Mania Grade: C+
Disc Grade: A-
Reviewed Format: DVD
Rated: Not Rated
Stars: MONDO MOD - Humble Harve, Sam the Soul and the Inspirations, The Group, The Youth of the World; THE HIPPIE REVOLT (SOMETHING'S HAPPENING) - The hippies themselves
Writers: MONDO MOD - Sherman Greene; THE HIPPIE REVOLT (SOMETHING'S HAPPENING) - The hippies themselves
Directors: MONDO MOD - Peter Perry; THE HIPPIE REVOLT (SOMETHING'S HAPPENING) - Edgar Beatty
Distributor: Something Weird Video / Image Entertainment
Original Years of Release: 1966 / 1967
Retail Price: $24.98
Extras: shorts; commentary; theatrical trailers; Easter egg; gallery; alternate footage from MONDO MOD

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MONDO MOD / THE HIPPIE REVOLT (SOMETHING'S HAPPENING)

Persons romanticizing the glorious '60s without having lived through it might find MONDO MOD just the bitter pill they need. Over the course of 70 minutes '60s L.A. radio personality Humble Harve takes us on a psychedelic trip down L.A.'s famous Sunset Strip where we get to wig out at all the youngsters, the "mod generation," lackadaisically meandering about looking as lost and detached as, well, youngsters today. From there we're off to a cornucopia of exciting locals as we take in such popular "now" '60s activities as surfing, dirt bike riding, go-kart riding and karate. As the saying goes, "If God had not created the dork, '60s youth would have made it for him."

Surprisingly, since this is a Harry Novak production, there is no skin; however, there are a couple of scenes that seem suspiciously like nudie reel outtakes minus the money shot. Surprise, surprise, those scenes are nudie reel outtakes minus the money shots and Something Weird has included both on the disc in two shorts, "Pot Party Playgirls!" and "Hot Hippy Hips!" both of which look like they'd been stored on the tin roof of a Miami beach house. The film looks like it was shot by "Johnny Generic" but in fact was handled by respected cinematographers Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond. Humble Harve, later in life to be incarcerated, handles his narration duties with all the verve of a radio personality, his insights being brought into question when he tries to pass dirt bike riding off as a hippie pastime. (As we all know the hippies' favorite pastime was getting their heads cracked in by the fuzz. God bless those pigs, every one.)

By the time the film wraps up with an obviously staged pot party that descends into un-shown nudity, you know that you're dealing with hokum, but you'll be so stoned out of your mind with snickering you won't be able to function. The film features the ungodly awful dancing of Sam the Soul, the insipid music of his backup band the Inspirations, the unknown band "The Group" (though oddly not the group of the same name featured in David F. Friedman's insipid BUMMER), a biker gang that looks like paraplegics could kick their ass, and the catchy theme song "It's a Mod, Mod World" by the Gretschmen, who later went on to nothing. It's all directed by skin flick auteur Peter Perry (THE PIGKEEPER'S DAUGHTER, SASSY SUE) - under his real name for once.

Persons wishing to enjoy MONDO MOD with the Johnny Legend and Eric Caidin commentary should do so at their own risk. As they were directly part of that scene their observations break down into boring tales of their reckless youth and a phenomenally dull recap of all the hotspots on the Strip. Actually, the one reason to listen to this track at all is for Johnny Legend's info on the film, which is scant here.

The print for MONDO MOD is rather good - there is a pixie dust effect from minor scratches throughout the film and occasionally vertical scratch lines will make themselves known, but other than that it's all good, baby. The sound is a bit weak so "turn it up, MAN!" The film is presented full screen (1.33:1).

THE HIPPIE REVOLT feels like the real deal and brother, the real deal isn't the prettiest. Ostensibly "written and told by the hippies themselves," what this translates into is a long collection of rambling monologues in which the youth of yesterday reveal themselves to be as confused about their own time as, well, any youngster about their own time. It's this honesty that gives THE HIPPIE REVOLT its edge. The kids may drift off into nonsense but at least they're offering their ideas, regardless of how poorly thought out some might be in retrospect. The film's look is grainy, fluid and rather striking, far outclassing MONDO MOD's in spite of that film's better credentials. What's particularly interesting about THE HIPPIE REVOLT is its timeless quality; the characters that inhabited San Francisco in the '60s are practically mirror images of those who inhabit it today, things having come full circle. Not a lot of yucks from outdated ideas and fashions, since the hippie mentality has remained a remarkable constant, but certainly a lot of exclamations of yuck when you see how dirty everybody is. The film tends to become a bit dry, but persons who like trippy images will be delighted as certain images and scenes are shot to maximize a particular buzz. This is a one-watch curio for those without a bong, a million viewing happening for those with.

Johnny Legend and Eric Caidin weren't quite in this scene, being L.A. boys, but did have some experience with it. This translates into a far superior commentary track featuring less reverential treatment (read: more honest).

Picture quality on this film is rather good even if the images themselves are grainy and the colors dark at times. That appears to be the way it was shot since the links between set pieces are crisp and clear. The sound is weak, but audible, so turn it up, drop out and freak, baby, freak. The film is presented full screen (1.33:1).

Two shorts, in addition to the MONDO MOD complements, are presented: "Beyond LSD" and "Psychedelic Hippie Love-In." "Beyond LSD" is an educational film made with the assistance of 16-18 year olds to help teach parents about how to deal with kids and LSD. It's rather candid in attacking the adults on their own vices and tells them their best weapon is listening to the kids. So whenever you think you have a good relationship with your parents and they pay you mind, it's just cause they don't want you becoming a smack head and ruining their bridge night bragging. "Psychedelic Hippie Love-In" is the standard skin heavy bit that Something Weird head Mike Vraney manages to slip on every disc. Apparently a segment from an unnamed documentary, this is basically a narrator talking about love-ins while images of suspiciously attractive youngsters get naked and simulate sex.

The disc features the standard wealth of trailers and here's what you'll score if you rent this: MONDO MOD and THE HIPPIE REVOLT, THE ACID EATERS, THE CAT ATE THE PARAKEET, LOVE IS A CAROUSEL, MANTIS IN LACE, MUSICAL MUTINY & WEEKEND REBELLION (featuring Grand Funk Railroad and Iron Butterfly), SMOKE AND FLESH and THE TALE OF THE DEAN'S WIFE. As an extra Easter egg bonus you'll get the trailer for the awful looking, and titled, THE HIDAN OF MAUKBEIANGJOW. (That said I'd give my left arm for Something Weird to release that title on DVD.)

Rounding out the disc is a gallery of drive-in exploitation art with intermission announcements. This one is worth a listen for its final moments when the announcer makes an emotional plea for people not to make nuisances out of themselves.