It Never Rains in Mondo Hollywood
by Pasadena Adjacent
Photo©Victor Henderson
Yes, it’s lengthy, coming in at two hours one minute and thirty four seconds – but it is one of the truly odd, completely mesmerizing films about 1960’s Los Angeles.
A film adaption of Joan Didion’s ‘White Album.” Take note of the hazy smog drenched skies, the lack of traffic, and the self indulgence – is it any wonder this period would be followed by the nihilism of punk? The back and forth editing between celebrity and dreamer – this bitch is a time capsule like no other.
Oh and the characters, Brittania Rule the Waves! A Guggenheim descendent in French Maid’s apparel. An heir to the S&H Green Stamps dynasty who lives in a garage, yet looks to have once owned a Malibu Mountain. George Hamilton’s socialite mother doing the twist. The nudity of a child actress you’ve seen a billion times before, but can’t name. Childhood actor and Manson Killer Bobby Beausoleil (btw: you can be his friend on Face Book) and one of the Manson killed; Jay Sebring, hairdresser to the stars and all around cute guy. The only thing missing is Father Yod, but maybe he came later on or I missed it.
Franks Zappa does make an appearance – towards the end. Thats an early still of his wife Gail. The one above, behind the arrow, that I’m BEGGING you to press.
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Pasadena Adjacent 
Our Editor Responds: The Great God Pan may still be around – ‘Naked Guy’ who you’ll catch on the Henniger Flat trail
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I’ll be back when I have more time to watch and to ponder.
Our Editor Responds: It grates on you and at the same time fascinates. Just when you think you can’t take another minute, something will show up and drag you back in again. I’ve watched it through three times now.
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It kills me that it was banned in France.
Our Editor Responds: Have you seen this? I think that might of been planned into the hype? Anyhow, I hope you have popcorn at hand- it’s a guilty delight
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A time capsule.
I gave it around 20 minutes, long enough to get to Malibu with S&H guy. To be continued.
Our Editor Responds: I hope you return.
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In 47 minutes, I get this:
There’s no traffic on those freeways!
The Hollywood sign is trashed, ready to fall apart.
Christian anti-communist brigade. Some things never change.
I don’t think you can own a mountain in Malibu anymore.
The giant arrow.
What the sixties really looked like, as opposed to what people imagine they looked like.
Boobs never go out of style.
Carol Cole looking on (what is she thinking?) as all those old white men talk of the Watts riots.
I totally forgot about topless waitresses!
Parachutist falling through the smog.
Back later for more. This is great.
Our Editor Responds: You should have written the forward on this post. And lets not forget the music – the accompaniment to the “Pan” segment was beyond the astro projection of the Baba Ram Dass.
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“That wedding cost me $625!”
Our Editor Responds: Did you make it through? That guy still owns the mountain top (60 acres worth)
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-10-15/local/me-358_1_animal-life
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I’m happy to report that I’ve seen the movie. Twice…
Once in 1971. I would probably have seen it when it came out, but they weren’t showing it in Vietnam. When I did see it, in 1972ish, it was part of a double feature with 200 Motels (which had been out for a while). I thought it was great, but I was very much under the influence of at least one illegal substance. I saw it again about 15 years ago and (while not under the influence of anything) and it was a different experience.
I hear the name Frank Zappa and I can’t help but think about what a genius he was. I know a lot of folks didn’t think so, but that never deterred me.
and not related to any of this….
A couple years after that, I saw 200 Motels and Johnny Got His Gun in a double feature. Just thinking about that movie bums me out.
Our Editor Responds: A veteran in more ways then one. Here is a little bone to throw your way. One of the local bloggers here is a contemporary composer who worked with Zappa regularly. Check it out
http://mixedmeters.com/2013/07/i-need-better-placebo.html#uds-search-results
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So now I’ve got to know — did you friend Bobby Beausoleil?
