What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

source: What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

Although the cast and script make this piece rather like "Beach Blanket Bingo in the Bronx", the internal analysis of the Beat philosophy makes this a classic comedic excursion into 20th century mentality. Fairly ordinary turns by Peppard and Moore are turned, by clever directorial work into a glib and pleasing commentary on the Cold War, American values and the paranoia of being the stalking horse of the Free World. Mary Tyler Moore is wonderful as a free-thinking positivist drawn by her boyfriend (George Peppard) into the grim world of "Hoffnungslosigkeit", the theory of Hopelessness proposed by a renowned German existentialist thinker. Given that your parents were either Beats, Hipsters or Hippys, you will wonder how you were ever conceived....

Spoiler ahead. There are stories you can tell and ideas you can raise in animation or science fiction that are too outrageous for a live action picture set in the present day. Compare this picture to "This Side of Paradise" (a Star Trek The Original Series episode, 1967). They're both parables about lysergic acid diethylamide and The Merry Pranksters. Roddenberry's story ends safely, with the trippers returning to "reality," but WSBAFG leaves open (that's the spoiler, sorry) the possibility that the "disease" might prevail and the world might be transformed. The topic is even more untouchable now than it was in '68. No distributor is going to risk the modern blacklists with a title that points out the real motivations of the War on Some Drugs. You'll know the War is over when this movie comes out on DVD and streaming.

This film is a funny comedy and broad satire of the day. It pokes fun at three major areas of society. First, is the "rate race" of living in the congestion of the Big Apple. Second, is the hippie or yuppie drop-out culture of the late 60s. And, third, is government and the local politics of the big city. "What's So Bad About Feeling Good" has the clear message that the assumed "happiness" of the first two situations is false. The one is masked by anxiety, anger, impatience, fear, and hurry. The second is masked by drugs, depression, self-centeredness and lack of any drive or sense of responsibility. A toucan (Amigo) out of nowhere interrupts the cultural scene of the Big Apple by some strange infectious air that restores a sense of life, kindness, charity, drive and true happiness. People begin to smile and laugh. The hippies shave their beards and get jobs. But, there's a downside - at least in the eyes of the local government. As the health of people improves, cigarette and liquor sales decline and with that - the city's tax revenues. It's a nice idea for a plot and it works well with this story in which all the cast give very good performances. This doesn't rank up there with the great comedy satires, but it is a very good one and spoofing of the American urban culture of the 1960s and 1970s. The film has some very funny scenarios, with the fantasy dialog from the bird that some of the characters are able to understand. George Peppard as Peter, Mary Tyle Moore and Liz, Dom DeLuise as J. Garner Monroe and John McMartin as The Mayor are particularly good in their roles. Here are some favorite lines from the film. Barney, "Unlike you, we only use first names We believe that last names are superfluous. Because when the world is destroyed, our first names will be our last names." Park Commissioner Williams, "Gentlemen, as you all know, we desperately need more parks in Lower Manhattan. Well, I've finally come upon the perfect solution. We tear down the New York Stock Exchange and the Treasury Building across the street, and use that space for a beautiful playground. We can condemn that property for very little. It's cost the city less than $6 million an acre." The Mayor, "We'll continue this discussion in the fallout shelter." Williams, "There'll be plenty of rom for the kiddies to play baseball and football and hopscotch, jacks. There's be jungle gyms and slides and swings, see-saws, chess boards for the senior citizens...." Phil, "It's not just the sales tax that worries me, but suppose some of us gets it and starts making irrational decisions." Lou Bolton, "And gentlemen, the more I've thought about Pete's idea, the better I like it. Honesty in advertising - what a fresh idea. Just great, Pete. To show our appreciation, here's a bonus for you." T.V. Newscaster (Martin O'Hara, uncredited), "The latest figures show that marriage licenses are running 912% above average. Also, in the last 24 hours, only one application for divorce has been granted. And 75% of all pending lawsuits have been settled out of court." J. Gardner Monroe, "Can't you do anything without that bird? I mean, they didn't need the original mosquito to cure malaria." Dr. Shapiro, "Well, they didn't need an infected brain." Monroe, "Well, grab a stiff from the morgue. Must be somebody there who died laughing." J. Gardner Monroe, "When was the last time you were in Cuba, Mr. Jackson?" Pete, "Cuba?" Monroe, "Oh, come on. We ran check on you and your gang. One of them had a beard just like Castro and they all had some kind of a beard. How do you explain that?" Peter, "We didn't shave." J. Gardner Monroe, "What are you, a listening Tom?" J. Gardner Monroe, "I wanna come back and see a normal couple screaming and yelling at each other - check?"

