{"id":112,"date":"2006-03-30T09:40:18","date_gmt":"2006-03-30T16:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=112"},"modified":"2021-02-05T15:03:31","modified_gmt":"2021-02-05T22:03:31","slug":"boy-friend-the-1971","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=112","title":{"rendered":"Boy Friend, The (1971)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Now go out there and be so great you&#8217;ll make me hate you!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Poster-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-21018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Poster-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Poster-85x128.jpg 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nMeek stagehand Polly Browne (Twiggy) takes over the leading role in Sandy Wilson&#8217;s musical <em>The Boy Friend<\/em> when its star (Glenda Jackson) breaks her leg.  <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Actors and Actresses<\/li>\n<li>Glenda Jackson Films<\/li>\n<li>Ken Russell Films<\/li>\n<li>Love Triangle<\/li>\n<li>Musical<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Underdog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:<\/strong><br \/>\nThis creative play-within-a-play adaptation of Sandy Wilson&#8217;s musical &#8212; a &#8220;takeoff of Warners&#8217; Depression Era musicals where performers smiled through the sad storylines and lyrics&#8221; &#8212; showcases Ken Russell&#8217;s ability to add a unique spin to any project he&#8217;s involved with (Peary argues it&#8217;s his &#8220;best film&#8221;).  It&#8217;s dizzying, colorful, and fun to watch: Tommy Tune&#8217;s tap-dancing is a wonder to behold: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-Tapping-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>the &#8220;production numbers are excitingly innovative&#8221;:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Production-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>and it&#8217;s hard not to hope that everything works out between Polly and her secret crush, Tony (Christopher Gable). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Crush-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As Peary points out, this film &#8212; which has &#8220;endless doses of wit, spirit, and charm&#8221; &#8212; is &#8220;much underrated&#8221;; other reviews are inexplicably scathing.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Twiggy as Polly Browne<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Twiggy-1-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Tommy Tune as himself<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Tommy-Tune-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Vibrant cinematography and sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Colors-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant3-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Vibrant2-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fun, Busby Berkeley-inspired musical numbers<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"428\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Boyfriend-Busby-1-604x252.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as one among many unique entries in Ken Russell&#8217;s ouevre.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0066858\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=6140\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3568boy.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1971\/12\/17\/archives\/film-the-boy-friendtwiggy-plays-polly-in-russell-screenplay.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/the-boy-friend-1972\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Now go out there and be so great you&#8217;ll make me hate you!&#8221; Synopsis: Meek stagehand Polly Browne (Twiggy) takes over the leading role in Sandy Wilson&#8217;s musical The Boy Friend when its star (Glenda Jackson) breaks her leg. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Actors and Actresses Glenda Jackson Films Ken Russell Films Love Triangle Musical Play Adaptations Underdog Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: This creative play-within-a-play adaptation of Sandy Wilson&#8217;s musical &#8212; a &#8220;takeoff of Warners&#8217; Depression Era musicals where&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=112\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=112"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68965,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112\/revisions\/68965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}