Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis

I know nothing about Dobie Gillis. Never saw the show, and I didn't know Denver was famous before Gilligans island. I was up with my friend late one night and I change the channel to Shotime where this was playing. I think I must have started watching about 30 minutes in, and this is one of the most bizarre movies I have ever seen. In fact it was much better the first time when I had no idea what was going on.

This is one of the greatest WTF movies I have ever seen. Why was it made? What is up with these insane stereotypes? Who was this movie made for? What year is this supposed to be? Is this supposed to be funny? Intentionally? Did someone slip me the brown acid on the hill when I wasn't looking? Etc. Just scene after scene of jaw-dropping stupidity. The girl-shy jock has to be one of the greatest, most pathetic characters I've ever seen.

I'm giving it a 6 of ten for serious camp value. Rent it. Skip the first couple of scenes (trust me on this, if you know the plot, its not as good). This is just one of those movies that makes you question reality. Highly recommended for fans of bad cinema.

What many other reviewers don't understand is that this movie was intended to be tongue-in-cheek from the word "go." . The plot isn't important, and the acting is supposed to be overstated and corny. Unlike the pilot from a decade earlier ("Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis), which actually tried to restart a sequel to the original series, this movie has no such aim: There were no plans for a sequel or a new "Dobie" series, and the movie is mostly an excuse for Dwayne Hickman, Bob Denver, and Sheila James-Kuehl to get together again and recreate some of the antics they did in the series. William Schallert returns as Mr. Pomfritt (and is actually playing the piano), and Steve Franken is there as Chatsworth. The actors who played Dobie's parents weren't present; Frank Faylen had died three years prior to the movie, and Florida Friebus was probably too ill to participate; she passed away a few months after it aired, as did the original show's creator Max Shulman.

Much content is inserted for the boomers to remember: There is a reference to Denver's "Gilligan's Island" when Thalia mentions rescuing Maynard from a desert island. Many things that happened and existed in the old series appear here: Maynard's aversion to the word "Work!" is here, as well as a collection of his malaprops, misunderstanding of situations, and overreactions. Several of the old routines Dobie and Maynard did are recreated here. As in the original, Hickman does fourth-estate monologues in front of a backdrop containing a plaster replica of "The Thinker." One bit you won't want to miss is Hickman's talk with his movie-son, especially his classic line: "The Birds and the Bees are about plumbing."

It's unclear whether Tuesday Weld was asked to appear as Thalia. In any case, it didn't happen. Instead, Connie Stevens took the role and managed to create a sinister (and slightly over-the-top) version of Thalia.

While this TV movie is hard to get hold of, you can view full-length copies of it on certain video sites, and if you're a fan of the old series, you won't be disappointed with this effort. Just ignore the plot and enjoy the people and antics.

This film reminded me what made the series so connectible, unique and charming - the "time-outs" where Dobie was being totally frank and honest while speaking to us personally in the park where a copy of Rodin's "The Thinker" holds court.

Quite a bit of subtle humor designed to float over the censors heads and the head-knocking between sweet and decent Dobie and the townspeople's turning on him for the chance for a big check is too close to reality to be considered entertaining. This film illustrates the vast chasm of America's naiveté of then compared to our youth knowing too much too soon now.

Connie Stevens' was perfect here (and still looked awesome). Bob Denver seemed to be less than attentive, bless his soul, but he managed to recreate Maynard Krebbs as a beatnik who ended up a wealthy capitalist while still having no real clue. Too bad they couldn't get Warren Beatty in on this (in 1988 he still thought he was above his roots). All in all a nice return project worth seeing.

The plot of this film was lifted directly from Friedrich Durenmatt's play, Der Besuch die Alten Dame (The Visit of the Old Lady). It was an indictment of capitalism by Durenmatt, a radical Swiss socialist. Ironic that someone chose this as the plot device in an obvious attempt to cash in on America's preoccupation with its youth.

Unlike most sit-com reunions which are overly sentimental and sappy, 'Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis' is a somewhat less dark interpretation of Durenmatt's thesis that money can buy anything. And while in the end Dobie is left alive, the thesis is also alive and well at the end of the movie. The attempt is bold and audacious, not completely successful, and enthralling. Even Connie Stevens acquits herself with grace. The old sit-com relationships are also revisited with considerable irony for those familiar with the original show. I recommend this film to anyone with an interest in 20th century theatre (particulary if they also enjoy Dobie Gillis). It's thought- provoking, audacious, and outrageously funny.