Dead Beat

Great Film. This movie is dead on. Everything except the names and location(says it takes place in New Mexico but the true story of Charles Schmid(aka Kit) took place in Tucson, AZ) is true and based on fact. The things that may seem funny or "dark comedy" actually happened. Yes, even the dream sequences that the real life person suffered from. It's all true, and that is why this is such a great film. Bruce Ramsay was the best, great performance, definitely his greatest achievement yet. Also, a little unknown fact: There are deleted scenes out there somewhere. One known of from the picture on the back of the original VHS release is the recreation in the film of the real event of Charles Schmid(Kit)unearthing the skull of his first victim after being arrested. Can you say DVD anyone???????????? Please, this desperately needs to be on DVD!

I am the Queen of Quirk so I was able to appreciate this off beat film.

I had never even heard anything about it before. I just found it for $5 in the discount Video Box. Anyway, it looked weird enough and it definitely is just that.

It's about a play boy named Kit (Bruce Ramsey) who is a total phony. He dyes his hair, applies powder foundation and wears flattened cans in his cowboy boots to make himself appear taller. Every girl is in love with him because he looks and sings like Elvis. He is seemingly serious about one girl though and that is Martha (Sarah Gilbert). Well, that is, until Kirsten comes on the scene (Natasha Gregson Wagner-the princess of offbeat films). She is a skank (just like him), she's insane and has something complex going on underneath (just like him). They are perfect for each other...for awhile.

This isn't just a love story though. Did Kit kill a girl awhile back and bury her out in the desert or is that just one of his lame, made up stories? Murders become a theme in the film towards the end and all the relationship humour is soon forgotten.

This film isn't exactly *amazing* but it's not completely awful. It's funny, it's entertaining and it has the campiness of a film from 1965 (that's when the film takes place). I give it 7/10 for quirk/weirdness.

I've always loved this movie. Its the story of a conceited young man who uses beer cans in his shoes to make himself taller, a full face of make-up and hair dye to attract young girls. A very popular guy who we later find out is much more than he seems. In fact, Kit's not a very nice guy at all. I thought this movie to be a very offbeat and interesting film. I think it shows just how young people can be fooled by a slick-talking phoney. I remember being young and having crushes on cheesy guys like this. It also shows how fake someone can actually be. I knew a girl who reminded me a little of Kit. She used fake hair, contacts and a fake tan to be the prettiest girl in school. Everything about her was fake. Boys all fell for it back then. Its amazing the lengths people will go to be liked.

There's another side of this I found fascinating. This story seems to be based on the real life killer, Charles Schmid aka Smitty the Pied Piper of Tuscon. If you go to the crime library you can read the story of the real guy. The stories are exactly the same. Its very interesting to read if you are a fan of this movie like I am. It makes the whole movie more intense to know that it was based on a real life murderer.

All in all a great film. Its one I will watch again and again.

Dead Beat can't decide whether it's a serious film about disturbed youth and murder or a campy period piece ala Cry Baby. There's too much emphasis on period detail, much of which is inaccurate anyway--always a distraction for me in films of this sort. The film looks good and aspires to profundity but ultimately is another empty Hollywood look at juvenile delinquency.

Bruce Ramsay is terrific as Kit, the charming, manipulative, desert playboy, who hides some well hidden skeletons. His enormous ego is padded with beer can lifts in his boots, layers of makeup, and zero tolerance of rejection. Kit's favorite sport is playing his numerous ladies for fools. Eventually he meets his match in Kristen (Natasha Gregson Wagner), who manages to turn the tables on Kit, with disastrous results. The story is told through the eyes of Rudy (Balthazar Getty), who is a friend, and "born follower" of Kit. The soundtrack of 60s music is impressive, and the 50s/60s cars are great. If you enjoy quirky characters who behave irrationally, "Dead Beat" is your movie. - MERK