A goofy guy (vibrantly played with impressive agility by Bert Leu Van) and a drunkard (an equally lively portrayal by Rick Dennis) wreak all kinds of wild'n'wacky havoc in a small town. Writer/director Ray Dennis Steckler displays a positively infectious affection for such silent movie pioneers as Buster Keaton and the Keystone Cops in this amusing and energetic short which further benefits from a sweet screwball charm, zany sound effects (there's no dialogue), sharp black and white cinematography by Ron McManus, and a dynamic swinging score by Libby Quinn and Andre Brummer. Moreover, we also get a funny nod to Psycho, the gorgeous Carolyn Brandt totally rockin' a one piece swimsuit, and a guy in a Frankenstein monster's mask. Technically well made, this complete hoot offers proof positive that Steckler was a much more capable filmmaker than he's usually given credit for being.
2 Reviews
Decent Short
Michael_Elliott11 April 2014
Goof on the Loose (1964)
** (out of 4)
Decent eight-minute short from Ray Dennis Steckler has a drunk being popped out of a box and we see his many misadventures throughout a small town. This includes running into a kid with a lawn mower and even a Frankenstein monster (actually just a man in a cheap mask). This short was released two years after Steckler's first film WILD GUITAR and released just before the cult favorite THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES. For what it's worth, this film is slightly better than most as it really just comes across as a wink to various comedians but mainly The Three Stooges. It's obvious that the director was just wanting to show some slapstick laughs mixed with some bizarre but good editing and various silly noises. Is this film some sort of masterpiece or a film that needs to be searched out? Not at all but fans of the director will want to check it out for at least one viewing.
** (out of 4)
Decent eight-minute short from Ray Dennis Steckler has a drunk being popped out of a box and we see his many misadventures throughout a small town. This includes running into a kid with a lawn mower and even a Frankenstein monster (actually just a man in a cheap mask). This short was released two years after Steckler's first film WILD GUITAR and released just before the cult favorite THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES. For what it's worth, this film is slightly better than most as it really just comes across as a wink to various comedians but mainly The Three Stooges. It's obvious that the director was just wanting to show some slapstick laughs mixed with some bizarre but good editing and various silly noises. Is this film some sort of masterpiece or a film that needs to be searched out? Not at all but fans of the director will want to check it out for at least one viewing.
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