A
Trippy LSD-Soaked Melodrama That Can't Be Forgotten
director: Tito Davison
starring: Lana Turner · George Chakiris · Richard Egan · Daniel O'Herlhy
· Karin Mossberg
The
groovy plot deals with a hip young couple who realize the only thing
separating them from a multi-million dollar inheritance is their new
stepmother. So they decide to send mama to the crazy farm by lacing
her medications with LSD.
Obviously,
this 'psychedelic freak-out' was strongly influenced by the runaway
success of films like THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and the numerous American-International
fare (PSYCHE-OUT, et al). But, despite recommendations for all the wrong
reasons, the simple truth is director Tito Davison is way out of his
element here. He was a South American entertainer who originally came
to Hollywood in the early '30s to star in Spanish language comedies
for MGM. When that company shut down their Hispanic division, Davison
relocated in Mexico where - with Hollywood experience under his belt
- he became a film director.
He
helmed 50+ films in Mexico City before Warner Brothers tagged him for
this project. The movie was shot in Mexico with the major four actors
flying in from the States; the other roles were filled by Davison's
regular stable of performers and then dubbed into English later by voice
actors. The decision to give Karin Mossberg a Swedish accent was indeed
puzzling considering her Anglo character. But that's merely one of many
oddities in this wonderfully awful show. Reportedly, Lana Turner was
so mortified by the production, she swore to keep Tito Davison from
ever working on another Hollywood film. He didn't. But he would direct
another ten Mexican movies before his death in 1985 at age 72. This
would also be legendary Lana Turner's final feature film. She turned
to television work (a regular on FALCON CREST as Jacqueline Perrault
1982-84) before her death, June 1995 at age 74.
An American/Mexican
production in English language; widecreen format, totally uncut version
(98 min.), DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC, playable on any American machine.
Extras include theatrical trailers.
