What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

Nice film, agree with other comments that it is just as appropriate today as in 1968 although our youth would be too mature possible for some of the humor. The bureaucracy portrayed in this movie seems quite realistic in this post 911 mentality.

The real question is why this movie has never been released. So many other pieces of trash seem to have been redone, why has this one not been released on either VHS or DVD? I can only assume that this because of some copyright or estate issue. Have George Peppard's family restricted its release? Does Universal Studio's have some issue with releasing it? Unfortunately the last time it appeared on TV was before the general availability of VCRs.

I saw this film during my impressionable teen years. Its message has haunted me since. Suppose a virus exists that alters human brain chemistry and folks become happy? What would that do to contemporary society based on fear, insecurity and petty neuroses? What would be the response of our critical, western socio-economic institutions that were established to deal with those very fears, hang-ups and neuroses? From our consumer society to our police, mental health, religious and military institutions? How would these institutions and hierarchies react and respond to the a spontaneous outburst of mass euphoria? I have looked for this comedy for decades. Only once to my memory has it been shown on television. I have always been suspicious about that, considering it is wrapped in rather cutesy, mid-60's Paramount-picture-esque, candy-coated plot much like the Rock Hudson/Tony Randall/Doris Day comedies typical of that era. Don't get me wrong, this comedy is no "Dr. Strangelove" but unlike the Doris Day pap of the day, under all the silliness, this movie hides a seditious message. I don't know who wrote or directed it, but if you told me Norman Lear, Buck Henry, or Terry Sothern (sp?) it would not surprise me. This is the kind of message-laden stuff Lear taught us to expect in the early 70's. Only three other comedies from that era stayed with me, "The President's Analyst," "Watermelon Man," and "Cold Turkey." All hid powerful messages under their surface silliness.

With the coronavirus pandemic still creating havoc around the world, I thought it was timely to talk a little bit about What's So Bad About Feeling Good?, a light-hearted comedy about a very different type of virus, one that makes you happy and kind. A little known film, which unfortunately bombed upon its release and was quickly forgotten, it's now a perfect diversion for those feeling down and heavy because of Covid-19. When seen against the backdrop of the current outbreak, there are some surprising parallels between how the authorities react to deal with this 'feel-good' virus and the present situation, especially as the story is set in New York City, which has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus. The premise is as original as it is ridiculous: good feeling is being spread by a toucan on the loose, and can be further transmitted upon contact (in much the same way as the coronavirus). It first hits a down beaten hippie community that has adopted lethargic depression as an existential philosophy and spreads throughout NY from there. While there does not seem to be any negative sides to the contamination (after all, what's so bad about feeling good?), the powers that be, led by a neurotic buffoon (delightfully played by Dom DeLuise), are bent on eradicating both virus and toucan, as you just can't have New-Yorkers running around feeling happy and polite, and not caring a damn about competing in the rat race...plus it's obviously a commie scheme to undermine the USA. In that respect, the film uses the spread of the so-called virus to make some fairly smart comments and mild criticism of modern society. There are also some amusing takes on hippie and beatnik culture of the time that contribute to the good-natured fun. Much of humor is silly, but George Peppard, Mary Tyler Moore and DeLuise manage to make the whole thing mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, the plot does not develop its premise in particularly inventive directions, ultimately focusing more on the efforts of the authorities to combat the infection than depicting its actual spread within the society writ large and the potentially crazy and amusing repercussions and situations that could have resulted. While Peppard and Tyler Moore are an engaging starring duo, there is limited development of their characters or their relationship. I was left with the feeling that this was a great idea that should have led to more entertaining possibilities. Still I found the overall result somewhat above average considering the originality of its starting point, some good jokes and satirical observations, and satisfying performances.

This incredible film starring the late Mary Tyler Moore and the late George Peppard deserves a lot more attention than it received at the time of its initial release. It is difficult to locate today and that is a shame. Funny and profound, it offers wonderful entertainment for all ages. The story seems timeless in many ways. Although the plot might not please Madison Avenue, it perhaps reflects truths about a consumer economy. Yet its uplifting spiritual message and completely charming plot make it truly memorable. It seems to me this really overlooked gem of a movie sets a high standard. Very well acted and directed, beautifully written and filmed with visual power, it deserves a 10 in my opinion. Watch this film to spend an enthralling period of time. It is really, really, really excellent!

This is a movie that should definitely be brought out on video, or played on television, or somehow brought into availability now. It is such a great commentary for our time, and probably more significant now than it was when it came out. I haven't seen it since 1968, and yet I still remember the lessons I learned from it. With all of the drugs and medications that are used to make people feel "good" and "happy", maybe we need to be reminded that if it's real, it comes from the inside. It is a silly movie, and certainly a dated one (beatniks?), but a young George Peppard is worth seeing in this one.