I’m still sick. On meds now. Not as many meds as the gentleman below, however (and mine are all legal).
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- “I don’t represent anything.” — Liz Phair
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- “Some syllables are swords.” — Metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan
- “To me, music is no joke and it’s not for sale.” — Ian MacKaye
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- “Ballet taught me to stay close to style and tone. Literature taught me to be concerned about the moral life.” — Joan Acocella
- “I trust contrariness. I simply rebelled at being commanded.” — Seamus Heaney
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Nifty. Is that his real hair?
Yup! [WRONG! Tis a wig, tis a wig, tis a wig] It’s from Psych-Out (1968) – where everyone in it looks like they took time out of their own personal sex orgy and drug trip to come film it. Like: “I can only give you 3 days of my time because I have some drug-infused week-long love-ins to go to, mkay?” But Lazslo Kovacs (rest in peace) was the cinematographer – so it’s got a great documentary-esque look. And Stockwell has top billing, and I’m not sure why – he’s subordinate to Nicholson in the film, although very important to it. He’s like Nicholson’s conscience in the movie. Even with the hippie-dippie hair and the headband, he is the alpha male of the plot … and everyone pays tribute to him. He barely says anything but everyone always wants to know what he thinks, what his opinion is … I love him in it.
Stockwell didn’t like how the movie turned out. He was actually living the life of the folks in the film – he thought the film was condescending, made the whole scene look cutesy … like it didn’t get inside it at all. He was disappointed in it. But it was a serious attempt. The scenes out on Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park seem like they are from a documentary – like, not with professional ‘extras’ or anything like that … it seems like the crew just took their equipment and walked around on the street filming everything.
Dean looks absolutely stoned-to-the-bejesus in that first photo. Trust me. I know the look.
DBW – I know, right? hahahaha that kind of intense bug-eyed I’M SO ALIVE look.
It’s an interesting movie. It doesn’t quite work but there are some very good performances – I think Stockwell’s the best though. I didn’t buy Nicholson as a kind of Jim Morrison dude … it didn’t quite work. But Bruce Dern is insane in it! Stockwell plays the type of guy who is always high – yet never seems to lose lucidity (until a very key moment – and the consequences are disastrous) … so he sits in a corner at crazy orgy parties and people come to him and pay tribute and ask him what they should do about this or that … and he blesses them with one or two sentences – and they walk away feeling better. It’s not stoned talk either – it’s not like, “just be one with the flowers and the googly godhead and you’ll be groovy …” The character cuts to the heart of situations – he SEES things – nothing gets by him. He’s a bit creepy.
The funniest part of the performance (for me) is that I could so see this character -with all his intuitive smarts and alpha male-ness – throwing away the headband in the 80s and becoming a real estate mogul. Or a banker. You know: the epitome of “THE MAN”. And he wouldn’t be haunted by guilt or self-loathing or like he had betrayed his ideals. Because for him: it would all be part of the same thing.
Sweetie, can I ask what meds you’re on? I’m coming down with “it” and I’d love to knock the hell out of it sooner rather than later. I plan to spend the evening swooshing salt water up my nose – did the vaporub on the soles of your feet work? :) xx
Stevie – antibiotics that would stun a stallion. I have pneumonia. AWESOME.
I’m so sorry if I gave it to you!!! Is Ande okay?? I got sick the second I arrived in New Mexico, I swear … I’m not carrying my germs across state lines, at least not knowingly!
get thee to a doctor. Immediately.
I’m told that the hair is a wig. Stockwell’s hair is curly, after all. But doesn’t it look great?
This movie taught me what an exploitation film is. “Oh, look at the weird hippies, see how they’ll come to a bad end!” It’s designed to play on people’s ideas about the dangers of drugs and totally looks down on the hippies.
But I love Dean in it anyhow. His drugged-out scene is so funny. Isn’t it amazing that someone *else* could be the alpha male in a Jack Nicholson film? He probably got top billing because Jack Nicholson was still an unknown and Stockwell was still a name actor, more or less. (His previous film role was Rapture, from 1965–Sheila, have you seen it? You’ll love it.)
Sheila, sorry to hear you have pneumonia! Stay in bed and watch Quantum Leap. It will cheer you up! :-)
Karen – tell me tell me how I can get my hands on Rapture. It’s not on Netflix. Dying to see it!!!
Easy Rider came out in 1969 so yes, tis true – that Nicholson’s “tipping point” hadn’t really come yet. Weird, though, isn’t it? Especially because his character is the LEAD. I just didn’t ever buy that Nicholson was actually playing that guitar … it just seemed kind of silly. Although he does have some nice moments (I love Nicholson dearly – I just don’t think he was really cast well in this movie)
But Stockwell is perfect! I love how he picks up on the fact that Nicholson is ignoring the sweet deaf girl he just slept with … and he wonders about it … “why are you playing this game with her?” He sees EVERYTHING.
I just assumed that that was his real hair – I love how you say, “I’m told it’s a wig” – as though you have your ear to the underground of Stockwell truth – which I know you do!! hahahahaha
And yeah – the ending of the film – with her drug freakout etc. – was a bit much.
You know what moment I loved in the movie? She finally decides to wash some dishes – because the house is such a pit – and she needs to assert some order … and that couple are frolicking in the kichen and the sink doesn’t work – and she just gets so frustrated – like: NOTHING WORKS HERE.
That makes the point about the drug culture far more specifically than any “oooh, scary drugs, scary hippies” stuff.
I did like the freaky hippie funeral though. Lazslo Kovacs is such an amazing cinematographer. (Was, I mean.)
And excellent idea about a Quantum Leap marathon!!
I am gearing up to do my Episode 3 re-cap sometime in the next, uhm, decade. No, but seriously – I have all my notes and everything … just need to write it up.
I think I taped Rapture from Fox Movie Channel. They show it once in a while. Doubt it’s out on DVD though. Try e-bay. Rapture, filmed in France, French title “Le fleur de l’Age” I think. Stars a French girl named Patricia …um… Gozzi? I forget.
I agree, Nicholson was a little miscast in this. He’s not really convincing. Stockwell might have been better in the lead role. And honestly, I don’t like the character Dave that Stockwell was playing. He’s one of those self-appointed guru types–sly, smug, superior, good at pointing out other people’s games but won’t admit to his own. Stockwell was great in the role, though.
The “Stockwell underground”–ROFL! I heard about the wig from a veteran Stockwell fan (there you go) but it only makes sense. Look how curly his hair is, then imagine it being that long… yikes! You get the effect from some of his early 70s roles.
I loved the kitchen sink moment too. It was so honest. I’ve been in one or two situations sort of like that. (But I’m not old enough to be a hippie… really.)
Yeah, like – he’s disappointed in Nicholson for wanting to be successful. He JUDGES amibition as bourgeois or something. Like anything monetary is automatically BAD. That’s why I’m convinced that Stockwell’s character could totally do an about-face in the real estate boom of the 80s and become a mogul. And he would see no contradiction because he’s always just so CERTAIN that his path is righteous. hahahahaha
And yes, the crazy Dunwich Horror hair!! Love it! Moptop.
Thanks for the tip on Rapture – I’ve read a ton about it, so I will keep my eyes open for it.
5 for the day:
Dean Stockwell – by yours truly, a monster post I’ve been working on for a week. (For those of you coming over here from House Next Door – here’s all my Dean Stockwell content, if you’re interested.)…