With the coronavirus pandemic still creating havoc around the world, I thought it was timely to talk a little bit about What's So Bad About Feeling Good?, a light-hearted comedy about a very different type of virus, one that makes you happy and kind. A little known film, which unfortunately bombed upon its release and was quickly forgotten, it's now a perfect diversion for those feeling down and heavy because of Covid-19. When seen against the backdrop of the current outbreak, there are some surprising parallels between how the authorities react to deal with this 'feel-good' virus and the present situation, especially as the story is set in New York City, which has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus. The premise is as original as it is ridiculous: good feeling is being spread by a toucan on the loose, and can be further transmitted upon contact (in much the same way as the coronavirus). It first hits a down beaten hippie community that has adopted lethargic depression as an existential philosophy and spreads throughout NY from there. While there does not seem to be any negative sides to the contamination (after all, what's so bad about feeling good?), the powers that be, led by a neurotic buffoon (delightfully played by Dom DeLuise), are bent on eradicating both virus and toucan, as you just can't have New-Yorkers running around feeling happy and polite, and not caring a damn about competing in the rat race...plus it's obviously a commie scheme to undermine the USA. In that respect, the film uses the spread of the so-called virus to make some fairly smart comments and mild criticism of modern society. There are also some amusing takes on hippie and beatnik culture of the time that contribute to the good-natured fun. Much of humor is silly, but George Peppard, Mary Tyler Moore and DeLuise manage to make the whole thing mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, the plot does not develop its premise in particularly inventive directions, ultimately focusing more on the efforts of the authorities to combat the infection than depicting its actual spread within the society writ large and the potentially crazy and amusing repercussions and situations that could have resulted. While Peppard and Tyler Moore are an engaging starring duo, there is limited development of their characters or their relationship. I was left with the feeling that this was a great idea that should have led to more entertaining possibilities. Still I found the overall result somewhat above average considering the originality of its starting point, some good jokes and satirical observations, and satisfying performances.

I just got the film & watched it tonight! An old recording from Comedy Central, first to VCR and I got it on DVD. I'd say it is acceptable quality, but MUCH better than nothing. Available at, E-Bay com under "What's So Bad About Feeling Good". The seller is in California and is OK. I would also make copies for people in Europe. so much of the film remains with me.... The title song. Many things were just bits & pieces.... except the feeling that I got from it. Pete pretended to be the head of the cult from Germany. All wondered why such a hopeless man was so cheerful. He asked if it is true that the only hope is the end of the world? Then if the world is destroying itself? They said yes. He continued by pointing out that they then had nothing to worry about. Pete as the "cult leader" wanted to kiss Liz and pass on the virus. She resisted. Then he explained it would be a teeny-weeny kiss, like he gives his sister. She allows it. She tries to fight him off as he lays a 5-10 second kiss on her. Shocked she say's, "And that's how you kiss your sister?!?". He answers in his accent, "My zizter and I have a zleitly inzestuous relazionzhip." larryzweig@yahoo.com

Hi I've been searching for the movie "What's so bad about feeling good for years, but have been unable to find it, Your information was helpful, but I can't remember which Network it was released on I think it was ABC, but I'm not sure, if you or someone can help me I'd be very happy. Because I can then contact the network, as I have done in the past. That's how I was able to get, Ice before it was available to the general public. The Networks are very helpful that way, Thank You and I hope you can help me Pat White, 28672 Hillside Rd, Lincoln, MO. 65338. 660-668-2406. I can't see this movie being remade, just either released or re-released Thanks again

This incredible film starring the late Mary Tyler Moore and the late George Peppard deserves a lot more attention than it received at the time of its initial release. It is difficult to locate today and that is a shame. Funny and profound, it offers wonderful entertainment for all ages. The story seems timeless in many ways. Although the plot might not please Madison Avenue, it perhaps reflects truths about a consumer economy. Yet its uplifting spiritual message and completely charming plot make it truly memorable. It seems to me this really overlooked gem of a movie sets a high standard. Very well acted and directed, beautifully written and filmed with visual power, it deserves a 10 in my opinion. Watch this film to spend an enthralling period of time. It is really, really, really excellent!

I remember this fun comedy as a kid and have been hoping and waiting for it to be released on Video & DVD...not yet. While silly on the surface, the ideas expressed were thought provoking. The crazy 60s style of the film would would lend it a current popularity promoted by films like Austin Powers.

This is a distinctly old-fashioned comedy, created by middle-aged guys who'd written Marx Brothers movies and cute comedies like Miracle on 34th Street. In some ways, the movie feels antiquated and out of touch; its '60s nihilistic "East Village artists" are Beatnik throwbacks, and the writers believe that if people were happy, men would be clean shaven and wear suits, women would get their hair done, and everyone would get married. But if the film is out of touch with the world it's set in, it is perfectly in touch with the Capra-esque sensibility it's aiming at. After a slow start, the movie becomes quite funny, and it has a charm and sweetness about it that was already long out of style by the time of its release. I saw this movie decades ago and really liked it, and I'm happy to say that, all these years later, I still find its humor and positive message (and no, it's not a particularly subversive message, though it is a sweet one) compensate for its old-fashioned out-of-touchness.