Rat Fink (film)

Last updated

Rat Fink
Rat Fink film poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed byJames Landis
Screenplay byJames Landis
Story by
  • Matthew Cheney
  • Jack Miller
Produced bySchuyler Hayden
Starring
Cinematography Vilmos Zsigmond
Edited byTom Boutross
Music by Ronald Stein
Production
company
Distributed byCinema Distributors of America (United States)
Peerless Films (Canada)
Release date
  • December 22, 1965 (1965-12-22)(United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$200,000

Rat Fink (a.k.a.My Soul Runs Naked) is a 1965 crime thriller film written and directed by James Landis. He adapted it from the story composed by Matthew Cheney and Jack Miller. The film stars Schuyler Hayden (who also produced), Hal Bokar, Judy Hughes, Warrene Ott, Don Snyder, Eve Brenner, Alice Reinheart, and Jack Lester. The surf rock band The Futuras also make a guest appearance. [1]

Contents

Plot summary

Lonnie Price is a sadistic, psychopathic drifter who aspires to be a star, and will do whatever necessary to achieve that goal. He soon becomes an overnight sensation as a singer. While fleeing from the cops, he loses his guitar in the process. He seduces an older woman, then robs her before leaving. He impregnates a younger girl, then subsequently forces her to get an abortion. While strolling, Lonnie happens upon a concert venue where Tommy Loomis is having a concert. Lonnie envies him and his screaming female fans, so he engineers an "accident". Several days later, Lonnie appears at Tommy's manager's office, impressing him with his audition. Quickly, Lonnie ascends to the top, living a decadent pop star life. But it is not long before he gradually begins to descend into a vortex of chaos, marked by rape, murder, and a catastophic conclusion. [2]

Cast

Production

The film was once considered a lost film for over 50 years, before a sole surviving print was discovered. [3]

Reception

Cary Watson of Jettison Cocoon states that "[James] Landis brings the same bleakness and nastiness" that he did with his previous film, The Sadist (1963). [4]

References

  1. "Rat Fink Summary, Latest News, Trailer, Cast, Where to Stream, etc.…". Screen Rant . 1965-12-22. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  2. "Rat Fink (1965)". Blu-Ray.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  3. Bailey, Kei (2022-07-23). "Rat Fink". The Unknown Movies. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  4. Watson, Cary (2022-05-26). "Film Review: Rat Fink (1965)". Jettison Cocoon. Retrieved 2025-10-02.