I suspect it wasn't just happenstance that all the above-listed films with gender-identity plotlines were released in June of 1970. The lower budget features clearly sought to compete with and share the publicity overflow of whatever market was imagined to be waiting with bated breath for the release of 20th Century-Fox's big-budget Myra Breckinridge. Fans of camp and cinéma de l'étrange will most certainly recognize three of the titles, but what exactly is Dinah East? Well, to put it simply, Dinah East is the best camp classic you've never heard of.
.JPG) |
| Jeremy Stockwell as Dinah East "Too much love or too little of it...isn't that why people take chances?" |
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| Matt Bennett as Ex-boxer, Tank Swenson "It makes no difference to me whether you're a man or a woman!" |
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| Ultra Violet as Costume designer, Daniela "Dinah, have you thought of what will happen if you are found out?" |
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| Ray Foster as Matinee idol, Tony Locke "You took me home and gave me more liquor than I ever had. Then asked me to drop my drawers!" |
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| Andy Davis as Alan Sloan, Dinah's attorney "Have you always thought of me as...a man? I mean, 100% male in every respect?" |
.JPG) |
| Reid Smith as Jeff East, Dinah's adopted son "I suppose being one's mother gives one the right to look every once in a while." |
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| Joe Taylor as Bobby Sloan. Alan's son and Jeff's best friend "How did you and Dinah East make love...did you do it to her, or did she do it to you?" |
Dinah East takes a “What if it were
really true?” approach to the age-old rumor about silver screen legend Mae West being transgender. (A legend gleefully kept alive today by West’s understandably grudge-holding
Myra Breckinridge co-star Raquel
Welch.) From this premise, Dinah East fashions a fictitious, deliriously camp (i.e., dead serious), surprisingly sincere soap opera about a 1950s screen siren
whose death reveals her life to have been one great big drag.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS FILM
Dinah East (a title that not only recalls the whispers about Mae West, but the lesbian rumors surrounding TV personality Dinah Shore during her heyday) is part 1940s "Suffering in mink" women's film, part Douglas Sirk melodrama, and part daytime soap. Or at least that's how it sees itself. Conceived as the type of glossy, behind-the-scenes Hollywood expose Jacqueline Susann and Harold Robbins came to be known for, due to its meager budget, amateurish performances, and frequent concessions to its sexploitation roots, it comes off largely as the kind of gender-fluid underground film of the sort associated with John Waters or Andy Warhol.
But what Dinah East lacks in production values, it more than makes up for in deliciously low-rent '70s ambiance. It boasts gaudy fashions, tacky décor, a cliche-saturated plot, and Hollywood insider jokes—Dinah does a pretty good impersonation of columnist Louella Parsons, and matinee idol Tony Locke parodies Tony Curtis' infamous, "Yondah lies da castle of my faddah."—plus, a sensibility that's both salacious and sentimental. In addition:
The
brainchild of producer Paula Stewart, publicist-to-the-stars Phil Paladino,
and screenwriter/ director Gene Nash, Dinah East (originally titled The Demise of Dinah East and The Great Put-On of Dinah East,
alternately) chronicles—through flashbacks—the guarded life of movie goddess Dinah East, and tackles the subsequent emotional and psychological fallout amongst those who came to know her, following the
headline-making revelation of her death.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS FILM
Dinah East (a title that not only recalls the whispers about Mae West, but the lesbian rumors surrounding TV personality Dinah Shore during her heyday) is part 1940s "Suffering in mink" women's film, part Douglas Sirk melodrama, and part daytime soap. Or at least that's how it sees itself. Conceived as the type of glossy, behind-the-scenes Hollywood expose Jacqueline Susann and Harold Robbins came to be known for, due to its meager budget, amateurish performances, and frequent concessions to its sexploitation roots, it comes off largely as the kind of gender-fluid underground film of the sort associated with John Waters or Andy Warhol.
