The Projectionist

An affectionately scatty though uneven low-budget independent chronicling the numerous fantasies of a slobbish projectionist (McCann), given to retreating into movie-inspired fantasies and meanwhile waging a running battle against his tyrannical theatre manager (Dangerfield). The film is unhappiest in its attitude towards its hero, the archetypal fat man whom we're half-expected to sympathise with, half-expected to laugh at. But anyone with a fondness for Hollywood will find much to enjoy: trailers for The Terrible World of Tomorrow, the Judeo-Christian Good-Guy kit, impersonations of Bogart, Wayne and Greenstreet. Less successful are the collages using contemporary footage, the visit to Rick's Café in Casablanca, and the running battle involving Captain Flash (McCann's alter ego) and The Bat which culminates with the heroes of Hollywood (Errol Flynn, Sergeant York, Flash Gordon etc.) pounding the forces of Fascism, Hitler and Mussolini included.