| Screaming Mimi | ||
|---|---|---|
| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | |
| Catalog #: | 447127 | |
| Clip Number: | 447127-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | WPA 1471 | |
| Timecode: | ||
| Location: | Various | |
| Year Shot: | 1961 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | ENTERTAINMENT/FICTION FILMS: Comedy ENTERTAINMENT/MOTION PICTURES: Misc | |
| Description: | ON PREVIEW CASSETTE #991250 This is quite a charming oddity---a possible pilot for prospective producers interested in broadcasting it on TV (I say this only because it is sponsored by Kellogg's OK's cereal). The reel contains three serial (pun intended) episodes and a brief introduction. It relates the story of Mimi, a rich young heiress who is stalked by an assortment of baddies; she also enjoys screaming, hence the name. This is highly conceptual material, bordering on the surreal, with artful B&W photography that manages to be both amateurish and intelligent, with intertitles to further mock the silent serial element. There are extreme lapses of real-time sound (except for the screaming) and a host of bizarre occurrances, like when Mimi's love interest/friend is driving down the highway in his convertible only to notice a breakfast setting by the side of the road so he naturally stops and enjoys a nutritious bowl of Kellogg's OK cereal. This is weird stuff that demands a view. Also note the catchy jingle, the ballad of "Screaming Mimi". Many shots of woman screaming in terror, horror, fear, confusion, some instances with a touch of comedy thrown in. Many instances of the proverbial damsel in distress, her innocence threatened by sadistic scientists, spoiled brats (an adult, actually, who on occasion like to stab his dolls with a kitchen knife) and general n'er do wells with an evil jealous streak. Many shots of breakfast cereal being eaten. Silent Films genre. | |
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