Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?
1969Heironymus Merkin is an internationally successful singer approaching middle age who retells his life story in a series of production numbers on a seashore in front of his two toddlers and aged mother. Merkin's promiscuous relationships with women are explored, particularly Polyester Poontang and the adolescent Mercy Humppe. Merkin is constantly surrounded by a Satan-like procurer, Goodtime Eddie Filth, and an angelic 'Presence' who interrupts Merkin's biography with cryptic Borscht Belt-level jokes to denote births and deaths in Merkin's life. Newley periodically steps out of character to complain about his 'Merkin' role with an unseen director, two screenwriters, the film's producers and a trio of blasé movie critics who are turned off by the story's eroticism and lack of plot.
Acted in
Anthony Newley
as Heironymous Merkin
Joan Collins
as Polyester Poontang
Bruce Forsyth
as Uncle Limelight
Milton Berle
as Goodtime Eddie Filth
Stubby Kaye
as Fat Writer
George Jessel
as The Presence
Connie Kreski
as Mercy Humppe
Alexander Newley
as Thaxted
Tara Newley
as Thumbelina
Patricia Hayes
as Grandma
Ronald Rubin
as Skinny Writer
Louis Negin
as Producer Peter
Tom Stern
as Producer Ron
Judy Cornwell
as Filigree Fondle
Margaret Nolan
as Little Assistance
Yolanda
as Trampolena Whambang
Lynda Baron
as Salesgirl