PIC of the Week – Schlock
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Arrow Video excels in distributing world cinema, cult, art, horror and classic films. For cine-files, Arrow can be a gold mine and this time one hell of a nugget has been released. First off, I preface this review with a definition. Google defines schlock /SHläk/ as “cheap or inferior goods or material; trash”. Merriam-Webster defines the word as “of low quality or value”. And, the Urban Dictionary tells us “schlock” is usually used in reference to movies/music/art 1. Crap.
All that being said, the man that directed such huge beloved comedy hits as Kentucky Fried Movie, National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf in London and the delightfully funny Trading Places, now has his first film on Blu, for better or for worse, the bizarre cult film, Schlock. At the time, fledgling filmmaker John Landis decided to create a full blown gonzo movie that he would not only write and direct, but also star in as a prehistoric apeman with the help of a young make-up artist, Rick Baker. Baker would eventually go on to win seven Oscars and twelve nominations for his artistry. At 23 years-old, mad man Landis was releasing to the world something so far from Citizen Kane that it could either taint or tentpole him. Many would end up appreciating his lunacy and see he had a future in comedy.
For those uninitiated, Schlock is the harebrained story of a prehistoric apeman who falls in love with a blind teenage girl while causing havoc in a small suburb of SoCal. There is something so lovingly slapdash about this movie, the enjoyment is near infectious. But, by todays standards it is very dated. It’s far from an awful Ed Wood or Uwe Boll production, but it does borderline the ridiculous and revels in it.
Schlock, originally titled The Banana Monster, is a wonderful spoof of old horror and missing link movies like Trog and Skullduggery. Landis shot the film in twelve days (and it shows) with a $60K budget, much of it reportedly from his family and friends. The film is silly fun as we follow Schlock and TV interviewers discussing his journey of creating chaos while searching for his true love. Those who appreciated the lunacy of Kentucky Fried Movie should find quite a bit of joy with all the zany antics. This is more of a crowd or party movie, then one you just watch alone. It also probably helps if those at the party are well lit.
Arrow has provided the original aspect picture ratio at 1.85:1 from a newly restored 4K master. The transfer is surprisingly good with the budget in consideration. Outside shots have come out better than expected. There’s some color issues now and then, but nothing that’s really going to effect the enjoyment of this silly venture. It’s the best presentation that’s come out on the home video market, and that says quite a bit for what I’ve seen in the past.
On the audio end, this is not reference quality. A no frills LPCM Mono track that services the soundtrack, and does even better for the dialogue which is the linchpin to Landis’ horror/satire. There does seem to be some dubbing issues now and then, but I’m chalking that up to the production itself.
Arrow Video supplies an older film commentary, but it’s still fun to listen to. Other bonuses include:
• New video interview with author and critic Kim Newman
• Birth of a Schlock, a 2017 video interview with John Landis
• Archival video interview with cinematographer Bob Collins
• 1972, 1979 and 1982 US theatrical trailers
• US radio spots
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Joe Bob Briggs
This is a real find for you cinema freaks out there. Time to pull your wallets out and add some lunacy to your library. Show it to family and friends, and see who has a real sense of humor.
Best Price – $23.18 – Amazon
