KENNY & COMPANY (1976)

 

Written, Cinematography, Edited & Directed By: Don Coscarelli 

Cast: Don McCann, A. Michael Baldwin, Jeff Roth, Ralph Richmond, Reggie Bannister, Clay Fuster, Kenneth V. Jones 

 A coming-of-age story about the lives of a teenage boy and his friend as they traverse the highs and lows of boyhood in the run-up to Halloween.

Sure it's a very dated film, but it is also one of the last movies I have seen in a long time that has a genuine innocence about it.

As this film seems to stay sympathetic to children and view things from their point of view and there is nothing sinister about it. 

Anytime you think you know what's going to happen or who has a secret agenda or fear. It's going to turn down a dastardly road, it doesn't, it stays sweet and sincere. 

This film could never really be made today. It's not as easy and simple being a kid today. There seem to be so many fears and safeguards now. Back then it was all about discovery and how one incident could shape the person you become.

Now it seems kids have so much access and information. They know way too much before their time and are on such tight schedules to be successful. They hardly have time to be kids. Use their imaginations more instead of being told what to do, that is why I like this film so much. It was barely released because the studios wanted a skateboard movie originally.

They didn't realize what a jewel they had in their hands. As it was hard to market. 

The film is ultra low budget, but still looks just as impressive as movies that were made of that period. This film will put a smile on your face and the real shocker is that it was the first movie made by future master of horror Don Coscarelli of PHANTASM fame. A few of the actors from that movie appear in this film. 

This was writer/director Coscarelli’s second film. The haunted house sequence affected audiences so strongly that it inspired him to make his next film PHANTASM. 

If you haven't seen this gem, please go out and find it. If you have children watch it with them. If not with your family or someone you are close to. It might seem cliche, but the film is magical

GRADE: B-