Cinema Narcs Live: “Village of the Giants” (1965)
Posted by Andrew on June 16, 2011MOVIE – “Village of the Giants”
DIRECTOR - Bert I. Gordon
WRITERS – Bert I. Gordon, Alan Caillou
SIX DEGREES OF CAST & CREW
- Tommy Kirk can be seen in classic Mystery Science Theatre 3000 much-ado, “Catalina Caper”. And in keeping with tonight’s “giant” theme, he had a part in 1995′s “Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfolds”, along with good ol’ Forrest J. Ackerman. Forrest, by the way, was in the 1976 rendition of “King Kong” (hey, another “giant” movie!) along with Jeff Bridges, brother of… “Village of the Giants” star Beau Bridges!
- Speaking of Beau, he can be seen in 1987′s “The Killing Time”, along with the unofficial parton saint of MST3K, Joe Don Baker.
- And speaking of “Catalina Caper”, also to be seen therein is “Village of the Giants” Jim Begg!
- Jim Begg is also in 1977′s Howard-family fest (Rance, Ron, and Clint!), “Grand Theft Auto”.
- Four years later, Ron Howard would do a spot on the also-giant series, “Land of the Giants”.
- If you recall I mentioned one factoid ago that Ron Howard did an episode of “Land of the Giants”. So did Village’s Joe Turkel, albeit a different episode (I assume, can’t say I made sure). You’ll know him for sure in “The Shining” as Jack Nicholson’s bartender. Speaking of Jack, he did a couple other movies, namely “Five Easy Pieces”, and “Easy Rider”. You know who was in both of those with him? Our surprise “Village of the Giants” star… TONI BASIL. Yes, Toni “Hey Mickey, you so fine!” Basil!
- Y’know, Beau Bridges sho’ not the only Beau in yo show, bro. We got the Beau Brummels band, who can also be seen in “Wild Wild Winter” (1966). I don’t really have a neat Six Degrees connection here, I just wanted to mention that because my man Dick Miller is in that too. Don’t know Dick Miller? Go ask Gizmo the Mogwai.
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Ron-21.31
Just in case one giant movie wasn’t enough for you tonight, we’ve got two. That 50 Foot Woman is followed by a gang of giant teenage hoodlums in Bert I. Gordon’s “Village of the Giants.” Bert had a thing for giant things, hence his nickname, “The Notorious B.I.G.”
Andrew-21.36
Our second movie of the evening is underway, and I have a moderate tummyache from the two doublecheezburgurs I had an hour ago. Oh well, let’s continue with a swingin’ rain party!
Andrew-21.37
I want to find it comical that young people danced and talked this way back then, but right now I don’t mind so much.
Andrew-21.40
Yeah, nice try aping Santo & Johnny’s “Moonwalk”. Better luck next time, Beau Brummels Band.
Ron-21.44
And that’s Orangey, the world famous cat. You’ll recognize her from “This Island Earth” as Neutron and as Audrey Hepburn’s cat in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” among other things.
Andrew-21.47
Admittedly, this film was riff-ified by Mystery Science Theatre 3000. But it’s been many moons since I’ve seen it, and only once at that, so don’t worry about me ripping off any obvious riffs and one-liners ;)
Andrew-21.49
Lordy, I can only imagine what this kind of scene was actually like back then. Part of me wonders if films like this don’t exaggerate it a bit, and thus I wish I could time-travel to visit. The other part suspects its at least mostly legit, and wouldn’t last five minutes before wanting to slug a cardigan-wearing hepcat.
Andrew-21.51
Good eye, Ron, Toni Basil’s character is credited as “Red”. She was also head choreographer for this film. Probably for the ducks, too.
Ron-21.51
Sure, that duck’s cute while it’s dancing, but what happens when it craps all over the dance floor and Beau Bridges and his band of hippies start rolling around in it?
Ron-21.54
Also, is it just me, or does Opie sound like the voice of Linus from the Charlie Brown specials of this era?
Andrew-22.01
These were the days when dancing yourself into whiplash and traction wasn’t just the norm, it was HIP.
