Episode 159 - Toys Are Not for Mr. Soames

We entered into this show without the guidance of Julie...and we felt her absence...but we persevered and made it through the fire of two VERY problematic and interesting films. We start off with 1970's "The Mind of Mr. Soames" with a great lead performance from Terrence Stamp and directed with flair by Alan Cooke. Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the story of a 30 year old man who's been in a coma since birth who is awoken after a surgery is performed. We then follow the titular character as he is brought through the various stages of human development at a very rapid pace. It is fascinating science fiction and totally worth your time. We follow that up with the real standout this time, the incredibly twisted and dark "Toys Are Not for Children" from 1972. It is one of only two films from Stanley H. Brassloff and we REALLY wish he had gone on to make more. The story is focused on young Jamie Goddard who's parents SERIOUSLY did a number on her. She is now an adult with an unusual series of connections in her brain that link toys, her father and sexuality. It goes there, and it stays there and it really makes you think. This is a strange combination of grindhouse exploitation and art-film. It blew us away and we recommend it highly, but with warnings...there is some deeply problematic stuff in there, but we do think it's worth your time.Send us your thoughts on the show and recommendations for future episodes to [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also reach us on Facebook, Instagram, Letterboxd. YouTube.