Scandalous (1984, Robert Hays, Pamela Stephenson, John Gielgud, M Emmet Walsh, Jim Dale, Ron Travis) – Classic Movie Review 9882

‘Sir John Gielgud’s a Japanese spy… a down-and-out drunk… a wealthy aristocrat and a grandfather punk! Pamela Stephenson’s classy, she’s brassy… a French maid who mixes seduction with deduction.’

Director Rob Cohen’s 1984 Scandalous is a scandalously unfunny comedy with Airplane! star Robert Hays helpless as Frank Swedlin, a television reporter framed for killing his wife and duped by his fellow London-flight passenger, Fiona Maxwell Sayle (Pamela Stephenson), into thinking that he has an exclusive story on spy activities.

Rob Cohen and John Byrum’s broadly farcical script is a chilling laughter-free zone, leaving the genial performers stranded.

Alas, it is not saved by a game but ill-advised John Gielgud appearance (in leather too!) as Uncle Willie, a master of disguise (yes, a Japanese spy, a down-and-out drunk, a wealthy aristocrat and a grandfather punk).

Pop sensation of the day Bow Wow Wow appear.

This is Rob Cohen’s and Larry Cohen’s (no relation) only movie collaboration. The screenplay and story are by Rob Cohen and John Byrum, and the story is also by Larry Cohen.

Also in the cast are M Emmet Walsh, Nancy Wood, Jim Dale, Ron Travis, Ed Dolan, Paul Reeve, Anita Kennedy, Nancy Wood, Kevin Elyot, Duncan Preston, Maureen Bennett, Peter Dennis, Preston Lockwood, Conover Kennard, Jim Magill, Mike Walling, Stuart Saunders, Albert Moses, Toby Robins, Margaret Flint, Richard Hope, Elizabeth Richardson, G B Zoot Money, Richard Ireson, Ron Cook, Peter Whitman, Emil Wolk, Robert Stiles, Michael Drew, Hilary Ryan, Terry Kingley, Jonathan Barrow, Joris Stuyck, Anthony Gardner and David Williams.

Scandalous is directed by Rob Cohen, runs 92 minutes, is made by Raleigh Films, Lantana, Angeles Cinema Investors, is released by Orion Pictures (1984) (US) and Hemdale (1984) (UK), is written by Rob Cohen and John Byrum, is shot in Technicolor by Jack Cardiff, is produced by Carter DeHaven (executive producer), Arlene Sellers and Alex Winitsky, is scored by Dave Grusin, and is designed by Brian Ackland Snow.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9882

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com