Hollywood's Holy Fool

Rating: Null/10 (13 December 2000)

A touching look at the life of one of filmdom's most confusing figures. Ed Wood, the man, the struggling film-maker, the transvestite, wanted so dearly to be recognized as a Hollywood film-maker, but his works came out so warped and inferior, that they almost seemed like practical jokes. He spent his later years writing pornographic novels, forgotten by the film industry he had embraced, only to become the Holy Fool of Hollywood after his death.
The cast is flawless. Bill Murray's performance as transvestite entertainer Bunny Breckenridge is hysterical, Lisa Marie as the icy Vampira is wonderful, but it's Martin Landau's Oscar winning performance as the near-forgotten Bela Lugosi that brings the film it's dramatic and tragic nuances (Many say that Landau earned Lugosi his Oscar by proxy).
The scenes with Wood and his entourage are to be cherished. The riot that happens at the premier of "Bride of the Monster" leaves the party running for their lives. They escape in a taxi, literally at the last possible second, as the mob of unruly teenagers nearly overtake them. Lugosi comments, "Now THAT was a premier!" Priceless!
This is recommended to be watched before seeing "Plan Nine From Outer Space". You'll swear the same actors are in both films!
An odd yet touching tribute to an odd film-maker, and a sign that despite all the negative press and cold shoulders he received in his life, Ed Wood has finally been justified and venerated.