花贼

One of the Key Films of Beat Generation. I was shocked and amazed to see that no one else has bothered to click on this film, or vote for it; sadder still to see that it is unavailable on VHS or DVD. Starring Taylor Mead, this is one of the classics of the 1960s underground cinema, featuring superb direction, camerawork and editing by the late Ron Rice. The entire film was shot on outdated World War II surplus 16mm aerial gunnery film in 50 ft. cartridges; Rice and Mead improvised most of the film on location in San Francisco. On a budget of less than $1000, Mead and Rice created a film that rivals the best of Chaplin, Keaton, or any of the other great silent comedians, a film that can be seen again and again. There really is no other word for it; the film is a masterpiece, and I urge you to seek it out and see it at your earliest convenience.