The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988)

A Hollywood filmmaker (Mike Jittlov) makes a short for an evil film studio. Unbeknownest to him, the producer has placed a bet of $25,000 that he won't come up with anything with a use. ... See full summary »

Director:

Mike Jittlov

Writers:

Mike Jittlov, Richard Kaye (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Mike Jittlov, Richard Kaye, Paige Moore

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mike Jittlov	...	Mike Jittlov / The Wizard / Torch Carrier (Wizard Film)
Richard Kaye	...	Harvey Bookman
Paige Moore	...	Cindy Lite / Dancer / Pretty Hitchhiker (Wizard Film)
Deven Chierighino	...	Brian Lucas / Photographer (Wizard Film) (as David Conrad)
Steve Brodie	...	Lucky Straeker
John Massari	...	Steve Shostakovich / Photographer (Wizard Film)
Gary Schwartz	...	Canadian Thug
Frank LaLoggia	...	American Thug
Philip Michael Thomas	...	Policeman Mickey Polanko
Lynda Aldon	...	Policewoman Minnie Smith
Baron	...	Policedog Pluto
Arnetia Walker	...	Tina Dreem / Running Girl
Ben Kronen	...	C.C. de Schwartz
Angelique Pettyjohn	...	Dora Belair
Will Ryan	...	All the Unions / Mr. President (voice) (as William Z. Ryan)

Storyline

A Hollywood filmmaker (Mike Jittlov) makes a short for an evil film studio. Unbeknownest to him, the producer has placed a bet of $25,000 that he won't come up with anything with a use. Luckily, our film creator gets the help of his friends.

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Plot Keywords:

film within a film | stop motion animation | filmmaking | autobiographical | based on short film | 

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Taglines:

This is the kind of movie you would make, if you had nothing better to do!

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Musical | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Mike Jittlov's domain

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Czarnoksieznik predkosci i czasu

Filming Locations:

902 Maltman Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,535,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jittlov / Kaye Productions, Rochambeau Productions (I), Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Took over five years to complete.

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Goofs

Although set in 1977, a character uses a 1983 Pac-Man novelty phone.

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Quotes

[the Piano Choreographer stomps off in a huff]
Choreographer: This is the most unprofessional job I've ever had! What is this? Why, nobody knows where they're going or what they're doing, of course except for... me!
[the piano choreographer trips and falls into pile of film cans]

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Crazy Credits

The copyright notice explains that the movie is protected by the laws of the United States and other countries, and that unauthorized distribution, copying, etc would be unlawful. It then states: "And violators may be forced to see this movie day and night unto perpetuity." Then that: "The same above penalty shall apply to any transgressions against the creators of this movie." Finally: "And, have a nice day."

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Connections

Spoofs Dr. Strange (1978)

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Soundtracks

Carnivale Party Music
by the Embra-Samba Band

User Reviews

the ultimate trip

I finally managed to track this down at a cult-film video store, and it was worth all the effort. Do whatever you have to do to see this one! It vaguely reminded me of the low-budget inventiveness of Weird Al's "UHF," only multiplied 1000 times, and the "let's make a movie while the executives are out to lunch" zaniness of "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure."

There's a lot more to this movie (or movie-within-a-movie, or is it a movie-within-a-movie-within-a-movie?) than might appear. Subliminal messages, Hollywood major-studio politics, art vs. commerce, a startling new use for a chrome bust of Mickey Mouse, fantasy vs. reality, the horrors of dealing with unionized labor, some plugs for the Church of the Sub-genius, lots of deftly-employed stock footage, and the most terrifying "pizza with everything" you'll ever see. And there's even an intentionally-horrible musical number about the creation of the universe, which is thankfully interrupted by a ridiculous Presidential announcement.

You'll also get a fascinating look at the art of low-budget special effects production. Some of the visual treats Jittlov comes up with are astonishing, even in the post-CGI era, and particularly since he shows you how a lot of it is done.

There are some profound insights and a lot of laughs. I nearly fell on the floor laughing during the scene with the police helicopters, and why is one of the thugs Canadian? (why not?) How in the world did Jittlov film the suitcase/car chase at the end? Look for Philip Michael Thomas in a rare post-Miami Vice role. And make sure you stick around for all of the credits!

Mike Jittlov may not think of himself as a "real" actor, but he's got a lot of charm and he comes off as a genuinely likeable guy. And it was nice of him to cast his friends and family as themselves.

It might be too weird for some viewers, but if you're game, "The Wizard of Speed and Time" will put a smile on your face like few other films.