But what Dinah East lacks in production values, it more than makes up for in deliciously low-rent '70s ambiance. It boasts gaudy fashions, tacky décor, a cliche-saturated plot, and Hollywood insider jokes—Dinah does a pretty good impersonation of columnist Louella Parsons, and matinee idol Tony Locke parodies Tony Curtis' infamous, "Yondah lies da castle of my faddah."—plus, a sensibility that's both salacious and sentimental. In addition:
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| Lesbianism! |
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| Wigs! |
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| Slow-motion romantic romps! |
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| Lots of full-frontal male nudity! |
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| Scenes in '70s gay bars! |
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| Porn-level Performances! "That's too hard to swallow...love for a son born out of rape? That's much too heavy to swallow!" |
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| Derisible dialog accompanied by theatrical, unconvincing displays of temperament! Alan- "You're nothing but a deranged little faggot!" (*Slap*) |
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| Did I mention the male nudity? |
In several ways, Dinah East does indeed recall the work of Jacqueline Susann. If one of Jacqueline Susann's novels was directed by Ed Wood, cast with models from a 1970 Ah Men catalog, and produced by Andy Warhol. From start to finish, Dinah East is such a campy delight; I'm still rather stunned that I had never heard of the film before a couple of years ago. Everything about it seems ripe for discovery by the cult hit/midnight movie crowd, yet no one I know has ever heard of it, and there is no mention of it even in books devoted to trash obscurities.
As is often the case with movies slipping through the cracks, Dinah East owes much of its obscurity to a muddle of legal issues involving copyright ownership and distribution. Too bad. This is a film deserving of a much wider audience.
As is often the case with movies slipping through the cracks, Dinah East owes much of its obscurity to a muddle of legal issues involving copyright ownership and distribution. Too bad. This is a film deserving of a much wider audience.
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| Tony takes Dinah to the fights Ray Foster (l.) was to be seen that same year as Mae West's stereotypically fey receptionist in Myra Breckinridge |
According to producer Paula Stewart (a former Broadway star [Wildcat, What Makes Sammy Run?], lifelong friend of Lucille Ball, and one-time wife of Burt Bacharach), the X-rated Dinah East had its world premiere in San Franciso in December of 1970. It opened in Los Angeles (even garnering a favorable review from LA Times critic, Kevin Thomas) in early 1971. That is, before the government shut it down and confiscated all prints of the film due to unpaid withholding taxes. Unable to meet its financial obligations, Dinah East was fairly submerged in a quagmire of copyright and legal hassles that extended over several years, rendering the film virtually lost.
Stewart's legal hassle account contradicts the more publicity-friendly reason used to promote the 2010 DVD release. DVD promo material asserts that Mae West herself halted distribution of the film because she was displeased with it and didn't want the potentially libelous film to distract from her Myra Breckinridge comeback. However, Paula Stewart, whom I spoke to by phone before writing this, claims to have known Mae West well and says that while the legendary star was most assuredly “Pissed off” by Dinah East's obvious allusions to the rumors that have followed her throughout her career, she did not in any way try to hinder its release.
PERFORMANCES
Indeed, Stockwell's performance is infused with so much sincerity that after a while, it seems as though his constricted body language and modulated line readings are actually acting choices; the intentional means of conveying the behavior of a person holding themselves in reserve for fear of detection. The screenplay leaves viewers on their own to intuit what would motivate an aspiring actor to keep up such a life-changing charade for so long (like Dustin Hoffman's Tootsie, the initial goal is to merely land a job). Nor does it shed much light on whether Dinah's gender identity as a woman is an actual realization rather than a deception. In any event, whatever flamboyant fun is lost by Stockwell refusing to camp it up as a movie diva is more than compensated for in the depiction of Dinah East as such a likable person.
THE STUFF OF DREAMS
With all the great purveyors of cinema camp either dead (Jacqueline Susann, Andy Warhol, Ed Wood, Russ Meyer) or unofficially retired (John Waters, Roger Corman), I can't tell you what a kick it was unearthing an honest-to-god, period-perfect, classic piece of ripened '70s cheese like Dinah East. Although virtually every frame feels made-to-order for my personal warped sense of aesthetics, it was actually my partner who brought the film to my attention after discovering it on Netflix. I fell in love with Dinah East at first sight.
