Pia Zadora won the "Best Female Newcomer" at the Golden Globes for her role in the 1982 neo noir film BUTTERFLY, based on the classic James M. Cain novel. This was after her husband, Turkish cosmetic and liquor mogul Meshulam Riklis wined and dined members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Las Vegas and treated them to Pia's cabaret act, resulting accusations that the award had been "bought". You be the judge.
I personally prefer this performance in an amazing Dubonnet commercial from the 80s.
Showing posts with label Pia Zadora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pia Zadora. Show all posts
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Golden Globe winner...BUTTERFLY
In honor of the Golden Globes, I recently watched the very likable Pia Zadora in a little indie flick called BUTTERFLY (1982, directed by Matteo Ottaviano). 
This notorious potboiler is an adaptation of the classic James M. Cain pulp novel. 
Set in the late 1930s, Zadora plays a dirty little sex kitten named Kady, who has been jilted by the father of her bastard child. 
Stacy Keach plays Jess Tyler, a loner who has spent way too many years guarding an old abandoned silver mine in Nevada. You see, Kady is Jess's full-grown daughter who he has not seen since she was an infant. Kady's wicked little plan is to use her sexy ways to actually sexually arouse her horny old daddy and get him to reopen the silver mine.
and lets him bathe her in possibly one of the most uncomfortable scenes I've ever watched, and I've seen some of 2 GIRLS 1 CUP.
Before you know it old Jess has a full house when his other daughter Janey, his TB-infected wife Belle (Lois Nettleton), her lover Moke Blue (James Franciscus) and Kady's son all show up. Complicating things further, Wash Gillespie (Edward Albert), the bastard's child, proposes marriage to Kady.
After some more incest, a lot of bad dialogue, worse acting and cameos by Ed McMahon, June Lockhart and Orson Welles we learn the dark secret about Kady's birth. You'll just have to watch it to find out what it is!
The accompanying documentary reveals that the film was financed by Pia Zadora's husband, multimillionaire Meshulam Riklis - who met Pia when she was just out of her teens. He apparently thought she was 10 years old and fell in love at first sight. I swear, he actually says this.
The doc also covers the Golden Globe scandal. Pia won "Best Female Newcomer" at the Golden Globes for the film that year, beating out Elizabeth McGovern and Kathleen Turner. Rumor had it that Riklis wined and dined some Hollywood Foreign Press Association members in Vegas and the resulting accusations were that the award had been "bought". Pia's heartfelt revelation that she was mortified by the whole ordeal shows a rare, intimate side of the woman and makes you want to like her even more.
Pia also won "Worst Actress" and "Worst New Star", and Ed McMahon took home "Worst Supporting Actor" in the Golden Raspberry Awards. I'd give this one a 6 outta 10. You'll want to use your fast-forward button quite a bit.
This notorious potboiler is an adaptation of the classic James M. Cain pulp novel. Set in the late 1930s, Zadora plays a dirty little sex kitten named Kady, who has been jilted by the father of her bastard child. Stacy Keach plays Jess Tyler, a loner who has spent way too many years guarding an old abandoned silver mine in Nevada. You see, Kady is Jess's full-grown daughter who he has not seen since she was an infant. Kady's wicked little plan is to use her sexy ways to actually sexually arouse her horny old daddy and get him to reopen the silver mine.So she decides to walk around naked...
and lets him bathe her in possibly one of the most uncomfortable scenes I've ever watched, and I've seen some of 2 GIRLS 1 CUP.Before you know it old Jess has a full house when his other daughter Janey, his TB-infected wife Belle (Lois Nettleton), her lover Moke Blue (James Franciscus) and Kady's son all show up. Complicating things further, Wash Gillespie (Edward Albert), the bastard's child, proposes marriage to Kady.After some more incest, a lot of bad dialogue, worse acting and cameos by Ed McMahon, June Lockhart and Orson Welles we learn the dark secret about Kady's birth. You'll just have to watch it to find out what it is!The accompanying documentary reveals that the film was financed by Pia Zadora's husband, multimillionaire Meshulam Riklis - who met Pia when she was just out of her teens. He apparently thought she was 10 years old and fell in love at first sight. I swear, he actually says this.The doc also covers the Golden Globe scandal. Pia won "Best Female Newcomer" at the Golden Globes for the film that year, beating out Elizabeth McGovern and Kathleen Turner. Rumor had it that Riklis wined and dined some Hollywood Foreign Press Association members in Vegas and the resulting accusations were that the award had been "bought". Pia's heartfelt revelation that she was mortified by the whole ordeal shows a rare, intimate side of the woman and makes you want to like her even more.Pia also won "Worst Actress" and "Worst New Star", and Ed McMahon took home "Worst Supporting Actor" in the Golden Raspberry Awards. I'd give this one a 6 outta 10. You'll want to use your fast-forward button quite a bit.
Friday, July 31, 2009
So Bad, They're Brilliant!
