A short poignant movie about the marriage of an incurable romantic and a cynical realist, their lives together, their children, and their troubles and triumphs (she likes to sail boats with handsome lovers; he is a termite inspector). Even though I saw this only once over thirty seven years ago at a small art house, and is completely unavailable in any format as far as I can tell, it has never left my imagination. Narrated by Burgess Meredith, it is (as all good movies are) both funny and tragic. Although not a great or major movie, it is too precious to be lost to time. Someone needs to preserve it so others can share in its magic.
10 Reviews
Agree with other users--put on DVD
pmullinsj-119 June 2008
I agree with other users that it is a shame this is not available. One commenter suggests a double feature with another Korty film. I think that 'Crazy Quilt' would be great as a double bill with 'Silence', which probably even fewer have seen, and is also very moving. Korty's Emmy-winning documentary about the family with 17 or so children I remember well from TV in the 70s. I don't know whether that's available either, though. Very sensitive filmmaker, along the lines of Terence Davies (Distant Voices, Still Lives) and, to some degree, Patrick Keillor ('London','Robinson in Space'}.
I was actually surprised to see this many comments on it, and it makes me aware of how many films have never made it even to VHS and sometimes these are very important ones like 'I Can Get It for You Wholesale', one of Susan Hayward's best, which I only managed to get from someone's taping on eBay. Then a lot of times people tell me everything that was on VHS is on DVD now, but that's not so at all. Plenty of VHS tapes that went out-of-print never have been put on DVD and probably won't be.
Anyway, things like these 2 Korty films used to be made more frequently by alternative directors, and you still find some. But back in the day, things like 'Crazy Quilt' even got a fair amount of publicity, were reviewed in magazines like The New Yorker. By now, you might find a hidden write-up in the Village Voice, and a week-long showing at a place like Quad Cinema, but the audience for this kind of quiet film, never large, is much smaller still today.
I was actually surprised to see this many comments on it, and it makes me aware of how many films have never made it even to VHS and sometimes these are very important ones like 'I Can Get It for You Wholesale', one of Susan Hayward's best, which I only managed to get from someone's taping on eBay. Then a lot of times people tell me everything that was on VHS is on DVD now, but that's not so at all. Plenty of VHS tapes that went out-of-print never have been put on DVD and probably won't be.
Anyway, things like these 2 Korty films used to be made more frequently by alternative directors, and you still find some. But back in the day, things like 'Crazy Quilt' even got a fair amount of publicity, were reviewed in magazines like The New Yorker. By now, you might find a hidden write-up in the Village Voice, and a week-long showing at a place like Quad Cinema, but the audience for this kind of quiet film, never large, is much smaller still today.
Memorable Film
strandwolf8 June 2007
I was just looking at a book about quilts, ran into the term 'crazy quilt', and for the umpteenth time, recalled seeing this film some four decades ago. I've also read the book, "The Illusionless Man" by Allen Wheelis, upon which it was based. I would very much like to view it again, to see "how it holds up". One theme that I got out of it was the danger of being overly analytical, yet wanting to have fun, live in the moment. One image that definitely remains (if significantly morphed over time) is the house--what a joint that is, or was. An intriguing factoid is Korty's alleged political stance (waay to the right). I'm wondering how this may have been expressed in this early work. As other reviewers have stated, this film left a large if blurry mark on my psyche as well.... Let's get to see it!
a dream experience
pooh-243 April 1999
This film is like several, barely remembered snippets of dreams. I saw this film many years ago, yet the visual images stay with me. It is a simple, plotless story about two extremely ordinary people, yet you come to care about them. This film is about as far from Hollywood as you can get. Wonderful direction- another one of John Korty's jewels. A true treasure for those who don't need to be knocked out- but who want to think and feel something real.
masterpiece
lee_raff1 August 2001
A unique, creative artifact from the '60s
jheckendorn5 February 2002
Great Little Movie
joseph-lavezzo7 October 2007
Like many others, I only saw this movie once on TV one Saturday afternoon, many years ago, but I think it is one on the most realistic and endearing movies I have ever seen. Some scenes and the narration have stayed with me for a long long time. It is short, in black and white and, if I remember correctly, only two lines of dialog from the characters in one scene near the end, but it is narrated throughout with near perfection. The story is told mostly from the man's perspective, but the movie also shows the woman's perception of the marriage, and the phases her husband is going through. By the end of this movie, you will know these people, you will feel for them, and you will see a bit of them in yourself.
One of the best movies ever
roy54727 May 2004
In an age when Hollywood beats us over the head with multi-million dollar promotional schemes, and alleged stars, this quiet movie just does everything right. If I were to direct a prospective film-maker to one flick, this would be it. The woman who believes in everything and the man who believes in nothing. The film was shot in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some scenes use members of The Committee, a local comedy club, (Think Second City) to marvelous effect. This is a droll comedy. If you need to be beat over the head, it ain't your flick. My only disappointment is that it is unavailable. Jan Wahl, the film critic, promised to carry my plea to John Korty but somehow that never happened. When I tell you I see a movie about every two years, you'll understand just how special this movie is.
Wonderful Little Movie
khanson-284-4070895 February 2012
I remember seeing this movie on Channel 11, the local PBS television station in Chicago, in the 1960's. I was a high school student at the time. Today I found myself remembering this one. I have just purchased the DVD from the John Korty website.
As I recall, this is a a modern day fable of a disillusioned man and a woman full of delusions. Burgess Meridith does a wonderful job narrating the film, which is some ways comes off as a silent film with narration.
It is a simple story: A contrast between those who try to live without delusion and those who seek fantasy. It is also a story about how this man changed and fell in love with this women who he thought was so silly. It left me such a lasting impression, I am certain that I am correct about the essentials. I also remember the endearing music, with violins (almost like "Fractured Fairy Tales" on "Rocky and Bullwinkle".)
When I get the DVD, let's see if I got things right after 44 years.
As I recall, this is a a modern day fable of a disillusioned man and a woman full of delusions. Burgess Meridith does a wonderful job narrating the film, which is some ways comes off as a silent film with narration.
It is a simple story: A contrast between those who try to live without delusion and those who seek fantasy. It is also a story about how this man changed and fell in love with this women who he thought was so silly. It left me such a lasting impression, I am certain that I am correct about the essentials. I also remember the endearing music, with violins (almost like "Fractured Fairy Tales" on "Rocky and Bullwinkle".)
When I get the DVD, let's see if I got things right after 44 years.
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