Toomorrow [DVD]

Way back in 1970 I was one of a dozen or so people to see this film on the BIG cinema screen at the London Pavilion. I was a bit younger then... and still found the film to be a trifle condescending. Made by older folks for younger folks you know! But still sort of fun.

Then the film disappeared very quickly, without trace, with stories of falling outs, legal problems and so on. So how did Pickwick get this one out? That story awaits telling.

The producer Don Kirshner died in January 2011. He was music supervisor on the Monkees tv show- and perhaps Toomorrow leans towards that light music style and slightly anarchic style. Or maybe the Archies? He was also music supervisor on The Archie Show.

The film is a sort of science fiction pop college movie, probably unique in British films. The Universe is at risk and a London student invents a device that will produce universal harmony. It is a pop keyboard. The aliens come down to get it. In between the students do their own thing and eventually have a concert at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm- still a concert venue.

Lots of imaginative student life, lots of pop music. Rather innocent in its own way- hence the certification of PG.

Update on picture quality on the DVD: For a film not seen for 42 years, not at all bad. Wide screen, and no dirt or scratches. However- we do have shadowing to left and right of verticals, some colour smear, and remnants of interlacing plus some softness of focus. Also very slightly darker than I like (adjust tv settings to compensate) and one or two skipped frames plus a small number of video drop outs. Probably not from the rumoured mint condition film print then, but more likely from a (good quality) NTSC off air recording subjected to digital processing on a system that almost kept up. OK, I'm guessing here- but that is what it looks like. Overall better than I expected and I'm not dropping the rating, I find it quite acceptable.

Further Update- Reports indicate that this DVD plays quite badly on several DVD players with freezing and skipped frames- this is a fault in the encoding process not the pressing, so any other copies will be as bad on your player. There are indeed indications that the source is questionable (but not from the Japanese bootleg). It is available at really low cost- whatever its faults, this is what is available.

The musicians-
Olivia Newton John on vocals, very perky, 22, and not really acting, this was before she found stardom with the recording of If Not for You (1971), and went on to the film Grease and so much more. Olivia was British born.
American Benny Thomas plays guitar - he died in 2008.
Another American, Karl Chambers, played drums, he died in 2002.
British born Vic Cooper played universe saving organ - he had previously played organ around 1965 with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.

Other actors of note include Roy Dotrice and Imogen Hassall.

A film of interest to anyone who can view 1960's pop films without cringing too much at the lightness of touch. The music isn't classic (anyone remember... what did they sing?) and the story is daft- but hey, it's entertaining.

At last after all these years of waiting for an official release of this 1970, cult, sci-fi mish mash!!!

Olivia Newton-John in her first British movie (The first being, Funny Things Happen Down Under, made in Australia) is so adorable, a star in the making back then before turning into one of the biggest selling female artists of the 70's and 80's.

Sci-Fi, Musical, Comedy trash....what more do you need for a now, cult movie.

Now all we need is the soundtrack to be offially released on CD! Come on Pickwick, release this one to!!

Now if only Olivia had of been interviewed for some special features...now that would have topped it off! Oh well at least we get the movie in good quality.

Thank You Pickwick!

Finally released on dvd, exciting to see for Olivia Newton- John fans like myself!
Olivia is the only reason why people still would watch this film.
Olivia herself called it a very bad movie in an interview, but I think it's quite enjoyable , fun, a bit dated comedy with an adorable young, perky Olivia as a college student ( this time she is actually that age unlike some 8 years later when she is playing a high school student close to the age of 30 ) .

Don't be too harsh on the movie, it is an enjoyable comedy some funny scenes, corny but funny dialogue and most importantly a sweet , naturally funny Olivia as the only girl in a 4 member band. They all look like enjoying making the movie, not really acting , their real name is used with a little sci - fi spicing it up.

Just sit back , relax, Olivia is super charming, sweet, adorable, funny and Karl Chambers is also adorable with her ...
Olivia fans, it's a MUST , no question about it!!!