Stanley

Stanley is a rattlesnake ,the companion of Tim ,a Native American Vietnam veteran who lives in seclusion in the Everglades where he ekes out a precarious existence .He clashes with a local petty crime lord who wants to kill as many snakes as possible in order to turn their skins into boots ,belts , purses -anything in short that will turn a quick profit .Stanley's brood of baby rattlers are slaughtered and Tim strikes back by using the snake as his instrument of revenge even going so far as to kidnap his rival's teenage daughter an event which precipitates a bloody and fiery climax This is dreadful on every level and in every department -the acting is wooden ,the script simplistic and the pace funereal Not recommendable even to 70's monster movie completists or the most undemanding of spectators.

Tim (Robinson), a returned service man clearly affected by his experiences in the Vietnam war elects to separate from his American Indian tribe and reside in a remote part of the Florida Everglades along with his slithering companions, Stanley (the snake) and Stanley's partner. Former TV actor Robinson and tough guy Rocco are perhaps the only recognizable faces in this cheap schlock horror, but while the supporting cast might be amateurish, they're committed performances. Avery is fantastically whacky as a pill-popping psychedelic poacher who goes crazy in Robinson's cabin, while buxom blonde Carroll offers mild excitement as Rocco's recalcitrant daughter and part-time rebellious tramp.

Director Grefe remade "Stanley" just four years later as "The Jaws of Death" with Richard Jaeckel in the Chris Robinson role, to cash-in on the success of "Jaws" at the time. Much of the cast and crew from this movie was transported into the remake. But where Jaeckel's character in the subsequent rendition imbued a sense of sympathy from the audience, Robinson's occasionally manic veteran is less likable. When he abducts Rocco's daughter (Carroll) she exposes his exploitative relationship and shambolic conservationist pretense as nothing more than a quirky condition of his mental instability.

Sets and location work is fitting, and there's plenty of eye catching scenery and quirky time pieces of the era that will emote a reminiscent gesture or two. Marcie Knight's washed-out exotic dance routine is a prominent plot diversion depicting the lurid struggles of the exotic cabaret business. Tim lends her snakes to use in her routines (she was a friend of his late father), but the friendship turns sour after he discovers her new "act". The "act" is quite shocking and unexpected and sure to become the immortal moment of this film. Despite some rather heavy handed moments, there is the occasional joke; the scene in which Tim describes the death of Stanley's 'partner' and the 'babies' to a shocked stage manager who thinks he's talking about people, is classic dry humour.

It's patently obvious that several creatures were harmed in the making of this picture, so it might offend.

1971's "Stanley" is one of director Wiiliam Grefe's better known titles, others include "Sting of Death" in 1965, "Death Curse of Tartu" in 1966, "Impulse" in 1973 (a rare starring role for William Shatner), and "Mako: The Jaws of Death" in 1975, all of which were shot on location in Florida. I found myself captivated by the two pop songs on the soundtrack, both written and performed by Jack Vino, and produced by Steve Alaimo, who appears on screen as the villainous henchman Crail (former singer and host of WHERE THE ACTION IS). The opening credits are accompanied by the beautiful "Sparrow," which is briefly reprised during the end credits, while the other tune, "Start a New World," features late in the film, as Tim drives Susie in a boat to his swamp hideaway. Lyrically, both tracks are odes to the environment and they lend a kind of stature to a film populated with unsympathetic characters and a clichéd storyline in which Tim Ochopee (Chris Robinson), a half-breed Vietnam veteran, turns his back on his tribe and the rest of society to live in isolation with a family of rattlesnakes in the Everglades. Shortly after completing "The Godfather," Alex Rocco returns to his exploitation roots ("Blood Mania") by playing the lead villain, making belts out of reptile skins, and is also responsible for the shooting death of Tim's father. He also shows an unfatherly and creepy incestuous desire for his gorgeous blonde daughter Susie, played in her one and only film by Susan Carroll (even the distracted director calls attention to her bikini clad assets by focusing on her perfect ass from her opening scene). Television veteran Chris Robinson made his movie debut in the title role of Roger Corman's 1959 "Beast from Haunted Cave," creating the beast himself. A native of West Palm Beach, now residing in Miami, Robinson proved easily available for this rare leading role, working very well with his dangerous co-stars. The recent DVD release makes up for the numerous truncated VHS issues, none of which were intact at a full 106 minutes. "Stanley" made four appearances on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater, on Nov 6 1976 (followed by Lugosi's original 1931 "Dracula"), and three more solo: Apr 28 1979, Dec 13 1980, and Jan 16 1982. As a footnote, I also have great fondness for another Chiller Theater classic with a terrific theme song, 1973's Texas-filmed "Horror High" aka "Twisted Brain," its song titled "Vernon's Theme," performed by Jerry Coward.

