LOST, LONELY AND VICIOUS (1958)

Starting out as a pseudo-documentary, the narration by an authoritarian figure informs us that life can be troubling for young Hollywood thespians. He makes it a point to mention these are only actors portraying real people. These “actors” are a cast of unknowns who truly qualify as ordinary people because of little acting training. Each hoping for their own break in show business. This film is not going to help. The main focus of this thin-budgeted film concerns confused youth with Rebel Without a Cause fresh in Hollywood’s memory. Their dialogue is perfectly memorized, each ready for that one word, “Action!”

Ken Clayton plays the financially spoiled and troubled main character. His very first casting role turns out to be an overnight success indicating his fellow actors and actresses only have dreams of talent. These wannabes meet around one area microphone for that realistic soda shop feel. There is a lumpy guy with a plaid driver’s cap, always standing around eating popcorn and staring. If that is not funny enough, old “Toots” fakes playing the Harmonetta with a bouncy rhythm unrelated to the song playing. Yes. These teens are confused.

Decent location filming is used for a car chase of sorts. Despite the phony automobile sound effects, it is the only “real” element in the film. But the rising star seems fixated on death, alternating between violence and kindness. Bipolar. He angers a jealous actor with his T-Bird convertible, trying to make him crash on a highway. He nearly hits a girl at one point and the script brings them together later in the library. After reconsidering nearly being crippled for life, she makes googly eyes at this rich, cute guy. She becomes interested in his odd thinking and helps him consider other things besides death. Like driving lessons. They even share two Cokes to seal their friendship.

His drama coach and life guide is the notable French actress, Lilyan Chauvin, who seeks counsel from a mental health expert, asking why this talented boy is consumed with death. Could be this picture. In another amateur scene, she tries to break through to him, hoping he will appreciate the talent he has to offer. They have a very close relationship but they never ever shared a Coke. Their long conversations are excruciating to sit through which explains my own thoughts about death.

One dark and stormy night. Okay. It was not stormy. He drives his T-Bird, along with his self-portrait painting, at high speed seemingly ready to meet his Maker. Painting and all. He stops at the lake where he first fell in love with the library girl and realizes his life does have a future. His real intention was to toss the painting into the lake and symbolically drown his past. One look at his painting talent says it was a good plan. The film ends with some final wisdom from the adult narrator.  

Note: With a budget that would raise no eyebrows and a high school-level interior set, this HOWCO International production would have been more accurately produced by HOWCOME International. As for the girl in the negligee featured in the lobby poster, she is not in this film.