The Grissom Gang (1971)

Set in the 1920s Depression, a gang of half-witted small-time hoods led by Slim Grissom kidnap heiress Barbara Blandish and Slim proceeds to fall in love with her. Remake of the 1948 ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Leon Griffiths (screenplay), James Hadley Chase (based on novel by "No Orchids for Miss Blandish")

Stars:

Kim Darby, Scott Wilson, Tony Musante

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kim Darby	...	Barbara Blandish
Scott Wilson	...	Slim Grissom
Tony Musante	...	Eddie Hagan
Robert Lansing	...	Dave Fenner
Connie Stevens	...	Anna Borg
Irene Dailey	...	Gladys 'Ma' Grissom
Wesley Addy	...	John P. Blandish
Joey Faye	...	Woppy
Michael Baseleon	...	Frankie Connor
Ralph Waite	...	Mace
Hal Baylor	...	Chief McLaine
Matt Clark	...	Joe Bailey
Alvin Hammer	...	Sam
Dots Johnson	...	Johnny Hutchins (as Dotts Johnson)
Don Keefer	...	Doc Grissom

Storyline

Set in the 1920s Depression, a gang of half-witted small-time hoods led by Slim Grissom kidnap heiress Barbara Blandish and Slim proceeds to fall in love with her. Remake of the 1948 British film "No Orchids for Miss Blandish."

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | nightclub singer | criminal gang | 1930s | kidnapper kidnapped relationship | 

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Taglines:

The psychotic killer, the young heiress...the kidnapping that becomes a love story.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 1971 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Aima ston dromo

Filming Locations:

Aldrich Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Pictures, Associates & Aldrich Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the key props in the film is a diamond necklace. Because of Robert Aldrich's insistence on accuracy, this was a real diamond necklace, that came complete with a special female courier, disguised as a secretary, and with an escort of guards on the set. Special arrangements were made with the local bank and sheriff's department in the location of Placerville, California, while the necklace itself was transported by a motorcade of vehicles.

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Quotes

Eddie Hagan: How come you never get your ass out of bed?
Anna Borg: Well, it's the place you seem to like it the most.

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Connections

Version of No Orchids for Miss Blandish (1948)

User Reviews

Lurid, but not so great...

Robert Aldrich's lurid film has a lot going for it and a lot not going for it. On the plus side there is a dynamite performance by Kim Darby as a kidnap victim who may or may not be starting to enjoy her grim predicament. On the minus side, the gang of kidnappers, a Ma Barker-type and her motley brood, simply is not threatening ENOUGH to make you believe Darby is in a lot of danger. I couldn't help wondering why she didn't just up and leave. Another deficit is the TV-movie feel of the whole thing -- this is definitely NOT Aldrich's most stylish film. Irene Dailey is fine as the mother, but it would have been more fun had the role been played by Cloris Leachman or Shelley Winters. Featuring Scott Wilson, Tony Musante, Robert Lansing and, in a brief but foul-mouthed cameo, Connie Stevens!