The Gypsy Moths

1969 "The Gypsy Moths fall fast. They can't stop risking their lives - not even for their down-to-earth women."
6.3| 1h47m| en
Details

Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend.

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Reviews

GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.
Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Kirpianuscus touching story, a love story and spectacular air show. and the presence of right actors in narrow roles. the basic ingredient - large isles of silence as tools for a romantic story who seems be only adaptation of many others. nothing new. or impressive. Burt Lancaster use his ability to create the silent, brave, modest hero, Gene Hackman - the same friend with high ambitions and Deborah Kerr gives the right flavor to a dark - bitter story. and this impose The Gypsy Moths only as film of his cast. not a real story - only many allusions. not real acting - only nice solution to an easy problem. and the shadow of romance. as a promise. not real coherent.
bob-790-196018 This movie about skydivers has some terrific aerial photography of their stunts and some masterful camera-work involving their activities on the ground. Unfortunately those earthbound activities don't add up to a convincing drama.Under John Frankenheimer's direction, the drama that unfolds as the three skydivers encounter the people of a small Kansas town is visually very pleasing. There is a fine nighttime sequence, seemingly choreographed to look almost dance-like, in which we follow Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr from her house, through the neighboring streets, to a playground. In general Frankenheimer makes innovative use of the camera to make us feel part of the action.Unfortunately, the story that unfolds while the skydivers are on the ground seems strangely unrelated to the scenes in the air. There is a vague sense that the skydivers have grown weary of their nomadic lives, but that's about it as far as motivation is concerned. For example, it doesn't explain why--SPOILER ALERT--Burt Lancaster's character commits suicide. In fact, both he and Deborah Kerr--obviously both fine actors--give inert performances in this movie. When Gene Hackman shares the screen with them, he blows them away.The critics have pointed out that this movie contains a lot of what could be called Americana in its views of small-town mid-American life, but I saw nothing of special interest in the way the town is presented. As for the scenes with the school orchestra, they have nothing to do with the ongoing story, except that, on the day of the big Forth of July parade, the orchestra finds the streets empty since everyone has gone to see the final skydive.Like other reviewers, I was taken aback to see glimpses of Deborah Kerr in the nude. Very out of character given her previous roles. But this was 1969, when it seems that every one in the arts--movie makers, novelists--had to bare it all, figuratively or otherwise.
Scott LeBrun Actor & director combo Burt Lancaster and John Frankenheimer team for this appealing film that explores the lives of three sky divers, played by Lancaster, Gene Hackman, and Scott Wilson. They come to a small Midwest town named Bridgeville where they stun the locals with their aerial feats. Meanwhile, they affect the lives of some of the local woman. Mike Rettig (Lancaster) finds himself falling for Elizabeth Brandon (Deborah Kerr), who happens to be the aunt of Malcolm Webson (Wilson).Fundamentally, this is a good story (scripted by William Hanley, based on the novel by James Drought) well told, and it's punctuated by absolutely dazzling sky diving footage. Some viewers may wish there was more of this type of thing in the movie and less romance. The film flirts with melodrama (such as a back story involving Elizabeth) but Frankenheimer and the actors help keep it on an even keel.It's the cast that makes this worth watching. The majority of the performances are agreeably subtle, with the exception of Hackman, who's playing the extrovert of the group anyway. Lancaster and Kerr have a very alluring sex scene; both actors look incredibly good. Hackman strikes up a relationship with a hottie waitress (Sheree North) while Wilson is attracted to the college student (Bonnie Bedelia) who's boarding with the Brandons. North absolutely sears the screen. William Windom is good as Kerrs' husband whose aloof nature is a factor in her being turned on by Lancaster.Frankenheimer gets great use out of the real Midwestern locations (this was filmed in various parts of Kansas); the movie is definitely a real slice of Americana. Overall it's endearing enough and exciting enough to make it an okay view; it's ultimately rather predictable, but it remains watchable throughout.Seven out of 10.
pplease Does anyone remember the topless dancer Patty Wright? Today she has crossed over into adult films and goes by the name of Patty Plenty. It is definitely Patty because it was me. I was nearly 20 when the movie came out. John Frankenheimer joined me into SAG and I still pay my dues as Patty Lynn Wright. I went on to be a Las Vegas Showgirl for many years. The movie was filmed mostly around Wichita Kansas where I grew up as a child. I have been a member of Screen Actors Guild for many years. I live now in both Malibu and Hawaii. I hope that I hear from someone that does remember some of the cast that did not get credited. I do have many films but they are rated adult in nature. John was a wonderful man and made as we all know many great films.