Kandy Mansion Documentary by Josh Cohen

Dir. Lawrence Klein
released in 2005

"Well it sounded like an intriguing idea." This is the first line heard in the documentary titled, "Kandy Mansion". This documentary follows a ragtag group of Fitchburg State University to The Herbert Family Candy Mansion, a roadside ice cream/candy bar.
The Doc opens up with a roar of applause showing the subjects of the documentary raising their arms in the air. As they enter the candy mansion, a tacky 50's style song is heard singing about "America's first roadside ice cream/candy store." It doesn't specifically reveal whether or not the song is about the actual Herbert Candy Mansion in which this documentary takes place, but it sure fits. As they order their ice cream flavors, a sign is shown that reads, "One Trip Through the Ice Cream Bar, PLEASE!” Endless supplies of toppings are passed in a long camera pan.
Once the eating commences, a classical orchestral number plays over the subjects who gobble down plates full of grizzly, haunting platters of melting ice cream covered in various toppings. The faces of these kids are as mysterious as the Mona Lisa’s smile. Their expressions reveal a tone of bewilderedness yet complete determination. As an audience you’re right there with them, at least in the former of the two.
The documentary follows the young adults outside, then wherever you thought this was going, you find out you were probably wrong. “Candy Mansion didn’t have a chance.” This line is the first thing heard right before everybody starts regurgitating the swallowed ice cream. The grass from a dark green to a yellowish gray. Another sound clip, “ I had two flavors that I guess didn’t rub up against each other real well.” The Doc ends with a personal introduction of each subject. Most just state their name. One of the creators of the documentary, Lawrence Klein, who’s sure to one day, be the next Paul Verhoeven states directly into the camera, “I’m Two Sting Rays and we’ve won!”
When you look at what exactly this film is saying, it’s hard to have a traditional approach. It’s stated within the film that it just seemed like an intriguing idea. In terms of a point, or a message- World Peace is not of their concern. It forces the audience to endure mindless fun. An experience they may or may not want to take part in, but are forced to recognize exists. Lawrence Klein states it best as this quote is dubbed over his hunched over body wearing a cowboy hat and shades, “ We all got to fight our windmills, or search for Eldorado, and all the kids have to eat at Candy Mansion.”