It's funny unintentionally; sometimes, it's even funny on purpose. It's bizarre, silly, audacious, tacky, unevenly paced, and mostly terribly acted. But it's also marvelously entertaining, better-plotted than most movies today, and as a bonus, given the subject matter's potential for vulgarity and offensiveness, it's a surprisingly sweet-natured, forward-thinking film.
It has become an instant favorite of mine, and I understand that it has been re-released on DVD in a restored, widescreen version that should be a good deal brighter and crisper than these screencaps indicate. Still, Dinah East is one of those films worth seeing any way you can get it. They don't make 'em like this anymore. And more's the pity for us lovers of retro camp cinema.
BONUS MATERIAL
You can read more about Dinah East at Poseidon's Underworld
Copyright © Ken Anderson 2009 -2013
Stewart's legal hassle account contradicts the more publicity-friendly reason used to promote the 2010 DVD release. DVD promo material asserts that Mae West herself halted distribution of the film because she was displeased with it and didn't want the potentially libelous film to distract from her Myra Breckinridge comeback. However, Paula Stewart, whom I spoke to by phone before writing this, claims to have known Mae West well and says that while the legendary star was most assuredly “Pissed off” by Dinah East's obvious allusions to the rumors that have followed her throughout her career, she did not in any way try to hinder its release.
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| Dinah East director and screenwriter, Gene Nash, was also a manager, composer, and country western singer (1959 single, "I'm an Eskimo, too"). |
PERFORMANCES
As Marilyn Monroe-esque glamour queen Dinah East, New York actor Jeremy Stockwell (he appeared Off-Broadway in Fortune and Men’s Eyes - 1969) is a little too stiff and inexpressive to radiate the necessary diva quality to make the character a believable superstar (Candy Darling would have been great). Wearing a wide array of wigs and smart slacks ensembles, Stockwell comes off resembling Doris Day, Carol Wayne, or Donna Mills depending on the scene. He plays Dinah in a refreshingly straightforward manner, happily refraining from adding any problematic "feminine" flourishes that could have instantly turned the character into a caricature.
Indeed, Stockwell's performance is infused with so much sincerity that after a while, it seems as though his constricted body language and modulated line readings are actually acting choices; the intentional means of conveying the behavior of a person holding themselves in reserve for fear of detection. The screenplay leaves viewers on their own to intuit what would motivate an aspiring actor to keep up such a life-changing charade for so long (like Dustin Hoffman's Tootsie, the initial goal is to merely land a job). Nor does it shed much light on whether Dinah's gender identity as a woman is an actual realization rather than a deception. In any event, whatever flamboyant fun is lost by Stockwell refusing to camp it up as a movie diva is more than compensated for in the depiction of Dinah East as such a likable person.
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| Maybe I'm just corny, but the romance that develops between Dinah and ex-boxer Tank is really sweet. |
This brings me to one of the points I think works against Dinah East ever realizing its true camp potential: the film doesn't have a bitchy bone in its body. The film is singularly lacking in bitchiness or spite, prime ingredients in gay film camp-dom. The characters in Dinah East are flawed but decent, and treat one another in an uncharacteristically considerate manner for an exploitation film (the very odd character of Dinah's emotionally-conflicted attorney, Alan, notwithstanding).
Stockwell’s performance falls into arch camp primarily due to the limitations of his acting, the Douglas Sirk-inspired twists of the melodramatic plot, and the camp array of wigs and '70s fashions at his disposal. Beyond those trappings, there's a wellspring of sincerity written into the story of Dinah East that makes the characters too compassionately conceived for us to want to laugh at them for too long.
But sincerity is not what one usually watches exploitation films for, so fans of over-the-top drag theater might be disappointed in finding Dinah is no Margo Channing or Helen Lawson. Though often funny, the script is not well-acquainted with wit, so those looking for All About Eve levels of catty dialog and diva posturing will have to look elsewhere. By way of compensation, the film does at least try to shoehorn nudity and sex into the plot with clockwork regularity. Also, there is a priceless scene set in a gay bar (Bitchy queens! Nude go-go dancer! A bubble machine!) that screams 1070 and gives a hint of the levels of outrageousness this film could have risen to if it just wasn't so darn decent.
