my brothers and I caught it on HBO when we were kids and our parents were out for the night while flipping channels and ended up right when Sam is showing him the telescope (if we had watched from the beginning the Twisted Sister Vampire would have scared the hell out of us)... watched it until the white dog and Indian with the drill scene and then turned it off and it traumatized us for years LOL
watched it again years later on VHS and thought it was stupid and cheesy - but now looking at it again I realize it was genius - DePalma was basically doing a Quentin Tarantino homage to Hitchcock 10 years before Quentin Tarantino was a thing. I would probably guess that this movie heavily inspired QT as he probably watched it many times while a video store clerk.
"A Patrick Nagel painting come to life," perfect. Would be interested in your take on the later DePalma film, "Femme Fatale." Born in 1965: best, Amelia Z-C
What an outstanding review! I grew up in the ‘80s watching HBO and Cinemax. Body Double, TAG: The Assassination Game, Midnight Madness, Evil Under the Sun, Fletch, Gotcha!, Turk 182, Spies Like Us, Something Wild…so many great films made in the ‘80s.
I Feel Lucky to have grown up in the glorious 80’s , Body Double is In my Top 5 of all time Favorite Films , just everything about this movie , the way it’s shot , the film score , the Mood , The Chemosphere House ! ( I never knew that was a real house till years later ) the whole 80’s esthetic , Just a Wonderful Film !! Nice Review !
I've always said 1984 was peak 80s culture and this film proves it! The decadence just drips off every shot. And I loved it. The music track named "Telescope" is so hypnotic. Awesome as always, Morgan!
I'm a bit conflicted between '84, '85, and '86. Before '84 we were still somewhat lingering in the late 70's, and then after '86 you could clearly see that the 90's were coming fast. But those three years pushed out the absolute best that the 80's had to offer musically, film wise, and culturally in my opinion. But yeah, '84 is definitely there.
What a fantastic review of a great cult classic and underrated 80's movie. I love BODY DOUBLE! Great job Morgan also thanks for some tidbits about this movie I have NEVER HEARD BEFORE!! Wow.
I discovered your channel just on accident. I had caught Tuff Turf on cable last night and was looking for videos on filming locations for the film. Your video and subsequently your channel came up. I was actually shocked and amazed to find anyone having really intelligent conversations and deep dives into the films and media of this era, and actually how important and unique they are. I want to congratulate you, not that you need it, but also to say, please keep doing what you are doing. I grew up in this time period and the films and music of this era are unlike any other, at least in my opinion. It was an age of great experimentation coming in on the heels of the 1970s. The sounds and visual styles did so much for story telling. It always felt as if there was a greater ownership of anyones creative vision. Artists were more likely to create what they wanted as opposed to a corporate committee. How you talk about all of this , the research you do and the knowledge you have is incredible, the work you put into it is as amazing as it is rewarding. I always loved Craig Wasson in Ghost Story as well, which is probably the second performance of his outside of this one , that also left an impression. But this movie was one that I remember , at the time when I saw it, thinking wow, I shouldn't be watching this, no one makes a movie like this. I loved Depalma in his early years, Phantom of the Paradise is still my go to for him. Your channel is really a breath of fresh air. This was such an important period of time, the creativity and originality, the uniqueness of vision that came from these years , I dont think has ever been duplicated, not in its truest sense. Anyway, im a new subscriber ...love your work. And continued success in all that you do!
Your analysis of the Relax segment reminds me of Return to Horror High, where "reality" often blends with the film within a film, and you lose yourself in it until the director yells cut! If you start making videos again, I'd love to see one on that movie! Also George Clooney's first film role.
Great commentary Morgan, very interesting. The main thing I think about with Body Double is the soundtrack, which I spent quite some time tracking down online years ago. Really adds to the atmosphere of the movie.
