Mondo Hollywood

Mondo Hollywood Synopsis

The underground cult classic documentary of the psychedelic 1960s. Close ups of stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Ronald Reagan, Frank Zappa, Sean Connery, Brigit Bardot, Alfred Hitchcock, Bobby Beausoleil of the "Manson Family," imprisoned for life for murder, and Jay Sebring - victim of the Mansons. Personal insights by surfers, skydivers, LSD gurus, hippies, peaceniks, protest-singers, rightwing politicians, eccentric multi-millionaires and transvestites. Denounced as "bizarre prophecy" by the critics. Invited to open the 1968 Avignon & Venice Film Festivals, but banned by the French Ministry of Information as a "danger to mental health" and an "apology for certain perversities, including drugs and homosexuality." Characterized in CIA files as "pro-Communist." Refused exhibition in Communist nations as "glamorizing Capitalism - too many cars and swimming pools." Described by UNESCO social scientist S. Friedman as "...a vivid, warm & humorous image of people ... confronting the eternal American dream.... It may well be that we are at the eve of a profound social and moral revolution." Written, Produced & Directed by Robert Carl Cohen, renowned for pioneering documentaries INSIDE RED CHINA, INSIDE EAST GERMANY, THREE CUBANS, and COMMITTEE ON UNAMERICAN ACTIVITIES. The MONDO HOLLYWOOD Music Director, Mike Curb, was later elected Lt. Governor of California in 1978 despite being falsely accused of "singing falsetto in a bathtub scene in the film with two lesbians." Its original sound track performed by the Mugwumps & Davy Allen & The Arrows.