[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdr_FRp3RWs&]

Gas-s-s-s (1971) – Roger Corman

I’ve talked about my love for “small smart films” and Roger Corman directed and produced lots of this variety.

I was reminded of Gas-s-s-s when I did my unusual westerns post. In a reversal of “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me” there is a most memorable scene in this countercultural film in which the protagonists participate in a “shoot out” where no bullets are shot as the only ammunition is yelling out the names of famous cowboy actors like Gene Autry, Tom Mix, James Arness, John Wayne and so forth, the more macho the actor, the more likely the kill. “John Wayne!” inevitably administers the coup de grace.

In the particular scene above, books by are used as fire logs. When the girl protests, the man brings in. What? This is Jacqueline Susann and there is more Harold Robbins outside!

Brilliant postmodernism avant la lettre but please proceed with caution if you’re only into ‘serious’ films.

Previous “World Cinema Classics” and in the Wiki format here.