Some performers just were born for action movies; what adds to the fun is how unexpected some of these performers are. Few would have anticipated the mild-mannered Liam Neeson becoming a potential action here, but he’s had great success at getting his Charles Bronson on. Someone you’d never expect to see taking on cops and crims alike with manic abandon is Cloris Leachman, the eternally popular comedienne who played Phyllis Lindstorm in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and went on to her own spin-off, Phyllis. Are you ready to see Cloris Leachman kicking ass and taking names a la John Wick? Rest assured, 1975’s Crazy Mama is ready to show you exactly what it might look like…
Back in the 70’s exploitation movies were fast, often funny, and a disreputable side-show to the main attractions provided by studios; Roger Corman has a substantial hit with Angie Dickinson in 1970’s Bloody Mama, and obviously fancied more of the same with a similar Bonnie and Clyde vibe. So Corman hired up-and-comer Jonathan Demme at short notice for Crazy Mama, and brought in Leachman as talent; she’d just won an Oscar for The Last Picture Show, but was clearly up for changing the public view of who she was. Long beaech beauty-salon owner Melba Stokes (Leachman) falls foul of the corrupt lawmakers in California circa 1958, and takes off with her mother (Ann Sothern) and pregnant daughter (Linda Purl) for a crime-spree that takes no prisoners…
Demme was following up on his women-busting-out-of-prison schlocker Caged Heat in 1974, but seems to have been allowed some lee-way to reduce the requisite T and A content and add in the kind of corn-poke humour and surprising social satire that made many of Corman’s films strikingly on-the-money. There’s also a wild supporting cast to savour, with cameos from John Milius and Dick Miller, of course, but also early appearances from icons Dennis Quaid and Bill Paxton.
‘I think I’m gonna start smokin’ a cigar, you know, change my image. What’s so good about being an outlaw when you look like an in-law?’ is just one of a number of quotable lines here; Crazy Mama is a crazy film alright, but it’s also rare in that is presents women as active protagonists, wronged by men and getting their own back, decades before Thelma and Louise were ever thought of. Freed from the yoke of servicing the male gaze, Demme crafts a swift, fleet of foot action melodrama with a strong female lead. Out for the first time on blu-ray in the UK, Crazy Mama is a neglected classic of the exploitation genre, and one to treasure for cinephiles and Cloris Leachman action fans globally.
Special Features
- Commentary with director Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman
- Interview with Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman
- Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
Crazy Mama is out now on blu-ray in the UK. Thanks to 101 Films for access.
This was a gas. The exploitation field was great fun back in the day.
The good ones really have oomph, and this is one of those…
Thank goodness Alex is here to document history in its entirety and not just the revisionist history “someone” gives us.
Personally, I like scrambled eggs, on toast.
Try putting a little mayo on the bread, brings out the taste.
Who is giving you revisionist history?
You are, Mister Yolk of the Male Gaze….
Fortunately a good egg like yourself overlooks such minor matters of expression…
Well, most mornings I am a bit scrambled…
The yolk of the male gaze can be a hard burden. Omelette this morning?
Thanks. Just about to organise some breakfast, want anything? Caged Heat to follow this week if you want to whip up a souffle….
Just some freshly-baked scones for me, thanks. If you like I can bring some banana bread. And just to be clear there are no chocolate chips in banana bread. People who put chocolate chips in banana bread aren’t making banana bread.
I wouldn’t dream of it. Fruit scones or plain?
Plain is fine if you have lots of butter. Apple butter would be nice too.
Do you churn your own butter? I did growing up. But I’m not sure if you said if you have any cows.
We don’t have any cows, no. Is that a dealbreaker for you? What about some clotted cream with your scone?
That sounds delightful, yes. Have to see if Fraggle can pop over and join us. Booky has a bit of a longer drive.
I’ll put his in the over so they’re piping hot. Are you packing your Astereix comic books? We can have a picnic outside…
Huh. I flew into Abbotsinch and was looking for a driver holding a sign with a picture of Shere Khan on it but didn’t see him. Guess we’ll have to reschedule.
Flying into a petrochemical refinery may have been your first mistake. Glasgow or Prestwick airports would be closer. Maybe next time take the plane?
It will always be Abbotsinch to me. Used to rent a hanger there in my barnstorming days.
Hangar. I had a hanger there too for my flightsuit though.
You had a hanger in your hanger, I get it. Did it attract hangers-on?
Whose barn were you storming back then? Queen Victoria’s?
The old stunt planes didn’t have a lot of range, but I did head north on occasion and scared some sheep in Blanefield.
The latter not a proud boast around these parts. Then back to the hanger under the yolk of professional barnstorming?
Are the sheep nervous in B-field? Do you ever go out cow-tipping? Do you have lots of country yolktales?
I go to the market with a bit of straw between my teeth and a pig under one arm. But would not do harm to any animal, and never have cash to tip the cows. Saw a cat making off with a baby bunny today. Nature is cruel, but we don’t have to be.
I’m still doing caramelised onion Brussels paté on toast for breakfast.
Well fired?
Well toasted at least.
I’m keen on the Brussels pate, but not sure much on the onions. The co-op one is better than M & S; that is my hot take on this.
You should try the Morrison one it doesn’t taste oniony, more Brusselly than your big standard.
Yup, that’s a good solid Brussels pate. They do fancy smoked salmon pate and oatcakes at a local eaterie.