With Lord Love a Duck (1966), renowned screenwriter-turned-director (if only for this one of two films) George Axelrod (writer on The Manchurian Candidate, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) turns his distinctly 1960s perceptive towards the younger set. Truly unconventional and loaded with quasi-dangerous content, Lord Love a Duck is as odd as its title, which reportedly comes from an alliterative remark that replaces the word ‘love’ with something that rhymes better. (1966). Featuring outstanding performances by the whole cast, Lord Love a Duck is a hilarious satire on teen excesses. Comedy. Not particularly skilled behind the camera -- the shadow of a boom mike makes an uncredited guest appearance in at least one scene -- Axelrod makes for a pit bull of a satirist, tearing with abandon into … [8] Axelrod said he asked George S. Kaufman how to direct and Kaufman said "you get good actors. Lord Love a Duck (George Axelrod, 1966) 8/10 Axelrod's satirical black comedy strikes at 1960s teen culture, beach movies and progressive education. Because of its ambition, some jokes stick … I know you've had a long day at work, but Lord love a duck, is it too much to ask for you to take out the trash? It's only dressed in a bikini though; underneath it actually takes a wickedly humorous and sometimes painfully dark jab at California 1960's culture. On the whole, though, I really enjoyed it. It also turns up a number of times in the works of P G Wodehouse, the earliest being The Coming of Bill, two years before Ulysses was published: “‘Well, Lord love a duck!’ replied the butler, who in his moments of relaxation was addicted to homely expletives of the lower London type.” Lord Love a Duck is a 1966 teen comedy produced, directed and co-written by George Axelrod and starring Roddy McDowall and Tuesday Weld. *** Why the picture is called "Lord Love a Duck" is anyone's guess. used as exclamation of exasperation or surprise. Study of interracial marriage in the 1960's. Barbara Ann goes on to Hollywood fame in her debut film Bikini Widow, while Alan is sent to prison. "It got no reaction. "Lester has shown us a freer form," said Axelrod. And if it's a comedy you don't get Actors Studio actors". Being the first of its kind, its a slightly awkward film that doesn't always know what to do with itself. Use the HTML below. "I want to prove that this is nonsense. Lord love a duck. Father and daughter on a shopping excursion buying 12 cashmere sweaters. Lord Love a Duck is really ambitious in what it's trying to do, which is mostly satirize vapid SoCal culture, though it takes jabs at genres popular in the 60s as well, like the teen beach flicks, kitchen sink dramas, and horror-thrillers. From his prison cell, Alan Musgrave dictates his experiences of the previous year, which he dedicated to fulfilling the unending wishes and ambitions of high school senior Barbara Ann Greene. When Musgrave meets attractive Barbara Ann Greene, he uses his talents to help her get what she wants in life. When Barbara Ann decides she wants Bob for her husband, Alan facilitates this by keeping Bob's eccentric mother Stella, who disapproves of Barbara Ann, perpetually drunk. Vandalizing their new high school, miscreant Alan (Roddy McDowall) explains his nickname to Barbara Ann (Tuesday Weld) who offers her depraved ambition, in George Axelrod's Lord Love A Duck, 1966.. View the TCMDb entry for Lord Love a Duck (1966) Since Bob's mother frowns upon divorce, Alan takes matters into his own hands to kill Bob. "I can't imagine why it wasn't a hit," said Axelrod. "[8], Axelrod used as a music score the sound of teenagers with transistor radios. Lord Love a Duck will not be made specifically for the teenage market but teenagers will probably dig it. Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're excited about this month, like Mortal Kombat, "Them," and Stowaway. A bright satirical comedy about an innocent high school girl granted her wishes by a student prodigy. Posted by Janet Stanek on October 23, 2001. Along the way, the satire bites teen mores, beach-blanket bikini movies, adults in charge, the country-club set, Christian-youth programs, older men's fantasies, and teen girls' innocence. The film was based on a novel published in 1961. The film was a satire of popular culture at the time, its targets ranging from progressive education to beach party films. "[3], Film rights were bought in December 1964 by Gordon Carroll and George Axelrod under the banner of their company, Charleston Enterprises. I ran what I thought was a clever ad campaign, parodying all the other campaigns. It's similar to the English film I'm All Right Jack's twist on the 'colorful' English expression, 'Fxxx you Jack, I'm all