Tame but Valuable Record of the 1960s
I caught this on London Live-one of the UK's Freeview channels-we should be grateful to catch these rarities; trashy or worthy, they are nevertheless valuable snapshots of an era that must be puzzling to anyone under the age of 50.
Reading up, I see that the movie ran for between one or two years in London, as part of a double bill! I guess there were two principal audiences-lads like myself in their formative years, and the "dirty raincoat" brigade-middle-aged+ men who grew up in a repressed era of nannies, censorship etc. Who were grateful for any "flash" of feminine flesh-they probably enjoyed this.
It is distinctly unerotic, unlike its contemporary "Blow Up", but one shouldn't compare with that masterpiece. This comes from a long line of Nudge, Nudge-Wink, Wink embarrassing Brit flicks with a slight nod to more realism a la "Beat Girl". There is a leering mien throughout, so typical of that age, but we have to view it as a snapshot on that era; there are a few bare breasts, under skirt shots, unimpressive writhings and the obligatory overlong party scene which shows off a lot of mini-skirted leg-you get the picture?
At my age now I got more interest in spotting the 1960s hi-fi components, stylish furniture, terrific Quant-like mini dresses; the girls are universally nice-I wish I knew then what I know now! Oh..there's also a classic early Lamborghini sports car which nearly steals the picture. The "acting" is a joke, but that wasn't the point of these flicks. The B&W photography is very good-almost glistening in many places, with quite effective zooms and near-frantic in/out focusing.
I had to give it 3/10 for my review's heading, but I'd also give it an 8/10 for its period value.
Reading up, I see that the movie ran for between one or two years in London, as part of a double bill! I guess there were two principal audiences-lads like myself in their formative years, and the "dirty raincoat" brigade-middle-aged+ men who grew up in a repressed era of nannies, censorship etc. Who were grateful for any "flash" of feminine flesh-they probably enjoyed this.
It is distinctly unerotic, unlike its contemporary "Blow Up", but one shouldn't compare with that masterpiece. This comes from a long line of Nudge, Nudge-Wink, Wink embarrassing Brit flicks with a slight nod to more realism a la "Beat Girl". There is a leering mien throughout, so typical of that age, but we have to view it as a snapshot on that era; there are a few bare breasts, under skirt shots, unimpressive writhings and the obligatory overlong party scene which shows off a lot of mini-skirted leg-you get the picture?
At my age now I got more interest in spotting the 1960s hi-fi components, stylish furniture, terrific Quant-like mini dresses; the girls are universally nice-I wish I knew then what I know now! Oh..there's also a classic early Lamborghini sports car which nearly steals the picture. The "acting" is a joke, but that wasn't the point of these flicks. The B&W photography is very good-almost glistening in many places, with quite effective zooms and near-frantic in/out focusing.
I had to give it 3/10 for my review's heading, but I'd also give it an 8/10 for its period value.
- nigel_hawkes
- 15 sep 2021