arfdawg-1
The Plot. Long considered a cult classic, "Mondo Hollywood" captures the underside of Hollywood by documenting a moment in time (1965- 67), when an inquisitive trust in the unknown was paramount, hope for the future was tangible and life was worth living on the fringe. An interior monologue narrative approach is used throughout the film, where each principal person shown not only decided on what they wanted to be filmed doing, but also narrated their own scenes. The film opens with Gypsy Boots (the original hippie vegan - desert hopping blender salesman), and stripper Jennie Lee, working out 'Watusi-style' beneath the 'Hollywood' sign -- leading into the 'sustainable community' insight of Lewis Beach Marvin III, the S&H Green Stamp heir, who lived in a $10 a month garage while owning a mountain retreat in Malibu.This movie is horrible.Filled with phony nobodies to fill time.I had really good hope for this movie, but boy is it horrible.There is not one interesting frame. The people are boring beyond belief and the stories are idiotic. Don't waste your time
fuggedaboudit
I'd heard some interesting things about this movie and considered buying it for a very inflated price. Luckily I tried YouTube and found the entire movie uncut. Maybe it's the difference in the way the world is today and all the things I've experienced but this movie was kind of boring. The awful soundtrack doesn't help either.There's lots of scenes of women gyrating in bikinis and some topless modeling.I found the little girl modeling the topless bathing suit uncomfortable to watch. That whole scene with the little girls modeling bathing suits had a very pedophile feel to it.I did find what Vito Paulekas said about the drug companies being the real pushers to be very true especially today where every other commercial is for some new drug. It was also interesting seeing Jay Sebring (Manson Family victim) at work in his hair salon. I have no idea where Bobby Beausoliel (Manson Family member) appeared, but his name is in the credits so it's possible I was just dozing for a few seconds and missed him.It's worth a viewing if you're interested but do it online for free
artpf
Long considered a cult classic, "Mondo Hollywood" captures the underside of Hollywood by documenting a moment in time (1965-67), when an inquisitive trust in the unknown was paramount, hope for the future was tangible and life was worth living on the fringe. An interior monologue narrative approach is used throughout the film, where each principal person shown not only decided on what they wanted to be filmed doing, but also narrated their own scenes. The film opens with Gypsy Boots (the original hippie vegan - desert hopping blender salesman), and stripper Jennie Lee, working out 'Watusi- style' beneath the 'Hollywood' sign -- leading into the 'sustainable community' insight of Lewis Beach Marvin III, the S&H Green Stamp heir, who lived in a $10 a month garage while owning a mountain The movie is also peppered with stock footage from Hollywood events and pretend to "star" these actors! Huh? What a rip off.The original segments are largely filmed silent and overdubbed with some creepy overacted voice over.This movie is so tedious, it's beyond belief. The "underbelly" of Hollywood isn't underbelly at all. Surfers? A guy who lives in a garage? Who cares? I suppose Beuasoleil is the only draw for this film. An somehow this cold blooded murderer who is now in prison for life, has a facebook and web-page selling his crap! Huh?I was also on the look out for Rodney Bingheimer, but never saw him, except in the credits. Guess I blinked.This movie is absolutely the lowest of the low in movie-making.
tavm
Just watched this rare documentary of Tinseltown during the late '60s on fancast.com. With scenes of surfing, political meetings, premieres, and other events common to Hollywood, this film seems to have it all for anyone interested in what it was like there during a time of turbulence. We also go to Universal Studios where Alfred Hitchcock is filming Torn Curtain with Paul Newman and Julie Andrews, go to a luncheon where retired cowboy musical star Gene Autry talks about the Watts riots while Carol Cole-an honoree of some kind who's the late Nat King Cole's daughter and therefore also future star Natalie's sister-listens on. There's also a musician named Bobby Jameson who performs a protest song in front of a rich, middle-aged audience that seems to not really listen to him as they're ignorant of the scathing lyrics. I could mention others but there's so many things going on that this review would just be too confusing to many of you reading this. So I'll just say that Mondo Hollywood was a fascinating time capsule to this writer who was born during this era.
AD
