Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Shelley Winters | ... | 'Ma' Kate Barker | |
Pat Hingle | ... | Sam Adams Pendlebury | |
Don Stroud | ... | Herman Barker | |
Diane Varsi | ... | Mona Gibson | |
Bruce Dern | ... | Kevin Dirkman | |
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Clint Kimbrough | ... | Arthur Barker |
Robert De Niro | ... | Lloyd Barker | |
Robert Walden | ... | Fred Barker | |
Alex Nicol | ... | George Barker | |
Pamela Dunlap | ... | Rembrandt | |
Michael Fox | ... | Dr. Roth | |
Scatman Crothers | ... | Moses (as 'Scatman' Crothers) | |
Stacy Harris | ... | Agent McClellan | |
Lisa Linsky | ... | Young Kate (as Lisa Jill) | |
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Steve Mitchell | ... | Sheriff |
A psychological gangster film based on fact. Machine gun totin' Ma Barker lead her family gang (her sons) on a crime spree in the Depression era. Her loyal brood have every perversion imaginable. The sadistic Herman sleeps with his Ma. When Fred Barker is released from prison, he brings home his cellmate and lover Kevin Dirkman, who also sleeps with Ma, much to Fred's chagrin. Lloyd Barker is a spaced-out drug addict who sniffs glue if nothing better is around. Ma kidnaps happy-go-lucky millionaire Sam Adams Pendlebury and holds him for ransom. Arthur Barker, Ma's wallflower son, and Herman's hooker lady friend Mona Gibson also figure in the story. The bloody finale is virtually choreographed, and a visual stunner. Filmed in the Ozarks. Written by alfiehitchie
Shelly Winters plays a wild Ma Barker in this decent Roger Corman directed flick about the Barker gang of the great depression era. Everyone playing Ma Barkers sons, who include Robert Deniro, gives a good performance. Bruce Dern also has a small role as sort of an outside member of the gang. The Barker gang is on the run, lead by their fearless mother. They rob banks and whoever they can get their hands on. There is one particular good scene involving Deniro, complete with his Max Cady accent, where he acts on the advances of a young blonde swimmer who flirts with him while he sits on the dock. Her flirty ways turn to terror as Deniro realizes he tells her some forbidden information and can't afford to let her live. Deniro lost 30 pounds for the role. He also told Corman he could drive even though he didn't have a license. Pat Hingle, a great character actor, as a high profile man who the gang kidnaps to get ransom money is also very good. This film is no "Bonnie and Clyde" but I'm surprised it didn't get more attention. Worth a look.