Right.' But here the disconnect doesn’t really detract from the film. It wants to ridicule everything and succeeds at nothing. It puts everything down - society, vulgarity, adolescents. The New York Times called the book "hilarious at times and often charmingly wicked. (If you watch the trailer, turn your sound down first) I never heard of it before so it must not have been a big hit. The only difference is that it pre-dates all of them. Lord love a duck. They include Jo Collins, 21, then a recent Playmate of the Year. Axelrod called the book "a cross between Andy Hardy and Dr Strangelove. It may yet give bad taste a bad name. At the graduation ceremony, Alan pursues Bob with a tractor, apparently killing him and several people on the speakers' platform. 367 pp. View production, box office, & company info. In Reply to: Lord love a duck! Even when I was drunk watching this years ago, I wasn't amused at all. Along the way, the satire bites teen mores, beach-blanket bikini movies, adults in charge, the country-club set, Christian-youth programs, older men's fantasies, and teen girls' innocence. [5], In May 1965 Roddy McDowall signed to play the lead. If it comes off very well I may get deported. If I could do that and find new ways of saying things the film at least will serve the useful purpose of puncturing a hole in Hollywood's adolescent mystique. Check out our gallery of the 2021 Oscar nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life. Lord Love a Duck Although Bob proves to be almost indestructible, by graduation time Alan has him in a wheelchair. Then Barbara meets producer T. Harrison Belmont, the King of Beach Party movies, and decides to become the biggest star that ever was. It's the "me culture" gone mad. The Monkees are tossed about in a psychedelic, surrealist, plotless, circular bit of fun fluff. "We were afraid it might give bad taste a bad name. Happening title tune performed by "The Wild Ones" and fleshy teenage video, followed by hero Alan (Roddy McDowall) pursued by cops, opening George Axelrod's outlandish Lord Love A Duck, 1966. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Search for "Lord Love a Duck" on Amazon.com, Title: Bob refuses, however, to allow his wife to have a Hollywood screen test, so Barbara Ann decides she wants a divorce. Editorial Reviews. Beautifully shot in striking black-and-white by the great Daniel L. Fapp (One, Two, Three) with a memorable score by Neal Hefti (Duel at Diablo). The story is narrated by a brilliant but deranged high-school senior (Roddy McDowell at 38) from a psych-ward, who comes into the life of a vain and vacuous teen (Tuesday Weld) and makes all her dreams come true even if it means resorting … View the TCMDb entry for Lord Love a Duck (1966) The title Lord Love a Duck is a riff on an obscene alliterative phrase (use your imagination). Was this review helpful to you? The significance of the duck is unknown. [1], He based his visual style on the films of Richard Lester such as A Hard Day's Night and The Knack. "I want to get away from the Hollywood syndrome of trying to make every shot look pretty and orderly. A Parisian tailor finds himself posing as a baron in order to collect a sizeable bill from an aristocrat, only to fall in love with an aloof young princess. A broad satire of teenage culture in the sixties, its … "[1], Axelrod called the film "pop porn or Dirty Disney. [8], "I'm not really sure why I'm making this picture," said Axelrod. $4.55. She drops out of school to become the principal's new secretary and gets involved in church activities run by strait-laced but hyper-hormonal Bob Bernard. Lord Love a Duck (1966) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. . 26 of 29 people found this review helpful. [7] Axelrod had directed three plays on Broadway, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, Once More With Feeling and Goodbye Charlie but this was his first film. There are plenty of holes in the plot, and, if its a comedy the dramatic scenes are too strident, if its a drama then it is all done with too much flippancy. I couldn't get anybody into the theaters to see it. I am 38 yrs old & have always liked the late 60's early 70's movies. Attested from the late 19th century. Often fitting when one is stunned or dismayed. George Axelrod’s corrosively satiric Lord Love a Duck is one of the most irreverent and cockeyed films of the 1960s. The daughter of Marie, a cocktail waitress sinking unhappily into her forties, Barbara Ann wants every kind of success and for everyone to love her. "he observed in a dazed voice — "What's this?" 2.a saying written in magic disappearing blowpen to … A broad satire of teenage culture in the sixties, its targets ranging from progressive education