Other Titles • The Day of the Locust • Der Tag der Heuschrecke (1975)
Synopses for The Day of the Locust (1975)
1.
Nathanael West's novel about Hollywood decadence in the late '30s is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. A deeply insightful work that is powerful in its presentation, staggering in its vision. Director John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy, Marathon Man) is masterful in creating a world of platinum blondes, cockfights, glamour and broken dreams, and throughout, he plays on the edge of sexual and physical danger that finally erupts in the shocking climax. Oscar nominations went to Burgess Meredith and cinematographer Conrad Hall.
(43 votes)
2.
Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust is by consensus the great Hollywood novel, a poison-pen letter aimed squarely at the tinsel heart of the movie biz. Only in the 1970s could Hollywood actually hazard a film of this story, and the result is suitably corrosive. William Atherton is the observer Tod, Karen Black the blond starlet Faye, and Donald Sutherland the hulking Homer--but they are easily out-acted by the colorful supporting cast. In particular, Burgess Meredith's exhausted showbizzy salesman and Billy Barty's strutting dwarf are superbly crafted gargoyles in this Hollywood wax museum. Director John Schlesinger piles on the rancid atmosphere and rampant hypocrisy until the movie fairly drowns in its own grotesque vision. Long before the climactic apocalyptic riot, the film has torn itself up. There's no substitute for West's wicked prose, so the adaptation comes across as a literal-minded screech rather than a true bonfire of the vanities. --Robert Horton
From the Back Cover Nathanael West's novel about Hollywood decadence in the late '30's is a brilliant piece of film making. A deeply insightful work that is powerful in its presentation, staggering in its vision. Director John Schlesinger is masterful in creating a world of platinum blondes, cockfights, glamour and broken dreams. And throughout, he plays on the edge of sexual and physical danger which finally erupts in the shocking climax. Oscar nominations went to Burgess Meredith and cinematographer Conrad Hall.
(37 votes)
3.
Based on Nathanael West's satirical novel, John Schlesinger's THE DAY OF THE LOCUST is an absorbing look at the desperate characters who populate the Hollywood film industry. Idealistic young set designer Tod Hackett (William Atherton) travels to 1930s-era Hollywood to find fame and fortune but encounters a dismal world of broken people, shattered dreams, and phoney healers pandering to the lost. He soon falls in love with aspiring actress Faye Greener (Karen Black), a cruel, manipulative woman who lives with her drunken father (Burgess Meredith, in an Oscar-nominated performance) and loves the strange man-child Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland). Their passions collide at a disastrous Hollywood premiere that remains one of the most horrifying and tragic climaxes in film history.
(36 votes)
Mooviees.com is not the official site for this film.
All editorial views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only.
<>
Movie Database
In Theaters
