Psycho a Go-Go (1965)

Don't miss Tacey and her bouffant, 15 November 2008

A jewel heist is going just about as planned until the loot ends up in the back of a pick-up truck. Unaware of what he's carrying, the unsuspecting driver of the truck takes the fortune in jewels home with him. His young daughter finds the treasure and stuffs it into her doll. Unfortunately for this suburban family, one of the robbers is also a killer and he'll do anything to get his hands on the jewels.

I'd be stretching the truth if I said Psycho a Go-Go was a good movie. It's got far too many problems to be "good". Spotty acting, giant plot holes, bad editing, and poor sound are among the many problems you'll find in the movie. But the film's biggest weakness can be traced directly to its director – Al Adamson. Adamson is responsible for some of the worst, albeit entertaining, movies made in the 60s and 70s. In Psycho a Go-Go, Adamson's biggest sin is losing focus of what's going on. Too often, he lets the movie grind to a halt before going on to the next set-piece. Stronger direction and better pacing would have made a world of difference in the movie.

But the movie isn't without its strong points. Chief among them (and I'm not really sure how to put this), the film is just whacked-out enough to be fun despite itself. From the go-go dancers at the beginning, cool music choices, a coherent and interesting plot (yes, an Al Adamson movie with a plot I found interesting), and a prolonged chase through the snow, Psycho a Go-Go is at least worth a watch. There are also a couple of songs performed by Tacey Robbins with The Vendells that are almost worth the price of admission alone. The opening number, My L.A., is especially catchy. Finally, even though I called the acting spotty, the movie is not without at least one standout performance. Roy Morton plays the menacing killer to perfection.

5/10