Hi! I just have to dash off these few
comments about your review of "Where the Boys Are". I feel you may have misread
Yvette Mimieux's character's reaction after as you phrase it she "goes all the
way". It is not her guilt re: losing her virginity that causes her to became
suicidal, but her being used as a sexual plaything and then tossed aside as if
she were worth nothing that brings about her suicidal depression. In this way
the film is still relevant in that many men today still look upon woman as
nothing more than sex toys to throw away once they have had their way with them.
Yes "Where the Boys Are" is still important as a document of its time. Also the
cast did spend some time on location as George Hamilton recounts in his
autobiography, as he had his friend, Sean Flynn, son of actor Errol Flynn come
on over and join him, so they could party in the sun. I believe it is also the
first of its type as all the major studios began producing films starring
young, up and coming stars frolicking in different locations
during school breaks. While I already have a copy of "Where the Boys Are" I am
almost tempted to buy this new edition. Thank you for the fine review. --A.
L.Rivera
Retro responds: Thanks for your insights...such plot points are open to subjective interpretation but I share your overall assessment as well as your affections for the film. It's a bit darker and deeper than the mindless "beach movie" many write it off as.- Lee Pfeiffer
I very much enjoyed the most recent CR
special issue dedicated to Kelly's Heroes. It sounds like James Aubry did not like anyone or anything.
There is a Frankenheimer commentary on "The Gypsy Moths" DVD where he mentions the
problems he had with lack of marketing, etc.
Keep these special issues coming.
Jim Hollis
Texas
Retro responds: Thanks for your support of our magazine. The issue is selling at an amazing rate. It surprised us how complex the story behind the making of Kelly's Heroes was. James Aubrey, who headed MGM at that time, was widely loathed by many in the industry. His meddling with final cuts alienated many prominent filmmakers during that time. It was Aubrey who insisted on cutting significant scenes from Kelly's Heroes against the protests of director Brian G. Hutton and Clint Eastwood. In fact, Eastwood made good on his vow to never make a movie for MGM again.(The whole story appears in detail in the magazine) Frankenheimer's The Gypsy Moths is another gem even in its truncated state. The fact that it bombed at the time doesn't diminish its many merits. - Lee Pfeiffer
Hello,
I am a big fan of your site but there's
one little thing I would like to critizise: Carpenter's "The Thing" is
not a remake of "The Thing from another world" but a truer adaption of
the classic tale "Who goes there". And strangely enough, as Carpenter is
a big fan of Howard Hawks, it's possibly his most anti-Hawksian-film -
there are no professionals under pressure here but 12 victims of their own mutual
distrust.
I hope I did not come across as too pedantic.
Best wishes,
Tobias Kessler
Germany
Retro responds: Among those of us who spend an unhealthy number of hours debating old movies, nothing is pedantic. I confess to not being overly conversant regarding the original film, so I'll cede your point. However, I would consider being trapped in an ice-bound building plagued by a wretched and murderous being from another world to be an example of being "under pressure". If you don't, Tobias, I would greatly like to know your definition of "pressure." Many thanks for writing from one of my favorite countries on the planet. Auf weidersehen! - Lee Pfeiffer