Stockwell’s performance falls into arch camp primarily due to the limitations of his acting, the Douglas Sirk-inspired twists of the melodramatic plot, and the camp array of wigs and '70s fashions at his disposal. Beyond those trappings, there's a wellspring of sincerity written into the story of Dinah East that makes the characters too compassionately conceived for us to want to laugh at them for too long.
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| A big star requires big hair |
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| A somewhat dodgy-looking movie poster for one of Dinah East's films |
Although essentially a melodrama, Dinah East does contain much humor (whether you find it to be particularly funny is another thing), but happily, there is unintentional humor in abundance. There are laughs to be had at the expense of the film's pushed-to-its-limit budget (the '50s flashbacks are particularly challenging), uneven performances, often hilariously tin-eared dialogue, and the curious commingling of sincere soap opera with grindhouse sex exploitation. While Dinah East's endearing ineptitude is to die for, I also found myself appreciating its lack of cynicism or self-aware snark. So many of the movies that have gained cult status in the gay community have done so in part because of the comedy inherent in their outre homophobia (Valley of the Dolls, Myra Breckinridge). Dinah East at least comes off as far ahead of its time in its empathetic depiction of gays, lesbians, and transgender.
In the satiric 1973 Hollywood murder mystery, The Last of Sheila (penned by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim, two then-closeted homosexuals who obviously knew a thing or two about the need to keep secrets), the character played by Raquel Welch sums up the phenomenon perfectly when she says: "That's the thing about secrets. We all know stuff about each other...we just don't know the same stuff."
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| Cornball montages were very popular in '70s movies, and Dinah East has a romantic montage that wouldn't be out of place in a Debbie Reynolds or Doris Day film. Tank and Dinah fall in love (rather appealingly) to the wince-inducing strains of, "Thank you, Alexander Graham Bell...you're swell!" An original song sung by '40's singing combo, Jon and Sondra Steele (My Happiness- 1948). |
THE STUFF OF FANTASY
Movies about Hollywood can always be counted on for the camp recycling of over-familiar soap opera tropes and hoary show business clichés. Dinah East is no exemption. With the film's obviously slim budget not allowing for even a passable representation of the 1950s or a convincing depiction of the opulent high life of a major Hollywood star (Edgar Bergen’s home stands in as Dinah’s Bel Air mansion), the one thing Dinah East gets incredibly right is its depiction of Hollywood as a town where it's possible to keep lifelong secrets simply due to the fact that absolutely everybody else in town has secrets they also don't want to have exposed.In the satiric 1973 Hollywood murder mystery, The Last of Sheila (penned by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim, two then-closeted homosexuals who obviously knew a thing or two about the need to keep secrets), the character played by Raquel Welch sums up the phenomenon perfectly when she says: "That's the thing about secrets. We all know stuff about each other...we just don't know the same stuff."
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| Dinah and Daniela forge a friendship out of a commitment to protecting one another |
In a welcome change of pace from most hetero-centric exploitation films full of shapely but untalented bimbos hired with an eye towards the director’s casting couch, Dinah East is loaded with good-looking himbos and male eye-candy who can’t act their way out of their tight pants. Which, I'm happy to say, they're never required to wear them for very long.
THE STUFF OF DREAMS
With all the great purveyors of cinema camp either dead (Jacqueline Susann, Andy Warhol, Ed Wood, Russ Meyer) or unofficially retired (John Waters, Roger Corman), I can't tell you what a kick it was unearthing an honest-to-god, period-perfect, classic piece of ripened '70s cheese like Dinah East. Although virtually every frame feels made-to-order for my personal warped sense of aesthetics, it was actually my partner who brought the film to my attention after discovering it on Netflix. I fell in love with Dinah East at first sight.
