The Grissom Gang (1971)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

James Hadley Chase (novel)
Leon Griffiths (writer)

Release Date:

24 September 1971 (West Germany)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Set in the 1920s Depression, a gang of half-witted small-time hoods led by Slim Grissom kidnap heiress...

Plot Keywords:

Kidnapper Kidnapped Relationship | Kidnapping | Beautiful Woman | Nightclub Singer | Criminal Gang

Cast

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

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:PG | UK:X | West Germany:16 (f) | Argentina:18 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-18 | Norway:18 (1972) | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Aldrich Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

ABC Pictures

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.

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.

Movie Connections:

Version of Emmenez-moi au théâtre: Pas d'orchidées pour Miss Blandisch (1978) (TV)

Wilson's Most Intense w/demented haircut!

This little gem of a film was treated as exploitation trash, but a fascinating kidnapping tale with unrequited love and dysfunctional family relations. Scott Wilson (so brilliant in In Cold Blood) is incredible as Slim, the lonely offbeat member of the gang who is somewhat understood (but very edgy). Throw in Kim Darby, Tony Musante, Irene Dailey (more demented than she was in Five Easy Pieces), and Joey Faye as Woppy, how wrong can you go?

There's a good sense of time period. This film is nothing compared to Bonnie and Clyde, but closer to Thieves Like Us. Connie Stevens is an added attraction. Give these folks a chance. Rated 7 out of 10.