Reviews

I first saw this movie on a local station on the Sunday afternoon horror show back around 1969 or 1970. Uncut. I was just a little kid at the time, but I loved it and wasn't really that scared by it. I thought it had such a cool and highly original storyline. Thinking back, I'm still surprised that it was shown during the day on T.V. uncut in those years. I've sought out this film ever since, seen it over and over again, and always loved it. One would think John Waters would have idolized this film. It's got to be not only a scary film, but one of the sleaziest, trashiest films ever made at that time. And surprisingly, you don't hear about this one as having the cult following that a movie such as "Blood Feast" or "The Hills Have Eyes" have acquired over the years. It has a cult following, but it should have really become a cult classic, in my opinion. As far as I know, this came out a little before Blood Feast came out, making this probably one of the first true "gore" films. In fact, this movie has elements of Hershell Gordon Lewis AND a little Russ Meyer thrown in for good measure.

Anyway, I recommend this for anyone who likes trashy, sleazy, black and white horror films from the early '60's (I think the date at the end of it read 1960).

I first went to see this around 1981 in an art theater out of sheer curiosity from hearing so much about it. I really didn't know what to expect, except for the dog excrement part I had heard so much about. I couldn't believe what I had seen. I hadn't ever seen anything that disturbing or shocking before. Since then, I've read more about John Waters and the things that cinematically influenced him and especially those things he thinks are funny. After knowing this and seeing Pink Flamingos a few more times, I came to realize what a funny movie this really is. The dialogue is hysterical in particular. Even now, this movie still never fails to shock me, but I can laugh at it more easily. This film is ABSOLUTELY not for everyone, so be careful of the people you suggest should see it. It truly is one of the most disgusting and perverse movies ever made. However, if you understand John Waters M.O., and are not easily offended, you might very likely find this a very funny film.

While I wouldn't call this show trash or "T.V. poison" like a couple of other reviews did here, I would never consider this one of the great T.V. sitcoms either. It doesn't even approach that level. While I will admit that at times (even many times), the writing was quite good, there was always something about this show that rubbed me the wrong way. I often found the humor to be a kind of cruel humor. And many of the characters were, in fact, despicable. I could never stand Carla, one of the most horrible characters in television history. And the show seemed to glorify her behavior all the time. And Sam, the "protagonist" and star of the entire show, had his disgusting, misogynistic, and womanizing ways held up as if this was something to admire. In fact, most of the people on this show,not just the main characters, were really very mean to others. Basically, Diane, Coach, and then Woody, were the nicest characters. And to some extent Cliff, too. And except for Coach, these three took nothing but a bunch of f***ing s**t from everyone else. They were whipping boys and scapegoats on this show and I always found this extremely offensive. The entire show was offensive and even to some extent reactionary.

I first saw this film in a theater in 1969, I believe when it was re-released. I was only 7 or 8 years old at the time. My parents saw the original stage play in 1956 in Philadelphia right before it even opened officially on Broadway in New York. They told me all about how they loved the play and especially emphasized how the audience went wild during certain scenes (particularly the Ascot races). And I must say that the film certainly lived up to my parents' hype regarding the stage version. I always think of my parents each time I see it.

I really believe that Audrey Hepburn should have won Best Actress that year, even if she didn't do her own singing. That made no difference to me at all. Julie Andrews may have been great too in "Mary Poppins", but to me, the performance that Audrey gave was more of a stretch acting-wise. This is my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie anyway. And she was truly LOVERLY!!!!!!!!!

Some of the reviews here criticize this film for casting Audrey Hepburn instead of Julie Andrews and make a point of saying how much better "The Sound of Music" was (with Julie). First of all, Julie Andrews was unable to make MFL since she was making "Mary Poppins" at that time. And regarding "The Sound of Music", one could also say that Mary Martin should have been in it since she WAS the original Maria von Trapp in the original Broadway version of that film, and the songs in TSoM were written specifically with Mary Martin in mind. Granted, Julie Andrews did do her own singing in TSoM, but just because Audrey didn't in MFL, doesn't, in my opinion, bother me. And remember, Natalie Wood didn't sing in West Side Story, either.

But anyway, I feel this is a great movie for the ages and a must-see.

