THE WORST MOVIES OF ALL TIME; Or, what were they thinking

SAUTER, Michael

ISBN 10: 0806515775 / ISBN 13: 9780806515779

Published by Citadel, NY, 1995

About this Item

8vo, pp. x, 342. Index. Paper wraps. Illustrated wtih stills. Edges slightly soiled, cover scuffed and very slightly worn at edges, o/w a VG tight copy.

Seller Inventory # 53844

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE WORST MOVIES OF ALL TIME; Or, what were they thinking
• Publisher: Citadel, NY
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0806515775
• ISBN 13: 9780806515779
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: First printing.

About this title

Synopsis

In addition to rounding up the 50 worst movies of all time with an insightful and skewering wit, the author turns his attention to the tacky trends and beaten-to-death genres that have filled double bills for decades. What was the worst Elvis movie? The lamest Madonna movie? They're all here, along with an affectionate round-up of the "Baddest of the Bs", those ultra-tacky, low-budget movies that have earned them everlasting distinction in the pantheon of schlock.

Reviews

Sauter's book is the latest addition to the canon of bad movie appreciation, and its organization is as kitschy as the movies themselves. Refreshingly opinionated, Sauter refuses to straddle fences, but there's no real rhyme or reason behind his selections. They run the gamut, from insipid genres (rock musicals and biker films) to schlock horror (Ed Wood's notorious output) to ill-conceived literary adaptations (The Fountainhead) and films hopelessly out of time and place (Paint Your Wagon). Sauter gloats most at blockbuster bombs, such as Cleopatra?there is a noticeable glint in this film critic's eye when, despite big budgets, technological wizardry and tried-and-true formulas, Hollywood still manages to fall flat on its face. Moments of wry tenderness for real duds are tinctured with caustic criticism. "Sign of the Times" sections approach genre analysis in terms of insight, and some historical overview is provided. Bad movies are an easy target, perhaps, but an amusing one. Recommended.?Jayne Plymale-Jackson, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

No movie book collection should be without this fresh look at cinema's dregs. Concentrating on fairly recent American fare (who can argue with that?), Sauter serves up the obvious choices (Ed Wood flicks, Heaven's Gate), the awful but forgotten (Myra Breckinridge, The Green Berets), and the once revered but truly terrible (The Greatest Show on Earth, A Summer Place). Making flouting accepted film-buff evaluations one of the book's strengths, he recaps the plot, mentions notable performances, and cites behind-the-scenes madness for each film. Like many chroniclers of bad stuff, Sauter seems to secretly enjoy junk, which, given the likes of Liz Taylor's Cleopatra and Howard the Duck, is easy to do. Of course, with all the trash Hollyweird offers, some of it had to fail to make Sauter's cut. Yet if Mommie Dearest deserves inclusion (and it does), why not Imitation of Life (either version) or The Alamo? Oh, well. Grab Sauter to browse while screening Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and you won't be sorry--about the book. Mike Tribby