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From: larryg@teda.UUCP (Larry Gillespie)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies,alt.cult-movies
Subject: Re: What *is* a cult film? (Re: FRANK CAPRA???)
Message-ID: <52@teda.UUCP>
Date: 17 Jan 90 03:03:58 GMT
References: <6710@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu> <11219@thorin.cs.unc.edu> <3647@jarthur.Claremont.EDU> <6142@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu> <6807@sun.acs.udel.edu>
Reply-To: larryg@teraida.UUCP (Larry Gillespie)
Organization: Teradyne EDA Inc., Santa Clara, Ca.
Lines: 32

In article <6807@sun.acs.udel.edu> conrad@sun.acs.udel.edu (Jon Conrad) writes:
>I thought "cult film" had long since been defined, and didn't
>need to be debated all over again.
>
>A Cult Film is a film with a small but EXTREMELY loyal and
>enthusiastic audience.
>
>Isn't it?

Au contraire!  This may or may not have been debated to death, but as far as
I know, no 'n' people are going to agree on what a 'cult' is.  I don't see
anything about the size that matters.  All that matters, from my point of
view, is the fervence of loyalty.  Well, it might also involve something
that is unusual about the film, like a 'sick' twist, or something.
>
>By this definition, It's a Wonderful Life may once have qualified,
>but it is now pretty universally known and (usually) liked.  No
>cult there.                      Jon

You see, I think that It's A Wonderful Life *is* and always will remain a
cult film, regardless of the size of the cult.  It's the type of film
that is set apart from others by its characteristics, and by the fact that
for so many years it went *unknown*.

So, you have your definition of a cult film, and I have mine.
I don't want a debate over any ultimate definition of "cult film" either.
It would be fruitless anyway.


-Larry Gillespie
Teradyne, Inc.
{sun,varian,ucbvax,teraida}!zehntel!larryg