Up in the Cellar (1970)

A student poet seduces his college President's wife, daughter, and girlfriend over lost financial aid.

Director:

Theodore J. Flicker

Writers:

Angus Hall (book), Theodore J. Flicker (written for the screen)

Stars:

Wes Stern, Joan Collins, Larry Hagman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wes Stern	...	Colin Slade
Joan Collins	...	Pat Camber
Larry Hagman	...	Maurice Camber
Judy Pace	...	Harlene
David Arkin	...	Hugo Caine
Catlin Adams	...	Tracy Camber (as Nira Barab)
Bill Svanoe	...	Bert
Charles Pinney
David Cargo	...	David Cargo (as Governor David Cargo)
Joan Darling	...	Krigo

Storyline

After a student loses a scholarship due to a computer glitch, he attempts to take his own life. During his suicide, however, he is stopped by the college President, who's currently running for the U.S. Senate. Since the student feels that by stopping his suicide, the college President has "killed" him, he gets back at him by seducing the man's wife, daughter, and black mistress.

---

Plot Keywords:

female stockinged legs | white pantyhose | pantyhose | seduction | revenge | 

---

Taglines:

Revenge is Sweet When Passion is Your Weapon!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Later re-titled "Three in the Cellar" and re-released on a double bill with Three in the Attic (1968).

---

Quotes

Colin Slade: [about sleeping pills] Sweet Secanol. How I love you.

---

Crazy Credits

Still photographer Wynn Hammer is listed in the credits as Still Man.

---

Connections

References Three in the Attic (1968)

---

Soundtracks

Didn't I Turn Out Nice
Music and Lyrics by Dory Previn
Performed by Hamilton Camp

User Reviews

Great time capsule

This movie is one of my faves, it captures the essence of the late 60's/early 70's perfectly. It's a lighthearted look at the whole student activism era, and the generation gap, us-against-them attitudes of young people at that time.

I'm sorry but I would have to disagree with Richard about the New Mexico shooting location - I think the movie wouldn't be the same without those desolate, wide-open, huge blue sky and mountains backdrops and stark university buildings. It makes the movie for me and if I ever came to America NMSU and Las Cruces would definitely be on my list of places to visit. I think it symbolises the hopelessness of one student against the president of a university with the blind faith of a whole state behind him.

Joan Collins, Larry Hagman, Judy Pace and Nira Barab are lots of fun but it was pretty obvious that the character of Colin Slade was one of the first big roles for Wes Stern.

If you're thinking of buying Angus Hall's novel "The Late Boy Wonder" because the movie is based on it then you might want to think again. After searching for the book for years I found it on the Barnes and Noble site and bought it. I wish I hadn't because first of all it is so different to the movie and secondly it has an ending which is nothing like the spirit of the movie at all.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1970 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Beginners Three

Filming Locations:

Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$104,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1