Andrew-22.03
Tommy Kirk’s got his wrestling trunks on, ready for his big match against Boris Malenko!
Ron-22.04
Amusingly enough, Beau Brummels and company actually morphed into a respectable band, having pioneered the country-rock genre perfected by The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds, etc.
Ron-22.08
It must be hard to sneak around and steal candy from Tom Servo’s head with this music following you around.
Andrew-22.15
An alternate version of this film’s theme music was later used by Quentin Tarantino, for “Death Proof” (2007).
Andrew-22.19
What I appreciate about this film and “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman” is how they add to the illusion of giant-itude by having the giants move in slow motion. What I don’t appreciate is the blatant closeup of that chick’s abs in slowmotion, *shudder*
Ron-22.20
And the whole town just stares as the giants have slow-motion seizures caused by their exposure to Ron Howard’s goo.
Ron-22.30
One upside to having a bunch of giants in town? The high school basketball team just got REALLY good.
Andrew-22.37
Well it’s certainly alot less wacky that it would otherwise be, what with the hotrods and kickin’ surf rock!
Andrew-22.38
People can wish to interview Jeff Bridges about “Tron” all they want. I’d like to talk to Beau Bridges about THIS goof show!
Andrew-22.39
I’m sure they appreciate Genius’ chemical wizardry, but where the hell’s he getting his funding? Government grant??
Ron-22.49
The best actor in this movie? Wolf the dog. It makes me wonder why Orangey is listed on the IMDB page, but Wolf the Dog goes uncredited. Must be racism.
Andrew-22.50
A strength to this movie is how it handles imposing film onto film to create the giant/miniature visual illusions, very impressive. Particularly their attention to angles/perspective, lighting, etc.
Andrew-22.52
You’re “going”??? As opposed to going to JAIL, for child kidnapping and endangerment? Hmph!
Ron-22.52
So, did they ever establish where these kids came from and why they decided to terrorize a small California town, or are we to not ask for their motivation?
Ron-22.53
Always end on a high note, eh movie? Keeping it classy with a midget joke, then returning to color-washed psychedelic dance routines and the “Death Proof” music.
Andrew-22.54
OK but seriously, who’s the dark-haired girl trailing at the end there? I don’t remember her from earlier!
Ron-22.56
I believe dark-haired girl is Vicki London; she refused to get undressed for the movie, and thus she found her role drastically reduced. Her part was given to Joy Harmon, and most of London’s part got cut out of the movie. Except for that part, I guess.
Andrew-23.00
Well, much like “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman”, this film is very strong in keeping things (mostly) realistic. It’s admittedly a pretty hip, light-hearted affair, presumably aimed at kids the same age as the main characters. But what’s the ultimate payoff here, exactly? Do the goodguys really win by merely booting the kids out of town? Is there any sort of morality play by implying you can just leave town after kidnapping and endangering a child? Not that such a “fun” movie really needs such high-horsed conclusivity (yeah I made that word up, so what? I’m good at it!).
Overall “Village of the Giants” succeeds in at least looking great. I can only imagine drive-in audiences staring in gaze-mazement, before “behind-the-scenes” secrets were commonplace (or, by now, common knowledge).
Rating : 3/5
Ron-23.00
Well, the movie wasn’t terrible. Not exactly great fare, but entertaining enough. The music was good, some of the performances were interesting, and Toni Basil’s many dance routines (both done by her and choreographed by her) are pretty spectacular. If I had to rate the movie as a movie, I’d give it 2 gyrating pelvises out of 5.
As a source of unintentional comedy, however? Probably a solid 3 theater curtain dresses out of 5. It provides some unintentional laughs, but there are a few too many dead spots and some heavy padding (and not just in the bras of the giant teenagers).
RATING -
STINGER
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[...] – Faith Domergue, who stars here as Professor Lesley Joyce, previously played a woman of science in the Universal classic, “This Island Earth,” which is today best known as the movie selected to be featured in “Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.” Ms. Domergue played the immortal Ruth, AKA “Ruuuuuuth!” and was a co-star to Orangey the Cat from “Village of the Giants.” [...]