freakboy on film: SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS (1971)

Barry of Cinematic Catharsis knew I was eyeing this AGFA release on the Vinegar Syndrome website when he challenged me to review it.  I ordered the Blu-ray on Black Friday, so I am obviously adept at procrastination when taking on a blog challenge.  

Aunt Martha begins her day

Paul and Stanley are on the lam from the law, and possibly a John Waters film, having fled Baltimore after Stanley apparently murdered an old lady.  Now they are hiding out in a residential neighborhood of Miami.  To blend in and not be recognized, Paul dons the impenetrable disguise of Aunt Martha and Stanley dresses up as Stanley, but pretends to be Martha’s nephew, at least for the benefit of the outside world.  

Does Stanley only have eyes for Paul?

Between nosy neighbors and Stanley’s penchant for bringing home guests, the outside world is closing in on their hideout love nest.  Yes, Paul and Stanley are a couple.  A completely unhinged, dysfunctional couple, but they need each other in their own ways.  Paul is a domineering control freak who wants to keep himself and Stanley safe.  Stanley is an immature man-child who just wants to have fun, but always turns to Paul when things get too real.  What happens when outsiders come between them and their secrets?  Well, as the title says, sometimes Aunt Martha does dreadful things. 

Aunt Martha has trust issues

Writer/director Thomas Casey spins an off-kilter tale of love, obsession and murder.  The plot is rather bonkers and a bit slow-paced at times, but it’s impossible to not watch.  You’ll be surprised at how much care Paul puts into Aunt Martha’s underthings!  You’ll be shocked at how Stanley freaks out when a woman tries to get into his pants!  You will be aghast at how easy it is to root for Paul and Stanley, even as the dreadful things become even more dreadful for the two! 

Is that a knife in Paul’s hand or is he just happy to see Stanley?

Ok, maybe it’s just me rooting for this dysfunctional couple.  It helps the actors give some weirdly compelling performances.  Abe Zwick as Paul is a whirlwind of hostility and love for Stanley.  Wayne Crawford (going by Scott Lawrence) as Stanley is a mixture of insolence and neediness towards Paul.  The other actors are fine in their roles, but this is Paul and Stanley’s film and they are the reason to watch!

True love!

In conclusion…
Sometimes this film feels like John Waters and Ed Wood had a baby and hired Andy Milligan as an au pair.  Sometimes the situations feel positively goofy.  Sometimes you’ll wonder what they put in the water in Florida. (Seriously, I’ve seen a few other Florida-shot 1970’s films and they are…um…unique.)  Sometimes this is just the escape you need, so grab a cigar box of doughnuts and embrace the chaos as SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS! 

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

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  I pass on a blog challenge to…

Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews - 
I challenge you to review THE LOVE LETTER (1998, starring Campbell Scott & Jennifer Jason Leigh) or FRESNO (1986, starring Carol Burnett and Gregory Harrison)! 

Michael W. Denney of Maniacs and Monsters - 
I challenge you to review an Andy Milligan film of your choice! 
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My books & blogs… 
http://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-collective.html

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