Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday's Overlooked Movies: Big Bad Mama

I first saw BIG BAD MAMA at what we used to call an “inside theater”, but it’s still one of the classic 1970s drive-in movies. Produced by Roger Corman, it’s got Angie Dickinson totin’ a tommy gun and robbing Depression-era banks with her two hot teenage daughters. It’s got William Shatner chewing the scenery as a smooth-talkin’ con man. It’s got great character actors like Noble Willingham, Dick Miller, and Royal Dano. And in true 70s fashion, it’s got a little bit of social conscience and lots of gratuitous nudity, including Ms. Dickinson her ownself, easily outpacing all the younger actresses when it comes to sheer sexiness. It’s directed by Steve Carver, who had a pretty good career making glorified B-movies that turned out considerably better than they had any right to (DRUM, AN EYE FOR AN EYE, LONE WOLF McQUADE). BIG BAD MAMA may not be a great movie, but it sure is a lot of fun.

6 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

Ah, Angie. A million men have had to grow up on lesser sex symbols.

Peter Brandvold said...

Oh, I loved BIG BAD MAMA. Steamy sex scene too with Angie and Captain Kirk!

Thanks for reminding me. Can't wait to see it again.

Pete

Anonymous said...

Yes, this movie is great fun, especially if you have a fondness for 1970's drive-in flicks.

Yes, Angie Dickinson is exquisite and likely to make viewers moon at the screen in awe.

But, what I remember best about the whole thing is the broad, lunk-headed, yokel-grin that Shatner sports for almost the full duration of his love scene with Ms. Dickinson.
I kept expecting him to Hee-Haw with delight at his luck at any moment.

John Hocking

Dan_Luft said...

I wouldn't be surprised if Cinemax were still showing this one every week or two.

Anonymous said...

What do you mean "may not be a great movie"? BIG BAD MAMA is a true classic of American cinema! The sequel - 13 years later - had Robert Culp instead of Shatner and Danielle Brisbois, whose original claim to fame was as the youngest orphan in the original Broadway production of ANNIE, proving she was all grown up IYKWIM as one of Angie's daughters.

Jeff M.

Cap'n Bob said...

I never forgot this masterpiece. Tommy guns, racing flivers, and three totally hot babes getting nekked. And Shatner as comic relief, intended or not.
What's the name of that sequel, Jeff?