Up in the Cellar

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.

College student Colin Slade (Wes Stern) is unjustly thrown out of a college by a computer error. Self-righteous principal Maurice Cambers (Larry Hagman) won't lift a finger to help him--because he installed the computers so they HAVE to be right! To get revenge Colin joins a revolutionary group and seduces Cambers wife (Joan Collins), daughter (Nira Barab) and black mistress (Judy Pace)! And Cambers is running for political office.

At first I hated this. The plot and jokes were VERY 60s (and not very funny now) and there were dreadful late 60s fashions, hairstyles and dialogue. And Stern is a lousy actor...and unattractive to boot. But slowly I began to like it and by the last half I was enjoying myself a lot! The movie was made to cash in through the enormous success of 1968s "Three in the Attic". I haven't seen that film--I'd love to but it's impossible to find--so I can't say how much of a copy this is. But this turns into a very sharp satire on politics, universities, self-righteousness and censorship. Some of it is still (sadly) relevant today. And it has an ending where EVERYBODY ends up happy! As I said Stern was lousy and Barab was even worse. But Hagman is a howl (and is really enjoying himself); David Arkin is great in a small role as Hugo Crane (his description of the revolutionary group is a definite highlight); Pace is wonderful in her role and Joan Collins successfully fakes an American accent and has a hysterical speech in front of an audience at the end.

So--it took a while for me to warm up to it but I ended up being very entertained. I give it a 7.

This movie is one of my faves, it captures the essence of the late 60's/early 70's perfectly. It's a lighthearted look at the whole student activism era, and the generation gap, us-against-them attitudes of young people at that time.

I'm sorry but I would have to disagree with Richard about the New Mexico shooting location - I think the movie wouldn't be the same without those desolate, wide-open, huge blue sky and mountains backdrops and stark university buildings. It makes the movie for me and if I ever came to America NMSU and Las Cruces would definitely be on my list of places to visit. I think it symbolises the hopelessness of one student against the president of a university with the blind faith of a whole state behind him.

Joan Collins, Larry Hagman, Judy Pace and Nira Barab are lots of fun but it was pretty obvious that the character of Colin Slade was one of the first big roles for Wes Stern.

If you're thinking of buying Angus Hall's novel "The Late Boy Wonder" because the movie is based on it then you might want to think again. After searching for the book for years I found it on the Barnes and Noble site and bought it. I wish I hadn't because first of all it is so different to the movie and secondly it has an ending which is nothing like the spirit of the movie at all.