I saw this movie when it first came out in 1982. I was in my early twenties at the time so I could "understand" the things in this film (basically stereotypes). I didn't like the film then and the only reason I would suggest that anyone see it now is for '80's nostalgia. I always thought that this was an empty film pretending to be funny, which it isn't, and trying to have some kind of message. It's nothing but a cheap, trashy, BAD bad taste (as opposed to good bad taste, which I like) teen exploitation movie masquerading as something special. From it's reputation, one would think this is some work of brilliance. The characters were shallow and dull and I could never figure out how people love the ridiculous stoned out surfer character so much.

Now...if this film had not taken itself seriously or, perhaps, been written as a put on or satire of high school or even teen movies and teen pop culture in general, circa 1982, such as the brilliant "Lord Love a Duck" did back in 1966, it very likely would have been something much better or even truly great.

In my opinion, if you want to see something teen oriented which is far superior, see "Heathers" or definitely "Rock'n'Roll High School" or even "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".

This is one of the most perverse and disturbing black comedies I've seen. And also one of the most well written, well acted and hilarious. I enjoy watching a film that is like watching a stage play (which of course this was based upon). Parker Posey is great as always, as well as everyone else. I thought Tori Spelling was surprisingly good as the "innocent" yet "not so innocent" fiancée. This is the best "dysfunctional family" film I've seen. An extremely offbeat and very funny...satire? Not for everyone, but much more intelligent and clever than most movies today. A great and very underrated film. And I might add, one of the best films of the 1990's.

I really enjoyed this film. It put down a number of things I truly hate about contemporary pop culture. Especially reality television. I loved the subtle, satirical references to Oprah at one point. Finally someone has the chutzpah to stick it to this unbelievably overrated "celebrity". This entire movie is a satire of our obsession with "celebrities" and their fifteen minutes of fame. Particularly stars that don't really have any true talent. (Even the President!).

The movie really hits home by showing how the public is so much more interested in garbage like American Idol, and also Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, the death of Anna Nicole Smith,etc. than voting in elections and the truly important things happening in the world.

My only criticism is that in a few years, the things that this film is ridiculing will be dated. Although people who remember this decade will still find the film clever and funny.

I first saw this on late night T.V. years ago. I loved the opening music. Only on more serious subsequent viewings did I realize what a brilliant satire this gem was. The skewering of such sacred cows (circa 1966)as beach movies, Balboa Island (which I remember visiting when I was a kid in 1967), "progressive education", and especially psychiatry:"They're supposed to be dirty!!",referring to the ink blots.

Tuesday Weld is a great and unbelievably underrated actress. She should have been in so many more quality films. Roddy McDowell and of course Ruth Gordon are always wonderful. If this movie doesn't have a cult following, I'm shocked. It would be great if a movie were made satirizing today's pop culture (and going much further than "American Dreamz").

I agree that this film,Dr.Strangelove, The Loved One, and The Magic Christian are some of the best and most important films of the 1960's.

This is arguably the best rock'n'roll movie of the 1950's. Mainly because of the line-up of recording artists. The "Girl Can't Help It" was very good too, but it was more of a straight comedy and the problem with that film was that they kept cutting away from the musical acts in midstream. This film didn't do that,fortunately.

My only disappointment with this film was the choice of songs for a couple of the artists. Especially the great Eddie Cochran. Instead of having him sing the mediocre "Teenage Heaven", it would have been great if he had rocked out with something like "Jeannie,Jeannie,Jeannie" or his classic "Summertime Blues". And instead of the Little Richard cover "Ooh,My Head" (Ooh,My Soul), Ritchie Valens would have been great doing his classic "Come On,Let's Go",or even "La Bamba".

Anyway, like I said, the film is a lot of fun and a piece of musical history. And I have to say not only was Chuck Berry great performing, he really could act.

This was also the last rock'n'roll jukebox musical of the 1950's. I would recommend it to music historians.

One of the best if not the best rock'n'roll movies ever. And it's not just mindless fun. There really were a lot of clever jokes in it. Of course I love the Ramones. But with all the "anarchy" and the "I hate high school" themes, the film doesn't at all take itself too seriously,which is what's great about it.

I first saw the movie in the Spring of 1980, and I saw it again recently. Since I went to high school in the late 1970's, it made me kind of nostalgic.

Like I said, this film doesn't take itself that seriously and isn't pretentious like so much other teen fare of the seventies, eighties, and nineties. And to speak of, it's not really dirty or disgusting either. Only PG rated. That's rare for a movie in this category. A great cult classic and a truly incredible time capsule.