Looping

With a rating under 6, I was really surprised by the quality of this movie. The story about some people at a fairground struggling to fulfill their big dream may be somewhat average, but the camera-work by Michael Ballhaus is impressive (he even does one of his famous 360 Degree shots). The acting is also above average, Shelley Winters and Hans Christian Blech play their characters very well and it is definitely one of Syndey Rome's better movies. What really surprised me was the soundtrack. The movie features 15 Songs by Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music. Most of them are very well known and almost every song fits perfectly to the according scene. "Love Is The Drug" for a strip scene, "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" (played in its entirety) for a breakup scene - what could fit better? If you are into good soundtracks I strongly suggest trying to watch this movie somewhere.

This story concerns the lives of struggling carnival workers. Most of them are well into "middle age" (putting it politely) and overweight. On top of everything, they are broke since nobody is particularly interested in their mediocre performances. There is infighting and heavy drinking as they try to deal with their daily problems. Shelley Winters gives a great performance as the mean-spirited matriarch of the group, going by the name of "Carmen".

One fine day an attractive young woman named "Tanja" (pronounced 'Tanya' and played by Sydne Rome) appears and suggests that they let her start a strip show act. They give her a small part in their carnival lineup, and she quickly steals the show. Suddenly people are coming in to see her dancing routine, paying all kinds of money!

It should come as no surprise that Tanja has a not-so-hidden agenda: She is interested in Carmen's husband "Johnny" (played by Hans Blech). Clearly, Carmen should get rid of Tanja since she is going to cause a lot of trouble. But yet, she cannot do this since Tanja is the carnival's primary source of revenue.

What are they to do about it? You will have to watch to find out!

Additional comments: 1) The "Looping" title refers to an expensive 360-degree roller-coaster that the carnival is hoping to acquire. They "loop" by going upside down on this ride. If and when they are financially successful and buy the roller-coaster they will be "looping". 2) All the actors except for Winters and Rome are German, and this story appears to take place in Germany though no reference to it is made. It could really be anywhere. 3) Judging from the cars and clothes, this movie appears to have been made in 1970. The release date, however, indicates 1981.

It's sad that it's difficult to find Sydne Rome in many films. She's a beautiful woman that moves with sensuous grace. I have only a copy of a copy of this rare film, and would love to have a DVD or even a good VHS copy. It's hard to find, and I suggest you watch it if you ever get a chance. Shelley Winters delivers as powerful performance as she did in "Mama, Bloody Mama". Sydne Rome appears with David Bowie in the 1979 film, "Just A Gigolo", and it's not easy to get either. She's also in "A Lucky Touch" with Roger Moore, and "At Last the 1948 Show" that was a series of comedy vignettes. She starred in the episode entitled "Sex With A Smile." Her filmography shows her to have been in a lot of German films.

This movie is so funny. Shelley Winters plays an evil jealous bitch like you would not believe. Anyways it is worth seeing. I just saw this movie for the first time last year. I am proud to have it in my video collection. So if your ready to see Shelley Winters bitch at other women this is the movie for you to see. ENJOY!!!

If anyone knows where I can get a copy of this film I would be very interested. Both my husband and my daughter appear in it as extras. It was made in Berlin in 1981 when we lived there. My daughter did a lot of help on the film with casting of American teenagers as extras in the film and appeared in it herself. A lot of the work was done at night and I think they were paid 100 DM and a bowl of soup for the night's work. I met Sydne Rome when she came into the American military bank to cash a check or something. I also recall that she had a spread in either Playboy or Penthouse about that time. She had also made a series of aerobic tapes. I have only seen the movie once in German and would really like to surprise my husband on his birthday with a copy of it in English.