Get Crazy (1983) ****

Allan Arkush's Get Crazy (1983) combines the wacky, absurd energy of the Marx Brothers, Mad magazine, and Looney Tunes with a cast of musicians—including Lou Reed, Howard Kaylan (of The Turtles), John Densmore (of The Doors), Bobby Sherman, Fabian, and Lee Ving (of Fear). Add the legendary Malcom McDowell (as rock god Reggie Wanker) to the mix, plus appearances by a cadre of Roger Corman regulars (including Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, and Clint Howard), and you have one wild and crazy motion picture.

The plot concerns a New Year's Eve concert, a promoter (Ed Begley Jr.) attempting to sabotage said concert, and the sex, drugs, and music that ensue. Not every joke lands but it's still a very funny, exuberant, and singular film (which turned 40 earlier this month). The soundtrack (including a fun theme song by Sparks) is aces, and the stage performances, costumes, production design, and editing are all a blast.

GC taps into the same spirit of director Arkush's earlier Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) but it's even more of a smorgasbord of influences and manic vitality. The movie is one perpetual party full of goofy youthful vigor, sight gags, and an eclectic mix of music including punk, new wave, blues, reggae, and rock & roll. 

Recommended for fans of The Blues Brothers (1980), Phantom Of The Paradise (1974), and Voyage Of The Rock Aliens (1984) (review).

Allan Arkush Films Ranked