The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder (1974)

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer:

Daryl Henry (writer)

Release Date:

18 October 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

If they think you're crazy, you can get away with anything.

Plot Keywords:

Prankster | Homecoming | Telephone | Veterans Hospital | Escape

Cast

Timothy Bottoms	...	Vrooder
Barbara Hershey	...	Zanni (as Barbara Seagull)
George Marshall	...	Corky
Lawrence Pressman	...	Passki
Albert Salmi	...	Splint
Richard Dysart	...	Father
Dena Dietrich	...	Mother
Michael Cristofer	...	Alessini (as Michael Ivan Cristofer)
Jack Colvin	...	Sergeant
Andrew Duncan	...	Chaplain
Jack Murdock	...	Millard
Lou Frizzell	...	Fowler
Jarion Monroe	...	Mosby
William Lucking	...	Harmer
Debralee Scott	...	Sister

Also Known As:

Vrooder's Hootch (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Playboy Enterprises

Trivia:

The final film of George Marshall.

Quotes:

Passki: I will read off a series of words, and you will say the first word that enters your... mind.
Vrooder: I have to take a leak.
Passki: Later... the first word is "dark".
Vrooder: Ummm, bombshelter.
Passki: "Deep"
Vrooder: Hole.
Passki: "Bosom"
Vrooder: Full.
Passki: "Mother"
Vrooder: Ass.
[...]

Rather Empty Film That Scores High on the Charm Level

Modern day whimsical tale about a offbeat Vietnam vet who resides at the local V.A. Hospital. He escapes and builds a underground fortress in a wooded area next to the highway. The place looks cleaner and better furnished than most people's apartments. He concocts a scheme that allows him to steal both electrical and phone service. This is a major consternation to the heads of the local phone and electrical company. They go on a mission to find out who he is and how he is doing it. They even go through a list of mug shots consisting of 'dangerous' looking people known to have stolen service. This actually proves to be the films funniest moment (though the tired, elderly vets who have to do a perpetual ten gun salute isn't bad either). He also creates a romantic bond with his doctors fiancee (Hershey).

The film does try to have it's serious moments, but they tend to be clumsy and draggy. However on the charm scale this thing scores very close to the bullseye. There is even a touching performance by 83 year old veteran director Marshall. Though the material is just not enough for feature film length, 1 in 20 people will probably fall in love with it. It can probably best be described as a poor man's version of A THOUSAND CLOWNS, but without the satire or sharp dialogue.

Produced by, of all people, Hugh Hefner.