Mr. Sycamore

I saw this film back in '76 and it made such an impression on me that I've NEVER forgotten it. It touched me and I really did want to be a tree after I saw it-in fact, I still have dreams of being a tree because of this lovely film. I absolutely loved it-it was beautiful. I have been looking for it, wanting to see it again for years. Anyone who says this is a bad film and a waste of time has no imagination or heart. I thought it was well cast. Especially Jason Robards. His portrayal of a mail man who wants something more from life is memorable. I usually don't much care for Sandy Dennis, but she was good in the role of Robard's wife.

Get in touch with your inner child and give this film a chance, it's well worth it.

Talk about a wasted cast: Jean Simmons, Sandy Dennis and Jason Robards--a mailman who decides to become.....a tree! Director Pancho Kohner, who later made a number of Charles Bronson vigilante films like St. Ives, really went out on a limb to make this dreck. Don't waste your time--this one is SO bad it's not even funny to watch. Really embarrassing.

Flop Broadway play from 1942 becomes unsuccessful movie, though one not without some eccentric charm. Small town postman, who writes poetry and talks to the trees along his mail route, chucks his job one afternoon to become a tree himself. Fascinated with metamorphosis, as well as by an ancient legend that had lovers being turned into trees by the gods, our hero digs a hole in his backyard and promptly plants himself, much to the concern of his wife, his clergy and neighbors (one of whom tells him to beware of boll weevils!). Playwright Ketti Frings, who co-adapted her play with director Pancho Kohner from a story by Robert Ayre, is obviously in love with absurdist comedy, and some of her early scenes do get laughs; however, this is short subject material, not a feature film. Kohner attempts to stretch the plot out with a needless milk truck chase and asides with sanitarium workers, to no avail. Good cast including Jason Robards, Sandy Dennis, Jean Simmons, and a snarky Robert Easton nearly makes it tolerable. *1/2 from ****

OMG!!! I could have reviewed the previous comment MYSELF. My husband even asked was I sure that I didn't write it b'cause it is one of my favorite all time childhood movies..... watched it with my mom.... she swears she's never heard of anything like it but I remember every scene. Since I grew up with a vivid imagination. I too though was either going crazy or had made it up. I am so glad to have found out that it does exist. If anyone knows where to get it, please let me know. I also remember a scene where the very concerned wife goes to a country church alone and they were singing HOLY HOLY HOLY. By the way, my husband asked me that because I have spoken about it for the 6years we have been married.

I screened this movie for possible negative pick up when I worked as Universal's Head of Independent Film Acquisition. First, I have the utmost respect for Jason Robards as an actor. He was one of the best. Having said that he could not save this film which I found meretricious and boring. It was a noble try but for me it just didn't work. I applaud the producers for getting it made. Maybe it would if he was a giant redwood in Muir Woods. A novel like Kafka's Metamorphosis would be more viable due to the symbolism and the verisimiltude. Or, George Orwell's Animal Farm might be another book into film that is viable, But this film is too ripe with faux symbolism and sophistry as well as wooden (no pun intended) to be a movie. Bottom line, Mr.Robards gives it his best effort, but it doesn't save Mr.Sycamore. Perhaps a better title would be Mr. Dendroid.