There was a time when jokes abounded about Michael Caine saying he would take on any role at all in hopes of a paycheck. The thing was at the time I don't think he was in need of the money but he was seen in numerous films each year. But early in his career he played several roles that put him in a position to become the movie star that he was. One of those was GET CARTER. Unfortunately, for me at least, he and director Mike Hodges followed that up a year later with PULP.The term "pulp" here refers to those low grade thriller novels once written and published on cheap paper stock, books that told of hard boiled detectives and the seamier side of life where women were dames and gangsters ruled. The movie tells the story of Mickey King (Caine) an author of that style of books. King is not the best of people you will find having left behind his average job as well as wife and three children behind to pursue his muse and write pulp fiction. Under pseudonyms hoisted on him by his publisher like Gary Rough and Dr. O.R. Gann, his books are spoken onto tape and transcribed by services in whatever country he is in.King is contacted by a man named Ben Dinuccio (Lionel Stander) with the request to be a ghost writer for the autobiography of an ex-actor and possible gangster named Preston Gilbert (Mickey Rooney). Preston was at the top of his game portraying gangsters in films back in the 30s and 40s. But those possible connections he once had with the gangster crowd forced his deportation from America. Now he wants to tell his story.King takes on the task but due to the attitude of Preston finds himself not enjoying it much. Preston is full of himself, feels more important than he truly is and takes far too much pleasure in ridiculing those around him. Where he feels he's being funny it's always at the costs of someone else's feelings or embarrassment. When King finally gets the nerve to tell him off Preston is shot and killed. Now that same person is out to kill King as well. Could it be that Preston told him something he shouldn't have heard? Now King must find the answer to that question as well as who is behind it in order to stay alive.Sounds like the basis for a good movie, right? Except that it isn't. What I've provided gets you to the halfway point or more into the film. The rest is a mish mash of political commentary and discussion of what was going on in Malta at the time as a reflection on the rest of the world. Some 45 years later none of it seems relevant.My issue may be a personal one but I find films that make the conscious decision to play fast and loose with reality, to mix the off the wall moments with a solid story, often fail to entertain, to enlighten or to offer any enjoyment. That's the problem I had with this film. The mixing of oddball characters, of using a hero you don't care about, of absurd situations just doesn't work for me. The voice over narration, what is supposed to be a sort of homage to the style of pulp fiction works like those of Mickey Spillane doesn't work either, coming off as more an attempt at the style without fully capturing what it was like. Instead it seems like the work of someone turned down even by the publishers of those novels.Caine even comes off poorly here. I felt like he was just walking through and using carious characters he'd portrayed in the past, dusting them off and combining them in a character with no charm but who seemingly has women falling all over themselves to get to him. That in itself becomes an issue as the women depicted here come off as little more than bimbos ready to jump into his arms simply by his standing next to him. Really?I've read several reviews of this film from various people who praise it. No offense intended but those that do make me wonder if they actually watched the film or if they are part of the cadre of movie lovers that love to show how worldly they are by taking on the task of adoring films that are out there, that are strange, that are just weird in an attempt to show that they are above the masses who enjoy the standard movies that are offered. If so then fine, enjoy them and discuss them with other like-minded individuals. The fact that the film did poorly at the box office and is only around now because it's developed a cult like following speaks volumes about how good the movie actually is.Arrow Video still has provided the best version of the film to be found with a 2k restoration from original film elements supervised and approved by director of photography Ousama Rawi. Extras are well done including an interview with director Mike Hodges, an interview with Rawi, an interview with assistant director John Glen, an interview with Tony Klinger (son of producer Mike Klinger), the original theatrical trailer and reversible sleeve artwork. While the movie may not be my cup of tea for fans this will be the version you'll want to have thanks to Arrow.

In the early 1970s, cliché-ridden comedy, understatement, and parody of this type were the thing. TV sitcoms, movies and talk shows all had their share. But, in order for such dated material to age well in time, it has to be in a very good package. With movies, that means a memorable plot, a first-rate screenplay, top notch acting, and very good trappings. "Pulp" has none of that. The idea for the plot is good, if not original. But its development is haphazard, filled with holes and disconnected. While the film has bits of comedy and crime, one never has a sense of mystery. That's because of the whole comedic air, from start to finish, with the lead character's narration. Mickey King's (Michael Caine) clichés, sarcasm and mockery remove any sense of real intrigue or suspense. I agree with another reviewer who found Michael Caine's performance lifeless at times. Only one role seemed worthy of the entire cast – Lionel Stander as Ben Dinuccio. Mickey Rooney was okay as Preston Gilbert, but we had to sit through a long, boring scene of his getting dressed and primping himself while talking mostly gibberish with Caine's King. The script seemed to labor at times to come up with dialog that poked fun at the pulp fiction – or dime detective novels of the past. Just a few of the lines come across as funny these decades later. Those are what earn the film the meager three stars I give it. Here are some samples. Mickey King, "The writer's life would be ideal, but for the writing. That was a problem I had to overcome. Then I read in The Guinness Book of Records about Erle Stanley Gardner, the world's fastest novelist who can dictate up to the rate of 10,000 words a day."Mickey King, "He was wearing a dirty Macintosh. Clairvoyants usually do." Mickey King, "The whole town seemed to be in the grip of a fatal disease. Lockjaw." A guy at the wake, "What kind of bird is that?" Another guy, "A Maltese falcon."

In Rome, British pulp fiction writer Michael Caine (as Chester Thomas "Mickey" King) is hired to ghost-write the memoir of a mysterious American celebrity. This turns into a bizarre adventure which, we're told in the opening, will put five people in the cemetery. It's written and directed by Mike Hodges, and producer Michael Klinger makes "Pulp" a three Michael affair. Apparently a satire of secret agent films, "Pulp" is neither witty nor intriguing. The Beatles' producer George Martin composed the serviceable but unmemorable soundtrack music. A good supporting cast helps during the dull periods. You get Mickey Rooney (as Preston Gilbert) essaying a gross old movie star (in his underwear, no less). Lionel Stander (as Ben Dinuccio) is a shady publicist (earning a cigar). Lizabeth Scott (as Betty Cippola) appears for the last time before the camera. And, leggy Nadia Cassini (as Liz Adams) has to be the sexiest model "hot pants" ever had.**** Pulp (8/16/72) Mike Hodges ~ Michael Caine, Mickey Rooney, Lionel Stander, Lizabeth Scott

Sir Michael Caine is writer of sleazy pulp novels, he's recruited by a quirky, reclusive ex-actor (Mickey Rooney) to help him write his biography at his house in Malta. 'Pulp' is produced by the '3 Michaels Caine/Klinger Hodges. It's an exceptionally well made and quirky film, which with it's humorous voice-over by Caine not only reflects the on screen action but it also reflects and references film noir. Lioner Stander appears as one of Rooney's hoods, a post Godfather Al Letteri appears as a go-between whom Caine encounters on a Bus trip and who meets a sticky end in a bath tub. Between Caine/Hodges it's a wonderful collaboration it's a shame that they did not produce other gems such as this.