Up in the Cellar

this movie contains some scenes that are significant to residents of Las Cruces, NM, where it was filmed. The opening scene shows the first phase of the downtown remodeling of the late 60's a former county commissioner has a small speaking part. The explosion of the radio tower was part of the move of a local station, KOBE, from one part of town to it's current location. Cutaways during the showing of the "porno film" have locals who were lured to the filming being told they would see the 'Sound of Music' not realizing there reactions would be cutaways in the porno angle of the film. The New Mexico State University band was put in the film in the basketball arena which was a year old at the time. The film is a typical 60's farce and probably not as interesting to those who aren't from here

1960's period piece. Strictly a snapshot of late 60's culture, made in the haphazard style that was briefly popular in the late 60's-early 70's. Of course it is irreverent- but I really don't see any relevance. It is yet another 1960's attempt to present mere irreverence as something relevant, but it wasn't relevant then, and isn't now.

However, when I saw this film in a theater in 1970 I laughed out loud, as did most of the audience. Laughed despite viewing the worst film actor I have ever seen (Wes Stern) and nothing from actress Nira Barab. The plus factor is Larry Hagman, who is energetic, extremely charismatic and funny. Joan Collins is good here too.

I would like to watch this movie again if they could edit out Wes Stern, but unfortunately he is in too many of the scenes.

As far as 1970-era culture, this movie won't make us nostalgic for those days but can only serve as a time capsule.

This film essentially begins with a young college student by the name of "Colin Slade" (Wes Stern) being told that his scholarship in has been cancelled by the school's new computer. Being quite dismayed by this, Colin immediately goes to see the university president "Maurice Camber" (Larry Hagman) who shows complete indifference to his problem. Needless to say, this depresses Colin to such an extent that--in adherence to the advice of a local college activist group--he decides to commit suicide in a public forum in order to ruin any chance Mr. Camber might have towards winning a coveted political election. However, when that doesn't work, he then decides to seduce Mr. Camber's daughter "Tracy Camber" (Caitlin Adams), his wife "Pat Camber" (Joan Collins) and his mistress "Harlene" (Judy Pace) and then publicize it to further embarrass him even more. What he doesn't count on is just how resilient Mr. Camber actually turns out to be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay comedy which depended heavily upon the political unrest that was felt and seen during this particular time in American history. To that effect, those viewers who may not have lived during this time may not get some of the satirical humor involved here. Not that it really matters as the humor isn't nearly as sharp as it could have been anyway. Be that as it may, while this clearly wasn't a great comedy by any means, I suppose it had its moments, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Originally called up in the cellar, this was later known as three in the cellar. Both larry hagman and joan collins had been in hollywood since the 1950s. But wes stern only had thirteen roles, and seems to have disappeared pretty quickly. In this tale, slade (stern) loses his college poetry scholarship, and goes after the school president (hagman) for revenge. By sleeping with his wife (collins). His daughter. Even his mistress. It's a parody of the 1960s, 1970s protest movies. Female nudity. Lots of it. It's silly, and over the top. Even a reference to the killings at ohio state. It's pretty good, if you go along with the joke. Of course, hagman and collins would both be huge stars in their own television series in about ten years. Camber's daughter was played by catlin adams, who you may recognize as the circus chick from "the jerk". It's pretty funny, but some of the references are probably a little dated by now. That probably explains the low-ish rating as of today. Directed by ted flicker. Based on the book by angus hall. David arkin, who played hugo, died young at 49.

A forgotten gem from 1970, Up in the Cellar is a time capsule piece that wonderfully captures the time period of the late 60's / early 70's struggle on and off the college campus in America. The movie is a comedy but tackles multiple issues of the time including: government, higher education, capitalism, revolution. Suicide, communication and sex. Wes Stern portrays the perfect representation of the everyday weakling of the time period. The average lost youth of the lost generation, Wes Stern is nothing less than a riddle on screen as well as off. His type of Actor has disappeared from cinema. In this story, his oddness adds to the realness of this fairy tale told in a satirical setting of 1969 America. 50 years later, this movie is important to examine on where this society has become.