freakboy on film: TOMMY (1975)

(The following post was initially placed behind a “sensitive content” warning.  I changed the wording in order to comply with Google’s & Blogger’s regulations.  I hope these changes satisfy the PC Police and don’t offend anyone or whatever.🙄)

 “Welcome to the camp.  I guess you all know why we’re here.” 

We are here because of a blogging challenge posed to me by Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews.  She challenged me to blog about a typically non-singing actor who sings in a musical.  My mind immediately zeroed in on one jaw-dropping performance, but more about this later.

“My name is Tommy and I became aware this year.” 

I first became aware of TOMMY back in the late 1990’s.  I don’t recall what exactly drew me to this psychedelic musical, but I remember wondering what the hell I just watched as the ending credits rolled.  Even now, decades later, I’m still not quite sure of the answer.  

“If you want to follow me, you’ve got to play pinball.”

Tommy is born on the first day of peace after WWII.  His father has been presumed dead during wartime, so his mother remarries.  Then, in a soap opera twist, Tommy’s father returns and is subsequently murdered in front of his son.  The guilty party, his mother and stepfather, convince Tommy that he didn’t hear it, he didn’t see it and won’t say nothing to anyone ever in his life.  

Now Tommy is hearing, verbally and visually impaired.  He lives in a physically small world, but his mind is expanding, even with babysitters tormenting him.  Then one day Tommy discovers a pinball machine and quickly gains fame and fortune as the hearing, verbally and visually impaired kid who sure plays a mean pinball.  What’s a pinball wizard to do?  Start a holiday camp cult centered around the game, of course.  You’ll have to see for yourself how all this chaos concludes. 

“And put in your ear plugs, put on your eye shades, you know where to put the cork!” 

Screenwriter/director Ken Russell takes The Who’s masterful rock opera and transforms it into a visual fever dream mess.  Oh, but what a strangely compelling mess it is, especially with such a cast!  Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed, as Tommy’s mother and stepfather, act just enough over the top to fit perfectly inside the surreal story.  Roger Daltrey, as adult Tommy, seems mainly able to act without his shirt.  Eric Clapton is mellow magnified as The Preacher of a Marilyn Monroe healing cult that Tommy’s mother drags him to.  Tina Turner is singing, shaking and sizzling through her memorable role as The Acid Queen, the woman Tommy’s stepfather hires to put the boy right.  Elton John is in full-tilt 1970’s mode, and really big shoes, as The Champ, Tommy’s pinball rival.  Then there is the reason we are here…

Jack Nicholson as The Specialist.  Yes, THAT Jack Nicholson!  His appearance in this film still floors me, even more so when he actually sings a song about his examination of Tommy’s inability to hear and speak and see.  How is Jack’s singing?  Well, he’s not going to win a Grammy, even with the pretense of a British accent.  However, despite any tuneful deficiency, he is memorable as the doctor who can’t reach Tommy but would enjoy reaching Tommy’s mother instead.

In conclusion, 

TOMMY is bizarre and bizarrely entertaining.  I prefer The Who’s original album, but this filmic spectacle lures the viewer in with eclectic actors and catchy songs.  Sally Simpson, a song about a young girl who disobeys her religious father to see Tommy, is one of my personal favorites.  So, if you want to take a trippy ‘70’s musical trip and experience the vocal stylings of Jack Nicholson, then grab a can of beans and experience TOMMY! 

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words. 

Freak Out,                                                           JLH

P.S.  I would like to pass on a blogging challenge to…

Barry, of Cinematic Catharsis-  I challenge you to do a full scale review (no picks & pans or short takes) of an Andy Milligan film of your choice!     

Dave, of My Gay Opinion -  I challenge you to review either the soundtrack to DEEP THROAT or the Madonna-infused soundtrack to EVITA! 

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My books & blogs… 

http://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-collective.html