Crazy Mama (1975)

Jonathan Demme directs this joyous relentlessly kitschy celebration of 1950s America: opportunity, rock'n'roll, and the road. He follows three generations of women and the men they pick up,... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writers:

Robert Thom (screenplay), Frances Doel (story)

Stars:

Cloris Leachman, Stuart Whitman, Ann Sothern

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cloris Leachman	...	Melba
Stuart Whitman	...	Jim Bob
Ann Sothern	...	Sheba
Jim Backus	...	Mr. Albertson
Don Most	...	Shawn (as Donn Most)
Linda Purl	...	Cheryl
Bryan Englund	...	Snake
Merie Earle	...	Bertha
Sally Kirkland	...	Ella Mae
Clint Kimbrough	...	Daniel
Dick Miller	...	Wilbur Janeway
Carmen Argenziano	...	Supermarket Manager
Harry Northup	...	FBI Man
Ralph James	...	Sheriff - 1932
Dinah Englund	...	Melba - 1932

Storyline

Jonathan Demme directs this joyous relentlessly kitschy celebration of 1950s America: opportunity, rock'n'roll, and the road. He follows three generations of women and the men they pick up, for a crime spree from California to the old family homestead in Arkansas.

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Plot Keywords:

arkansas | 1950s | cult film | road movie | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

Crusin' America in '57 She Shot Her Way to Rock and Roll Heaven!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Crime

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

An American Dream

Filming Locations:

Lake Theatre, 310 W. Graham Ave., Lake Elsinore, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Quaid's film debut.

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Quotes

Bertha: I think I'm gonna start smokin' a cigar, you know, change my image. What's so good about being an outlaw when you look like an in-law?

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Connections

References Man of the West (1958)

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Soundtracks

Transfusion
Written by Jimmy Drake
Performed by Jimmy Drake (as Nervous Norvus)

User Reviews

Crappy Mama!

I watched this movie as if it was the third in AIP's "Mama" trilogy. Big mistake. Of course 'Bloody Mama', 'Big Bad Mama' and 'Crazy Mama' have only tenuous links at best, and Roger Corman has no actual hands on relationship to this one, I realize that. Sadly 'Crazy' reaches neither the twisted brilliance of 'Bloody' or the sheer trashy good times of 'Big Bad'. In fact, it's pretty crappy all round.

Jonathon Demme's second feature as director, following up his sleazy women in prison flick 'Chained Heat', which wipes the floor with this limp effort. I won't blame Demme entirely, and must mention the sit-com-ish script, and the largely unappealing Cloris Leachman in the lead role, who isn't fit to kiss Shelley Winters or Angie Dickinson's boots. The rest of the cast are mainly familiar faces from TV, including Ralph Malph and Thurston Howell III, but also keep an eye open for Roger Corman legend Dick Miller, and Doughboy from 'Taxi Driver'.

'Crazy Mama', though set in the 50s rather than the Depression, follows the loose structure of the previous Mamas - strong matriarch falls on hard times and turns to crime - but goes nowhere with it. Less sex, violence and darkness, and more (alleged) laughs, this is almost Disney Corman, and that means it will please just about nobody. The only notable thing about this disappointing fare is the good soundtrack of oldies. Apart from that I can think of absolutely NO reason to recommend it.