Dynamite Chicken (1971)

Dynamite Chicken (1971)

“What is obscene?”

Synopsis:
Richard Pryor appears intermittently in this collage of skits, spoofs, and commentary on countercultural topics, including war, sex, feminism, patriotism, politics, and obscenity.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Counterculture
  • Experimental Films
  • Richard Pryor Films
  • Satires and Spoofs

Review:
It’s difficult to know what to make of — or say about — this experimental pastiche of a film, which was surely much more relevant at the time of its release, but now simply comes across as a time capsule worthy of screening at a modern art museum. There’s some amusement to be had in “spot the celebrity” (not only Pryor but Fred Willard, Joan Baez, Andy Warhol, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono show up), and there is a clear attempt to push boundaries and taboos of every kind (viz. a scene of a stripping nun) — but… Feel free to skip this one unless you’re curious.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • A few effectively surreal and/or randomly engaging scenes and moments


Must See?
No; this one is simply an historical curiosity.

Links:

2 thoughts on “Dynamite Chicken (1971)

  1. Significant as one of the first R-rated, adult comedy review films but it’s uneven and certainly not must see.

  2. First viewing. Not must-see.

    One from the vault. Agreed that it “now simply comes across as a time capsule”. Sort of like an SNL overview of the sentiment of the ’60s, it serves up all of the hot-button language of the period.

    It popped up on YouTube, as a lot of things like this do.

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