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From: lak8141@oak.circa.ufl.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies,alt.cult-movies
Subject: Re: What *is* a cult film? (Re: FRANK CAPRA???)
Message-ID: <21817@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU>
Date: 18 Jan 90 07:56:50 GMT
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In article <52@teda.UUCP>, larryg@teda.UUCP (Larry Gillespie) writes...
}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.

I always thought of it simply as this:
  A cult film is a movie that isn't mainstream.


Jeff "The Riffer" Mercer  (lak8141%oak.decnet@pine.circa.ufl.edu)
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