John Cassavetes’ second film as director marked a rare Hollywood engagement for the famously independent filmmaker. Long dismissed as a creative cul-de-sac, it’s also a fascinating “what if?”
As non-conformist jazz player, Ghost (Bobby Darin) lets his idealism threaten his success, the film displays a similar tension between art and commerce, its B-movie material enlivened by a director experimenting with studio resources and his own embryonic style.
The result is a melancholic affair that spills its emotions as loosely as the music.
Ghost falls in love with a mediocre vocalist, an “easy” girl called Jess (Stella Stevens). In turn, his ideals are shaken and his manhood challenged. Despondent, he sells out to a cheap record label, becomes a gigolo to the Countess (Marilyn Clark), loses his self-respect, and finds the determination to return to his ideals.
Whatever its flaws, there’s a real itch to break free from mainstream melodrama to something deeper.
John ‘Ghost’ Wakefield
Bobby Darin Jess Polanski
Stella Stevens Benny Flowers
Everett Chambers Nick Bubalinas
Nick Dennis Tommy Sheehan
Vince Edwards Milt Frielobe
Val Avery Countess
Marilyn Clark Reno Vitelli
James Joyce Baby Jackson
Rupert Crosse Skipper Camez
Alan Hopkins Charlie
Cliff Carnell Pete
Richard Chambers Red
Seymour Cassel Shelley
Dan Stafford
Director
John Cassavetes
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