Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
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Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! |
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| Technical | |
| Type: | Film Black and white
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| Alternate title(s): | Pussycat The Mankillers (United Kingdom) The Leather Girls (United Kingdom) Plus vite, mes chattes, tuez! Tuez! (Canada) Die Satansweiber von Tittfield (Germany) |
| Country: | USA |
| Release date(s): | February 1, 1966 |
| Running time: | 83 minutes |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | $45,000 |
| Company: | Eve Productions |
| Staff | |
| Directed by: | Russ Meyer |
| Starring: | Tura Satana Haji Lori Williams Susan Bernard |
| Produced by: | Russ Meyer Eve Meyer |
| Written by: | Jack Moran Russ Meyer |
| Music by: | Igo Kantor Paul Sawtell Bert Shelter |
| Cinematography: | Russ Meyer |
| Editing by: | Russ Meyer |
| Websites and databases | |
| IMDb | |
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a 1966 exploitation film directed by Russ Meyer,[1] who also wrote the script with Jack Moran. It stars Tura Satana, Haji, and Lori Williams.
The film features gratuitous violence, sexuality, provocative gender roles, and camp dialogue. It is one of Meyer's more boldly titled and unflinchingly exploitative films; however, there is no nudity.
The film was shot in the extreme western parts of the Mojave Desert. However, some of the scenes appear to have been filmed farther east, near Baker, California. The last scenes in the film were made west of California City. The rail line running between Mojave and Trona, California is clearly evident.
Though the film was given a showing in Los Angeles on August 6, 1965, it was released nationally on February 1, 1966.[2]
Plot
Three thrill-seeking go-go dancers—Billie (Lori Williams), Rosie (Haji]]), and their leader, Varla (Tura Satana)—encounter a young couple in the desert while racing their sports cars. After killing the boyfriend (Ray Barlow) with her bare hands, Varla drugs, binds, gags and kidnaps his girlfriend, Linda (Susan Bernard). On a desolate highway, the four stop at a gas station, where they see an old man (Stuart Lancaster) and his muscular, dimwitted son, Vegetable (Dennis Busch). The gas station attendant (Mickey Foxx) tells the women that the old man and his two sons live on a decrepit ranch with a hidden cache of money. Intrigued, Varla hatches a scheme to rob the lecherous old man, who uses a wheelchair.
Cast
- Tura Satana ... Varla[2]
- Haji ... Rosie
- Lori Williams ... Billie
- Sue Bernard ... Linda
- Stuart Lancaster ... old man
- Paul Trinka ... Kirk
- Dennis Busch ... Vegetable
- Ray Barlow ... Tommy
- Mickey Foxx ... attendant
Critical reception
On its first national release, Variety gave Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! a generally positive review, praising Meyer's technical skill, but pointing out that the film was only for specialized audiences. The review described the film as a "somewhat sordid, quite sexy and very violent murder-kidnap-theft-meller which includes elements of rape, lesbianism and sadism, clothed in faddish leather and boots and equipped with sports cars."[3]
Variety judged that the script was the weakest aspect of the production, though Meyer's direction was called "very good" and his editing "outstanding". Perhaps indicating that the mainstream Hollywood community was taking an interest in Meyer's work, the review comments, "it is obvious that Meyer has a directorial talent which belongs in bigger and stronger films. His visual sense is outstanding... Meyer's editing has a zest and polish which, without being obvious post-production gimmickry, lends proper pace and emphasis."[3]
The review considered the quality of the performances in the film to be mixed, but pointed out that Tura Satana has a "mystic Oriental face which could be developed for better offbeat roles." The review also comments positively on the performances of Lori Williams and Stuart Lancaster.[3]
International releases
External links
- Beldin, Fred. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (review) (English). All Movie Guide. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- Firsching, Robert. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (plot synopsis) (English). All Movie Guide. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
References
- ↑ Infobox data from Frasier, David K. (1998). Russ Meyer : The Life and Films : A Biography and A Comprehensive, Illustrated, and Annotated Filmography and Bibliography. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co, p. 206. ISBN 0-7864-0472-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Krafsur, Richard P. (1976). "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures, The; Feature Films 1961-70. New York & London: R.R. Bowker Company. ISBN 0-8352-0440-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Murf. Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill! (film review). Variety, February 4, 1966.
