The Intruder (Corman, 1962): Cinema Museum, Kennington, London. 2.30pm
Here's a great idea - a season of Star Trek double bills, pairing instalments of the
major film franchise with individual projects featuring the show’s
original seven leading actors. Today it's Star Trek (1979) plus this great pic from maverick director Roger Corman.
Time out review:
'Raw-edged and startling, scripted by Charles Beaumont
from his own novel based on real-life rabble-rouser John Kasper,
Corman's film about Southern desegregation was shot on location in
Missouri in a mere three weeks, with threats and obstruction from white
locals mirroring the fictional action. Adam Cramer (Shatner,
mesmerising) represents an organisation which seeks to stop the process
of educational desegregation and thus frustrate plans of the 'Communist
front headed by Jews' to 'mongrelise' society. Cramer is an insidious
outsider whose impassioned speeches rouse the populace; the result is
heightened Klu Klux Klan activity, attacks on black families and a
liberal white newspaper editor, a near-hanging. Complex characterisation
is sacrificed in the interests of representing the broad
socio-political issues. Emotions intensify in accord with searing summer
temperatures; visuals emphasise the economic disparities, memorably in
shots of the black ghetto and of Cramer in his pristine white suit.
Chilling, and especially at the moment Cramer delivers his battle-cry,
'This is just the beginning', painfully prophetic.'
Here is the trailer.
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