During a break, ensconced Miami gangster Anthony Quinn (as Roc Delmonico) is accidentally kidnapped by gigolo George Maharis (as Taurus) and three thrill-seeking college students: Michael Parks (as Sureshot), Robert Walker Jr. (as Herby), and Faye Dunaway (as Sandy). And, Frank DeVol plays Herb Alpert.
"The Happening" is an excellent roller-coaster trip, which just misses being a perfect ten. It really loses its "cool" after Mr. Quinn and the "gang of four" return to destroy Quinn's living room. Filmmakers should have considered moving The Supremes' excellent "vocal version" of the title song up from the end credits, to replace the instrumental version of the song played during the living room mess-up, and ended the film there. The "darker" points made during the last act put a damper on the proceedings; they had already been made, more effectively and subtly, earlier.
The mix of writers (Ron Austin, James Buchanan and Frank Pierson), actors, and director (Elliott Silverstein) result in some inspired, (improvised ?) lunacy. Direction and editing (Philip Anderson) are outstanding. Even nature is cooperative - witness the gulls and waves in the background when Quinn calls his wife to request the ransom money. The actors are blocked beautifully; and, the darkly comic scene ends with the blackbird flying off to the left of the screen. This sequence, in particular, raises the film well above ordinary.
"The Happening" has both laugh-out-loud and smug chuckling moments. The cast references several Hollywood classics: Mr. Parks' James Dean is the most obvious; but look out for smaller nods from Quinn ("Gone with the Wind"), Mr. Maharis ("West Side Story"), Mr. Walker Jr. ("Gypsy"), and Ms. Dunaway ("A Streetcar Named Desire"). Milton Berle (as Fred) and Martha Hyer (as Monica) are perfect in their supporting roles; and, Oskar Homolka (as Sam) is simply hilarious. Try to fend off some restlessness during the last act; "The Happening" is a great trip.
********* The Happening (3/22/67) Elliott Silverstein ~ Anthony Quinn, George Maharis, Robert Walker Jr., Michael Parks
"The Happening" is an excellent roller-coaster trip, which just misses being a perfect ten. It really loses its "cool" after Mr. Quinn and the "gang of four" return to destroy Quinn's living room. Filmmakers should have considered moving The Supremes' excellent "vocal version" of the title song up from the end credits, to replace the instrumental version of the song played during the living room mess-up, and ended the film there. The "darker" points made during the last act put a damper on the proceedings; they had already been made, more effectively and subtly, earlier.
The mix of writers (Ron Austin, James Buchanan and Frank Pierson), actors, and director (Elliott Silverstein) result in some inspired, (improvised ?) lunacy. Direction and editing (Philip Anderson) are outstanding. Even nature is cooperative - witness the gulls and waves in the background when Quinn calls his wife to request the ransom money. The actors are blocked beautifully; and, the darkly comic scene ends with the blackbird flying off to the left of the screen. This sequence, in particular, raises the film well above ordinary.
"The Happening" has both laugh-out-loud and smug chuckling moments. The cast references several Hollywood classics: Mr. Parks' James Dean is the most obvious; but look out for smaller nods from Quinn ("Gone with the Wind"), Mr. Maharis ("West Side Story"), Mr. Walker Jr. ("Gypsy"), and Ms. Dunaway ("A Streetcar Named Desire"). Milton Berle (as Fred) and Martha Hyer (as Monica) are perfect in their supporting roles; and, Oskar Homolka (as Sam) is simply hilarious. Try to fend off some restlessness during the last act; "The Happening" is a great trip.
********* The Happening (3/22/67) Elliott Silverstein ~ Anthony Quinn, George Maharis, Robert Walker Jr., Michael Parks