|
Anyone who grew up in the South in the 1960s and 70's probably developed
a love for "B" movies. The humidity, the Drive-ins and southern women with
their special type of hospitality resulted in many a passionate night in the
back seat of the old Chevy Impala with its Holley four-barrelled carb, 350
V-8 engine and glass-pac mufflers.... Oh well enough redneck reminiscing. If
one was unlucky enough to have to watch the movie showing on the screen of
the old drive-in theater they developed a love for low-budget action films,
which in some rare occasions are still worth a look today via video.
The following three films illustrate what is great about "B" movies.
"White Lightning," "Fast Walking" and "Vice Squad" each embody the quirky,
charismatic, action-packed, sexy, testosterone-driven celluloid which made
drive-in theaters popular.
"White Lightning" (1973) features the ultimate drive-in movie cast: Burt
Reynolds, Ned Beaty, Matt Clark, Bo Hopkins, Jennifer Billingsley and Diane
Ladd. Look for Ms. Ladd's daughter, Laura Dern making her screen debut as a
poor-white-trash yard ape.
As the credits roll the evil sheriff of Pulaski County, Arkansas (Ned
Beaty) sadistically murders an "outside hippie agitator." This is a big
mistake because the victim just happens to be the younger brother of the
number-one-turbocharged moonshine driver in the state, Gator McKluskey (Burt
Reynolds). The feds spring Gator from the Arkansas State penitentiary in
order to infiltrate the rouge Sheriff's organization and bring him down.
"White Lightning" is pure evisceral entertainment. It offers car chases,
fist-fights, sexual innuendo (just what does "Shaky Pudding" mean anyway)?,
machismo and brainless fun. The performances are well above average for this
type of film. Several later Oscar nominees and winners populate this trashy
fun.
Ned Beaty is the personification of evil. The fact that he is so low-key
and subdued makes his performance all the more chilling after the murder he
commits during the opening scene. To anyone who did not grow up in the 1970s,
one viewing of this movie will let you know why Burt Reynolds was the highest
paid star during that era. His portrayal of Gator McKluskey shows the wide
range he has as an actor. Despite the comic book tone of the movie, Reynolds
shows a depth of humor, sexuality, and the pain and obsession of a man whose
kinfolk must be avenged in his portrayal of Gator. Gator is a macho
good-old-boy who is misunderstood and grudgingly admired by the same folks
who put him in jail. According to Gator, "There are only two things I'm
afraid of...women and the po-lice." The truth is that it
doesn't matter if the women love him and
the po-lice fear him. (By the way, please do not under any circumstances rent
the sequel, "Gator" it sucks. It illustrates all the characteristics of the
worst of "B" movies.) I'm not going to harp on this movie anymore, either
you'll rent it of you won't. I don't care 'cause I've already seen it. If you
want to go to your grave without seeing this redneck gem then be my guest!
"For the right price, he'll open a jailbird's cage."
|
I saw "Fast Walking" on cable back in the 1980s. I watched it mainly
because I had been an extradition officer during the 80's and had seen the
old Montana State prison in Deer Lodge during one of my trips. I recognized
the old prison shown in the opening credits, so I watched it. What a great
quirky movie! James Woods plays "Fast Walking" Miniver: a corrupt prison
guard who is involved in plots to both free and kill an African-American
militant prisoner (Kevin Hooks). This movie has so much going for it that I
have a hard time knowing where to start. Kay Lenz plays "Moke," the sexiest
woman to ever traipse across a redneck's fantasy. Is she a kindred spirit of
Wood's or is she playing this poor sap like everyone else? M. Emmett Walsh
brings his usual excellence to this film as an over the hill cop. Kevin Hooks
brings just the right touch of dignity and righteous indignation to his
performance as the 1960s radical. But what really sets this movie apart; what
really makes this movie worth watching is the Oscar-caliber performance of
Tim McIntire as "Wasco," the pure-d evil, megalomaniac prisoner who holds all
the strings of the rest of the puppet-like characters.
Tim McIntire brings a charisma to this character which is seldom seen on
celluloid. His performance alone is worth the price of a rental. Wasco sees
himself as God. He manipulates the other prisoners and guards with the same
ease that Hitler manipulated the Germans during W.W.II. For me, the standout
scene takes place in the prison chapel between Woods and McIntire, as
McIntire feels out the amoral guard concerning Woods' sincerity about killing
Hooks character. Woods' character has no character so McIntire cannot be sure
of his loyalty. The question becomes, will "Fast-Walking" Miniver grow a
conscience or not? Who can be trusted?
Trust me folks, if you want to be enthralled by the magic of a
performance rent this movie. Tim McIntire's performance is incredible!
The final killer "B" is the 1983 movie "Vice Squad." This little sordid
gem was produced by Frank Capra Jr. (My how his daddy would spin in his
grave!) The plot of this movie concerns an L.A.P.D. detective (Gary Swanson)
who tries to use a hooker with a heart of gold (Season Hubley) to catch a
vicious killer-pimp named Ramrod (Wings Hauser). Why should you rent this
movie? Two reasons (really one serious reason and one trivial reason). The
first and main reason is to witness Hauser's "Ramrod", one of the most vile
bad guys ever put on screen. I am a criminal defense lawyer and I would have
big trouble defending a real person as evil as this character. In one scene
"Ramrod" is approached by an elderly street woman hoping to rescue a young
prostitute that he is abducting. He shoves a lighter in the old woman's face
and says "I'm the Devil baby" (or words to that effect). This is one of the
more tame scenes, and lesser offenses that "Ramrod" commits in this movie,
but it is the sheer delight with which Hauser delivers the lines that shows
just what a badass he is.
There is much more to this movie than just Hauser's performance. Season
Hubley and Gary Swanson have a definite chemistry. The kink factor is also
high. As a warning, there are a couple of violent scenes which are hard to watch.
This warning is especially true during the scene in which "Ramrod" punishes
his errant working girl "Ginger" (former MTV vee-jay Nina Blackwood). I don't
have a problem with movie violence as long as it is not presented for
titillation purposes. This scene comes close and I am still bothered by it
even though I have seen the movie numerous times. The scene illustrates the
way that those particularly low forms of life know as "Pimps" abuse and
exploit lost women for their own benefit. So, if you rent this movie, and are
bothered by this type of scene then fast-forward your VCR when "Ramrod" comes
knocking on "Ginger's" motel room door. I don't like "spoiler" reviews of
movies, but I feel that it is only fair to warn you about this scene.
The second reason I liked this movie is the fact that Gary Swanson said
"Go ahead, make my day!" one year before Clint Eastwood said it in "Sudden
Impact."
Well folks, I figured you needed a little light entertainment after the
several serious films I have thrown at you the last few weeks. Don't worry,
though. Next week I''ll be reviewing, "Shoot the Moon," Alan Parker's
harrowing study of divorce. Until then, pop open a six-pack of Schlitz beer,
kick back and hoop and holler with one of these Killer B's.
Rusty White
|
