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Whiffs
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Wikipedia article
'Whiffs' is a 1975 comedy film directed by Ted Post and starring Elliott Gould, Eddie Albert, Harry Guardino, Godfrey Cambridge, and Jennifer O'Neill. It was produced by Brut Productions and released theatrically in the U.S. by 20th Century Fox.
The film was released in the UK as 'C.A.S.H.'C.A.S.H.
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 44, Iss. 516, (Jan 1, 1977): 65.
Plot
A group of gullible military private volunteers to be the subject of numerous military biological and chemical weaponry experiments, and later robs banks as a result.[http://allmovie.com/work/whiffs-54258 AllMovie.com]
Cast
* Elliott Gould as Dudley Frapper
* Eddie Albert as Colonel Lockyer
* Harry Guardino as Chops Mulligan
* Godfrey Cambridge as Dusty
* Jennifer O'Neill as Lt. Scottie Hallam
* Don "Red" Barry as Sgt. Post
* James Brown as State Trooper
* Richard Masur as Lockyer's Aide
* Howard Hesseman as Dr. Gopian
* Jack Colley performing the stunt piloting maneuvers
Production
Development
The film was made by Brut Productions, a short lived film production company that was an off-shoot of Faberge Cosmetics under George Barrie. Their early films included 'Night Watch', 'Welcome to Arrow Beach', 'A Touch of Class' and 'Count Your Bullets'.Following the Scent to Brut Film Fest: Following the Scent to IdahoKilday, Gregg. Los Angeles Times17 Aug 1973: d1.
In June 1974 Barrie announced he would turn producer with 'Whiffs' based on an original story and script by Malcolm Mamorstein, with Ted Post to direct. "It's a comedy-satire about a young man, an expert on testing gases, who winds up using all that knowledge for other purposes," said Barrie.News of the Screen: Faberge President Turns Producer Tennis to Be Focus Of Goodman Entry Schell to Produce, Sister to Star 7 Features in '74-'75 By Artists Complex
By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 16 June 1974: 44.
Casting
Mamorstein later recalled, "George Barrie knew that I had done 'S*P*Y*S' and was looking for someone with a comedic touch, so he suggested Elliott Gould."Elliott Gould insisted his then-girlfriend Jennifer O'Neill play the female lead.
We really didn't want to hire her, said Mamorstein, because we thought, what if their romance breaks up in the middle of the film?... We had good choices [for her part]. Everybody wanted to play it, but Gould wanted her.
"I thought I was gonna marry Jennifer, Gould said later. Since I couldnt, I thought that shed be perfect to be my nurse [in Whiffs.] Teri Garr was up for the part. I needed a funny girl. But I wanted to be loyal to the beautiful, amazing person that Jennifer is... She signed in August 1974.Generation Gaps at UCLA
Murphy, Mary. Los Angeles Times 13 Aug 1974: g12.
Filming
Parts of the film were shot in Dugway, Stockton and Tooele, Utah.Gould and O'Neill broke up during filming. I physically got in between them, stuff like that, said Marmorstein. Jennifer ONeill was not much of an actress at the time, and it was tough."
Mamorstein said "Ted Post was a very amiable guy. Except he had no idea how to shoot comedy. Also, he was too in love with zoom lenses, which is fine for TV. I conspired with the director of photography to switch to a prime lens each time Ted was ready for a new setup. For his first shot, he chose a huge, complex, all-encompassing shot that put us days behind schedule.
The film was going to be made for Warners but ended up being released by 20th Century Fox.The Fall Season Begins in Earnest: Film Notes
By Gary Arnold. The Washington Post 1 Oct 1975: B4.
Reception
'TV Guide' wrote, in reference to the story line of Elliott Gould's character behaving like a chimpanzee because he breathed in an experimental chemical, "The scriptwriter must have taken a good whiff of the gas himself each time he sat down at his typewriter."TV Guide "Whiffs" Review http://movies.tvguide.com/whiffs/122714
The 'Los Angeles Times' called it "as funny as a fire at an old folk's home."'Whiffs' Both Topical, Trivial
Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 15 Oct 1975: f18.
"That picture didn't work," said Gould. "They went with the obvious comedy."
In 1976 he said the film featured his least favourite performance.'I just wanted people to listen to me ...': Positive talkathon Different directors
By David Sterritt. The Christian Science Monitor 24 June 1976: 30.
Awards and nominations
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! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
!
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| Academy Awards
| Best Original Song
| rowspan="2"| "Now That We're in Love"
Music by George Barrie;
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
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| Golden Globe Awards
| Best Original Song
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See also
* List of American films of 1975
References
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