WHERE IT ISN"T ANY LONGER "Where It's At" is an old, late'60's movie that has a certain air to it. It represents an ethos or spirit of a time that has long since vanished. The movie came at the end of a decade of generational conflict as the 1950's faded into more liberated times. The plot revolves around an old school casino owner and his new generation son. The dad wants the kid to take over the operation at the appropriate time; the son balks but later enthuses over the idea. He eventually forces his old man out but then let's him get it back by tossing the cards on an "all or nothing" bet that the son actually wins.
Along the way there are tests of the son's masculinity by a show girl played by Edy Wiliams, Brenda Vaccaro's screen debut as David Janssen's secretary and Don Rickles as a black jack dealer caught cheating at cards. "Where It's At" was made just as the Production Code was being jettisoned. There is obligatory nudity with both Janssen and his son played by Robert Drivas getting an outdoor rubdown, as well as an ass shot of Rosemary Forsyth (Bronwyn in "The War Lord") as Janssen's newly wed wife. Skin was in and although the nudity adds nothing to the plot Rosemary Forsyth was certainly a very beautiful woman. She and Janssen became romantically involved during the film and later carried on a torrid three year affair. The mirror shot makes very clear what attracted Janssen.
No one would claim that "Where It's At" was a great movie or even a particularly good one. But it is entertaining nonetheless. Despite the clichés of the plot, "Where It's At" represented a happier time in American life, a time when people could afford to gamble their money away at casinos and enjoy life, smoke in bed after making love, and do all kinds of happy things before the iron curtain of political correctness descended in the ensuing decades. A corny movie it is in many respects but if you enjoy nostalgia, trips down memory lane, glitz, neon lights and Rosemary Forsyth's beautiful, mind-numbing behind, add it to your collection. You won't be disappointed.
Along the way there are tests of the son's masculinity by a show girl played by Edy Wiliams, Brenda Vaccaro's screen debut as David Janssen's secretary and Don Rickles as a black jack dealer caught cheating at cards. "Where It's At" was made just as the Production Code was being jettisoned. There is obligatory nudity with both Janssen and his son played by Robert Drivas getting an outdoor rubdown, as well as an ass shot of Rosemary Forsyth (Bronwyn in "The War Lord") as Janssen's newly wed wife. Skin was in and although the nudity adds nothing to the plot Rosemary Forsyth was certainly a very beautiful woman. She and Janssen became romantically involved during the film and later carried on a torrid three year affair. The mirror shot makes very clear what attracted Janssen.
No one would claim that "Where It's At" was a great movie or even a particularly good one. But it is entertaining nonetheless. Despite the clichés of the plot, "Where It's At" represented a happier time in American life, a time when people could afford to gamble their money away at casinos and enjoy life, smoke in bed after making love, and do all kinds of happy things before the iron curtain of political correctness descended in the ensuing decades. A corny movie it is in many respects but if you enjoy nostalgia, trips down memory lane, glitz, neon lights and Rosemary Forsyth's beautiful, mind-numbing behind, add it to your collection. You won't be disappointed.