Pulp (1972)
1h 35m | PG-13
A seedy writer of sleazy pulp novels is recruited by a quirky, reclusive ex-actor to help him write his biography at his house in Malta.
Director: Mike Hodges
Studio: Three Michaels Film Productions
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Video: 720p
Cast
Michael Caine
as Mickey King
Mickey Rooney
as Preston Gilbert
Lionel Stander
as Ben Dinuccio
Lizabeth Scott
as Princess Betty Cippola
Nadia Cassini
as Liz Adams
Dennis Price
as The Englishman
Reviews
Despite an half decent cast, Michael Caine ("King") just can't carry this and after about fifteen minutes, once we have established the premiss, it all just falls into a well trammelled line of mediocrity. He is a sort of penny dreadful style of author, who is offered the opportunity to write the biography of former Hollywood star "Preston Gilbert" (Mickey Rooney) at his Maltese home. Once there, he soon appreciates that his employer is the target of an assassin working for some mobsters. Suffice to say, he doesn't remain a target for long - and it falls to "King" to stay alive himself, whilst completing his story about the eccentric "Gilbert". It had potential, this - but sadly the plot runs out of steam very quickly, the humour is too sparse and contrived and though there are plenty of bit-part characterisations that try to keep the story interesting, it all just withers on the bough. Not terrible, but unremarkable.