The Love Machine (1971)

User Rating:

3.9/10   

Director:

Jack Haley Jr.

Writers:

Jacqueline Susann (novel)
Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 August 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Love Machine now on the Screen !

Plot:

An ambitious TV newscaster has an affair with the wife of a network executive to get a promotion.

Plot Keywords:

News Anchor | Promotion | Arson | Television Network | Fashion Model

Cast

John Phillip Law	...	Robin Stone
Dyan Cannon	...	Judith Austin
Robert Ryan	...	Gregory 'Greg' Austin
Jackie Cooper	...	Danton Miller
David Hemmings	...	Jerry Nelson
Jodi Wexler	...	Amanda
William Roerick	...	Cliff Dorne
Maureen Arthur	...	Ethel Evans
Shecky Greene	...	Christie Lane
Clinton Greyn	...	Alfie Knight
Sharon Farrell	...	Maggie Stewart
Alexandra Hay	...	Tina St. Claire
Eve Bruce	...	Amazon Woman
Greg Mullavey	...	Bob Summers
Gene Baylos	...	Eddie Flynn

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:X | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Sujac Productions

Trivia:

John Phillip Law was a last-minute substitute for Brian Kelly, who had originally been cast as "Robin Stone", and who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident just prior to shooting. Law, considerably taller than Kelly, was compelled to wear some of Kelly's original wardrobe, and the too-short clothes are apparent in the final film.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (#5.24)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

He's Moving On

You got to be in the mood for this one

Well, where to start? I stumbled across this one in 1993 and just hit "record" on the VCR out of habit, more than anything else. "Citizen Kane" it sure isn't...but if you've had a bad day and are in the mood for crashing out in front of something not too intellectually stimulating, then I tentatively suggest this might just be your "thing".

We have the lot here - great title track, more stereotypes than you could shake a stick at, unconscious comedy, the bitchiest fight scene of all time and more, more, more! David Hemmings plays the diametric opposite of his role in the 60s classic "Blow Up" - still a photographer, still hormonally stimulated but not "quite" the same.

John Philip Law is easy to slam as an actor who makes a log appear unwooden but that wouldn;t be fair seeing as how he had about 5 minutes notice before accepting the role.

Wexler as "Amanda"? Suffice to say it was her one and ONLY film role! The real star of this movie, though, is Ethel Evans who plays a, shall we say secretary (?), with the morals of an alley cat and an ambition to match. The way she manages to reconcile her present life with that of a future with her comedian husband-to-be is actually quite touching in an earthy, gritty, what-is-to-be-will-be way.

I actually love this movie when I'm in the mood for it.......and wouldn't touch it with the proverbial bargepole when I'm not.

Kudos to the cast for keeping a (relatively) straight face when filming.

A "classic" in the Edward D Wood school of cinematic endeavours!