Derby (1971)

Director:

Robert Kaylor

Genre:

Documentary | Biography | Sport

Tagline:

A world where men and women play by the same rules.

Plot:

Derby is a fascinating look at the world of 1970s professional Roller Derby. Features lots of on-track action...

Plot Keywords:

Roller Derby | Team | Competition | Women Fight | Ohio

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Charlie O'Connell	...	Himself
Mike Snell	...	Himself
Christina Snell	...	Herself
Butch Snell	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ann Calvello	...	Herself
Lydia Clay	...	Herself
Janet Earp	...	Herself
Eddie Krebs	...	Himself

Directed by
Robert Kaylor

Produced by
L.S. Fields	....	executive producer
William Richert	....	producer

Cinematography by
Robert Kaylor

Film Editing by
Anthony Potenza

Sound Department
Tony Donovan	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Sal Barone	....	gaffer
Robert Kenner	....	assistant camera
Steve Ward	....	assistant camera

Distributors

• Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• Red Alert Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Code Red DVD (2009) (worldwide) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:GP (edited for re-rating) | USA:R (original rating) | USA:Unrated (DVD)

Filming Locations:

Dayton, Ohio, USA

Nostalgia City, for me at least

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

As a kid I was obsessed with the roller derby. I went to games at Madison Square Garden and watched it every Sunday morning on WOR/Channel 9 in NY. I even remember a triple header at Shea Stadium. For awhile, it was a big deal and I got very caught up in it.

I made my wicked, drunken step-father take me to the movie, cause it was him that got me hooked in the first place. I remember it was on a double bill with "Straw Dogs."

The movie actually took place before I was a fan but I know all the skaters, they had just moved around a lot by the time I was into it. I believe the league just re-did everything, created new teams, etc.

The actual roller derby footage is pretty good, not great. The lighting is horrible, everything looks like its lit by a votive candle. But at times it seems as though the camera is actually on the track, following the skaters.

Mike Snell, his life, his wife, his whoring, didn't interest me that much. I was just waiting for another Margie Laszlo/Lydia Clay fight, or to see what color Anne Calvello dyed her hair. You do get some insight from some players, namely Charlie O'Connell, Eddie Krebs, Lydia and Janet Earp. The biggest female star, Joan Weston, is only mentioned in passing.

**SPOILER ALERT**

The movie ends just as Snell is going to Alameda (or was it Anaheim) to the training school to begin what he hopes is a career as a skater. So in some ways, the movie ends just as it begins. 7/10.