Bootleg Betty
Audio: Bette Midler Sings “Nothing Going Down At All” From ‘Scarecrow In A Garen Of Cucumbers’
Mister D
April 1, 2025
Bette Midler & Mike Lincoln: Nothing Going Down At All/Love Theme
Synopsis of Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers (1972)
Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers is a quirky, campy musical comedy directed by Robert J. Kaplan that follows Eve Harrington (Holly Woodlawn), an aspiring actress from Topeka, Kansas, who ventures to New York City with dreams of fame and fortune. Upon arrival, Eve encounters a colorful cast of eccentric characters as she navigates the chaotic urban landscape, searching for a roommate and a foothold in the acting world. Her journey is marked by absurdity and humor: she dodges a lecherous movie producer, Rhett Butler (also played by Woodlawn via split-screen), befriends an old acquaintance, Margo Channing (Yafa Lerner), and seeks help from Mary Poppins (Tally Brown), who runs a roommate-matching agency. Eve’s misadventures include rejecting oddball potential roommates obsessed with health food and women’s liberation, all while stumbling through a series of slapstick mishaps and surreal musical numbers. The film’s title, drawn from the biblical Epistle of Jeremiah (1:70), hints at its satirical edge, casting its characters as “cucumbers” chasing hollow idols in a modern Babylon—New York. Packed with Old Hollywood references, the movie spoofs 1930s and 1940s musical routines à la Busby Berkeley, blending lowbrow comedy with a distinctly queer sensibility. Though it faded into obscurity after its initial release, its recent restoration by the Academy Film Archive has revived this pioneering work, notable as one of the first feature films to center a trans actor.
Key Cast:
- Holly Woodlawn as Eve Harrington / Rhett Butler: A Warhol superstar and trans icon, Woodlawn delivers a comedic tour-de-force, playing both the naive heroine and her sleazy suitor using split-screen techniques. This was her first lead role outside Warhol’s productions.
- Tally Brown as Mary Poppins: A fellow Warhol collaborator, Brown shines as the eccentric roommate agency operator, with a standout musical number, “The Dusty Rose Hotel,” echoing Judy Garland’s A Star Is Born.
- Yafa Lerner as Margo Channing: Plays Eve’s old friend who introduces her to New York’s quirky elite.
- Suzanne Skillen as Ninotchka: One of the zany characters Eve encounters.
- David Margulies as Walter Milly: Another eccentric in Eve’s orbit (often listed as “Walter Mitty” in reviews, nodding to literary references).
- Additional Characters: The film features a roster of names borrowed from classic cinema and literature, including Blanche DuBois, Joe Buck, Ratzo Rizzo, and Stanley Kowalski, portrayed by a supporting ensemble that adds to the film’s chaotic charm.
Notable Cameos:
- Bette Midler: Contributes vocals to the soundtrack, including a lullaby, “Strawberries, Lilac, and Lime,” though she doesn’t appear onscreen. This marked an early career moment before her rise to fame.
- Lily Tomlin: Provides a voice cameo as her iconic “Ernestine” telephone operator character, her first film involvement (though possibly not onscreen until Nashville in 1975).
- Playboy Bunnies: Appear in brief cameos, as noted in a 1971 Variety item.
Crew:
- Director/Co-Producer: Robert J. Kaplan: A first-time filmmaker inspired by Robert Downey Sr., Kaplan helmed this debut feature, which was also one of only two films he made.
- Co-Producer: Henry A. Alpert: A 24-year-old Wall Street financier making his sole foray into film production, with a budget of $125,000.
- Screenwriter: Sandra Scoppettone: Crafted the riotous script, her only film credit.
- Music: Jerry Blatt (original score) and Marshall Barer (lyrics): Created the film’s spoofy musical numbers, with some sources suggesting Barry Manilow contributed uncredited music, tied to his early work with Midler.
- Cinematographer: Paul Glickman: Shot the film entirely on location in New York City (Greenwich Village, Central Park, Chelsea Hotel) in 16mm, later blown up to 35mm.
- Editor: Dick Cohen: Assembled the film’s madcap pacing.
Production Notes:
Shot in 1971 and released in 1972, the film was initially distributed by New Line Cinema but struggled with poor marketing and limited reach, earning a PG rating by its Los Angeles debut. Despite its notable cast and innovative trans-led narrative, it vanished from circulation for decades until its 2022 restoration, cementing its status as a cult classic rediscovered for modern audiences.
