Budget brand VHS mfr. GOODTIMES HOME VIDEO tapes were recorded at LP speed and didn't include a Hi-Fi audio track, just a linear one. This means a less-sharp picture than from standard SP videos, and mono-only sound of middling quality. (Note: there was no "in stereo" VHS in 1980.)
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After a 'rescue from a buzzsaw' scene, Woody Allen, co-writer/co-producer of the zany AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL release WHAT'S UP, TIGER LILY? (1966), is interviewed by Len Maxwell. Woody explains that to create "Tiger Lily" he knocked out the audio from a Japanese spy film and wrote funny dialogue for it. Voices in the retooled version of KAGI NO KAG (Japan-1964) are provided by scriptwriter Mickey Rose, Allen himself and wife Louise Lasser, plus cartoon and/or comedy album specialists Maxwell, Julie Bennett and Frank Buxton. Also here is Bryna Wilson, who was perhaps a NYC acquaintance of Woody's.
The original Japanese movie is a comedic spy caper clearly inspired by two 007 adventures. Its absurd undertones mesh nicely with such silly new dialogue as:
(Spoken to pretty lady:) Hey! You're Oriental!
You have the recipe and I want it.
What recipe?
The recipe for a great egg salad... an egg salad so good you could plotz!
Is it true what they say about Oriental girls?
Two Wongs... don't make a Wight.
I'm going to decode some ancient erotic poetry: "There once was a man from Nantucket, who's..."
Wing.. do you think I'll win an award for my acting in this picture?
Egomaniac!
This iron pipe will make a nice award. You are the worst actor I've ever seen. This is for Sonny Tufts (strikes), this is for John Wayne (again), and this is for the owner of this theater (a third hit)."
Gee, Boss. You really know how to hurt a guy!
Oh, my throat! This Peter Lorre imitation is killing me.
Saracen pig!
Russian snake!
Roman cow!
The Lovin' Spoonful have two cameos performances, of "Fishin' Blues" and "Respoken." Their
KAMA SUTRA album from "Tiger Lily"
includes much incidental background music, supplied here by the once popular jug band. Woody and Louise interrupt proceedings for some projection room shadow play. Closing credits are Woody prone on a couch. He munches an apple and watches while a shapely Oriental gal disrobes opposite a humorous scroll. Lecherous Allen gets the last word.
If you're a fan of his (or even the Spoonful), WHAT'S UP, TIGER LILY? is certain to please.
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