Awesome deep dive, and into two of my favorite directors, Hitch and DePalma (among many others). Body Double is so sleazy, but you're right, it borrows from countless Hitchcock films, as so many DePalms films do. I wonder if Hitch saw DePalma's Sisters cuz he was still alive in 1973, and Bernard Herrmann scored it. In any case, this was an awesome review.
Awesome video! This is one of my favorites of all time. I literally love everything about it. I listen to the theme telescope a few times a week while driving!
nice review. I appreciate the factoids you put regarding the cast and the context of when the film came out. In citing De Palma's films influenced by Hitchcock you missed Sisters which also has a Rear Window vibe to it. I guess some would also argue to include Obsession...but I forgot what happens in that one. Maybe even his later films has clear Hitchcock influences; Raising Cain, Femme Fatale, Snake Eyes ....but since you're parameters is films that would've played to Gen X'ers there's some value in someday reviewing 1989's Casualties of War--it's overlooked
I discovered your page about a year ago (thanks to your reviews of every episode of Miami Vice) and quickly became a fan. I am VERY excited to hear your thoughts on "The Terminator" in the next episode, as it's *pretty much* my favorite movie of all time. It came out the year I was born, and since my Dad was already an Arnold fan, I honestly couldn't say how old I was when I first saw it. What I can say is that I must've watched it about 100 times as a kid before T2 was made and the franchise gained mainstream appeal. T2 gets all the love and praise (as almost every sequel since has tried to copy its formula to middling or terrible results), but to me, the first one is really the heart of the franchise and I really wish whoever owns the rights (as the IP gets passed around Hollywood a lot) could understand that and give us a true sequel to the first film.
Hi Morgan. hope you're well!! Thank you for your sensational breakdown and description of 'Body Double' which is my very favourite film of all time!! I first saw it at the cinema when it was first released in the mid 1980's, I was 19 at the time and through owning a copy on VHS and then the DVD, have seen it many, many times since, it NEVER bores me even though I know the film word for word!! I have championed this film since it's release and it's very satisfying to see it is now receiving some of the credit I always believed it deserved!! I really had to laugh at your pained, almost nauseous expression as you described the scene where Craig Wasson's character Jake picks up Deborah Shelton's worn panties from the trash bin!! That for me was the standout moment from this super video by far!! I'm really sorry to say this Morgan, maybe you have to be male to understand, but EVERY guy in Craig Wasson's position would've done exactly the same thing with the underwear and if any woman loving heterosexual man says he wouldn't, then he's blatantly lying!! I'm not ashamed to say that I would've picked the panties up and put them in my pocket too, should I be ashamed?? Apologies if anybody thinks that's perverted, but as far as I'm concerned it's a totally natural thing for a guy to do!! Peace and keep up the great work Morgan, you're brilliant at what you do!!
Great review! I think of this movie as a kind of "love letter to LA." It's one of the VERY few movies that I enjoy watching multiple times. But for all that watching, I stupidly missed the many Hitchcock parallels that you've succinctly documented here. Thank you for pointing those out! (and also for putting into perspective the "sleezy Hitchcock rip--off" nonsense of yore)
Nancy Allen was in SEVERAL Brian DePalma films. They hooked-up 'romantically' while filming "Carrie." I think she did about 4-5 movies directed by him.
Cool channel. And I'm a Gen-Xer and proud of it. Definitely better than being one of the letdowns of the last two generations.... And here I thought we were fucked up.😂 But at least we knew who we were..... Anyhow, I just watched this for the first time since seeing it back in the 80's and I had completely forgotten how much I really liked it, especially after the porn audition with the Franky Goes To Hollywood video being a part of of the porn flick he ends up in...lol! Ya can't get more 80's than that. But yeah, HBO used to play this all the time late night back in like '85. That's how I ended up seeing it.
That music… Pino Donaggio’s Telescope theme… that sexy, forbiddenly voyuered nude dance… AND, Deborah Shelton’s breathtaking eyes and beauty… left such a profound impression upon my 14 year old mind about a woman. I sought her eyes and beauty in a woman for years until I finally found her and fell in love. And she never knew my attraction and pursuit began YEARS before she ever came along. I feel lucky that I found one that brought up all the feelings that I recalled from my 14 year old fantasy.
