US (1975): Drama

This film is anything but a cheerful, light look at Hollywood in the 1930s. Clearly a labor of love, it recreates both the town and the filmmaking world around which much of the town revolved with devastating accuracy. The movie tells the twin tales of talentless wannabe actress, Faye Greener (Karen Black) and Homer, a lovelorn accountant who couldn't care less about movies (Donald Sutherland). Around this framework, a huge and intricate social network is tellingly revealed, until the film's gruesome and tragic ending. Not for those who prefer to hang onto their illusions about the glory days of Hollywood, The Day of the Locust, with a screenplay by Waldo Salt based on the novel by Nathaniel West, is a must-see for serious film buffs. John Schlesinger directs. The cast also features Burgess Meredith, William Atherton, Geraldine Page, Richard A. Dysart and Billy Barty. (Paramount) (Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide)

 View a clip of the climactic crowd scene from this film on YouTube.com.

2 nominations