King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen is a 2018 A feature length documentary on the acclaimed work and eclectic career of maverick filmmaker Larry Cohen.
You’ve probably never heard of Larry Cohen and might be wondering why the heck there is an entire documentary dedicated to such a name. Well, if you’re even a casual fan of cinema, maybe grew up watching classics on late night television, then you probably know at least one of his movies. I know I can remember huddling around the family TV watching reruns of Q (1982) – back then called The Winged Serpent – a cheesy monster movie that is endlessly fun to sit through. I love that flick. Of course, you might be more familiar with the classic 1974 horror film It’s Alive better. You know the one. The poster has that little baby claw coming out of the basinet.
To right this oversight comes King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen, a documentary from Steve Mitchell that tracks the lengthy contributions to the medium Cohen as made, from TV to film as a writer, producer, and director. Naturally, it’s a rocky story, with the man now renowned in certain circles for his work in blaxploitation and horror, getting a chance to personally recount his own history while a long list of those he worked with and influenced offer their own spin. Let me tell you, it’s a real joy to see the likes of Yaphet Kotto and Fred Williamson detail (sometimes very funny conflicting) memories of being part of what is essentially true movie history.
It’s important to credit Cohen with his boundary breaking titles, giving many black actors their first real prominent roles, his “on-the-run” shooting style where his guerrilla filmmaking style changed the landscape, often making movies (right on the streets on New York City) with no permission and with hidden cameras. The footage of the making of Black Caesar and God Told Me To alone are worth watching all on its own.
Then there’s the backstory on Q, which I lapped up with the most fervor, the film one of my favorites already, and now a look behind the scenes of how it was made making me appreciate it all the more. I can’t speak for you, but after watching King Cohen, I was queueing up Q and loved every single minute of it … again. You probably will, too (and should).
Of course, Cohen worked with many familiar faces, and a slew of talking heads show up offering their praise, with the likes of J.J. Abrams, who opens the film, Eric Roberts, Mick Garris, Joe Dante, and Martin Scorsese sharing what Cohen means to them, along with some real insight from legendary make-up artist Rick Baker on the production of It’s Alive. If you love the way movies are made, this is what it’s all about. To learn more about how the incomparable Bernard Herrmann got involved is pure movie magic.
As with most documentaries, it’s a little hard not to come away feeling as if all things Cohen are golden, films like this naturally a bit sycophantic. However, it’s equally hard not to recognize just how inspiring Cohen’s story is, his perseverance truly motivating. A chronological journey of Cohen’s major achievements makes for a thrill ride for any fan of the process and history of movie making in the days well before everything changed. Highly-entertaining, it’s really a terrific observation and demonstration on a very challenging and transformative time in cinema. In an era now when looking back has swept the movies like no other time in history – nostalgia driving so much of what gets into theaters – this is a perfect companion, a satisfying peak behind the curtain as it were, shedding light on a figure who did things his own way and is finally getting a well-earned pat on the back for doing so. Don’t hesitate.