A Real Oddity: Perfectly Awful Yet Frank

SPOILERS

A tawdry, potboiler and message film, "Look In Any Window" tackles some shocking topics for the era: marital infidelity, alcoholism, impotence, voyeurism, homosexuality and materialism with a side of commentary about the loss of individualism and privacy in the new American TV culture.

The pseudo-psychiatric script, however, wavers between passable and laughable dialogue. Double entendres abound, including this exchange following an attack by the troubled teen (Anka)on a shapely teen neighbor (Perreau);

FATHER: He didn't hurt you... anyplace... else?
DAUGHTER: No, just in the backyard.

The main character, a troubled teen in a disintegrating home, is seen the least. It's the parent's maneuverings on center stage, and what a bunch. No wonder the poor kid does what he does.

This film has a lot of courage in presenting material painting the suburbs - The American Dream - as less than perfect. In 1961 Kennedy's idyllic Camelot was in full swing. Except Kennedy was schtupping Marilyn (et al) - allegedly right in the White House. The Press, unlike today, knew and respected the Office more than a sensationalistic byline. How different America might have been if the curtain had been pulled back on JFK.

In a weird way it's an amazing timepiece offering a small view into America's darker soul. And it ain't that pretty.

Two future Rock Stars fathers have roles, David Cassidy's Dad Jack (his first film role) and Micky Dolenz Dad George.

As the then contemporary Rat Pack might have said, "Kooky!"