The Endangered List (Case File #88)

KEEP OFF MY GRASS (1972)
a.k.a. KEEP OFF! KEEP OFF!

CAST
Micky Dolenz (You Know)
Marcus J. Grapes (Wolfman)
Gary Wood (Jerry)
Everette Addington (Twila)
Louis Quinn (Maury Sherman)
Ed Kearney (Cal Woodall)
Gerald McRaney (David Sherman)
Christine Nelson (Rose Sherman)
Herb Nelson (Horace Talbot)
Rick Hurst (Grady Talbot)
Christina Hart (Rita Talbot)
Denise DeFelice (Sandy)
Arthur Giron (Bingo)
Nita Wilson (Jessica)
Michael Anthony (Eddie)
Linda Yasnyi (Fire Fly)
Susan Gebhardt (Suze)

Directed by
Shelley Berman

Produced by
Albert J. Salzer
and
Austin and Irma Kalish

Written by
Austin and Irma Kalish

Executive Producer
Allan D. Yasnyi

Director of Photography
Robert A. Weaver

Edited by
Robert A. Weaver

Art Director
Lesley B. Yasnyi

Script Supervisor
Evelyn Hendrickson

Production Manager
Gilles A. de Turenne

Sound Mixer
Mike Perry

Make-Up
Scott Hamilton

Assistant to the Producer
Mary Andre

Gaffer
Don Clark

Assistant Directors
Susan S. Grapes
Paul Ehrmann

Still Photographers
Steve Baum
Robert Ehrlich

Equipment
Castex Motion Picture Rentals

Location Publicist
Jerry Pam & Associates

Music
Norma Green
Jim Helms
Gary LeMel

Sound
Ryder Sound Service, Ind.

Titles and Optical Effects
Consolidated Film Industries

A
Sol Fried - David Roth
presentation

Released by
Capital Productions

(Re-released by Gamalex Associates, Ltd. in 1973)

Running time: 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG

SYNOPSIS

It is a winter morning in Brandonville, an average town. Gloom has settled over the scene; a group of hippy-clad long-hairs have “moved in” to one of the better sections. Their presence poses a threat to the community. Panic has struck. The streets are deserted. Sales have plunged. The otherwise peaceful life has ground to a halt. The outlook is grim -- and the finger points to the hippy band and its rag-tag ways.

Something has to be done.

After much scratching of heads, the civic leaders have come to a decision: They will buy Riverway, a nearby shanty town, and offer it as a gift to their unwelcome visitors. They will tell them, go there and do your thing, and leave us to do ours in peace, with the added admonition, “and keep off our grass.”

MR. SHERMAN (Louis Quinn), a kind, determined Jewish shop owner, and one of the city fathers, presents the offer to the group; JERRY (Gary Wood), a handsome long-hair and leader of the hippies, accepts.

The bizarre procession winds its way out of town, to the relief of the citizenry. Spearheading the group, in a pick-up, is Jerry; seated beside him is SUZE (Susan Gebhart), sulty and sexy.

Along the way the caravan halts as Jerry stops to offer a girl a lift; she is TWILA (Everette Addington), a pretty drop-out hitch-hiking east. Twila is invited to join the group.

Arriving at their new “home,” the abandoned shanty town, the hippies name it Violets, and set about putting things in order. Soon Violets becomes a beehive of activity as housing is repaired. Buildings go up. Shops open. WOLFMAN (Marcus Grapes) is a leather worker; Jerry deals in candle making. And others -- even YOU KNOW (Mickey Dolenz), a lovable bird-brain, devotes himself to planting and nurturing a patch of “grass,” fenced in with a sign reading, “Keep Off My Grass.” But, Violets is not all work. There is living and loving too, where tempers flare and passions flow. And sex expresses the urge to surge. The flower children are making love, not war.

But, war comes -- one day when Jerry and Suze are burst in upon by HORACE TALBOT (Herb Nelson), a sadistic bigot and drug store owner in Brandonville, and his sneaky son, GRADY (Rick Hurst), who, at gun point, order the lovers out on the charge of trespassing. Jerry stands his ground, and upon showing title to the deserted town, sends the irate Talbot and his bullying son off in a huff. But love is fleeting, even in Violets; it is on the wane between Jerry and Suze. Soon the more idealistic Twila takes over Jerry’s heart and home.

Violets is flourishing, and Jerry’s business with it, as the demand for candles grows. Jerry is happy. He asks Twila to marry him. She protests that, with the success, they have become the very people they tried to escape from and pleads with Jerry to return with her to the free life. Jerry placates Twila with “what do you say we make love instead!”

Meantime, DR. CAL WOODAL (Edmond Kearney), a sophisticated young medic, sets up a clinic in Violets. RITA TALBOT (Christina Hart), the loose and flirtatious pretty daughter of Horace Talbot, the druggist, makes a play for the new doctor; she is repulsed as being “pushy.”

