Here's one of my most unexpected viewing experiences, gritty exploitation cop picture A SCREAM IN THE STREETS. Imagine a
mixture of Adam-12, DIRTY HARRY, and an X-rated domestic drama, and
you'd be in the ballpark. Homicidal killer dresses like a woman in order
to violently stab women to death, but the real story involves a pair of
plainclothes officers newly assigned as riding partners. One is married
and tries to go By The Book. The other is a bit of
a lose cannon. Together, they ride the streets and get involved in
various hold-ups and shoot-outs and grow to trust each other. Meanwhile,
there's a sex scene every other reel or so -remove this material and
picture would only be about an hour long. Despite the more base material
woven through-out, A SCREAM IN THE STREETS is a surprisingly good
picture. The writing is solid, the acting good, and the characterization
is unusually strong. The porn elements aside, this is probably one of
the better pictures I've seen in a good while!
Without warning, Another Slice of Cheesecake suddenly sported a content warning to readers. I'm through. It's too much trouble anymore, and I have other things to do. I may close both blogs to prevent the content warning from infecting my other blogs. Either way, the A Slice of Cheesecake Facebook page will remain in operation, God willing. https://www.facebook.com/A-Slice-of-Cheesecake-1325990544135856/
Was stunned to hear of the passing of Adam West (that's he in eclipse
behind Joe DeRita). West was a fine actor, but always the first one to
poke fun at himself. It struck me today that West is essentially
America's Roger Moore. Adam was always a bright spot whenever he turned
up, and was one of those stars who oozed average Joe likability. Rest In
Peace, Mr. West, and thanks for all the good times. Upon thinking of
Adam, my mind went first to THE OUTLAWS IS COMING, a wild, cartoony
horse opera spoof starring The Three Stooges. The last starring feature
for the Stooges, in fact. West plays a crusading reporter desperate to
save the buffalo from being exterminated (that happening due to a plot
to turn the Indians against the white man and jumpstart a war). Moe,
Larry, and Curly Joe are his assistants, and do what they can to
acclimate tenderfoot Adam to the wild and woolly Western territories.
When West gets into a gun duel, sharp-shooter Nancy Kovack saves his life
and gives the town the impression that he's the best shot in the
territory. To counter this, the bad guys call in every notorious gunman
(and future television star) they can find, including the likes of Bat
Masterson, Johnny Ringo, Belle Starr, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt
Earp, and so forth. Lot's a gags in this one, which is practically a Tex
Avery cartoon! The self-referencing showbiz gags are truly my kind of
humor, and this one has them in spades.