It's funny unintentionally; sometimes, it's even funny on purpose. It's bizarre, silly, audacious, tacky, unevenly paced, and mostly terribly acted. But it's also marvelously entertaining, better-plotted than most movies today, and as a bonus, given the subject matter's potential for vulgarity and offensiveness, it's a surprisingly sweet-natured, forward-thinking film.
It has become an instant favorite of mine, and I understand that it has been re-released on DVD in a restored, widescreen version that should be a good deal brighter and crisper than these screencaps indicate. Still, Dinah East is one of those films worth seeing any way you can get it. They don't make 'em like this anymore. And more's the pity for us lovers of retro camp cinema.
Dialogue between two grave-diggers at the end of the film (one being Studio-54- flash-in-the-pan-to-be, Sterling St. Jacques)
"Just goes to show you; you can really put the world on if you try hard enough."
"Just goes to show you; you can really put the world on if you try hard enough."
"Yeah man, but who wants to go to that much trouble?"
BONUS MATERIAL
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| Actor Jeremy Stockwell out of drag. Photo by Kenn Duncan from the 1969 Off-Broadway production of Fortune & Men's Eyes |
Some of My Best Friends Are... (1971)
Dinah East's Joe Taylor (bottom left) went on to appear with Warhol superstar Candy Darling in another gay-themed film that has somewhat disappeared. That's Gil Gerard of Buck Rogers fame to Taylor's right. Also in the cast, future TV stars, Rue McClanahan, Fannie Flagg, and Gary Sandy, in addition to Sylvia Syms and Carleton Carpenter (of MGM, Debbie Reynolds, and "Abba-Dabba Honeymoon").
Copyright © Ken Anderson 2009 -2013
Wow! That "In addition:" roundup is something else!
ReplyDeleteHa! Especially the wigs!
DeleteAlong with the glut of aformentioned gender-bending films released to American theatres in 1970, add "Funeral Parade of Roses" (also known as "Bara no soretsu") by Toshio Matsumoto. Sashaying its way into US theatres in October of that year, only slightly behind the American made products you've mentioned, "Funeral Parade of Roses" debuted in its native Japan in 1969, the film having a significant influence on Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" released in 1971. Readily available from video stores--I was most fortunate to catch this at the cinema several fews ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling attention to "Funeral Parade of Roses", a film I'm unfamiliar with but one which sounds like a worthwhile entry in the 70s counterculture film sweepstakes. That's great that you actually had the opportunity to see this!
DeleteAlmost needless to say, I have GOT to see this movie!!!!!!!!!! I had heard about it a couple of times here and there, but always forgot to actively seek it out, so this is the first time I've ever seen pictures from it or anything. Wow...... MY KIND OF MOVIE, for sure. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Poseidon
DeleteEqually needless to say, I immediately thought of you while writing this. I think it is definitely your kind of movie and you'll love it. No need for thanks. Just doing my best to promote the overlooked cinema curio whenever I can! :-)
I ordered it today..... Cannot wait to see it! (I have heard that the DVD - at least the one on Amazon that I'm getting - is actually taken from a VHS and not all fixed up, but fingers are crossed that it's at least a decent print. Maybe the comment there I read was old or wrong? Most people seemed pleased with it.) THANKS AGAIN for drawing it to my attention through your site. I can't fathom any way that I wouldn't enjoy seeing it.
ReplyDeleteYou act fast! I'm sure you'll love it. And, in spite of what is written on Amazon, I think you will be getting one of the cleaned-up/restored versions. The rights have been bought up by a new distributor and the old ones should all be out of print. The giveaway is the DVD case: the good version is the one with the faux pop-art cover. The faded VHS rip has a grainy photo of Stockwell on the cover. Happy viewing!
DeleteWow, never even heard of this film but I NEED to see it!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I know I am going to while away many, many hours here. We share the same aesthetic sensibilities and love of film!
Can't wait to delve further...down the rabbit hole of classic movie fabulousness...
