Targets (1968)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063671/?ref_=nv_sr_2

• Peter Bogdanovich's debut feature is a thinly disguised account of ex-marine Charles Whitman, who, after murdering his mother and his wife, armed himself with a number of rifles and handguns and on a sunny 1966 Texas morning, began a shooting spree that killed 14 people and wounded 32 people. Bogdanovich's version tells two stories concurrently, about an aging horror-film star who feels that his type of movie monster has become passé, and the other about a father-hating gun freak who goes on a rampage to get even with his dad by shooting at people from the top of a water tower and then from behind a drive-in movie screen.

—alfiehitchie

Personal Review: I was going to post this during October on my Facebook page but held back because of the recent sniper shooting in Las Vegas with 50+ dead and 500 wounded. I would love to bring this film to the attention of more people. It is a fantastic film and it is one of Karloff's best at an age when he is definitely slowing down. He and his wife often described this as his “last” film (ignoring 4 Mexican horror films he did – filming 4 at once was hard on Boris). During the filming of Targets Byron Orlok (Karloff) recites a short tale of Death keeping an appointment with a man in Samatra and afterwards the crew applauded and those sitting stood in ovation. Well deserved kuddos.

The film tracks two parallel stories: Aging horror film actor Byron Orlok and clean-cut All-American young man Bobby Thompson and their paths meet where old style horror movie terror clashes with real-life violence and terror. Byron doesn't think he's relevant any longer and wants to retire to the dismay of his latest director Sammy Michaels (director/actor Peter Bogdanovich) and personal assistant Jenny (Nancy Hsueh) (and panicked studio heads). Bobby and wife live with his parents, a mother that keeps a sterile and cold home and an authoritive father who inspired and encouraged Bobby's love of firearms (and possibly Bobby's service in Viet Nam – hinted at by one photo of Bobby in uniform). Bobby tells his wife that he gets funny ideas sometimes but she's rushed and hasn't time to talk. She's his first victim, then his mother and a delivery boy. Bobby heads out on a snipping killing spree that ends up at a drive-in where Byron is scheduled to make a personal appearance at the opening of his latest movie.

I sing the praises of the movie. The anti-gun message isn't too overhanded (a point I like due to my own personal belief in the 2^nd Amendment, USMC service and love of firearms – don't worry, I don't have those “funny thoughts”). The well-worn out trope of crazed Viet Nam vets being dangerous and going on killing sprees wasn't in full swing yet and this film doesn't push that narrative as to the reason Bobby goes nuts.