Big Bad Mama - Special Edition

Rating R Formats DVD Genre action Starring Angie Dickinson, William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, Susan Sennett and Robbie Lee Directed by Steve Carver Publisher Buena Vista Home Entertainment External Links Official Buena Vista Home Entertainment Website

One thing that longtime producer Roger Corman is well known for, other than his legendary "low budget, big profit" practices, is the incorporation of softcore sensuality in his films. Along with the campy, tongue-in-cheek action, we get handfuls of nudity and titillating imagery. Big Bad Mama, his 1974, Steve Carver-directed, Bonnie and Cyde knockoff, is the film that sets the template for the quirkiness of Corman's later films.

Set during the Depression era, Big Bad Mama tells the tale of Wilma McClatchie (Angie Dickinson), a widow who will be damned to see herself, and especially her two teenage daughters, Polly (Robbie Lee) and Billy Jean (Susan Sennet) descend into the hopeless clutches of poverty. After calling a halt to Polly's wedding, Wilma, the two girls and her bootlegging pal Uncle Barney make a run for it. Unfortunately, Uncle Barney is wanted by the Feds and, after an unfortunate encounter with the authorities, winds up getting smoked. With only a little money and big dreams of a better life, Wilma takes over Barney's bootlegging business. With Prohibition at its peak, the bootlegging produces minimal results. With that, Wilma teams up with wily bank robber Fred Diller (Tom Skerritt) and bankrupt Southern gentleman Baxter (William Shatner). Now a full-fledged gang, Wilma and company embarks on a crime spree that stretches across three states. Sex, violence, kidnapping, teenage pregnancy, its nothing but good clean fun!

While on paper, Big Bad Mama sounds like your typical sleazy B-Movie fodder. However, those with an open mind will discover a raw and raunchy "shoot em' up" flick that is guaranteed to entertain! The gunfights are exciting, the humor is kinky and offbeat, and the narrative pacing is smooth enough to keep the average viewer at full attention for the film's duration. Wilma and her daughters are strong characters who do what they must in order to get the job done. The victims of their crimes are normally in the form of slimy and corrupt members of society's upper crust. With that, you will cheer the criminals every step of the way! Sure, the film has its own trashy B-movie vibe, but it's a good vibe! Action directors should take a nod from Big Bad Mama for its dependence on story and tone.

Angie Dickinson is a blast as the sexy gun-wielding mama! With her unique brand of toughness, independence and "hot damn!" sex appeal, she grasps your attention with extreme dominance! Such sexual suggestiveness is enough to make any typical, Spike TV watching American horndog's heart race (and she was in her 40s when this was shot)! Tom Skerritt is exceptional in his role as the sleazy girl chasing Fred Diller and Shatner...well. Let's just say that Shatner is very instrumental in the cheesiness of his highly touted love scene with Dickinson. Take my word for it, Captain Kirk's facial expressions and sexual technique will leave B-movie/Cinemax softcore fans in stitches! Robbie Lee and Susan Sennett give it a good run as well!

This is the Special Edition DVD but don't expect to find it spilling with extras. However, what we got here is enough to fully compliment the film. The audio commentary track with Corman and Dickinson is insightful and entertaining. Dickinson is a bit reluctant during her nude scenes, coming off a bit bashful and ashamed (even though she shouldn't be!) "Mama Knows Best: A Retrospective" is a 15-minute featurette with interviews from Corman, Dickinson, Shatner, director Steve Carver and writer Frances Doel. Its brief but its enjoyable! Also included is the original theatrical trailer!

Big Bad Mama is definitely a B-movie, but it is quite a fun ride! With a great story, wild action scenes and a stellar performance from Angie Dickinson. Big Bad Mama is a great action flick with all of the proper ingredients!