I was interested in seeing this movie when I found about its existence, since it was an early effort by B movie maker Mark L. Lester, who has had quite a career. This is unlike any other movie he's been involved with, since it's a political comedy/satire. One thing the movie got right was its casting of Steve Friedman as Richard Nixon - while he does not really look like Tricky Dickie, his voice sounds similar, and he gives a pretty enthusiastic performance. Unfortunately, he is unable to save the movie. While supposedly a look at the last days of Nixon in the White House, the movie mostly ignores this in order to do its own thing. That might not have been bad had the movie been funny, but it mostly isn't. Most of the gags in the movie come across as dated or old hat, or have good ideas (such as making the Watergate burglars like The Three Stooges) but are botched in their execution. I guess this movie does have historical value, a document of reaction to the times, but I think even historians will be pressing the fast-forward button before the end.
3 Reviews
Low budget Watergate
BandSAboutMovies15 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Dennis Fimple played many roles. Many here would known him as Grandpa Hugo in House of 1000 Corpses or saw him in Creature from Black Lake. Here, he's Bob Haldenman, just one of the many White House members caught up in this satire of Watergate, directed by Mark Lester.
It's also the only movie I can find with Steve Friedman in it. He plays a really bad Nixon in it, who talks to stuffed dogs and has the worst proesthetic nose ever. But that said, Grandpa Al Lewis plays Judge Sirica, who is called Judge Cirrhosis here.
White House Madness was written by Sebastian, who was really Milton Miron. He managed the Cockettes drag queens at San Francisco's Palace Theater and also made the movie Tricia's Wedding, which is about, well, Tricia Nixon's wedding.
The money for this movie came from Reublican Senator Phil Gramm, who had invested $7,500 of his money to make what he thought was going to be a beauty contest satire. Instead, his money was used to make this.
White House Madness was released on DVD by Lucky 13 Collectibles, who also put out Acapulco Gold, Evil Laugh and Slaughterhouse in the mid-2010's. I couldn't find this anywhere, so shout out to my friend Hoss for hunting this down. Mark Lester week is better for your fine work.
It's also the only movie I can find with Steve Friedman in it. He plays a really bad Nixon in it, who talks to stuffed dogs and has the worst proesthetic nose ever. But that said, Grandpa Al Lewis plays Judge Sirica, who is called Judge Cirrhosis here.
White House Madness was written by Sebastian, who was really Milton Miron. He managed the Cockettes drag queens at San Francisco's Palace Theater and also made the movie Tricia's Wedding, which is about, well, Tricia Nixon's wedding.
The money for this movie came from Reublican Senator Phil Gramm, who had invested $7,500 of his money to make what he thought was going to be a beauty contest satire. Instead, his money was used to make this.
White House Madness was released on DVD by Lucky 13 Collectibles, who also put out Acapulco Gold, Evil Laugh and Slaughterhouse in the mid-2010's. I couldn't find this anywhere, so shout out to my friend Hoss for hunting this down. Mark Lester week is better for your fine work.
political satire with a madcap sense of humor, good early effort from the director of 'Commando' and 'Class of 1984'
edoslan18 May 2011
I think 'White House Madness' is a great example of quality independent cinema which combines a madcap sense of humor with political satire. The movie gets a bit preachy towards the end (for example: "I don't know what year you're in but I declare it 1984" followed by Hitler salutes) but throughout, the film is very funny. Basically the Watergate scandal is explained as a mix-up involving Nixon attempting to recover a stuffed, mechanical dog, which contains all of his criminal admissions; this essentially leads to the Watergate Scandal. Many clever moments of Marx Bros. type humor ensues. However if you're not a fan of this of type humor mixed with political satire and a somewhat preachy edge - particularly towards the end, then you might not like this. Also, it's lack of budget is somewhat obvious since this was an independent project. But if you put those prejudices aside, you might enjoy it. It's also a great mid 70s time capsule.
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