Re: Quad the movie

["Mark R. Leaman" <mleaman@sccoast.net>]

Gary wrote:

> You see the scooter flying forward before it makes it's descent.  The cliff is
> in view so you would've seen a falling figure had there been one.

Gary:

As suggested by another list member, I assumed it was meant to be
unclear whether Jimmy went over or not. We certainly don't see him
leaping off the scooter, which would have left no doubt. Just before it
goes over, he begins to stand up...then there's a side view of the bike
in the air, and then of it hitting the Rock. He could have leapt away
from the bike yet still gone over.

> It's not a close up, it's probably there and you've just missed it.

Very possible; I'll have to look for that on slo-mo.

> I'm not sure if you are confusing two films or whether or not Daniels and
> Winstone reprised these roles for Bad Boys.

No, it was Penn and others in the US version. What I meant was it was
adapted from Scum, and there were significant changes made.

> He was actually filming Zulu Dawn when he heard about the auditions for
> Quad.  I didn't include this as it was a pre-Quad movie.

That's the one. It's been years. That movie was released here after
QUAD, you see.

> I don't think he had many tucked away at home.

His Mom (I should say Mum) flashes the pills in front of him when he
returns from Brighton. "You can look shame-faced, my lad." It's
impossible to tell how many are in there, but it looks a lot like the
bag he takes to Brighton.

> I can't imagine the courts announcing a
> standard fine of 75 Pounds yet fining the very first defendant a mere 50
> Pounds - can you?

I cannot say. Over here, it would vary as to how much damage the person
had done (how many "counts" he was charged with). There probably
wouldn't be a general fine; it would be case by case.
Why do you think the courts are so backed-up over here?

> Also speaking of poetic licence, the speech about (etc.)

I appreciate the background, as I'm sure others here do.

> A continuity nightmare if you ask me.  Good enough to fool Joe Public
> though.

Especially Joe American, who (for the most part) thought Mod was a
"Carnaby Streetist thing." I remember a book about The Monkees issued in
the `60s, called the Mad Mod World Of. The Monks were FAR from Mods.

Brian, on Grant The Mod, wrote:

> I can see that now.  "What I-I-I am, uh, t-t-talking about is, uh, 
> m-m-m-m-my, uh, generation."

Good one! It makes me think of Rod (Stewart) The Mod, too. I can't see
him beating up Hugh Grant, let alone a Rocker. Any British citizen know
the extent of Rod's true Modness back then?

Frank wrote:

> My interpretation of the end the QUAD the album is that Jimmy drowns. 

Fair enough, but don't forget that Pete said that WHITE CITY was the
sequel to QUAD. In which case, Jim must survive.

> To blame Jimmy's paranoia on drugs is a little to much like an '80s 
> message for me.

Oh, they were doing that in the `60s too (at least in the US). The
message back then was: "Speed kills." Then there was: "Why do you think
they call it dope?"
I've never done leapers, but the speed available in the `60s-`70s over
here was a lot higher quality than you could get in the `80s (or now).
One was less likely to go "round the bend" on Black Beauties (for
instance). The weaker the speed, the more one takes...and being less
"clean," the stronger the "side effects."

> Chances are the nature of Jimmy's problems and the ending are left
> open because Pete wanted it that way.

I agree with you here. TOMMY is left open, too. That's Townshend for ya.

- -- 

            Cheers                ML

 "It's more than a looking back...it's a bringing up to date.
  Quadrophenia is about where we're all at today...maybe you too,
  I don't know..."
            Pete Townshend