Saturday, August 11, 2012

Dante's Inferno

Joe Dante's Inferno, that is: Hollywood Boulevard. It seems that Roger Corman gave two of his film editors a chance to direct a film - if they could keep to budget under $60,000. These director-pupae? Joe Dante (Gremlins) and Alan Arkush (Rock 'n' Roll High School).

The movie is the story of a starry eyed girl (Candice Rialson) who comes to Hollywood to be discovered. After several mishaps, she finally gets an agent, low-budget hustler Dick Miller. He gets her a job with Miracle Pictures (you know the gag), which has an alarming rate of mortality for starlets. It also has Paul Bartels as a director and Mary Woronov as leading lady.

Let me emphasize that Dick Miller's role is more than a cameo, as well as Bartels and Woronov. If that doesn't sell you on this movie, it probably isn't for you. And if it does sell you, you've probably already watched it.

The script is pretty silly. The action sequences are all stolen from other Corman movies, keeping the budget down and padding the film. The mystery is handled pretty well, everything considered. There are a ton of in-jokes, including a Robby the Robot cameo.

Best part for me? Commando Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen have a number of songs, including a live performance of "Everyone's Truckin'" under the Hollywood sign. It was great to see the Old Commander, along with Buffalo Bruce, Billy C., John Tichy, Bill Kirchen and everybody.

In conclusion, cheap fun.

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