Rat Pfink a Boo Boo (AKA The Adventures of Rat Pfink and Boo Boo)
Dir: Ray Dennis Steckler
1966
***
Ray Dennis Steckler's 1966 cult movie started out as a serious crime drama and was to be called The Depraved. The opening scene is fairly chilling too, somewhere between the 50's biker movies in mood and one of Roger Corman's better films, with a bit of Beachsploitation thrown in for good measure. The budget was small, Steckler himself guessing that it cost around about $20. Once that $20 was spent he realised he could make the film he first intended to make and decided to spoof the Adam West fronted Batman TV series that was popular at the time. Needless to say, it is not to be taken seriously. However, there is a lot to admire about the film. Firstly, they just went out and filmed it. I have huge respect for no nonsense Guerrilla filmmaking. Secondly, the overall production is actually quite impressive. The compositions within the film are fantastic, the opening scene could be from a professional studio made production. The sound is also phenomenal, each scene being accompanied by a harsh and intense mix of screams, scratches or over-dubbed dialogue which works perfectly within the film. Indeed, the young Keith A. Wester went on to be nominated for six academy awards for his work in sound before his death in 2002. The big switch from serious crime drama to spoof after the first 40 minutes is actually a genius decision by the then young director and he clearly understands what a spoof is and should be. It's funny and strange in equal measure and I find funny and strange to be quite successful companions. It's no masterpiece but it is one of those cinematic oddities that make film so interesting.