Welcome Angelman66
DeleteI'm glad you found this blog, and see that you made good on your promise to willingly tumble down the rabbit hole of classic and not-so-classic movies. By your selection of films to comment on, I think we indeed do share a similar taste in movies. So, welcome to the asylum,and yes, you NEED to see this movie. It's one of a kind! Thanks
Good lord. It looks like it has the production values of an After School Special hijacked by the Mitchell Brothers - remarkable that it isn't better known. Makes me wonder about Nash's two other credits - what looks like a slasher/gore pic starring Margaret O'Brien (!) and a country-music outing with Tex Ritter.
ReplyDeleteHello Muscato
DeleteYour description is pretty much on point. Yes, "Dinah East" really is a Mark Robson-like movie (Peyton Place, Valley of the Dolls) saddled with the budget of an underground film and a director more at home with drive-in exploitation fare. It's such a mixed bag.
I hear the financing was particularly hard to acquire (due to the subject matter), and the dwindling funds necessitated a rather hasty shoot by a director who wasn't that skilled to begin with.
It certainly is an oddity and a welcome discovery for those tired of rewatching the same cult films that have been in circulation since the 60s.
Am I the only one to notice that the writing from the opening titles as pictured above seems strikingly similar to that employed for "Myra Breckinridge"?
DeleteThis is why I love your blog; I learn SO much from it (gender rumors on BOTH Dinah Shore & Mae West - wow!). I haven't heard of this film, but, needless to say, must try to find it. It looks, from your screen caps, like echt 70s camp, with bad taste galore in costuming and wigs (oh yes, those wigs - they made me think of the tacky perukes trying for a faux-30s look in the Debbie Reynolds/Shelley Winters 70s some-kind-of-classic "What's the Matter with Helen," a film that, if you haven't already, I hope you will one day review).
ReplyDeleteTwo things I thought of in relation to this film: One, the real-life gender-bending case of jazz pianist Billy Tipton, who did pass most of his life as a man and was only revealed on death to have been born female (Tipton even had a common-law wife and adopted 3 sons, with whom he "loved to go on Scout camping trips," per wikipedia). Two, the Japanese late-60s film 'Black Lizard,' which is stupefyingly camp with a straight face, if you forgive the pun. It was adapted for the screen by the novelist Yukio Mishima, and the star was an actor who played the title role (a criminal mastermind in the plot) throughout in female drag (he was also Mishima's offscreen lover). I saw the film once, many years ago, at a revival theater and have never quite forgotten it; it's in eye-popping color with a kind of James-Bond gadgetry fix; and Mishima makes a cameo right at the end as a samurai fighter. It's apparently not on dvd and hard to find, but I recommend seeking it out.
Thank you for your comments, GOM! Bringing movies like this to the attention of those blissfully unaware of its existance may constitute a form of anti-cinema subversiveness, but I like think that there are a couple of depraved souls who love 70s trash as much as I do and would welcome the unearthing of this bit of grindhouse Holy Grail. :-)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you're no slouch in the information department yourself. I don't know that I ever heard about Billy Tipton! What a story! It never ceases to amaze me how truth is always standing to-to-toe with the strangest fiction.
I have never heard of "Black Lizard" before, but it sounds irresistibly silly. I hope it makes its way to DVD sometime in the future.
Oh, and I am indeed a fan of "What's the Matter With Helen?" and long to write about it here someday. What an oddity that one was! Thanks for a very informative, fun comment!
Yayy! I found a great deal on the DVD for Dinah East and will shortly get to see it! Can't wait to report back to you...I so appreciate being turned on to new-old movies!!
ReplyDeleteWow! between this post and the one on Poseidon's underworld, I suspect there's going to be a run on the sale of that Dinah East video. No one seems to have heard of it, but everyone is intrigued!
DeleteAnyone who likes Andy Warhol films as much as you do will sure to have a blast with this. Enjoy!
Oh, wow, what a delight this was for me. As a lover of those trashy, glossy Joseph E. Levine-produced biopic/flashback films of the 60s like Harlow (the Carroll Baker one - have never seen the Carol Lynley one made the same year) and The Oscar, this movie was as tasty as diving into a double banana split with extra whipped cream...
