Down, Girls!

I did my best to maintain a cool, high-minded silence, but this is just too irresistable! Ladies, I am shocked! That so studious a forum -- so dedicated to the appreciation of the art of acting and writing and the joys of sixties television, has descended to this! What can possibly be next?

Well, I'll tell you -- I must confess that in my scouring of old 2nd hand tape and record stores, I came across a title that you may be familiar with: "A Name For Evil". I sat and watched it with my mouth hanging open in wonder, and I wonder, since this extensive discussion of Mr. Culp's talented backside has exploded into a near seminar, why this film is not being discussed in this context. Not only is there ample footage of the "portion" in question, in all its glory, but indeed there is NO portion left to the imagination! Heavens to Betsy! as my mother used to say! He really, in the time-honored sixties phrase, "Let it all hang out"! Not only that, but this inexplicable piece of cinema also contains extended love scenes with what I gather was his girlfriend at the time, and eventual stepmother to the Culp boys, Miss Sheila Sullivan! One wonders how odd it must have been for those boys, once they were old enough to see it, to view this unnatural wonder!

I am kind of curious as to what was behind this film -- with all its odd, elliptical scenes, what there is to see of Culp's performance (aside from the "natural" settings) seemed very powerful indeed, and yet the film makes very little sense and seems as though something was left out. But what wasn't left out is all too plain to see!

If we're discussing talented backsides, I would have to cast my vote not for the rather modest physique of Mr. Culp (this has nothing to do with his handsomeness or his remarkable agility and physical grace) but for the rather spectacular buttocks of Mr. Cosby, and I would like to hear an amen!

However, you can't fault Mr. Culp for bravery -- I read once that even Marlon Brando, while making "Last Tango", decided not to show himself in his altogether because he was worried about "shrinkage" and that his audience would be disappointed. I suppose its debatable whether or not if this film had reached a wide audience, what it might have done for our hero's career!

regards,

Dotterer