Big Bad Mama (1974)

Mama and daughters get forced by circumstances into bootlegging and bank robbing, and travel across the country trailed by the law.

Director:

Steve Carver

Writers:

William W. Norton (as William Norton), Frances Doel

Stars:

Angie Dickinson, William Shatner, Tom Skerritt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angie Dickinson	...	Wilma McClatchie
William Shatner	...	William J. Baxter
Tom Skerritt	...	Fred Diller
Susan Sennett	...	Billy Jean
Robbie Lee	...	Polly
Noble Willingham	...	Uncle Barney
Dick Miller	...	Bonney
Tom Signorelli	...	Dodds
Joan Prather	...	Jane Kingston
Royal Dano	...	Reverend Johnson
William O'Connell	...	Crusade Preacher
John Wheeler	...	Lawyer
Ralph James	...	Sheriff
Sally Kirkland	...	Barney's Woman
Wally K. Berns	...	Legionnaire (as Wally Berns)

Storyline

After the death of her lover, Wilma takes over his bootlegging business, but without much success. She soon meets up with bank robber Fred, who convinces her and her daughters to join him for his next big heist. In the meantime, Wilma also kidnaps the daughter of a millionaire in the hopes of getting rich off the ransom. Will Wilma and Fred be able to retire with their ill-gotten gains, or will the law eventually catch up with them?

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Plot Keywords:

female star appears nude | police shootout | street shootout | neo noir | bare breasts | 

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Taglines:

Men, Money And Moonshine: When It Comes To Vice, Mama Knows Best.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Roger Corman: The Official DVD Website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1975 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

A Mulher da Metralhadora

Filming Locations:

Main & Old Town Front Street, Temecula, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hit Woman Productions Inc., New World Pictures, Santa Cruz Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 1986 book "Son of Golden Turkey Awards" by Harry and Michael Medved, Angie Dickinson received a nomination for "The Most Embarrassing Nude Scene in Hollywood History" for this film.

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Goofs

As Charles takes the money during the bank robbery, the squib pack on his lower back is visible.

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Quotes

Wilma McClatchie: Get yer hand off my tit, Barney!

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

User Reviews

Wow!

This is one of those films, where you kick yourself for listening to critics who, at the time, trashed this film. Finally saw it and while it is, as some suggest, "trashy," this is one of the most entertaining films I've seen in quite some time.

I've always admired the talent of Mr Corman and his production of BBM is, for me, one of the highlights of his career. I've no illusions that his fans will suggest otherwise however this is a film that grabs you by the lapels, if one has lapels that is, and doesn't let go! Steve Carver takes a VERY low budget and gets the maximum out of it, there are some performances in this movie that will demonstrate the talents of some of your favorite actors that other, more popular and acclaimed films will NOT. As someone who is NOT a Tom Skerrit fan I've got to admit he was the standout actor in this, (I refuse to refer to actresses as 'actors', he really is a talented man. However the standout is the truly gorgeous Angie Dickinson, I knew she could act, I just never realized just how beautiful and sexy she really is, until this film. She singlehandedly transcends the material and thereby lifts BBM out of "trash" into a slam-bang adventure/crime/sex romp that is stunning. The supporting cast is excellent, however outside of 'Succubus' I've not quite gotten the appeal of William Shatner, at least in any serious sense. think we all realize how much talent got early starts in Corman films and I think you will also enjoy noting those who went on to do excellent work in other films and especially TV, such as Michael Talbott of "Miami Vice" TV series.

After watching this film I felt rather upbeat, BBM is the sort of fun film that we used to see more of, sans all that CGI and other expensive and often tawdry special effects, good entertainment that takes one out of the humdrum and into a place where ordinary belief is suspended and one is cheering for the heroes, albeit not the nicest heroes/heroines, wink.

One can only wonder if there is a Director's cut somewhere as this is rated 'R', Angie Dickinson, Wow! Did I mention Wow?