Puppetry of the Penis: Tackle Happy (2000) User Reviews

Tricky dicks!

[the amorphousmachine · 6/10 · 8 March 2003]

I never thought a documentary about dick tricks could be so entertaining! In the beginning of this film, I found myself being almost prudish to this subject matter- after all it was a documentary about two stand-up comedians who play with their genitals.

Produced and directed by radio and television guru, Mick Malloy- this taboo topic becomes a hilarious insight to a controversial yet somewhat juvenile style of comedy of a stage performance entitled Puppetry of the Penis. Yet it is completely hilarious to watch these two brave men and their explicit humour. Although 'Tackle Happy' is not for everyone, some people might find it offensive or tasteless! I thought it was pretty funny and entertaining but unfortunately it didn't explore the two characters or the opposing views to the subject matter enough. It merely relied on the shock value that the two main characters use to display the unique but limited brand of humour. Either way, 'Tackle Happy' becomes a road-movie style documentary about two unknown comedians that proves to be quite funny.

*** out of *****!

DVD commentary is great

[mighty_pickman · 6/10 · 1 February 2003]

If watching this film on DVD, it needs to be viewed in two parts. First watch the film than watch the film with the commentary afterwards. Mick Molloy & Tony Martin (his radio partner whose show is featured the film) as it one of the most hilarious commentaries yet committed to DVD. The film itself tended to show the "hamburger" trick at regular intervals to the stage that you were sick of it but is a nice behind the scenes look at one of Australia more bizarre cultural exports.

Do not try this at home, these men are trained professionals!

[Doovie-2 · 14 February 2001]

As a long time listener of Martin Molloy on Australian Radio I had often heard of the comedy show, Puppetry of the Penis. So when I saw that this video was in stores, I just had to rush out and hire it.

Basically, Tackle Happy is a documentary, following a two man comedy act around Australia. What makes this movie unique is that the act in question is the two men getting up on stage wearing only hats and capes and manipulating their genitals into a variety of strange and hilarious impressions or "Installations" as they call them.

The Movie follows the duo around Australia in their rusted out old comby van, from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane and on around the far northern reaches of Australia all the way over to Perth, in the Australian south-west (a journey of many thousands of miles, through desert and bushfire). It also shows the trouble they encounter with licensing boards and a general reluctance on the part of the media to publicize such an act.

Obviously this movie is not to everyones tastes (to be expected from a movie which is filled with close ups of male genitalia) but if you are prepared to watch it could be quite an enjoyable experience. Watch out for the "Hot Dog", the "Wristwatch", the "Slow Moving Mollusc" and the "Whipper Snipper" (OUCH!) which are my favourite Installations.

If you enjoy genital humour, this is the movie for you. If not, check it out anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised.

A Very Happy Experience

[bjkamasz · 5 July 2004]

If you eventually decide to look past the dick tricks you'll witness a wonderful portrait of audiences keen to laugh and harmlessly immerse themselves in an escape from life and the bigotry of sexuality.

Mick Molloy's film is a legacy that certain taboos in society can be nullified by expression. There's no sexual content here, rather the demystifying evidence that a genital is offensive. Mick Molloy is one of my all time favourite Australian comedians and his dual role as, filmmaker-interviewer and radio promoter of the "Puppetry Of The Penis" show through his drive-time show with Tony Martin, MARTIN-MOLLOY - could be construed as a propagandistic piece to support his close friend and penis puppeteer, Simon Morley, but that's only if you're p***ed at him. This is a wonderful film. In the same league as Chris Smith's American MOVIE which depicted the same ambition albeit in a much more society friendly guise.

Don't be deterred by the subject matter - It's goes beyond it and reveals an encouragement to any of us who feels we might fail outside of society's expectations.

10/10!