DAVID SHERMAN (Gerald McRaney), a nice Jewish city boy, who had met and since become enamored of SANDY (Denise De Felice), Dr. Woodal’s attractive assistant, leaves home, with parental consent, to join the hippy band, and Sandy.

Meanwhile, the ever eager Rita has failed to impress the doctor, after repeated tries, and on the re-bound and desperate, works on the girl-shy and as yet untried You Know. And makes him. The naïve You Know is ecstatic over his first conquest; braggingly, he gets the word out, only to learn in due time from Dr. Woodal that he had received a case of something else from Rita, less welcome than the charms of the promiscuous girl.

Rita, still bearing the sting of the good looking Dr. Woodal’s rejection, plans a spiteful revenge, along with her hateful brother, Grady. The romance between David and Sandy has now flowered into marriage plans. Rita and Grady learn of the wedding date. They spike the ice cream with LSD and the wedding ceremony ends in a tragic freak-out, as the guests go psychedelic, and one of the hippies, under the influence of the drug, kills himself.

The sheriff arrives. Rita and her brother, Grady, are accused, by Dr. Woodal, but the accusation is ignored.

Jerry’s and Twila’s differences are growing; she is unable to persuade Jerry to give up his new life for the free life. The unhappy Twila steals out, one night, and once again hits the road.

Jerry, dejected, disillusions You Know by telling him his garden of “grass” is a garden of weeds.

Jerry takes on new interests as the settlement continues to prosper, drawing the patronage and admiration of the people of Brandonville and attracting, to the chagrin of the now very establishment residents, of all things, new hippies.

BOXOFFICE review
In this rather simple story of youth's rebellion against the establishment, Shelley Berman, making his directorial debut, gently pokes fun at both sides of the generation gap. Careful handling will be needed for the film to find its proper audience despite the fact that it shows the rebels coming full circle to return to establishment values. Although the screenplay by Austin and Irma Kalish levels gentle barbs at everyone concerned, it is not an honest evaluation of both points of view. Acting jobs rate from fair to poor, with Mickey Dolenz as You Know the only one to come across as more than a stereotype. Some patrons will find his character offensive due to his interest in establishing a marijuana plantation and his feverish attempts to promote his first sexual encounter. Gary Woods plays Jerry, self-appointed leader of the group who doesn't put up much of a fight against capital gains as long as they are his own. Christina Hart plays a spoiled little rich girl from a nearby town who relieves Dolenz of his unwanted virginity. The Eastman Color photography by Robert A. Weaver is run-of-the-mill as is the music by Norma Green, Jim Heims and Gary LeMel. Film is a Sol Fried-David Roth presentation produced by Albert J. Salzer and Austin and Irma Kalish.

(Boxoffice, May 15, 1972, 4487)

The Endangered List (Case File #84)

BROTHER, CRY FOR ME (1970)

a.k.a. BOCA AFFAIR

Starring

Steve Drexel (as Geoffrey Noble)

Larry Pennell (as Jim Noble)

Leslie Parrish (as Jenny Noble)

Richard Davalos (as Michael Noble)

Kahana (as Pablo)

with

Anthony Caruso

Ron Brown

Hubie Kerns

Fred Scheiwiller

Mary Angela Shea

and

Jay Adler

Directed by

William White

Produced by

Hubie Jay Kerns

and

William White

Associate Producer

Ron Brown

Music by

Jaime Mendoza-Nava

Edited by

Andrew Herbert

Carl Monson

Ed Hunt

A

Gerald Fine

presentation

An International Center Production

Released by

Fine Products

Running time: 95 minutes
MPAA rating: G (in 1969)

Also released by Capital Productions
Re-released as BOCA AFFAIR by Cougar Releasing
Possibly owned by Troma, Inc.

SYNOPSIS

The story revolves around three brothers who have no love for each other but a great love of riches. Their father, hating all three of them, devises a plan whereby greed will lead them to kill each other off. He tells them of a fortune buried in the middle of the South American jungle which only he knows about. He then gives each son a map and legacy which states that the fortune is his alone.

Michael Noble, played by Richard Davalos, is married to Jenny, a beautiful blonde, played by Leslie Parrish. Indifferent to her husband, Jenny is, in fact, in love with Jim Noble, played by Larry Pennell. The third brother, Geoffrey Noble, played by Steve Drexel, is the greediest of the lot. He wants both the money and Jenny.

All three brothers arrive in South America at about the same time and the race is on. Since a violent storm has previously hit the jungle, all roads into the interior are washed out. The treasure is only accessible by water.

Geoffrey, tricking Michael, kidnaps Jenny and takes her away with him on his boat. Michael, frantically seeking his wife and the treasure, inadvertently runs a policeman down with his jeep and kills him. The jeep is discarded when a tire blowout forces Michael to head into the jungle in search of Jenny and “his legacy.” The police now start their pursuit of the hit-run killer.