ReplyDeleteAnd just as you and Poseidon noted: it's so surreal to see all these different type men of the era completely naked; we are used to undressing male movie characters in our mind, but here there is no need to. Every one of them strips!! I also love the hot girl-on-girl scenes with Ultra Violet, but we are more used to female nudity than all this late-60s meat-and-potatoes (as Mae West would say).
This indeed would make a perfect double feature paired with Myra Breckenridge, made the same year. Dinah is a REAL underground picture masquerading as an A-List Hollywood movie, whereas Myra is an A-List feature masquerading as an underground film...Myra is so so so tame and moralistic and reactionary, compared to Dinah's progressive and free-thinking themes.
Thank you for turning me on to this movie - it now holds a proud place in my collection, right between Die, Mommie Die and Double Indemnity.
Hi Angelman
DeleteSo thrilled that you liked the movie (Although there was little real doubt...the film is a hoot!).
I think you really captured the essence of it in describing it in terms of those overlit Joseph E, Levine films from the 60s. If "Dinah East" had the budget, I've no doubt that it would have looked exactly like "The Oscar".
Also, I love the comparisons you made between "Myra" and "Dinah"..."Dinah is a REAL underground picture masquerading as an A-List Hollywood movie, whereas Myra is an A-List feature masquerading as an underground film." That's really quite astute and sums up perfectly how these films saw themselves.
Makes me happy to know that perhaps another person out there will spread the word on "Dinah East" (If you write about "Dinah East" on your blog, let me know. I'll include a link with this post).
Reid Smith was My uncle Kurt Grayson's best pal, Kurt also an actor/real estate flipper as Reid was. I recall having dinner at Jackie Smiths Coldwater cyn home and beating Reid at arm wrestling when I was 14, just as Charlies Angels was due to be released for TV. Reid also dated Maude Adams and many beautiful women.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for providing fans with a little post-"Dinah East" info on actor Reid Smith! Nice to hear from someone who actually knew him and in such a cool retro-context (Maud Adams, Jacklyn Smith...that's great!)
DeleteMuch appreciated.
To be completely honest seeing this movie made a huge impact on my life. I'm a young transwoman (I've been transitioning since the age of 18) in an isolated setting and seeing this movie really changed my outlook on what was possible for me, and in a time where I was really lacking any sort of role models to look up to (I can't identify strongly with sex workers, although I do respect them) seeing this movie was very comforting in my development. This positive portrayal and her healthy relationships with everyone in her life, her insistence on living discretely while staying humble and thankful to the people that helped her, really made me view life in a more positive way, subconsciously. I really wish I could talk to Jeremy one day ! (I highly doubt it's the same actor that is currently residing in England) The movie is very endearing, and although I'm in a much better place in my life right now, where I feel integrated and safe in society, seeing this movie was really comforting to me in the moments where I didn't believe in such a thing.
ReplyDeleteI love your response to this movie. Indeed, for an exploitation film, the depiction of Dinah's character is atypically sympathetic and positive. When contrasted with the phobic subtext of the mainstream, big-budget, and high-profile Myra Breckinridge, DINAH EAST has a sensibility far ahead of its time.
DeleteThe producer would be very gratified to know her film had such an impact on you. Thanks for sharing your story and shedding light on a reality I've found to be very true in film: that inspiration can be found in films largely overlooked by the general public if the film deals with what's honest about the human condition. You seem to have found that in this film, and that makes me glad. All my best and thank you for a marvelously heartfelt comment. I think your words are important.
And the blog lives on. Six years after your original post I caught up with this review, and now, having unearthed the Kit Parker edition of "Dinah East," I owe you another unforgettable movie experience. For all its obvious influences, it's absolutely one of a kind.
ReplyDeletePart time capsule, part precursor to Charles Busch's insanely enjoyable "Die, Mommie, Die!" (Busch MUST have seen it), with liberal doses of Sirk AND Corman (as we've come to understand them), it's impossible for us to know in the 21st century how the minuscule viewing audience of 1970 could possibly have parsed this.
