There's Always Vanilla (1971)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

Rudy Ricci (writer)

Release Date:

11 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Every woman knows why the wrong man is irresistible!

Plot:

A young man returns to his home city of Pittsburgh and moves in with an older woman whom he begins to rely on for emotional and financial support.

Plot Keywords:

TV Commercial | Nudity | Drifter | Narration | Bar

Cast

Raymond Laine	...	Chris Bradley (as Ray Laine)
Judith Ridley	...	Lynn Harris (as Judith Streiner)
Johanna Lawrence	...	Terri Terrific
Richard Ricci	...	Michael Dorian
Roger McGovern	...	Mr. Bradley
Ron Jaye	...	Fox
Bob Wilson	...	TV Network Executive
Louise Sahene	...	Samantha
Christopher Priore	...	Mr. Manspeaker
Robert Trow	...	Ralph
Bryson Randolph
Val Stanley	...	TV rug commercial director
Vincent D. Survinski	...	Delivery man (as Vincent Survinski)
Eleanor Schirra	...	Mrs. Harris
S. William Hinzman	...	Drunk guy in bar (as Bill Hinzman)

Also Known As:

The Affair

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Latent Image, The

Trivia:

This is 'George A. Romero''s second film, and according to him, his worst. He stated that the writer was "very lazy" and showed little interest in the production, leaving halfway through the shooting.

Quotes:

Chris Bradley: Dad, I just don't want to go to work in your baby food factory. And, I don't want to sell vacuum cleaners. I don't want to sell little toy plastic aircraft carriers. I don't wanna... I don't know what I want.
Mr. Bradley: Chris, I think I understand what you're talking about. A little bit anyway. But these problems are a little bit like going to Howard Johnsons for some ice cream. You can get all kinds of wild, exotic flavors. But somehow, you always wind up with vanilla.
Chris Bradley: Oh, Jesus Christ, Dad, I could cry!
Mr. Bradley: You get what I mean? Now one thing, just once in a while...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Dead Will Walk (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

There's Always Vanilla

Movie snack bar treat: a dish of "Vanilla."

Sometimes a director is not the best judge of his own work. He's too close. He second-guesses. I think this movie, Romero's follow-up to Night of the Living Dead, compares favorably to The Graduate. Don't laugh. Angst. Freedom. Commitment. These are all central themes and emotional building blocks in both films' major characters' world view. I view Dustin Hoffman's Ben as a failure of sorts, a man who becomes a stalker, harasser, home-wrecker (twice), and road menace. Sad. And a bit dated. However, Ray Laine's drifter has better qualities and only two vices: smoking grass and pecking out his novel on a manual typewriter. Norman Fell's landlord character calls Ben a pervert. A young Richard Dreyfuss smells trouble, too. Well... I digress, so back to the cinema of George Romero. I liked many things about this dizzy movie. The lead actress, the one in NOLD who had a seat belt problem, is gorgeous and talented. Who knew? Laine is charismatic and commands the screen. The 'Ultimate Machine' sculpture is funny and opens minds. Placed in Pittsburg's Downtown, the symbolism cannot be missed. There's some excellent rock music in the score. Romero's editing is impeccable--a picnic and boat excursion are highlights. Watch for a clown who looks directly into the camera. But there are dark sections. Laine's mother is nuts. He also may have a child from an old girl fiend. His ex-girlfriend sleeps with a giant stuffed camel or turtle. I can't make up my mind which it is. And finally the trip Laine's new girlfriend takes to an abortion doctor's pad. Sick. Creepy. And a little disturbing. I feel the movie deserves a second look.