The Projectionist (1971)

A projectionist bored with his everyday life begins fantasizing about his being one of the superheroes he sees in the movies he shows.

Director:

Harry Hurwitz

Writer:

Harry Hurwitz

Stars:

Chuck McCann, Ina Balin, Rodney Dangerfield

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chuck McCann	...	Projectionist / Captain Flash
Ina Balin	...	The Girl
Rodney Dangerfield	...	Renaldi / The Bat
Jára Kohout	...	Candy Man / Scientist
Harry Hurwitz	...	Friendly Usher
Mike Gentry	...	Usher / Henchman (as Michael Gentry)
Lucky Kargo	...	Usher / Henchman
David Holliday	...	Fat Man / Bat's Henchman
Sam Stewart	...	Usher / Henchman
Alex Stevens	...	Usher / Henchman
Robert Lee	...	Usher / Henchman
Stephen Philips	...	Minister
Morocco	...	Belly Dancer
Clara Rosenthal	...	Crazy Lady
Jacqueline Glenn	...	Nude on Bearskin

Storyline

A projectionist working in a New York City cinema loves the "movie" aspect of his job - he is often doing impersonations of his favorite movie stars in scenes from his favorite movies, and he has movie posters plastered all over his bedroom walls - but he hates his dictatorial boss, Renaldi, who has strict and often unreasonable rules in how he runs the establishment. The projectionist is basically a solitary man, partly due to the nature of his work. As such, he has much time to think about his favorite movies. Sometimes, he fantasizes that he is a character in a movie, a super hero named Captain Flash. In these fantasies, he references many of the movies that he has seen. But the two constants in the fantasies are Captain Flash's battles against his arch enemy, the Bat (who resembles Renaldi), who is portrayed as someone who wants to take over the world much like Adolf Hitler, and Captain Flash saving "the girl", who resembles a real life girl the projectionist admires from afar.

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Plot Keywords:

projectionist | film buff | single guy | loner | montage | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 1971 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maglan

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Rodney Dangerfield.

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Connections

References ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965)

User Reviews

Chuck McCann shows us all the Old Movies and Succeeds!

In this lovingly wonderful tribute to old movies and the unsung hero of the movie theaters:"The Projectionst!".Chuck McCann creates a unique character and fantasy world all his own.Here.McCann plays a dilligent,hard working movie theater projectionist.Who has to put up with his obnoxious and crazed go by the book boss:Theater Manager:"Rinaldi"(Played by Rodney Dangerfield in his movie debut)."Rinaldi"forces his staff to try and turn a dilapidated little movie house.(Which has probably seen better days in the l930's)into a glowing movie palace and he expects everyone to shape up.Chuck Tolerates Dangerfield's abuse and manages to do his job.The rest of the film has McCann having a relationship with a beautiful girl(Ina Ballin)and dealing with his dislike for his Boss and the changes in late l960's NYC Via his fantasies of being a old movie serial Superhero"Captain Flash".Who defeats a power mad supervillian"The Bat"(also played by Dangerfield) and his henchmen.as "The Bat"and his gang try to steal an Old Scientist/iventor's(Jara Krohout .Who also plays a candy butcher in Dangerfield's movie theater)"Death Ray Machine"and kidnaps his daughter(Also played by Ms.Ballin).The battle between McCann's"Capt.Flash"and Dangerfield's"Bat"is done in pantomime and is a brilliant piece of comic acting,psyhicial comedy and farce.Truly worthy of Keaton,Semon and Chuck's two idols and mine:Laurel & Hardy(McCann does a brief L&H impression in the film)Harry Hurwitz(The film's guiding genius plays a small cameo in this film as a put upon theater usher).Filled with great film clips of classic old movies,brilliant pantomime , comic acting and insightful wit.This film is more funny and heartwarming than Mr.Allen's"Purple Rose Of Cario"and more faithful to old movies.Forget Woody Allen.Stick To Harry Hurwitz's "The Projectionist".This is a real tribute to old movies.