier with two other fresh faced film students Cynthia Munroe and Willford Leach. Murder is Depalma's first flight on his own. He does a great job considering what he had to work with. There are some flaws with the picture; but it's very engaging and easy to watch.
The b/w photography is as a plus, The acting is so so, with the exectpition of William Finley who steals the show despite having his lines dubbed in! Finley also writes and sings the Title Song, which isn't bad if you like 1960's garage rock!! The film is very dated. In fact it's dated 1967 on the title screen. It wasn't released until the following year; in a single New York theater!! Until Something Weird's DVD issue this film was next to impossible to see.
I find Murder A La Mod interesting because it foreshadows his entire career. Many themes Mr. Depalma uses in later films are already in motion: His obsession with Hitchcock is touched upon with a wildly unpredictable shower scene! Voyeurism Peep Art and Porno Making are all integrated as they will be in his subsequent films: Greetings(1968), Hi Mom(1969) and Sisters(1973). Jennifer Salt looks fabulous in her film debut as a girl having trouble taking it all off. She does a great job, I wish she had a bigger part.
Some other De Palma hallmarks present are: the speed ed up frame, the Hitchcock like editing in the murder scenes, misogyny, New York grubbiness and exploitation. It feels like the work of someone just fooling around without having any undue pressure placed upon them.
The film is very disturbing and the violence is very graphic for 1967. The first murder takes place right after the opening credits!!! We then follow the Second murder through a series of takes that show the same thing from different angles. Just like Stanley Kubrick's racetrack robbery in The Killing(1956). Not to mention a whole slew of 1990's imitators who shall remain nameless.
There are all kinds of holes in the plot, but the whole thing is so surreal that it works anyway. The Killer Male lead is the biggest problem with the film in my opinion. I wouldn't say that it is a great film; but sure is interesting and very worth while for the Brian De Palma or 1960 exploitation Drive-In fan. I give it a 6 out of 10