The Wild Party (1974)

38% of users liked it
(73 ratings)

Director James Ivory has disowned this Hollywood drama, inspired by the Fatty Arbuckle/Virginia Rappe case and based on a satirical poem by Joseph Moncure March, which was heavily cut by American International Pictures from two hours to 90 minutes. The story concerns Jolly Grimm (James Coco), whose… More Director James Ivory has disowned this Hollywood drama, inspired by the Fatty Arbuckle/Virginia Rappe case and based on a satirical poem by Joseph Moncure March, which was heavily cut by American International Pictures from two hours to 90 minutes. The story concerns Jolly Grimm (James Coco), whose career as a famous silent film comic is coming to an end with the advent of talking pictures. He plans a last hurrah by making one more silent film and invites a collection of Hollywood big shots to his mansion in hopes of convincing one of them to distribute the picture. His mistress, Queenie (Raquel Welch), encourages him, but it quickly becomes apparent the film is a bomb. As Jolly Grimm keeps drinking, his mood becomes less jolly and more grim, particularly when movie star Dale (Perry King) starts getting quite familiar with Queenie. Meanwhile, young starlet Nadine (Annette Ferra), after finding her sister in bed with a guest, seeks out Jolly for solace. When Jolly tries to comfort her by kissing her full on the mouth, a drunken party guest, thinking Jolly is trying to seduce the girl, begins to beat Jolly senseless. Dale halts the fracas, but when Jolly doesn't thank Dale properly for saving him from a shellacking, Dale retreats with Queenie to the boudoir. Jolly, already keyed up to a dangerous level, awaits their emergence from the bedroom with a gun in his hand. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: James Ivory
Written By: Walter Marks
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 1, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Jun 15, 2004

No Critic Reviews Found…

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            James Coco as Jolly Grimm

            Raquel Welch as Queenie

            Perry King as Dale Sword

            Tiffany Bolling as Kate

            Royal Dano as Tex

            David Dukes as Morrison

            Michael Grant Hall as Oscar D'Armano

            Skipper as Phil D'Armano

            Susan Arnold
            
            Geraldine Baron as Grace

            Waldo K. Berns as Policeman

            Regis J. Cordic as Mr. Murchison

            Bill Dance
            
            Don de Natale as Jackie the Dancer

            Dena Dietrich as Mrs. Murchison

            Annette Ferra as Nadine

            Jill Giraldi as Crippled Girl

            Martin Kove as Editor

            Eddie Lawrence as Kreutzer

            Bobo Lewis as Wilma

            Baruch Lumet as Tailor

            Ralph Manza as Fruit Dealer

            Tony Paxton as Sergeant

            Barbara Quinn as Mildred

            Tom Reese as Eddy

            Marya Small as Bertha

            Chuck Comisky
            
            Jennifer Lee as Madeline True

            Lark Geib as Rosa

            J.S. Johnson as Morris

            Richard Dano
            
            Frederic Franklyn as Sam
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started