NinetyForChill: The #Podcast: Gregory Carl & "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane"

NinetyForChill.com: The #Podcast

Episode 56: Gregory Carl & "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (A Critic and Film, Nothing More)

If there is a master of spotting subtle horror on Shudder, it is Gregory Carl. This week he suggested a film that has a horror-worthy premise with "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" featuring a 14 year-old Jodie Foster. It is a feature that turns the seemingly defenseless adolescent premise on its head while maintaining all that 1970s creepiness in all of its glory.

"The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" features a lot of elements that you could only get away with during the New Hollywood era. Parenting is seen as a novel concept and there is sexualization of adolescents outside of the truly disturbing elements of the tale. It is rather unapologetic as it effectively displays how pedophilia was handled at that time which will probably make modern audiences cringe. With all my friends who had experiences of such abuse, I hate to say that this treatment may have been prevalent at least up to the turn of the century.

This leads me to believe that we need to appreciate this film to realize that things in this patriarchic society needs to change, but with how our protagonist handles herself, my experience suggests that this feature is a display of feminist power. You fear for Rynn Jacobs's innocence, but she has a strength to come out stronger on the other side, and the evil may be no match for her.

This was my take on the feature. Gregory was more taken a back by the suggestion that matricide maybe an effective means of parenting. He was also caught off guard by the idea of a father who has left his "mature", 13 year-old daughter to survive on her own for three years. Again, experience with my friends allows me to see that some people grow up this way without any sense of guidance. Dad might be an eccentric artist (poet in this case), but at least his presence can be felt. I have known too many girls and boys who cannot claim that.

In a way, Jodie Foster does not seem too far removed from her character in this feature. This film was released in 1976, the same year as her breakout role in "Taxi Driver". With all the craziness surrounding her characters, I cannot help but think she took these experiences to become a powerhouse of acting. It also may have helped that she also starred in Alan Parker's "Bugsy Malone" that year as well. From childish gangster musicals to abused teenagers, this year ran the gamut of portrayals.

Outside of the feature talk, Gregory and I do go on some odd tangents. We cannot help but talk about some action movies, particularly Jet Li's limited success in the early part of the 21st century. Wrestling is a passion of mine so Gregory's fandom for the sport pulls out some stories about Peoria Wrestling and how it relates to New Jack. If there was a means to connect our love of action movies to this Foster vehicle, it comes from New Jack tales. As Joey Styles said, you have to believe at least half of the Original Gangsta's tales of justifiable homicide.

This lead me to state how much of Frank Dux ("Bloodsports" inspiration) bullshit I believe. Like how he respects Steven Seagal. Somehow Gregory and I get to suggesting that Seagal's love for Russia maybe him just hiding his truth. Hiding truths is something that has been associated with Jodie Foster if you get my implications.

This podcast once again returns to "Ally's Accessories Shop on Etsy Trash Feature Revue" as well. 2013's "Dark Space" is the feature. It is a tale about a Spring Break in Space for 30-something college students gone wrong. Sadly, the film is not a comedy. And there is definitely a reason why I have only found three images for the feature online and the lack of a Wikipedia entry or even being included in its distributor's filmography.

As for next week's podcast, I hope I will be able to create some content while I am at B-Fest. If you are attending, my apparel will be my "Captain N: The Gamemaster" jacket. Driving back home after a 24-hour movie marathon is not something I want to do, so a room has been booked for after the show. Chatting for an hour or so about movies would be a great way to close the trip. Feel free to email russthebus07@gmail.com to arrange a meeting.

With that said, there is a back up plan in place. If it is not "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" or "Firewalker" chatter, get ready to start Michael Dubois's Gene Wilder trilogy.

Follow me on Twitter @catbusruss. If you want to be on the show, contact me on Twitter or send an email to russthebus07@gmail.com. All we need is a theme, movie, director, or actor and a focus on sub 100-minute material. As long as the credits start before the 1:39:59 mark on the runtime bar, the movie qualifies.