The Projectionist

When not goofing off, the titular yutz daydreams of being a silent film superhero. Parts of the score are cribbed from old serials, and scenes are lifted from features of the 20's thru 50's. One wonders how John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart would react to seeing their work intermingled with clips of war atrocities and grindhouse dancers. Chuck McCann's character is immensely likeable when he dwells in the present, but his superhero mugs like the class clown you always despised. Released on VHS in 1986 to capitalize on Rodney Dangerfield's (straight) supporting role.

The film, the Projectionist, is geared towards those who like weird, cult-type films. I watched this because I usually like to see Rodney Dangerfield. This is Rodney's film debut. This film only gives a glimpse of Rodney Dangerfield's acting/comedic ability. He is not starring as a typical Rodney Dangerfield character. This is a strange film and was difficult to follow. With the exception of seeing Rodney's first flick, watching this film was a total waste of time for me. However, others might like this type of flick to watch. This is not a prime time film. I could see a young college type crowd watching this movie while partying. Definitely, not my cup of tea.

Chuck McCann works as a projectionist at an unglamorous NYC movie theater. Rodney Dangerfield (in his feature film debut and the only great performance he ever gave), is his bitterly tyrannical boss who browbeats the theater staff on a regular basis. McCann has fantasies about saving the world as a superhero and fights his boss, whom he imagines as quasi-Nazi dictator.

Some parts of this film I found endlessly intriguing, like the old-style footage of McCann in his superhero outfit, going about his business clumsily but with gusto. Other times, I found the film's themes to be odd and off-kilter. But the biggest flaw is that I am still struggling to remember just how this film ended. Recommended to those seeking pure escapism and throwback panache.

Odd little movie about a dumpy projectionist who wanders around not doing much but fantasizing about movies, imagining himself as a superhero and making up stories for friends about his love life. The film is predominately film clips strung together as rather uninteresting collages.

I've seen this movie described as one you have to love if you're a film buff. Well, I'm a film buff, and I recognized tons of the clips, and I found the movie quite tedious. The film collages seemed pointless and rather pretentious (especially when you start getting a lot of Hitler footage). The superhero section aims to be a comedic silent take of old movie serials, but the physical humor invariably falls flat.

I don't see this movie as something for film buffs. I see it as something for people who like somewhat arty films that reference movies, which is something else altogether.

In this lovingly wonderful tribute to old movies and the unsung hero of the movie theaters:"The Projectionst!".Chuck McCann creates a unique character and fantasy world all his own.Here.McCann plays a dilligent,hard working movie theater projectionist.Who has to put up with his obnoxious and crazed go by the book boss:Theater Manager:"Rinaldi"(Played by Rodney Dangerfield in his movie debut)."Rinaldi"forces his staff to try and turn a dilapidated little movie house.(Which has probably seen better days in the l930's)into a glowing movie palace and he expects everyone to shape up.Chuck Tolerates Dangerfield's abuse and manages to do his job.The rest of the film has McCann having a relationship with a beautiful girl(Ina Ballin)and dealing with his dislike for his Boss and the changes in late l960's NYC Via his fantasies of being a old movie serial Superhero"Captain Flash".Who defeats a power mad supervillian"The Bat"(also played by Dangerfield) and his henchmen.as "The Bat"and his gang try to steal an Old Scientist/iventor's(Jara Krohout .Who also plays a candy butcher in Dangerfield's movie theater)"Death Ray Machine"and kidnaps his daughter(Also played by Ms.Ballin).The battle between McCann's"Capt.Flash"and Dangerfield's"Bat"is done in pantomime and is a brilliant piece of comic acting,psyhicial comedy and farce.Truly worthy of Keaton,Semon and Chuck's two idols and mine:Laurel & Hardy(McCann does a brief L&H impression in the film)Harry Hurwitz(The film's guiding genius plays a small cameo in this film as a put upon theater usher).Filled with great film clips of classic old movies,brilliant pantomime , comic acting and insightful wit.This film is more funny and heartwarming than Mr.Allen's"Purple Rose Of Cario"and more faithful to old movies.Forget Woody Allen.Stick To Harry Hurwitz's "The Projectionist".This is a real tribute to old movies.