Having now seen it twice, I've re-read your review 3 times, and have read and will be re-reading Poseidon's. Otherwise, I don't think I could parse it!
Indeed, how very sympathetic the portrayal of Tank and Dinah's love affair. I recall a couple of years ago seeing Matt Bennett in the episode of "Starsky & Hutch" where he played half of a curious criminal duo (the other a somewhat younger man) with more than fleeting overtones of intimacy (it's the Christmas episode with Kristy McNichol as the "Little Girl Lost"). Struck by his arresting CALM onscreen and his unique vocal quality (yeah, AND his muscles...), this is only the second performance of his I've seen. I feel sad he didn't leave more of a screen legacy.
The player who really blows my mind is Andy Davis as Alan. Twenty years old?!? Amazing that he would have the acting chops to play not only middle-aged in several scenes (much more difficult for a very young actor that playing truly elderly, I can say from experience) but to NOT overplay the drunk scene (yeah, AND his muscles!)
And indeed, how curious that we are never told Dinah's birth identity, or given much insight into his/her motivations, other than the tired trope of "lonely orphan finds escape in movies, decides to become movie star." What we do know, because it's repeated multiple times, is Dinah's desire to "help". (S)he is both cipher and lodestone, drawing from all the other characters their essential natures. "What she was to ME!" says her adopted son (JEFF EAST: sorry, Superboy!), the motivation for whose adoption we are never given much insight on, either.
Needless to say, after two viewings, I'm currently a little obsessed with this "flawed .....something-piece." If each little viewer means anything, you (and Poseidon, of whom I'm also a big fan) ARE having an influence. How else would I ever have met "Dinah East"?
Mike T.
Hi Mike
DeleteSounds to me like you parsed this endearing, enduring (for me) extremely well! You hit on so many of the things that are directly appealing (exploitation has rarely been so kind-hearted) and so unusual (you're right...the who and why mystery of Dinah remains just that, a mystery). But I am thrilled that you saw it, and your observations and thoughts make me want to revisit it again soon.
I really do wonder what audiences made of it. And honestly, could there have been more than just a handful? I pleased as all getout that you have a bit of a Dinah East obsession. That means you'll probably wind up influencing a few folks yourself. Thanks for thinking to share your experience here. By the way, I need to check out that Starsky and Hutch episode!
Hi Ken-
ReplyDeleteDinah is the latest of your posted films that got screened....and what a film! The opening scene between Dinah and Jeff is jaw-dropping. What a wild way to start the film before the credits roll! Totally hooked within two minutes.
I'm so pleased you also found the Dinah/Tank relationship fairly touching. The way their flashbacks played out was completely unexpected and I believed it! The whole film as you mention is so surprisingly not-bitchy and genuinely endearing that I was totally able to overlook the less than polished acting.
All of the casual nudity is such frosting on top of the cake...that is another true selling point, that you're not just suffering through total b.s. to hopefully see someone shed their clothes. The storyline is so absorbing that each instance of nudity is an unexpected delight...even when it's happening so often! What an anomaly.
I totally bought it overall and now need to find an affordable copy of the dvd for my collection. Thanks for another great write up.
Pete
Hi Pete
DeleteHa! I'm so impressed. Not only did you take the DINAH EAST challenge by actually seeking it out and watching it, but you liked it enough to add to your library of films! Bravo for your bravery and for your impeccable good taste in bad taste.
And as you call attention to, DINAH EAST may have the trappings of bad acting, low production values, and the intentionally sensational display of nudity; but it is a very sincere and endearingly sweet film at its core.
That's one of the things I've discovered with some of the '70s era exploitation films just recently making it to DVD...the ones that are not straight-out grindhouse sensationalism are often disarmingly earnest in their focus on offbeat topics.
The balanced, clear-headedness of your viewing experience (I think you're right...the bonus additions of nudity and genuineness serve to mitigate the film's overall flaws) is sure to inspire others to take the plunge.
Thanks, Pete!