The American Cinematheque at The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood usually gives movielovers the chance to view, on the big screen, some of the most important and influential films of all time–but not during August 13th-19. On those enchanted evenings, my pop culture gurus Stephen Rebello (co-author of BAD MOVIES WE LOVE) and Alonso Duralde (author of 101 MUST-SEE MOVIES FOR GAY MEN) will be presenting 9 of the best worst movies ever made. In other words - MY kind of movies!
In addition there will be a "More Is More" fashion show/competition on August 13th and book signings each night! Here's the amazing line-up:Thursday, August 13 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
KITTEN WITH A WHIP, (1964, Universal, 83 min.) Starring sassy Ann-Margret and John Forsythe. Directed by veteran TV helmer Douglas Heyes (THE TWILIGHT ZONE) from his screenplay based on a novel by Wade Miller, KITTEN WITH A WHIP is jam-packed with fake Beat Generation dialogue, a jazzy score, and an over-the-top performane by Ann-Margret at her snarly, vampy best.
THE LONELY LADY (1983, Universal, 92 min.) Camp superstar Pia Zadora plays a would-be screenwriter who gets abused by every man she encounters. Look for Ray Liotta and Lloyd Bochner in this ludicrous adaptation of Harold Robbins' trashy bestseller. Directed by Peter Sasdy (TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA), this 80s classic was a multiple winner at the Razzie Awards, which in 2005 nominated it as one of the worst dramas ever made.Friday, August 14 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
XANADU (1980, Universal, 93 min.) Director Robert Greenwald misguides Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly through a romp that melds 1940s MGM musicals with the roller-disco fad of the late 70s. One of my favorite films of all time. You can read more about it and The Electric Light Orchestra here.
STAYING ALIVE (1983, Paramount, 96 min.) John Travolta returns to SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER territory in this ridiculous sequel. Tony Manero is now Broadway bound under the direction of Sylvester Stallone. Bob Mackie costumes, bad choregraphy and dumb dialogue make this one a laugh-out-loud winner. With soap star Finola Hughes and Cynthia Rhodes.Saturday, August 15 – "More is More" Fashion Show at 7:00 PM!
7:30 PM Double Feature:
MAHOGANY (1975, Paramount, 109 min.) After Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson bailed, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy stepped in to direct Miss Diana Ross in this soapy story of a spunky, ambitious glamour gal rising up from slums to become a famous international supermodel. Anthony Perkins and Billy Dee Williams come along for the wild ride.
A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963, Paramount, 110 min.) Melville Shavelson directs Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in this love story with the Parisian fashion world as a background. Eva Gabor, Thelma Ritter and Maurice Chevalier lend support.
Sunday, August 16 – 7:30 PM
LOST HORIZON, (1973, Sony Repertory, 150 min.) Director Charles Jarrott's notorious musical version of James Hilton’s novel about a plane crash. Songs by the usually great Burt Bacharach and Hal David, performed by actors who can’t sing. Produced by Ross Hunter (AIRPORT), starring Peter Finch, Liv Ullman, Sally Kellerman, Michael York and George Kennedy. Choreographed by Hermes Pan and scripted by none other than playwright and activist Larry Kramer (THE NORMAL HEART)!!!
Wednesday, August 19 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
GLITTER (2001, 20th Century Fox, 104 min.) Director Vondie Curtis-Hall brings non-actress Mariah Carey to the big screen in this "what the fuck?" showbiz saga. Max Beesley, Terrence Howard and Dougsploitation favorite Ann Magnuson show up and save the day.
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003, 20th Century Fox, 81 min.) Need I say anything?
I will try to be there for as many of these screening as I can, since there are a few of these films that I have never seen. If you'd like to join in in the fun, you can order tickets here.
MAHOGANY (1975, Paramount, 109 min.) After Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson bailed, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy stepped in to direct Miss Diana Ross in this soapy story of a spunky, ambitious glamour gal rising up from slums to become a famous international supermodel. Anthony Perkins and Billy Dee Williams come along for the wild ride.
A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963, Paramount, 110 min.) Melville Shavelson directs Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in this love story with the Parisian fashion world as a background. Eva Gabor, Thelma Ritter and Maurice Chevalier lend support.Sunday, August 16 – 7:30 PM
LOST HORIZON, (1973, Sony Repertory, 150 min.) Director Charles Jarrott's notorious musical version of James Hilton’s novel about a plane crash. Songs by the usually great Burt Bacharach and Hal David, performed by actors who can’t sing. Produced by Ross Hunter (AIRPORT), starring Peter Finch, Liv Ullman, Sally Kellerman, Michael York and George Kennedy. Choreographed by Hermes Pan and scripted by none other than playwright and activist Larry Kramer (THE NORMAL HEART)!!!Wednesday, August 19 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
GLITTER (2001, 20th Century Fox, 104 min.) Director Vondie Curtis-Hall brings non-actress Mariah Carey to the big screen in this "what the fuck?" showbiz saga. Max Beesley, Terrence Howard and Dougsploitation favorite Ann Magnuson show up and save the day.
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003, 20th Century Fox, 81 min.) Need I say anything?I will try to be there for as many of these screening as I can, since there are a few of these films that I have never seen. If you'd like to join in in the fun, you can order tickets here.
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