Screen: Two Case Histories of Horror Are Joined:Boris Karloff Stars in Gripping 'Targets' Film by Bogdanovich at 46th St. Embassy (original) (raw)
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- Aug. 14, 1968
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August 14, 1968
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WHY? The invariable question of today's headlines about the random sniper-murder of innocent people is never answered in "Targets." This is the only flaw, and a serious one, in the original and brilliant melodrama that opened yesterday at the 46th Street Embassy Theater. Except on this one count, which simply can't be ignored, this admirably-spun and gripping little movie, whose only "name" is Boris Karloff, marks a most auspicious feature debut for young Peter Bogdanovich, a former film writer and historian, who has now taken the plunge, camera in hand. He should never let go.As director, producer and co-writer (with his wife, Polly Platt) of the new Paramount release, Mr. Bogdanovich has nimbly sketched two case histories hinging on horror and joined them together, with an admirable minimum of blood-splattering, for the most grippingly clinical and freezing finale we have seen in ages.A solemn foreword deplores the national laxity of gun-control laws. O.K. Then casually, quietly, the story takes up Mr. Karloff, as a genteel old king of Hollywood shockers and a late-late show idol who wants to call it a day. "People aren't shocked by paper monsters any more," he says. "This does it." He shows a headline of a massacre in a supermarket.Paralleling the mild plight of the old actor, beset by some Hollywood sychophants, is the story of a clean-cut lad with a pretty, affectionate wife, two disarming parents and what seems to be an idyllic existence. As played by Tim O'Kelly, he is also an expert marksman with a secret arsenal and an itchy trigger finger. Why? How come? We never get past that fresh, serene countenance.Up to this point, the picture clicks along neatly. With a splendidly supple color camera, some easy, natural dialogue and cleverly juxta-posed footage from old Karloff movies, the two stories merge as real horror sets and Mr. Bogdanovich brings up his own big guns.Almost methodically, the boy shoots his wife, then his mother at home. Mercifully, we are spared the gore, but the terror is there. And it mounts, along with Mr. O'Kelly, as he perches atop a tank and picks off some cars on a crowded freeway. Mercifully again, we view this over the rifle sights. But the slaughter rampage explodes in a drive-in movie theater, where Mr. Karloff is making a personal appearance and where Mr. Bogdanovich, with devastating cunning and restraint, really unleashes the graphic power of suggested horror.Nancy Hsueh, James Brown, Tanya Morgan and the others do well enough on the side-lines, as does Mr. Bogdanovich himself, in the apt role of a film director. But he needn't have looked so glum. Aside from that one burning question, "Targets" scores an unnerving bullseye.
TARGETS, screenplay by Peter Bogdanovich, based on a story by Polly Platt and Mr. Bogdanovich; produced and directed by Mr. Bogdanovich; presented by Paramount Pictures. At the New Embassy Theater, 46th Street and Broadway. Running time: 90 minutes.Byron Orlok . . . . . Boris KarloffBobby Thompson . . . . . Tim O'KellySammy Michaels . . . . . Peter BogdanovichJenny . . . . . Nancy HsuehRobert Thompson Sr. . . . . . James BrownKip Larkin . . . . . Sandy BaronEd Loughlin . . . . . Arthur PetersonCharlotte Thompson . . . . . Mary JacksonIlene Thompson . . . . . Tanya MorganMarshall Smith . . . . . Monty Landis
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