I saw the movie on cable already knowing the film bombed @ the theaters . I was surprised on how great the movie actually is . The movie had opposition from the ultra-fascist Reagan regime . You must remember , the beginning of the 80s had the fear of Fascism and CENSORSHIP from the government . Fast Times At Ridgemont High really scared Universal because of showing kids acting like adults having sex . And the producers of the animated HEAVY METAL dont think they could have made the movie after Reagan got elected .
This movie sucks. It's so stupid. The woman is killed at a traffic stop five feet away from a cop? Then it ends with a call back so obvious and forced it literally replays the same scene. The acting is so wooden and forced. It's just a bad film all around. Even the sound editing is bad.
Growing up watching HBO and Cinemax at night as a kid was one of most nostalgic things in retrospect.
my brothers and I caught it on HBO when we were kids and our parents were out for the night while flipping channels and ended up right when Sam is showing him the telescope (if we had watched from the beginning the Twisted Sister Vampire would have scared the hell out of us)... watched it until the white dog and Indian with the drill scene and then turned it off and it traumatized us for years LOL
watched it again years later on VHS and thought it was stupid and cheesy - but now looking at it again I realize it was genius - DePalma was basically doing a Quentin Tarantino homage to Hitchcock 10 years before Quentin Tarantino was a thing. I would probably guess that this movie heavily inspired QT as he probably watched it many times while a video store clerk.
"Cinemax" Friday after Dark was better know as "SKIN-amax."
"A Patrick Nagel painting come to life," perfect. Would be interested in your take on the later DePalma film, "Femme Fatale." Born in 1965: best, Amelia Z-C
Love this! I always thought that Jake’s outfit in the “Relax” sequence was supposed to evoke Brad in Rocky Horror Picture Show.
What an outstanding review! I grew up in the ‘80s watching HBO and Cinemax. Body Double, TAG: The Assassination Game, Midnight Madness, Evil Under the Sun, Fletch, Gotcha!, Turk 182, Spies Like Us, Something Wild…so many great films made in the ‘80s.
I Feel Lucky to have grown up in the glorious 80’s , Body Double is In my Top 5 of all time Favorite Films , just everything about this movie , the way it’s shot , the film score , the Mood , The Chemosphere House ! ( I never knew that was a real house till years later ) the whole 80’s esthetic , Just a Wonderful Film !! Nice Review !
I've always said 1984 was peak 80s culture and this film proves it! The decadence just drips off every shot. And I loved it. The music track named "Telescope" is so hypnotic. Awesome as always, Morgan!
Totally agree on 1984 being peak 80s. Every frame of this film makes it so easy to pinpoint as belonging specifically to that year.
I'm a bit conflicted between '84, '85, and '86. Before '84 we were still somewhat lingering in the late 70's, and then after '86 you could clearly see that the 90's were coming fast. But those three years pushed out the absolute best that the 80's had to offer musically, film wise, and culturally in my opinion. But yeah, '84 is definitely there.
@@gimmethepinkelephant3685I’ve also always said 84. But I agree that things can certainly be said about ‘85-‘86
What a fantastic review of a great cult classic and underrated 80's movie. I love BODY DOUBLE! Great job Morgan also thanks for some tidbits about this movie I have NEVER HEARD BEFORE!! Wow.
