By: Brian Mallen

Brian Mallen — Tue, 30 May 2023 08:53:27 +0000

I bought the “Times Square” album in a record store in 1979. Didn’t see the film until the late 80’s on vhs. To me the plot, subject matter, and last gasp of 1970’s New York City was, uh, somehow secondary to the real theme: What the hell is this “New Wave” music phenomenon about? The “look” of Robin Johnson and Trini Alvarado with those hats and the pins on their coats were the clue. “Aha!” Nobody, but nobody can define what new wave was or is exactly. But the ” Times Square” filmmakers sure had something to say about rock n roll, and urban gentrification. Right away Nikki is battling with the disco crowd, “your music is shit.” And making that pretty deep Rolling Stones reference about Brian Jones getting kicked out of the band. Like a rock journalist erudite comment. Mental illness? More like how to become homeless. I wonder if the girl who’s journal inspired Alan Moyle to make this film ever saw it? BYW, isn’t that G. E. Smith playing with “The Blondells on “Damn Dog?” So weird to see Tim Curry post “Rocky Horror” toned down, ultra-normal not eating up the scenery. Pamela’s dad is the harbinger of doom to “The Deuce” of Times Square. It should have been a documentary because this silly movie steps into reality as Mr. Pearl gives his “Times Square is rated X” speech. The songs, holy Christ, “Pissing in the River,”” Help Me, “” Life During Wartime, “”Down in the Park, “” Nothing Lasts Forever, “” Walk On the Wild Side, “” Grinding Halt”. Put it this way, I never thought any Soundtrack could top “Saturday Night Fever” ….Until “Times Square.” The movie loses steam by the end, maybe they shoulda martyred Nikki. But she was never the drug-addled loser nor she or Pam the homeless waif types to begin with. Short-term runaway I could see. Psychotics wandering the streets? No way. I’ve seen the real thing. Tell Robin Johnson and Trini Alvarado they were pretty good new wave role models for this late teenager from 1979. And thanks for not making their film a rock n roll “One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest.”

Comments on: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “TIMES SQUARE”

By: Brian Mallen