Our Editor Responds: They say ‘delayed development’ starts at the time your addiction kicks in. Maybe the same can be said for creativity. Especially when your carted off to prison for life and cut off from necessary exposure to new ideas that would enhance production. Bobby’s art is a case in point – stuck in a world of 60’s psychedelia and symbolism – talk about your time capsule
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I skipped around enough to get the flavor and might watch start to finish someday. This is weird, but I think I found it comforting in the sense that, if we got through all that, we probably can get through the Tea Party. Maybe we have to keep relearning how bizarre humanity is.
Our Editor Responds; It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the word ‘knockers’ Almost poetic at this point in time
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More thoughts, from the second half:
(Please, your on a roll)
I guess we had to get to the 70’s to get good rock ‘n roll.
(that’s arguable)
The actress and her fab home and her sad party, dahling.
(but Gregory Peck lived there)
I guess girls weren’t allowed to surf.
(Gidget was)
Did anyone in the 60’s not smoke?
(yes – President’s wives – excluding Pat)
Say I got a call from Uncle Sam, said he’s gonna send me to Viet Nam.
(more like a letter)
The sculptor and her wealthy roommate, Mary. “I guess I’m perverted sometimes. Sophisticated people usually are.”
(best line in the film)
This is early enough that some people still thought anti-war protesters were un-American. It didn’t take long before anti-war was the prevalent opinion, and war lovers were the bad guys. So hang on, all we have to do is wait. (I’m talking to you, Banjo.)
I never knew there were stairs up to that cross! (John used to call it “that damned cross,” because you couldn’t avoid seeing it.) Do you know if they’re still there?
(I don’t even know where “there” is – but I have a cross ‘across’ from me – no stairs)
Credits say “Lewis Beach Marvin III fled the USA – last seen in Panama.” The article you posted is from 1992, so he must have come back.
(but he ditched the monkey)
I’m glad Henry Scott Jr. survived Viet Nam. I was sure he was a goner.
(me too)
Baba Ram Dass! No shit!
(he won’t be coming back)
Oh PA, don’t do this to me again. I didn’t have time to watch but I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
(makes you have a new appreciation for Wee Video Productions)
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Ok love you. But I’m not going to watch it. Just crazy busy.
Our Editor Responds: It’s before your time so you get a pass
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Let’s just say Frank didn’t put any of the good music in this particular movie. Still amazing to watch.
Plus, this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324461604578191783788623550.html
Our Editor Responds: Truth is, I’ve never really listened to Frank’s music. I just always liked him and he’s Greek. Especially when he teamed up with John Denver to fight censorship in music.
Cool link on Monkey guy. These hinterland retreats always seem to boast a connection to the Doors and the Manson family.
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Oh–and the cross is above the Cahuenga Pass, where the 101 freeway curves north of the Cahuenga Blvd. exit. The camera is looking north over the freeway as the young man walks near the cross. If the steps are still there, they must be to the east of the cross. I think.
Our Editor Responds: That was my guess just because of the overview, but I don’t have any memory of a cross. Maybe connected to Mount Saint Mary college? That college near the Getty Center
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I’ll watch it on my Roku and get back to you. The locus of this film is alien to me so I’m wrestling with the whole idea.
Our Editor Responds: No worries. It’s very L.A. centric and leads credence to every loosy goosy stereotype of L.A. (which makes it so entertaining for a native Angeleno_
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It’s free on Hulu.
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I’m just curious how many of your readers actually viewed your Zappa film video completely?
Father Yod? Now there’s a nice name for a health nut.
Our Editor Responds: I’m guessing, at best, one. Petrea
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Interesting revue and comments, most accurate, a few corrections:
1. Lewis Beach Marvin died under questionable circumstances in Panama.
2. His family still owns Moonfire.
3. No Frank Zappa music was recorded as The Mothers only became popular after production completed.
Robert Carl Cohen (Writer-Producer-Director)
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