Truth Stranger Than 'Strangelove'

NY Times ^ | October 10, 2004 | FRED KAPLAN

[dr_who_2]

"Fact based?" Typical New York Times. I guess they really did run that story on "a doomsday device" that will "destroy all human and animal life".

[Harpo Speaks]

If you look closely at the Strangelove "survival kit" scene, you'll note that although Picken's says "...a pretty good weekend in Vegas" on the soundtrack, his actual words were "...a pretty good weekend in Dallas." The scene was shot before Kennedy was assasinated in Dallas. It was felt (rightly so, in my opinion) that Dallas would have not been a particulaly funny punchline under the circumstances, so the line was redubbed before release to the theaters.

[Ronin]

I think I will rent it again for my Sunday afternoon entertainment.

[dr_who_2]

Hopefully they're cleaning up the film to remove blemishes and whatnot, particularly the first scenes that were from messy stock footage.

[dr_who_2]

Actually, I thought Fail Safe was almost as funny as Strangelove (unintentionally so).

[tet68]

"Animals can be bred, unt Slauuuughtered!"

[Batrachian]

You know, Slim Pickens originally said "Dallas", but people where still too shook up by the Kennedy assassination so they dubbed in "Vegas".

That little phrase book/bible has to be the funniest thing ever, but the whole movie is a riot.

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

I had not seen this movie until this week on TCM. I agree with all the comments here about how good and bad the film is. It has its moments but it also gets pretty stupid.

I thought I would fall out of my chair when George C Scott was arguing with the president and walking backwards in the war room when he tripped over his own feet and fell, did a roll and came up still talking. The stance he struck on getting up almost killed me--sort of like "ta-daaa."

Very funny scene.

[1066AD]

Great movie. It was on TCM this afternoon but had to endure it being introduced by John Edwards who blathered about proliferation etc. I guess Ted Turner is doing what he can for John*2 .

[Oatka]

What frizzed my hair was when it dawned on me that Gen. Ripper was mad. Hayden did a flawless transition from a tough-talking general into a lunatic. He later praised the film editors, saying that he was half drunk when he did the scene and amid all the retakes, they got that Sterling (ahem) performance.

Another realistic touch was using the hand held camera during the attack on the base - gave it a "you are there" feeling.

Could it have actually happened? Don't think so. If they were able to receive a recall code then they also could have received a code to blow up the plane - I'll bet that was another unknown - a self-destruct device that could be activated by headquarters in case some pilot went nuts.

And who can forget Sgt. Bat Guano (Keenan Wynn).

[SAMWolf]

One of my top 10 movies!

Major T. J. "King" Kong : Survival kit contents check. In them you'll find: one forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days' concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings. Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.

General "Buck" Turgidson : Mr. President, we cannot allow a mineshaft gap!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I saw it again Saturday night. The print looked darker than usual. As far as the host's snide remark; what'd you think you'd get from Turner Broadcasting a month before the election ?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Maybe they'll run "Old Yeller" after Bush wins November 2nd and have the outgoing Democrat senator from South Dakota do the intro...

[Jack Deth]

A child and adult of The Cold War. I saw Kubrick's classic, 'Dr. Strangelove' many times when it opened at ten years old.

The cast, plot, believeable sets, comedy, biting satire that I'd no problem understanding grabbed me then and is still on my personal Top 10 films.

What set the hook was the authenticity of the B-52 piloted by Slim Pickens. I've no idea how he managed to get the correct look and feel of the huge aircraft. Or managed to film within its confines. That secret died after the film was completed and the sets were destroyed.

Kubrick couldn't have asked for a better cast! Sellers was phenominal as Mandrake, Muffley and Dr. Strangelove. He'd also been cast to pilot the B-52, buy Slim Pickens became available and a classic was born!

George C. Scott performed flawlessly. As did Sterling Hayden in his lampoon of Curtis E. LeMay. Keenan Wynn (Maj.'Bat' Guano)brought the theater down when he blasted the Coke machine and got sprayed in the face.

I'll definitely be in line when the 40th Anniversary DVD hits the market!

Jack.

[George Smiley]

Absolutely the best black comedy of all time.

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here! This is the WAR room!"

[beaver fever]

"I thought I would fall out of my chair when George C Scott was arguing with the president and walking backwards in the war room when he tripped over his own feet and fell, did a roll and came up still talking. The stance he struck on getting up almost killed me--sort of like "ta-daaa."

It was like "ta-daaa". Scott actually tripped and kept speaking his lines. Kubrick liked the take and kept it in.

[beaver fever]

Also in the last scene Sellers forgot his lines and stood up out of the wheelchair and shouted, "Mein Fuhrer! I can valk!" Total add lib. Kubrick kept that in too and abandoned the pie fight as a result.

[txzman]

LOL! I used to do this bit after watching the movie with my Dad. Best line from the film. That and Major Bat Guano threatening Peter Sellars that 'he'll have to answer to the Coca Cola Company' for shooting the coke machine.