Hollywood Man
1976 Directed by Jack Starrett
Synopsis
The cops try to stop him! The mafia tries to stop him! but nobody's going to stop him!
Hollywood action film star Rafe Stoker has sunk $130,000 of his own money into his own production, but can't find legitimate financing to complete the film. His mob-connected investor demands an exorbitant amount of collateral and a guarantee that Rafe hand over a commercially acceptable film in 4 weeks, then hires a gang of psycho bikers to sabotage the picture to ensure he collects Stoker's collateral. As if a cranky local cop and bad weather didn't slow production enough, Crazy Harvey decides to take Rafe out of the picture after Rafe shows him up once too often.
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On paper, the idea of a B-movie about the making of a B-movie didn't seem that good. But in the hands of director Jack Starrett and co-writer/producer/star William Smith, it's a deranged piece of filmmaking.
Smith plays Rafe Stoker, a B-film actor/director who is looking to finish a biker flick, but when he can't get the funding to get it done, he turns to the mob, who puts up some backing. They also send an army of biker goons led by Harvey (Ray Girardin, who also co-wrote the film) to try to ensure Rafe doesn't finish it on time -- so they can have the collateral he put up.
HOLLYWOOD MAN is one part action picture, one part commentary on…
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A film about the making and financing of a film is novel territory. Add in the pressures of the mob to disrupt the production, the poor time management of the director, and things become even more original.
The levels of villains are memorable, as are the central goons. The way the film handles the helpfulness of the police is a highlight. A simple scene means their cooperation is unlikely. The massacre that the goons are involved in is also quite unexpected, especially when it involves infighting.
The Reverence: A zinger of an ending beats out a sniper confused by a stunt double.