to beach movies. At first glance, George Axelrod's, Lord Love a Duck appears to be a satire of 60's beach party movies. Variant of earlier (18th century) Lord love you, God love us, etc. English [] Etymology []. I don't claim to be an expert on the culture of the mid-sixties, but it tackles a lot of topics that seemed to be taboo at the time, like Marie's death, and their rather self-conscious use of the word prostitute. High-school senior Barbara Ann Greene has a lot to overcome to reach her dreams to be popular, get a job, find a husband, and maybe even be a movie star: she's poor, her parents are divorced, and her mother is a cocktail waitress. An exclamation of surprise, shock, frustration, exasperation, anger, alarm, or annoyance. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Check that movie out if you get a chance. Lord Love A Duck was also a black comedy from 1966 starring Roddy McDowell and Tuesday Weld (whatver happened to her): a satire of the ‘60’s culture. [6] United Artists agreed to finance and Axelrod decided to direct. "[8], The film was a financial failure. "[4] Larry Johnson wrote the script along with Axelrod. He helps her get 12 cashmere sweaters, a job in the principal's office, spring break at Balboa, and more. Lord love a duck! At first glance, George Axelrod's, Lord Love a Duck appears to be a satire of 60's beach party movies. Struggling artist fakes his own death so his works will increase in value. One day, the truckers Grafouillère deposit a drunk Goubi in the biggest market of Paris ... See full summary ». Lord Love a Duck is a wildly subversive, scathing satire with an often-twisted, swirling sexual energy. Retired agent Matt Helm is re-activated in order to stop an evil organization from exploding an atom bomb over the USA and starting WWIII. Right beside her, though, is her best friend and Svengali, Alan. now playing Lord Love A Duck -- (Movie Clip) Just Tell Mollymauk. posted by Patty on January 10, 19100:I was never sure what it meant, but I love the movie with Roddy McDowell & Tuesday Weld. Lord love a duck! Directed by George Axelrod. By Al Hine. Several women begin outlaws' lives in a desperate trip to their family farm, which was taken off them by corrupt authorities. Interjection []. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. What does 'Lord love a duck' mean? Lord Love a Duck is a wildly subversive, scathing satire with an often-twisted, swirling sexual energy. Hine's novel Lord Love a Duck (Atheneum: 1961) told the story of Alan Musgrave, a confident high school student skilled at karate and hypnosis who calls himself 'Mollymauk' after a rare bird. New York: Atheneum. It is based on Al Hine's 1961 novel of the same name. The sole directorial effort of playwright/screenwriter/producer George Axelrod, Lord Love a Duck offers an odd mix of pointed comedy and inexplicable strangeness. "Maybe I'm just trying to get revenge on my own teenagers. It was one of those pictures that died. An exclamation used when nothing else will fit. Goubi, the simpleton of his village in the French Department Allier, has but one wish: to see Paris. He helps her get 12 cashmere sweaters, a job in the principal's office, spring break at Balboa, and more. "[1], The film was shot over 30 days for $850,000 (equivalent to $6,698,000 in 2019). If we'd stopped the car one second later that train would have hit us! Lord Love A Duck -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Alan. I had never really thought of her as anything more than the vapid lead to a bunch of teen movies, but I was really surprised at what a good actress she was. The acting is all excellent, I was particularly impressed with Tuesday Weld's performance. When her ex-husband sues for custody of her child, arguing that a mixed... See full summary ». I put this movie in a category with other slightly anarchic anti-establishment movies such as "The Graduate," "If..." and "The Magic Christian." I went on the road with it. I got reams of press. Written by "[1], "We were worried about The Loved One," said Axelrod before the film came out. Right beside her, though, is her best friend and Svengali, Alan. He was right. Lord Love a Duck took aim at Southern California culture, much like The Graduate would soon do. Lord Love a Duck Some may call George Axelrod's Lord Love a Duck satire, others way-out comedy, still others brilliant, while there may be some who ask, what's it all about? The author's third novel is set in Iowa although a more likely location might be some swamp- with Sanctuary's Popeye brooding over the orgiastic shenanigans. Lord love a duck! Few comedies claim to be A Story Of Our Times, but many certainly are. [9], "Gooney Bird and Friends: LORD LOVE A DUCK. California culture has always been a target for lampooning, from politics to food to fashion to new age philosophies. Gooney Bird and Friends", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lord_Love_a_Duck&oldid=1015427490, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 April 2021, at 12:21. MGM’s new DVD of the film includes a … Lord love a duck, he said. title details and video sharing options. Lord Love a Duck is a 1966 teen comedy produced, directed and co-written by George Axelrod and starring Roddy McDowall and Tuesday Weld. