William Lewis Movies
- 2002
L.A.'s legendary Ambassador Hotel provides the backdrop for director Pat O'Neill's avant-garde film The Decay of Fiction, which superimposes reenactments of classic Hollywood films onto shots of the dilapidated establishment. Gangsters and their molls interact with icy blondes and wisecracking bartenders in carefully deconstructed snatches of dialogue and narrative that serve an intentionally distancing purpose. O'Neill's time-lapse photography further adds to the film's ethereal effect. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wendi Winburn, William Lewis, (more)
Biloxi Blues was the second of playwright Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy (number one was Brighton Beach Memoirs; number three, Broadway Bound). Matthew Broderick stars as Simon's alter ego Eugene Morris Jerome, who is drafted and shipped off to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi in the waning days of World War II. Eugene is at the mercy of near-psychotic drill sergeant Toomey (Christopher Walken), who seems to have a personal vendetta against the poor schlemiel (Toomey also has all the film's best lines). While sweating out basic training, Eugene is indoctrinated into manhood by local prostitute Rowena (Park Overall). The film version of Biloxi Blues retains the wit and poignancy of the theatrical original--except towards the end, which pointlessly emphasizes a showdown between Eugene and Toomey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, (more)
- 1967
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the songwriting team who penned many of The Monkees' hit tunes, appear in this episode as two members of a shaggy-haired rock quartet. Actually, the quartet begins as four normal guys with no musical skills whatever--but that was before Jeannie (Barbara Eden) cast a spell to help Tony (Larry Hagman) locate a group of entertainers at the behest of Mrs. Bellows (Emmaline Henry). And yes, that young, prosperous-looking guy in one scene is indeed celebrated rock promoter-producer Phil Spector. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
