MovieChat Forums > Pretty Poison (1968) Discussion > Why is this film so little known?

Why is this film so little known?

posted 17 years ago by circus_mort
13 replies | jump to latest

Why do so few people know about this brilliant film? It really should be known better, particularly amongst those into noir and neo-noir. In many ways it's like a 60s Gun Crazy

[–] rudeboy8080 17 years ago

I just saw it today on DVD. The audio commentary on The Simpsons DVD's claim that Pretty Poison was inspiration for that Bart's Girlfriend episode.
That Tuesday Weld is one comely young lady. And Beverly Garland...I can see why the guys on MST3K have a crush on her.

[–] eagle-78 17 years ago

Tuesday Weld turned down the role of Bonnie Parker in "Bonnie and Clyde" - having finally seen this movie tonight, I think she would have made a great Bonnie; what do you think?

[–] stevem-26 15 years ago

Ms. Weld was very effective and believable as a psychopath in Pretty Poison, that is, a person with no conscience whatsoever, missing, like being born with only nine fingers.

Soooo.....Bonnie would have been a natural for her.

[–] bluestocking-7 14 years ago

I didn't know quite where the movie is headed although I'm sure nothing good will come out of the disturbed boy leading on an impressionable girl.

Then she got really keen into this submissive role-playing with him and then wham - we get the the wrench scene.

Billy Wilder Page, Movies to See, Play the Smiley Game
www.screenwritingdialogue.com

[–] ilahilda 9 years ago

I read on her bio, that Anthony and she were distant cousins. That's kinda creey to be playing sweethearts with a family member.

[–] shepardjessica-1 17 years ago

It was poorly released, the director was a nobody and it's a real shame.

[–] vincentpricetheraven 15 years ago

Ye it's a real shame alright. This film is a gem that I just happened to come across when looking for something with Perkins in it to watch. It's an excellent film.

[–] nfb1960 16 years ago

I particularly enjoy the chemistry between Perkins and Weld. Both great actors, great roles!
The remake, with Grant Show as Dennis (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117379/)
is not bad but it failed to amaze me.

She might have fooled me, but she didn't fool my mother.

[–] PinkAnderson 14 years ago

I agree that this movie doesn't get the aclaim it deserves. They even did a remake in the 90s. I thought Weld and Perkins were great.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kkevinn6 12 years ago

i came into this movie expecting it to be some mediocre film but i am shocked how good the movie is. Perkins and Weld are great

[–] PeterBlues 12 years ago

atleast it's easy to get a hold of compared to the 1996 tv remake, i remember that aired on tv here around the time it was pretty new, and i guess that was pretty much the time to catch it, this is well spread today though, and it seem to get quite good reviews. pretty hip work on the dvd release i got if i recall right.

can't pedal down in full speed,
with this cracked windshield,
what i thought i knew back in time,
all messed up with a busted tail light,
overstayed didn't know when to pack it in,
continued on too many miles between bitter weeds,
while all people ran off, with a new siren on top,
i'd like to move like i did way back,
but can't go further on an empty tank,
well you see what i mean babe with this shell,
can't travel with a broken engine.

[–] Noirdame79 10 years ago

"Pretty Poison" was one of the only films in which Tuesday Weld played a devious character. Her television guest appearances of the 60s, however, gave her more of a chance to portray more dark and disturbed roles; her spots on "Ben Casey", "The Naked City", "The Fugitive" and "The Dick Powell Theatre" are good examples. She also appeared in a television version of "The Crucible", playing Abigail Williams, around the time of "Pretty Poison".