Classic and Indie Film Series Under the Stars: BEDAZZLED (1967)

In 1947 some of the world's greatest artists, musicians, playwrights, and actors came together for what many consider to be the most prestigious theater and arts festival in the world in Edinburgh, Scotland, called the Edinburgh International Festival. Every year since then most of the grand and ancient theatrical spaces in the city have been taken over for these performances, and there are actually quite a few of them. The city is, after all, the host city for the Palace of Hollyrood House, the official residence of the British monarchy since the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Artists from all over the world try to have the work performed at the International Festival, and obviously, there isn't enough room for everybody. For this reason, even in its first year operation, an offshoot festival was created called the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. To perform at the Fringe, one need only find the space to perform the work. Hence, during the three weeks of the two festivals each year, every pub, restaurant, big private living room, and yes, even shipping container, becomes a eager stage waiting for its undiscovered talent to share their genius with the world. So much so that the Edinburgh Fringe has now dwarfed its more austere counterpart, and has become the largest arts festival in the world.

Many works and artists you may have heard of debuted their work at the Fringe, including the wildly original Fleabag by actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, later turned into a successful TV series.

However, amid the hundreds of works that get performed at the Fringe, some of the most popular are the late night "revues", usually made up of sketch musical comedy bits, by people you've never heard of.

That is until one group who called themselves Oxford Theatre Group started making waves with an irreverent late night revue called "Beyond the Fringe" in 1960, which decided that the Fringe had become too big for its britches and spent roughly two hours satirizing everything about the festival and its performers, and the politicians of the time. Of course it was a major hit, and a version of the show would eventually play legitimate theaters in London and New York. But the breakout stars of that show were a writer/comedian named Peter Cook, and a virtuoso pianist/actor named Dudley Moore. And the style of sketch comedy they pretty much invented would impact British comedy and even comedy in the colonies for years to come. It was the primary inspiration for Monty Python's Flying Circus, Laugh-In in the United States, as well as a series of absurdist British films such as THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN (1969) starring Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers (and one of the most bizarre movies ever made).

But it all began with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, and launched both of their careers with several British television series and finally, as a collaboration swan song, this movie.

This remarkably funny, sweet, and yes, intellectually silly gem of a movie tells the story of Stanley (Moore), a short order hamburger cook and loser who wants nothing more than the love of the waitress who works at his Wimpy's restaurant. He wants her so bad he even starts the movie in church praying for the miracle of her affection. Of course none other than good old Beezelbub (Cook), who is for some reason going by the name of George Spiggott on Earth, sees an opportunity to gain another soul, and offers Stanley seven wishes in exchange for his one measley, somewhat useless soul. George seems to be a nice enough guy, and so Stanley takes the deal, which begins a hilarious series of vignettes where Stanley tries to make the right wish to win his lady love, all with disastrous results only because George is, well, Satan, and will take any loophole he can find in Stanley's words to deny him what he wants.

In other words...it's Faust if Faust was meant to be funny.

Now if you're saying to yourself, "Wasn't there a movie with Brenden Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley and directed by Harold Ramis in the year 2000 with the same general plot?", then the answer is yes. That movie was an Americanized remake of this one. However, as much as I love Ramis and Fraser and Hurley...it doesn't hold a candle to this rarely seen wonder.

So come see where what we now consider to be "British Comedy" all began. The whole thing is so touching and smart and funny and yes--downright silly that you'll be begging to try and find a copy of it to drag out any time you're feeling down. It's also a great reminder to be very, very careful about what you wish for.

Presenting our Indie & Classic Backyard Movie Under the Stars Series, where we'll all get together during good weather armed with our bug spray and lawn chairs to watch a variety of classic and independent films.

I have the movies. I have the projector. I have a sort of giant (for a backyard at least) 10 foot screen. I even have a long, narrow but semi-deep backyard with a giant oak tree that will silently watch over us as we relive our youth at the drive-in.

There will be free hot dogs, movie candies, movie nachos, and popcorn. Feel free to bring other stuff if you want, including your own lawn chair. I have some spares and some blankets, but not enough for a full house. BYOB. I'll have some soft drinks and water as well.

We'll socialize for about an hour before the movie, which will start promptly at dusk (about 8:45 pm). An Alamo Drafthouse-style preshow will be playing when you walk in

RAIN POLICY - I'll post here if we have to reschedule for weather or other unforeseen events. Just check here before you head this way.

CARPOOLS - My parking around here really is limited thanks to overbuilding on nearby lots, so carpooling is encouraged.

In keeping with the general idea of this group, we will have a short discussion about the film, its stars, and the filmmakers before and after the movie. I hope you'll participate. If I have time I might even put together some film trivia with prizes.

Hope to see you there.