''The Cool Ones'' (aka ''Cool, Baby Cool'') is a 1967 film starring

Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...

and directed by

Gene Nelson Gene Nelson (born Leander Eugene Berg; March 24, 1920 – September 16, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter, and director. Biography Born Leander Eugene Berg in Astoria, Oregon, he and his family moved to Seattle when he was ...

. The 1960s novelty singer known as

Mrs. Miller Elva Ruby Miller (October 5, 1907 – July 5, 1997), who recorded under the name "Mrs. Miller", was an American singer who gained some fame in the 1960s, for her series of shrill and off-tempo renditions of popular songs such as "Moon River ...

performs in a cameo role, and the film features performances by the bands

the Leaves The Leaves were an United States, American garage rock band formed in San Fernando Valley, California, United States, in 1964. They are best known for their version of the song "Hey Joe", which was a hit in 1966. Theirs is the earliest release o ...

and the Bantams as well as a brief appearance by

Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting '' The Glen Campbell Good ...

, playing a fictional singer.

Plot

Hallie Rodgers is a backup singer on the TV show, ''Whizbang''. One evening she boldly steps out of the chorus and begins singing “Just One of Those Things.” The young people in the audience love her singing, but the producer, Fred MacElewine, fires her. A little later she goes into a bar and Cliff Donner, a former singing star, tells Hallie he saw her on television and liked her singing. Tony Krum, a music promotor, suggests Hallie and Cliff sing together, and the duo become popular recording artists. They also fall in love.

Cast

In an uncredited appearance: one of the dancers is

Teri Garr Teri Ann Garr (born December 11, 1944) is an American former actress, dancer, and comedian. She frequently appeared in comedic roles throughout her career, which spans four decades and includes over 140 credits in film and television. Her accola ...

, specifically as one of the Whiz-Bam girls.

Reception

The film received mostly negative reviews and is now viewed as something of a 60's cult musical. From the blog ''Comet Over Hollywood'':

''The Cool Ones'' has earned a place on my list of the worst movies that I have ever seen. But then at the same time, it’s so bad you can’t look away and have to watch the whole movie.

And from the ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'':

''The Cool Ones'' sa rock 'n' roll comedy, so-called, about a pop singer ( Debbie Watson) who is on the rise and a big-name crooner ( Gil Peterson) who is on the skids.
Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...
is their manager who engineers them into a publicity romance which has—shall we say?—repercussions. I venture to guess this will disgust even the kids.

References

External links

* * * * 1967 films 1967 comedy films American satirical films Films about music and musicians Films set in California 1960s teen comedy films American teen comedy films Warner Bros. films Publicity stunts in fiction Films directed by Gene Nelson 1960s English-language films 1960s American films {{1960s-comedy-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Reception

See also

References

External links