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Teenagers like being put down. High-school senior Barbara Ann Greene has a lot to overcome to reach her dreams to be popular, get a job, find a husband, and maybe even be a movie star: she's poor, her parents are divorced, and her mother is a cocktail waitress. Photographer struggles to make enough money to marry his fiancee, who is starting to believe he's delaying their marriage deliberately. ""We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves"" is said at the beginning of the book- and the characters here cavort in a dim-lit world of unreality where there is no palpable truth distinguishable from the lie. Lord Love a Duck is an example of a "comedy" trying to be too broad in what institutions it's attacking. The film was a satire of popular culture at the time, its targets ranging from progressive education to beach party films. It's the "me culture" gone mad. "[2], Lola Albright won the Silver Bear for Best Actress award at the 16th Berlin International Film Festival in 1966. Lord love a duck! lord love a duck 1. an exclaimation uttered when nothing else will fit... often used when stunned or dismayed. It's only dressed in a bikini though; underneath it actually takes a wickedly humorous and sometimes painfully dark jab at California 1960's culture. It is based on Al Hine's 1961 novel of the same name. Roddy McDowall is excellent as Mollymauk, but the uneveness of the film doesn't do the character justice, and you get the feeling with a little more work on the plot and the pacing, he could have made the film hysterical.Anyway, it was a good film, particularly impressive when you think of it as the prototype of a genre of film which is still being produced today. In “Lord Love a Duck,” which Axelrod produced, co-wrote, and directed from a novel by Al Hine, neither McDowall nor Weld exactly looks like an 18-year-old, nor do the actresses who play their classmates. Item, Feb 2017: “Wave of Security Lapses” A series of reports on leaked security documents from Stewart International (a reliever airport northwest of New York City) demonstrate both TSA overreach (on an airport that sees only occasional flights) and that TSA’s overreach vastly exceeds its grasp. Just annoyed. Looking at the party on the beach through his binoculars, Sees Barbara Ann and Alan passing by on a motorized floating whale, Review: "Lord Love A Duck" (1966) Starring Roddy McDowall And Tuesday Weld; Blu-ray Special Edition, Forgotten By Fox: "The Secret Life of an American Wife", Everything Coming to Prime Video in September 2020, Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA. But I think we're alright. "There's this gruesome prejudice in Hollywood that a picture made between $750,000 and $1 million cannot make a profit," said Axelrod. If we'd stopped the car one second later that train would have hit us! When a criminal breaks into the Beverly Hills home of a wealthy couple having marital problems, he unwillingly provides the spouses with an unlikely resolution to their conflicts as well as a solution to his own secret problem. You know, the happenin’ youth scene. In a short documentary that comprises the sole special feature on the new DVD edition of Lord Love A Duck, writer-director George Axelrod notes that the 1966 film is "against just about everything: teenagers, their parents, schools, religion, beach pictures, almost anything." A white divorcée falls in love with and marries an African-American man. An exclamation of surprise, shock, frustration, exasperation, anger, alarm, or annoyance. Look at what I’m standing drinks to!” But earlier examples are easy to find, often in the forms lor love a duck or lor luv a duck that attempt to record the pronunciations of Cockneys. With Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, Lola Albright, Martin West. A bright satirical comedy about an innocent high school girl granted her wishes by a student prodigy. Famous Spanish bandit Artiguez returns to his native Spanish village after 20 years in French exile but Spanish cop Vinolas is setting a trap for him. United Artists sold the shit out of it. 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