More Commentary Commentary

Mark Nelson
21 December 2003

Ratings Key
**** Life Changing
*** Will Make Your Day
** Don't Let It Ruin Your Day
* Don't Let It Ruin Your Life

The Crazies
Commentary by director George Romero and Blue Underground president William Lustig. Romero and Lustig sit down for a spirited discussion of this lesser-known title and it's a real treat for fans of Big George and 70's independent horror in general. Lustig is obviously a fan and asks questions that unlock many anecdotes and tidbits that the amicable Romero may not have brought up had it been an unmoderated solo commentary. Romero also discusses his overall career including the Dead trilogy and lesser-known works like There's Always Vanilla. As the two are veterans of 70's/80's independent horror, both share stories of the ups and downs of filmmaking on a shoestring touching on everything from which lights to use in exterior night shots to shooting alternate takes for TV sales. An interesting listen whether you like the film or not.
***

Somewhere In Time (Collector's Edition)
Commentary by director Jeannot Szwarc. Fans of this film will probably love this commentary as director Szwarc reminisces fondly about the the film's production and not-so-fondly about it's poorly-handled distribution. Szwarc is clearly very proud of the film and speaks lovingly of it and the cast and crew as well. The commentary is very scene-specific however and Swarc is clearly watching as he talks as he points out details and explains his directorial choices in most every scene. Although the commentary contains a few funny stories and much technical information, non-fans may find it a bit low-key as the director resorts to play-by-play, speaks in soft tones occasionally, and leaves the commentary with dead air.
** 1/2

The Cheerleaders (available as part of Anchor Bay's "The Cheerleaders Collection")
Commentary by writer/producer/director Paul Glickler and writer Ace Baandage. Back in the laserdisc days the notion of a softcore 70's Drive-In flick like The Cheerleaders having an audio commentary was unthinkable. Commentaries were reserved for respectable classics and popular favorites. This is why I love DVD. Here you have the two men who can be held responsible for one of the most gratuitous, thinly-plotted, and FUN exploitation flicks of the 70's. Surprising to anyone who's seen the film, they are two intelligent respectable guys. In fact, Glickler reveals that Baandage used a pseudonym (as did most of the cast being a non-union film) as he was a journalist of note at the time. A writer who was hired to do some additional dialogue on the film, he went on to become a Presidential speech writer! Glickler speaks more than Bandaage (who seems to be a little embarrassed by the film) conveying some funny anecdotes about the cast and shooting situations as well as the themes and motifs (!) he was trying to spoof in the story. A very thorough discussion, with little to no dead air.
***

The Swinging Cheerleaders (available as part of Anchor Bay's "The Cheerleaders Collection")
Commentary by director Jack Hill and film historian Johnny Legend. Exploitation legend Jack Hill recounts the making of what is probably the best of the Cheerleader cycle of the 70's and is expertly prompted by genre enthusiast Legend who also provides much peripheral info on exploitation films and actors. The director, who played on the Doctor Zhivago soundtrack no less and gives his recommendation for gypsy music as ideal make-out tuneage, is as soft-spoken and laid-back as usual and comes off as a nice guy who somehow found himself making some pretty sleazy movies. Hill is insightful, pointing out that he wanted to make a "classy" Drive-In flick by filling the film with all of the expected cliches but far less of the nudity one typically associates with the genre (he calls this his "Disney sex film"). Overall, a very interesting listen with only or two gaps in conversation.
***

Revenge of the Cheerleaders (available as part of Anchor Bay's "The Cheerleaders Collection")
Commentary by ex-cheerleaders Heather Swanson and Lisa Webber. If you can't get anyone associated with the film on the commentary....or anyone who knows anything about it....or anyone who even LIKES it....why bother? Here we have two women making fun of the film as it plays by mocking it, nit-picking, and occasionally reading some facts about the cast probably pulled off the IMDB. Other than the fact that they were cheerleaders in high school they are totally unconnected with the film in question, though one may or may not be connected to Anchor Bay. I could go on, but why bother?