Watch Up In The Cellar

Up in the Cellar is an American comedy film released in 1970, directed by Theodore J. Flicker and written by Lawrence J. Cohen and Fred Freeman. The film's plot revolves around a young college student named Harold (Wes Stern) who lives in the basement of a sorority house where he has his own private living quarters. Harold is an athlete who is also majoring in psychology with a minor in philosophy. He aspires to become a successful author someday.

Harold's life takes an unexpected turn when three young women — two college students, Stacy (Joan Collins) and Suzy (Nan Martin), as well as an introverted high school girl, Candyce (Gwynne Gilford) — show up at his door asking for help. The girls are on the run from their meddling families who want to control their lives and force them into arranged marriages. Harold, being the kindhearted and helpful person he is, agrees to provide shelter to the girls in his basement, where they can stay unnoticed for a while.

Things start getting complicated when the girls' families become aware of their escape and start searching for them in the college town. Meanwhile, Harold's landlady, the sorority house mother, Mrs. Gump (Mildred Natwick), discovers the girls' presence in the basement and demands that Harold evict them immediately. Harold must now come up with a plan to protect the girls and keep them from being found by their families and the authorities.

As the story unfolds, the viewer is treated to a series of humorous and farcical sequences, including a romantic subplot in which Harold falls for Stacy, who seems to reciprocate his feelings. However, their budding romance is disrupted when Stacy's overbearing father (Larry Hagman) comes to town to bring her back home. Harold must once again come up with a plan to thwart the father's efforts and keep Stacy from being forced into a marriage she doesn't want.

The film's pacing is brisk, and the dialogue is witty and clever, with many sexual innuendos and double entendres. The performances by the cast are uniformly excellent. Wes Stern plays Harold with a charming naivete that makes him instantly likable. Joan Collins steals the show as the sassy and independent Stacy, exuding both beauty and brains in equal measure. Larry Hagman is hilarious as the domineering and blustery father who constantly barks orders at his lackeys.

Up in the Cellar is a fun and entertaining comedy that showcases the talents of its cast and the skills of its director. The film's messages about the importance of self-empowerment, personal freedom, and fighting against societal norms and expectations are still relevant today. The movie is a throwback to the 1960s and 1970s, a time when social upheaval and counterculture were at their peak. It's a movie that celebrates the rebellious spirit of youth and the power of individualism over conformity.

In conclusion, Up in the Cellar is a delightful and underrated gem of a movie that deserves to be rediscovered by audiences today. It's a film that will make you laugh, think, and ultimately feel good about life. So go ahead and give it a watch - you won't be disappointed.

Up In The Cellar is a 1971 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.