Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Ray & Rosey

 

THE THING WITH TWO HEADS-1972-Ray Milland (obviously paying back old debts to AIP) stars as Maxwell Krishner, a dying racist doctor who plans to live forever by having his head transplanted to another body (like the millionaire in THE MAN WITHOUT A BODY). He's kind of pissed when his head is put on the body of an African American death row inmate Jack Moss (former football player Rosey Greer) who claims to be innocent. Rosey/Ray awakens from the operation early and escapes and takes slighted black doctor Fred Williams (Don Marshall) with him/them. They embark on a silly journey to find Jack's wife Lila (Chelsea Browne). They even ride a motorcycle in a dirt race! White cops chase them and smash ups ensue and Krishner's colleague Dr. Desmond (Roger Perry) looks for them too. 

After all these years I'm still not sure if this is intentionally funny or not. Typical '70's styles and attitudes abound. Jack gets away at the end but is never actually proven innocent. Co-writer and director Lee Frost (who also appears as a cop) had made LOVE CAMP #7 and CHAIN GANG WOMEN.

Thanks for reading!


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