UK, 1968
92m, 8260 feet/2518 metres
35mm, Eastmancolor
mono, English
Reviewed at The EOFFTV Review
A British fantasy film directed by Joe Massot. It is perhaps best remembered today for its score by George Harrison.
Plot Summary
Professor Collins’ life is changed completely when the model Penny moves into the apartment next door. He becomes completely obsessed with her, spying on her through holes drilled in the walls and ceilings and slowly starts losing grip with reality.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Joe Massot
© Alan Clore Films MCMLXVIII [1968]
Alan Clore Films presents. Made by Alan Clore Films
Produced by: Andrew Braunsberg
Production Manager: Ed Harper
Screenplay by: G. Cabrera Infante|G. Cain
Original Story by: Gerard Brach
Story Translated by: Alan Passes
Assistant Director: Jonathan Benson
Continuity: Sue Merry
Photographed by: Harry Waxman
Camera Operator: Alan Hall
Editor: Rusty Coppleman
Assistant Editor: Anthony Sloman
Music by: George Harrison
Sound: Laurie Clarkson
RCA Sound Recording
Costumes Designed by: Jocelyn Rickards
Assistant Costume Designer: Vangie Harrison
Wardrobe Mistress: Amy Binney
Make-up: Aldo Manganaro
Hairdresser: Pat Grant
Titles and Special Effects: Stokes Cartoons
Art Director: Assheton Gorton
Assistant Art Director: Arnold Chapkis
Made at Twickenham Studios, London, England
Cast
Jack MacGowran (Professor Oscar Collins)
Jane Birkin (Penny Lane)
Richard Wattis (Perkins)
Irene Handl (Mrs Peurofoy)
Iain Quarrier (young man)
Beatrix Lehmann (mother)
Brian Walsh (photographer)
Sean Lynch (Riley)
Bee Duffell (Mrs Charmer)
Noel Trevarthen (policeman)
The Fool
Anita Pallenberg [girl at party] *
Alternative Titles
Bakom kärleksmuren – Sweden
Onyricon – Italy
Tirkistelijä – Finland
Welt voller Wunder – West Germany
Press
1969
Kine Weekly vol.619 no.3196 (11 January 1969) pp.8-9
Fantasy (which this is in spite of its ultra-modern decorations) is always a dodgy job in the cinema, but the makers of this film might have pulled it off if they had occupied less footage. As it is, the dodging back and forth between very eccentric actuality and very fantastic dream sequences acquires a pattern of regularity that is quite foreign to the intentions of the story. There are one or two good humorous touches and a prodigal use of pop-art colour schemes, and Jack MacGowran, as the professor, gives a well-studied picture of the comical and occasionally pathetic professor. Jane Birkin, as the girl, has little to do but sterling support in smaller roles is given by Irene Handl, Richard Wattis and Iain Quarrier.
References
Periodicals
- Cinémonde no.1740 (9 April 1968) pp.28-29 – article (J’ai vu John MacGowran by Tony Crawley)
- The Daily Cinema no.9441 (1 November 1967) p.8 – credits
- Films and Filming vol.15 no.4 (January 1969) p.70 – note
- Films and Filming vol.15 no.6 (March 1969) p.44 – credits, review
- Journal of British Cinema and Television vol.2 no.1 (2005) pp.100-116 – article (Consumerism, the Swinging Sixties and Assheton Gorton by Elizabeth-Marie Tuson)
- Kine Weekly vol.619 no.3196 (11 January 1969) pp.8-9 – credits, review (by Graham Clarke)
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.36 no.421 (February 1969) p.37 – credits, synopsis, review
- New Musical Express 2 February 1980 p.19 – illustrated article (The NME guide to rock cinema by Fred Dellar)
- Today’s Cinema no.9621 (10 January 1969) p.8 (UK) – credits, review
- Variety 15 January 1969 p.6 (USA) – credits, review
Books
- Encyclopedia of Rock Music on Film by Linda J. Sandahl p.199
- Film Review 1969-70 by F. Maurice Speed (ed.) p.222 – credits, review
- Looking for a New England: Action, Time, Vision: Music, Film and TV 1975-1986 by Simon Matthews pp.9, 22, 205
- Psychedelic Celluloid: British Pop Music in Film and TV 1965-1974 by Simon Matthews p.68 – illustrated review
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.549 – credits
- Rock-Film: In 450 film, trent’anni di Cinema & Rock by Paolo Belluso and Flavio Merkel p.160 – credits, note
- Rock on Film by David Ehrenstein and Bill Reed p.271
