This incredible film starring the late Mary Tyler Moore and the late George Peppard deserves a lot more attention than it received at the time of its initial release. It is difficult to locate today and that is a shame. Funny and profound, it offers wonderful entertainment for all ages. The story seems timeless in many ways. Although the plot might not please Madison Avenue, it perhaps reflects truths about a consumer economy. Yet its uplifting spiritual message and completely charming plot make it truly memorable. It seems to me this really overlooked gem of a movie sets a high standard. Very well acted and directed, beautifully written and filmed with visual power, it deserves a 10 in my opinion. Watch this film to spend an enthralling period of time. It is really, really, really excellent!

Although the cast and script make this piece rather like "Beach Blanket Bingo in the Bronx", the internal analysis of the Beat philosophy makes this a classic comedic excursion into 20th century mentality.Fairly ordinary turns by Peppard and Moore are turned, by clever directorial work into a glib and pleasing commentary on the Cold War, American values and the paranoia of being the stalking horse of the Free World.Mary Tyler Moore is wonderful as a free-thinking positivist drawn by her boyfriend (George Peppard) into the grim world of "Hoffnungslosigkeit", the theory of Hopelessness proposed by a renowned German existentialist thinker.Given that your parents were either Beats, Hipsters or Hippys, you will wonder how you were ever conceived....

Exchange Mary Tyler Moore here for Marlo Thomas and you'd have the makings of a good two-part episode of "That Girl". As a feature film, however, "What's So Bad..." seems a little twee--and if the topic of a euphoric virus is supposed to be symbolic, any modern references towards getting high or living as we did in a previous era barely register (it's just too silly). Beatniks in Greenwich Village come across a mysterious Toucan who arrived in New York Harbor via a Greek freighter. Seems the bird spreads an extremely contagious "happiness bug," sending all the cynical, jaded drop-outs into the streets with their instruments and brooms. They dance on the rooftops to Frank DeVol's music, and it's breezy and corny, perfect for connoisseurs of '60s sitcoms. Unfortunately, a 'realistic' angle is dropped in, as mayor John McMartin and his cronies become fearful that all this lightheartedness will reduce sales in cigarettes and alcohol! They take refuge in a fallout shelter and work on getting an antibody which will turn everybody back into their old rotten selves. Forgotten Universal comedy has some big laughs--and gives us a marvelously gregarious George Peppard in the bargain!--but the handling is too flimsy for any sort of insight, and the second-half drags its feet. Supporting cast is filled with familiar faces (plus Thelma Ritter in a cameo), and the location shooting is very good, even if the cinematography is muddy and the direction flat. ** from ****

I remember this fun comedy as a kid and have been hoping and waiting for it to be released on Video & DVD...not yet. While silly on the surface, the ideas expressed were thought provoking. The crazy 60s style of the film would would lend it a current popularity promoted by films like Austin Powers.