I discovered your channel just on accident. I had caught Tuff Turf on cable last night and was looking for videos on filming locations for the film. Your video and subsequently your channel came up. I was actually shocked and amazed to find anyone having really intelligent conversations and deep dives into the films and media of this era, and actually how important and unique they are. I want to congratulate you, not that you need it, but also to say, please keep doing what you are doing. I grew up in this time period and the films and music of this era are unlike any other, at least in my opinion. It was an age of great experimentation coming in on the heels of the 1970s. The sounds and visual styles did so much for story telling. It always felt as if there was a greater ownership of anyones creative vision. Artists were more likely to create what they wanted as opposed to a corporate committee. How you talk about all of this , the research you do and the knowledge you have is incredible, the work you put into it is as amazing as it is rewarding. I always loved Craig Wasson in Ghost Story as well, which is probably the second performance of his outside of this one , that also left an impression. But this movie was one that I remember , at the time when I saw it, thinking wow, I shouldn't be watching this, no one makes a movie like this. I loved Depalma in his early years, Phantom of the Paradise is still my go to for him. Your channel is really a breath of fresh air. This was such an important period of time, the creativity and originality, the uniqueness of vision that came from these years , I dont think has ever been duplicated, not in its truest sense. Anyway, im a new subscriber ...love your work. And continued success in all that you do!
Made for a meaningful and creative university experience. College radio playing what was then truly alternative music.
Your analysis of the Relax segment reminds me of Return to Horror High, where "reality" often blends with the film within a film, and you lose yourself in it until the director yells cut! If you start making videos again, I'd love to see one on that movie! Also George Clooney's first film role.
Thanks Morgan. 👍
10:49
I wasn't tricked; I haven't watched the film yet, and I guessed who was behind the shenanigans.
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
So great. Love all the research & context. Puts it all together entertainingly.
Great commentary Morgan, very interesting. The main thing I think about with Body Double is the soundtrack, which I spent quite some time tracking down online years ago. Really adds to the atmosphere of the movie.
Awesome deep dive, and into two of my favorite directors, Hitch and DePalma (among many others). Body Double is so sleazy, but you're right, it borrows from countless Hitchcock films, as so many DePalms films do. I wonder if Hitch saw DePalma's Sisters cuz he was still alive in 1973, and Bernard Herrmann scored it. In any case, this was an awesome review.
I love this movie. Saw it in high school.
Great job on this! Loved the actor references you pointed out. And I never get tired of watching analyzing this fun and stylish film! Cheers!
just finished it last night and I love how everything you think you know, you really don’t
Thr most 1980s 80s movie of all, very good and entertaining
Awesome video!
This is one of my favorites of all time. I literally love everything about it. I listen to the theme telescope a few times a week while driving!
That piece of music is truly beautiful.
Great review as always!!
Thank You, i think ill get it now on DVD..
nice review. I appreciate the factoids you put regarding the cast and the context of when the film came out. In citing De Palma's films influenced by Hitchcock you missed Sisters which also has a Rear Window vibe to it. I guess some would also argue to include Obsession...but I forgot what happens in that one. Maybe even his later films has clear Hitchcock influences; Raising Cain, Femme Fatale, Snake Eyes
....but since you're parameters is films that would've played to Gen X'ers there's some value in someday reviewing 1989's Casualties of War--it's overlooked
I discovered your page about a year ago (thanks to your reviews of every episode of Miami Vice) and quickly became a fan. I am VERY excited to hear your thoughts on "The Terminator" in the next episode, as it's *pretty much* my favorite movie of all time. It came out the year I was born, and since my Dad was already an Arnold fan, I honestly couldn't say how old I was when I first saw it. What I can say is that I must've watched it about 100 times as a kid before T2 was made and the franchise gained mainstream appeal. T2 gets all the love and praise (as almost every sequel since has tried to copy its formula to middling or terrible results), but to me, the first one is really the heart of the franchise and I really wish whoever owns the rights (as the IP gets passed around Hollywood a lot) could understand that and give us a true sequel to the first film.
That was really good. I enjoyed that.
Love that movie
Best movie breakdown and review I’ve ever seen…period.
Hi Morgan. hope you're well!!
Thank you for your sensational breakdown and description of 'Body Double' which is my very favourite film of all time!!
