Customer Reviews

Studs Lonigan [VHS]

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Based on the book by James T. Farrell, "Studs Lonigan"(1960) is a kind of rebel story, as we follow the life of a young man for a decade, through the roaring 20's and prohibition, and through the depression. William "Studs" Lonigan(Christopher Knight), from the slums of Chicago, can't seem to find any direction in life. He hangs out with "pool room bums", drinks heavily, lusts after the women in his life, but cannot commit to either a relationship or a job. He and his buddies, try get rich quick schemes,his stormy relationship with his father is explored, and he finds himself always unsuccessful in life and love situations. As the years pass he seems to sink deeper and deeper into a pit of frustration and depression. Nearing the age of thirty he must take a look at himself and decide which path to take.

Although this film is not quite up there on a level with "Rebel Without A Cause", it's a good character study on the growing pains of young adults trying to find their way in life, no matter the era it is set in.

Christopher Knight seems to dig deep and find the angst "Studs" is feeling, although, when checking over at the Movie Base, I could not find any other feature films he has been in. Now for Jack Nicholson fans...Jack, in his early 20's, has a meaty supporting role as one of the gang of streetwise punks going bad, and even way back then makes the most of his role, turning in a performance that probably led to some of his bigger parts. A young Frank Gorshin also displays his talents, and the lovely Helen Westcott is the "older" woman, who's arms Studs find comfort in. The great character actor Jay C. Flippen is also included as the Priest trying to set Studs on the right path.
The film is in black and white, which adds to the feeling of the era.

This film may also be found on a DVD included in "Classic Literature On Film". It's a set of 10 films(5 discs) from Brentwood Home Videos(BCIEclipse), with some great old films based on literary works(Farewell to Arms, and Of Human Bondage, just to name a couple).

Enjoy....Laurie

I was looking for a made for tv series called studs lonigan,, and bought this by accident, but it was ok ,,, its only made in vhs,,

Christopher Knight got fifteen minutes of fame portraying the title character in this Irish-based, coming-of-age melodrama. It's expectantly episodic, and overplayed by all. The unnerving urge to rise from lower to middle-class by our puzzled pilgrim is rightly discomforting, and the cryptic finale seems to suggest it is the inevitable punishment of all dumb, working-class studs to listen to their priests and find a wife, have a family, and pursue monotonous, middle-class monogamy. The only thing of interest in the film are the fates of Stud's pool-hall cronies (one of which is an engaging Jack Nicholson). A ludicrous product of its time, albeit with a stirring, early music score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Interesting film about a sexually active man, Studs Lonigan, in Chicago, during the roaring 20's. Christopher Knight is miscast as Studs Lonigan. This was one of Jack Nicholson's first performance's.