Wuchak "The Big Cube" came out at the height of the counter-culture movement in 1969. It's a groovy, sometimes campy melodrama about a teenager (Karin Mossberg) who is negatively influenced by the wicked medical student she's dating (George Chakiris). They implement "gaslighting" techniques on her sweet stepmother (Lana Turner) to acquire inheritance. Dan O'Herlihy plays the husband of Lana's character and Richard Egan her good friend. Carlos East plays a "right on" artist and Pamela Rodgers the teen's swinging best friend.Despite some roll-your-eyes campiness, mainly by Pamela Rodgers, the first half is entertaining as it tries to depict the hip late 60's scene, at least as far as Hollywood producers imagined it. Speaking of Rodgers, she's absolutely perky and likable and has a cute face, but her topless dance routine shows that she really wasn't very sexy, unless you're into thin, non-curvy women. In any case, the movie's amusing in a "far out" kind of way. Unfortunately, it takes a decidedly dull turn as soon as the youths start freaking out the stepmother with LSD. It's so bad it's tempting to tune-out. However, I like the comeuppance and redemption of the conclusion.Lana was 47 during filming and looked good. The film runs 98 minutes and was shot in Acapulco and Mexico City, Mexico. GRADE: C (or 4.5/10)

JLRMovieReviews As a huge Lana Turner fan, I had avoided this film, as I had heard and read bad things about it. But the interesting thing about having low expectations is being pleasantly surprised. This film, having Lana married to millionaire Dan O'Herlihy and being stepmother to his daughter and having control of his money and her life (and her love life!) after he dies, isn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, it keeps one's interest and keeps you guessing all the way through it, with elements similar to Lana's usual melodramatic movies. When her stepdaughter and lover want the money coming to her from daddy's will, they take drastic measures. Costarring good actors Richard Egan and George Chakiris, this is definitely a different type of Lana Turner film with its 1970s feel and groove and use of the big cube, but I wouldn't necessarily call it an embarrassment for Lana; it certainly entertains. Some may call it camp or unintentionally funny. But its dialogue and acting didn't seem to me to be overblown or extreme; it seems more of a state-of-mind film, with Lana being tortured psychologically. I can just imagine a 70s audience watching this and doing who knows what at the same time. I would definitely watch this again, unlike Bittersweet Love, another Lana film I just discovered. If you come across this on Turner Classic Movies, watch and enjoy this less-than-classic but otherwise entertaining Lana Turner film.

jjnxn-1 Bad movie lovers rejoice. Craptastic mess from that unfortunate time period when the studios were trying to connect with a youth audience that just wasn't there. Poor Lana, looking dreadfully gaunt, and her terrible two tone hair are stuck in this tripe with nowhere to hide. Her costarring with Dan O'Herlihy reminds the viewer that they were in Imitation of Life together and makes you wonder why you're not watching that instead! The rest of the acting is of the seriously wooden variety and the direction inept. Trash but if you are in the mood for something to make fun of or a Lana completist than give it a chance but one view will be more than enough.

preppy-3 Stage actress Adriana Roman (Lana Turner) quits her career to marry rich widower Charles Winthrop (Dan O'Herlihy). However his daughter Lisa (Karin Mossberg) hates Adriana with a passion. She is romanced by amoral Johnny Allen (George Chakiris) who wants her for her money. When Charles dies in an accident Johnny pushes Lisa to drive Adriana insane with LSD so she gets everything.Sounds pretty terrible but I actually enjoyed it. The script is OK when it deals with Turner, O'Herlihy and the other adults. However it falls apart when dealing with the 20s somethings. These "kids" say hilariously stupid things--Bibi, a friend of Lisa says "Let's call half a dozen guys and have an orgy"!!! They're always taking drugs and acting in what is (supposedly) an amusing manner. At a wedding two of the guys (purposedly) drive their motorcycles into a pool and all the other idiot kids jump in. Oh those wacky kids! Whenever they're on screen we get lousy dialogue, bad music and tons of casual drug taking. To make matters worse Mossberg is a lousy actress (she understandably never made another movie) and has a serious accent--but her father has none! Also Pamela Rodgers as Bibi gives Mossberg a serious run for her money in the bad acting department. Her mild striptease might please some viewers (only her chest is shown). Of all the "kids" only Chakiris gives a good performance. Turner is excellent and looks fabulous. This may have been a low budget Mexican movie but she gives it her all. Old pros Richard Egan and O'Herlihy are also good.So this is a strange combo of a 1960s exploitation film and a serious drama. I was honestly never bored and it DOES carry a strong anti-drug message at the end.