I first saw it at the cinema when it was first released in the mid 1980's, I was 19 at the time and through owning a copy on VHS and then the DVD, have seen it many, many times since, it NEVER bores me even though I know the film word for word!!
I have championed this film since it's release
and it's very satisfying to see it is now receiving some of the credit I always believed it deserved!!
I really had to laugh at your pained, almost nauseous expression
as you described the scene where Craig Wasson's character Jake picks up Deborah Shelton's worn panties from the trash bin!!
That for me was the standout moment from this super video by far!!
I'm really sorry to say this Morgan, maybe you have to be male to understand,
but EVERY guy in Craig Wasson's position would've done exactly the same thing with the underwear
and if any woman loving heterosexual man says he wouldn't, then he's blatantly lying!!
I'm not ashamed to say that I would've picked the panties up and put them in my pocket too, should I be ashamed??
Apologies if anybody thinks that's perverted, but as far as I'm concerned it's a totally natural thing for a guy to do!!
Peace and keep up the great work Morgan, you're brilliant at what you do!!
Great review! I think of this movie as a kind of "love letter to LA." It's one of the VERY few movies that I enjoy watching multiple times. But for all that watching, I stupidly missed the many Hitchcock parallels that you've succinctly documented here. Thank you for pointing those out! (and also for putting into perspective the "sleezy Hitchcock rip--off" nonsense of yore)
I just watched Dressed to Kill for the first time. It was awesome.
Nancy Allen was in SEVERAL Brian DePalma films. They hooked-up 'romantically' while filming "Carrie." I think she did about 4-5 movies directed by him.
One great review on a great movie!!!
Hope all is well...haven't seen a new review in two years from you.
Cool channel. And I'm a Gen-Xer and proud of it. Definitely better than being one of the letdowns of the last two generations.... And here I thought we were fucked up.😂 But at least we knew who we were..... Anyhow, I just watched this for the first time since seeing it back in the 80's and I had completely forgotten how much I really liked it, especially after the porn audition with the Franky Goes To Hollywood video being a part of of the porn flick he ends up in...lol! Ya can't get more 80's than that. But yeah, HBO used to play this all the time late night back in like '85. That's how I ended up seeing it.
That music… Pino Donaggio’s Telescope theme… that sexy, forbiddenly voyuered nude dance… AND, Deborah Shelton’s breathtaking eyes and beauty… left such a profound impression upon my 14 year old mind about a woman. I sought her eyes and beauty in a woman for years until I finally found her and fell in love. And she never knew my attraction and pursuit began YEARS before she ever came along. I feel lucky that I found one that brought up all the feelings that I recalled from my 14 year old fantasy.
"..to my way of thinking is a very good thing." Mine too.
This movie is pure brain candy!
At 5:00 The early 1980s were just coming off of the 1970s.. which was when people were extremely promiscious when it came to casual sex.
Craig wasson for me is beater known for Ghost Story
He played the Prosecuting Attorney in the Christina Ricci movie, "Lizzie Borden Took an Axe."
I’d love you to review Dressed to Kill
Terminator
nice
I saw the movie on cable already knowing the film bombed @ the theaters . I was surprised on how great the movie actually is . The movie had opposition from the ultra-fascist Reagan regime . You must remember , the beginning of the 80s had the fear of Fascism and CENSORSHIP from the government . Fast Times At Ridgemont High really scared Universal because of showing kids acting like adults having sex . And the producers of the animated HEAVY METAL dont think they could have made the movie after Reagan got elected .
Imagine going from De Palma to James Cameron 🤢
This is a boomer movie, not Gen X
A 1984 movie with Frankie Goes To Hollywood?
Lol WRONG
This movie sucks. It's so stupid. The woman is killed at a traffic stop five feet away from a cop? Then it ends with a call back so obvious and forced it literally replays the same scene. The acting is so wooden and forced. It's just a bad film all around. Even the sound editing is bad.
My no3 fave movie. After "Parasite" and "Scarface".