moonspinner55

Roddy McDowall (billed as Roddy MacDowall) plays the assistant curator at a British museum who uncovers the secret way to control a cursed 16th century Prague statue named the Golem: by placing an ancient scroll underneath its tongue! Since we're tipped off early that McDowell is a wormy closet-psycho by way of Norman Bates (he too keeps his mother's corpse in a rocking chair), it comes as no surprise when he goes full boar mad and orders the Golem to kill his new boss and later destroy a bridge (!). Handsome UK production via Seven Arts begins with a flash of promise before becoming top-heavy with plot (with its echoes of "Frankenstein" and "The Creature From the Black Lagoon"). McDowall isn't bad, but his character makes no sense--especially when he decides to destroy the Golem once and for all with fire, apparently forgetting the damn thing survived a warehouse fire in the film's first scene. ** from ****

Micky Dolenz, late of "The Monkees", stars in this tepid thriller involving an assassin who targets a prominent white New Orleans family after the daughter of the household reveals she's pregnant by a black man. Amateur-night filmmaking from executive producer and director Joy N. Houck Jr. Tastelessly exploits the brewing racial tensions of the day. The three credited screenwriters--J. J. Milane, Robert A. Weaver and Jeffrey Newton--haven't got one good line of dialogue between them, and the third-act twist is laughable. NO STARS from ****

Virginal 19-year-old boy finally makes the break from his overbearing parents in Great Neck; he moves himself out of the suburbs and into New York City, where he meets a girl. Early directorial effort by Francis Ford Coppola, who also adapted the screenplay from David Benedictus' novel, has an unusually strong cast including Geraldine Page, Rip Torn, Elizabeth Hartman, Julie Harris and Karen Black. It also shows off Coppola's stylish eye, which nearly disguises the fact there's not a whole lot of plot at work here. The Lovin' Spoonful contributes a bright soundtrack, and there are spirited moments, but the picture fades quickly in one's memory. Curious viewers will be satisfied after about an hour. Page received the film's sole Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. ** from ****