I saw this film when it first came out in the early 1970s riding the coat-tails of the highly successful movie, Ben. Filmed in the South Florida Everglades, the film stars two sunshine state film "idols", Chris Robinson and Steve Alaimo. Robinson was best known to die-hard fans for his uncredited role as the "lisp" speaking Melvin in Frank Sinatra's, Lady in Cement. Alaimo known more for his singing career, made a name for himself as the singing drag racer in the Wild Rebels. The two play off each other very well, and for nothing more than a "B" film, it's surprisingly entertaining. Surely not their best acting roles, yet any fans of Robinson or Alaimo, or snakes named Stantley should see this film. Above average entertainment.

I'll say this, 'Stanley' makes no bones about the clear influence it takes from 1971's 'Willard' - different animal, much the same premise. Though decidedly heavy-handed, I appreciate how this lays out all the iniquities for which human protagonist Tim and reptilian protagonist Stanley will seek vengeance. "Themes" isn't quite the right word, but in addition to environmentalism and the destruction of and broad disregard for wildlife, the feature speaks more indirectly to racism, sexism, exploitation, and the various other evils that humans visit upon one another, including old-fashioned capitalist greed. On the other hand, while the dialogue, scene writing, and acting lay it on rather thick, the plot is rather lackadaisical about going anywhere. I suppose that's nothing unusual or unexpected when it comes to second- or third-rate genre flicks, but still this somewhat confounds for how meagerly it proceeds. Whether one wishes to call this a "horror flick" or a "thriller," neither label meaningfully applies in reality. Given the most cheeky and over the top bits one could also just say it's a "comedy" and be done with it, but that label never particularly bears fruit, either.

Don't get me wrong, the picture can boast some splendid, delightful ideas one way or another. Writer Gary Crutcher gives us a complete narrative, and at least in concept the rest of the screenplay is fine. Though unquestionably overwrought, star Chris Robinson gives a modestly appreciable performance. Despite the very low-budget, low-grade nature of the production, I recognize the work that everyone involved turned in, including great filming locations and swell sets. A low budget doesn't excuse such weak-kneed direction, however, nor noncommittal writing, nor acting that's consistently either overcooked or underwhelming, but scarcely ever earnest. With more care this could have actually been a thriller, a horror flick, or a thriller-comedy or a horror-comedy. Instead 'Stanley just kind of "is" in the most rudimentary sense. The promise of the premise has been fulfilled, but in the least interesting way it could have been. Furthermore - especially given the credits for the movie, or the lack thereof, I don't think there were any specific special effects created, which can only mean that there was some abject animal cruelty employed to capture a few select shots. And there's no excuse for that, either.

I don't think this is altogether rotten. All the potential is right there for the taking, and the last twenty minutes are probably the strongest part of all. Yet as both director and producer William Grefé goes about the project in pretty much all the wrong ways, and this is not nearly the film that it might have been. Whether it was for lack of skill or lack of will, no lack of bills can account for the deficiencies to present. I had high hopes when I sat to watch, but let's be honest, I should have known better. Leave this for those who are very curious or very bored on a lazy day; otherwise, there's no real need to check out 'Stanley.'