Meanwhile, Geoffrey has arrived at a point in the jungle where he will have to proceed on foot. Leaving one of his men to guard the girl and the boat, he goes ashore. Jim catches up with them, subdues the guard, releases the girl and scuttles the boat. With the aid of a friendly native named Pablo, played by Kahana of the BANANA SPLITS series, Jim and Jenny make their way to the ancient ruins of the Incas. Jenny, while taking a shower under a waterfall, discovers the entrance to the cave where the treasure is hidden. She and Jim no sooner enter the cave and find the treasure when Geoffrey and his men show up. They, in turn, claim the treasure. At this point, the Police Inspector and his men arrive at the cave. The Inspector claims the treasure for his government. They all leave the cave only to be pinned down by the rifle fire from the now deranged Michael. Geoffrey, knowing that Michael is after him, grabs a gun from the Inspector and takes off into the jungle. A chase ensues and Michael finally corners Geoffrey, who pleads for his life. Michael, now hopelessly insane, kills him. Jim accosts Michael and attempts to bring him in to the police. A fist fight follows and Michael, grabbing the rifle, points it threateningly at Jim. The Inspector comes up behind Michael and kills him before he has a chance to shoot. Jenny, who has come with the Inspector, rushes to Jim, who tells her of his brothers’ deaths. Jenny, leaning on Jim’s shoulder, begins to cry softly. He leads her up a jungle path away from the scene of devastation caused by his father’s hate and his brothers’ greed.

The Endangered List (Case File #24)

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (1970)

a.k.a. THE SEXORCISTS

Starring
Leigh Heine (Boobs)
Steven Vincent (Dr. Voxuber)
Sina Taylor (Shrink)
William Quinn (Bubblegum John)
Branch Halford (Sheena)
Ann Staunton (Mrs. Ding Dong)
Frank Whiteman (Howitzer)
Sonja Dunson (Ruby Begonia)
Harvey Shain (Burp)
Charlotte Mathieu (Doris)
and
Lisa Todd

Written & Directed by

Louis Garfinkle

Produced by

Justin Reid

Executive Producer

Lee Shrout

Director of Photography

Robert Eberlein

Edited by

Andrew Herbert

Music by

Lex De Azevedo

Assistant Director

Roger Anthony

Production Designer

Mike Devine

Production Manager

William White

Make-up

Ray Sebastain

Costumes by

Lynn Devine

Special Effects

Richard D. Williams

Songs Performed
by

Peggy Clinger
Ric De Azevedo
Angelo Arvusia

Soundtrack album on

Amor Records

A Sol Fried-David Roth production

Sound by Glenn Glen

Color by DeLuxe

Running time: 92 minutes

MPAA rating: R

Released in 1971 by Capital Productions

Re-released by Capital in 1974 as THE SEXORCISTS

Also distributed by Cougar Releasing in 1978 as THE SEXORCISTS

SYNOPSIS

DR. VOXUBER (Steven Vincent) is operating a mysterious 'Health Spa' training center at a rustic retreat on the California coast known as Godiva Springs. After interviewing fifty weirdly assorted people he selects eight for his next session. Voxuber requires that some pay for his services. However, there are those who -- because of their experiences with LSD and other psychedelic drugs -- are given
'scholarships,' providing Dr. Voxuber will purchase their 'trips.'

The group comprises SHRINK (Sina Taylor), a fashionable young housewife, mother of three, who hopes to become more aware and establish a relationship with nature, but whose real, unconscious goals are to abandon her family and have passionate affairs with men to whom she would have no obligations. BOOBS (Leigh Heine), a gorgeous teenager, has lived the wildest life for her nineteen years. Voxuber warns her against leaving in the middle of the session as she did once before, as all the men followed. HOWITZER (Frank Whiteman), a handsome stud and TV announcer, has joined for fun and games. MRS. DING DONG (Ann Staunton) is a middle-aged lady who teaches high school. RUBY BEGONIA (Sonja Dunson) is a sullen, hot-eyed colored girl who has preached the gospel every Sunday but found that every other day was filled with hatred. She also hopes that Dr. Voxuber can rectify her 'frigidness' with men.

BUBBLEGUM (John Quinn) is always chewing a wad of gum and although the gum is impregnated with a solution of LSD his boyish features fool everyone. SHEENA (Branch Halford) appears as a beautiful young lady until a captivated beau discovers that she is a male in drag. Sheena hopes to be able to find a solution to his problem -- but he has a clear preference for the female. BURP (Harvey Shain), the last of the group, is in his twenties and can only express himself by burping, which provides eloquent commentary to numerous discussions.

With this unlikely group in tow, Dr. Voxuber puts them through a strange series of exercises and rituals designed to make them aware of their bodies in a way they haven’t ever dreamed about. A sharp conflict develops between Voxuber and Howitzer when the Doctor prevents him from bedding Boobs, and insists on a code of eroticism without intercourse. Of course this system doesn’t work out and in the end Shrink is in love with Howitzer, Boobs with Bubblegum and Howitzer, who is in reality a vice squad cop sent out to investigate Voxuber, vows to give him a favorable report.

The session complete, Voxuber in jail after a wild LSD party, the group breaks up and each is now aware that their lives and destinies are in their own hands and not Voxuber’s.