Francine Middleton Movies
- 1971
- R
This film exploits the more unpleasant features of the Sharon Tate tragedy. In an interesting bit of casting, the charismatic cult leader Moon is played by Troy Donahue in what is clearly an attempt to "broaden" his wholesome image. In the story, a pregnant starlet has called upon the hippyish cult/family led by Moon to organize an orgy in her home. With the help of lots of drugs, they do this with gusto, rounding off their evening by brutally killing all the rich guests, whom they think to be "pigs." The most notable difference between the circumstances of this story and the Tate/LaBianca killings is the location; this film is set in a suburb of New York City. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
Peter Boyle delivers a strong and raw performance as Joe Curran, a racist factory worker who hates "hippies and niggers." The film deals with New York City advertising executive Bill Compton (Dennis Patrick), who kills Frank (Patrick McDermott), the junkie lover of his daughter Melissa (Susan Sarandon, in her film debut), when she ends up in a mental hospital after suffering an overdose of speed. Stunned by his rage, Bill goes into a bar and comes upon Joe, who discovers the murder and holds Bill in great esteem for his killing of the long-haired drug pusher, congratulating Bill on a job well done. The two begin a class-spanning friendship. When Melissa escapes from the hospital, after finding out that her father killed her boyfriend, Bill and Joe comb Greenwich Village to find her. When they come upon a hippie pot party, the two reactionaries snap, pull out their guns, and go on a killing spree. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Patrick, Peter Boyle, (more)
