Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 26, 2025

Holly Woodlawn is best known as a Warhol Superstar, making a name for herself with acting assignments in 1970’s “Trash” and 1971’s “Women in Revolt.” 1972’s “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers” plays like a career move from the actress, who goes from Warhol’s control to her own starring vehicle in the picture, handed ample opportunity to display screen charms and comedic timing. Director Robert J. Kaplan doesn’t really have a complete film with “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers,” but there’s a lively cast ready to play with behavioral weirdness and New York City eccentricity in the endeavor, which gets as far as possible on oddity and extremity before it starts to feel borderline incomplete.

Eve Harrington (Holly Woodlawn) is desperate to be a star, ready to endure all the suffering required to become a major player in the entertainment industry. A move from her small town to New York City is required, sending Eve to live at the Chelsea Hotel, reconnecting with friend Margo (Jane Kutler), hoping to make a few connections as she embarks on a major adventure. Instead of achieving instant success, Eve needs a place to live, making her way to Mary Poppins (Tally Brown), a force of nature who knows everyone and has opinions about everything. Eve begins her journey to find a roommate, encountering an assortment of strange people who want her company. Eve also deals with industry players, facing liars and scammers as she tries to find some stability in a crazy world.

“Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers” provides some illumination with its Disney-like opening shot, cracking open a bible to identify the source of the strange title. It’s the first and last touch of religion in the picture, unless one counts the worship of the entertainment industry, as Eve is completely committed to becoming a sensation on the stage and screen. Kaplan certainly doesn’t hide the cheekiness of what little here passes for story, introducing Eve’s small town parents as a concerned pair wishing their daughter the best, and doing so while bottomless. It’s clear from the start that “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers” is going to be oddball, and it quickly opens up to a new world in NYC, which overwhelms the main character and hits her with variations on a fellatio joke that carries throughout the first act.

Strange bits of humor are repeated throughout “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers,” including a gag involving phone calls about delicatessen locations and salami delivery. More decipherable is Eve’s journey into the world, where she finds support from Margo, who has a fondness for men, and help from Mary Poppins. This is no flying nanny, but a woman of unique power and connections, assisting Eve with her living situation while taking time to become a street preacher of sorts, sharing her thoughts with a growing crowd in Central Park before an ice cream cone hurled at her head finally gets her to stop. Kaplan orders up a full-on dessert fight, going classic comedy with “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers,” which also visits black and white dreamscapes and remains focused on Old Hollywood names. This includes Rhett Butler (Woodlawn), a player offering his services to Eve, though he hides a stranger, inexplicable secret that fully represents the randomness of ideas presented in the movie.

While the basic idea of “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers” is Eve’s dream of acting, most of the feature actually deals with the character’s apartment hunting mission. She meets twins Baby and Jane Hudson, a pair of lesbian siblings who want another woman in their living space. Ninotchka is a nature and health nut desperate to teach others her ways. And Joe Buck is a little person attracted to Eve, inviting her to his wrestling match. “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers” also puts Eve into an acting class taught by Walter Mitty (David Margulies, who went on to portray the Mayor of NYC in “Ghostbusters” and its sequel), giving her a sampling of the life and its handsy inhabitants.

Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The visual presentation (1.33:1 aspect ratio) for "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers" is listed a "restored from original film elements by the Academy Film Archive." While a low-budget offering of underground cinema, the feature is nicely revived for its disc debut, finding colors most appealing. The hues of New York City are preserved, securing a cooler look at concrete surroundings and building tours. Brighter looks at character displays are compelling, maintaining wilder hair color and bolder costuming. Greenery is distinct. Skin tones are natural. Detail reaches about as far as possible, providing a softer look at city locations, which register with passable depth. Interiors are acceptable, exploring strangely decorated apartments and theater spaces. Skin particulars are passable, and costuming is decently fibrous, especially wilder outfits. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition, with some debris.

Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is working with aged materials, but clarity is decent with dialogue exchanges, which also compete with tech limitations. Performances are understood, and dramatic emphasis is balanced. Scoring and soundtrack selections offer a little more aural power, with defined vocals and acceptably clear instrumentation. Atmospherics are passable.

Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains essays by authors Jeff Copeland and Caden Mark Gardner.

• Commentary features writer Jeff Copeland and AGFA's Jackson Cooper.

• Interview (11:01, HD) features producer Henry J. Alpert, who details his responsibilities during the production of "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," helping to find funding and create sets for the endeavor. Joining a filmmaking teaming trying to "challenge society," Alpert recalls an "exiting time" in American history, extending to his theater visits, also sampling avant-garde cinema of the day, helping to shape his interests. The genesis of the project is tracked, forcing the producer to turn to guerilla means to shoot the effort, often scrambling to find locations around New York City. Memories of star Holly Woodlawn and her moodiness are shared, discussing her nervousness around acting, turning to alcohol to help get through scenes. Co-stars are also highlighted, including Tally Brown. The interviewee examines post-production labor and the release of "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," which was panned by major movie critics, but welcomed by others, finding a cult audience. The history of the offering is also highlighted, as the endeavor was once considered forgotten, only to return to public exhibition via a recently discovered print.

• Bonus Movie: "Gums" (65:57, HD), a 1976 softcore "Jaws" parody co-starring Brother Theodore as "Captain Carl Clitoris."
  
  

  Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 
  

  

  Kaplan doesn't have much of a plan for "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," which is too episodic to really capture viewer attention. It's best appreciated as a snapshot of the era, exploring New York City in many sequences, and there's a decent level of spirited nonsense to the movie, which favors musical montages and performances to help fill the run time. There's charm in the film, but it takes some work to extract it, though Woodlawn is a capable lead, maintaining the silly vibe of the endeavor with welcome enthusiasm.