Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

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Horrorphile - November 2008

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

November 17th 2008 23:53

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to violence, the word and the act. While violence cloaks itself in a plethora of disguises, its favorite mantle still remains... sex. Violence devours all it touches, its voracious appetite rarely fulfilled. Yet violence doesn't only destroy, it creates and molds as well. Let's examine closely then this dangerously evil creation, this new breed encased and contained within the supple skin of woman. The softness is there, the unmistakable smell of female, the surface shiny and silken, the body yielding yet wanton. But a word of caution: handle with care and don't drop your guard. This rapacious new breed prowls both alone and in packs, operating at any level, any time, anywhere, and with anybody. Who are they? One might be your secretary, your doctor's receptionist... or a dancer in a go-go club!"

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Tura Satana

Tura Satana as Varla

The late, irrepressibly unconscionable Russ Meyer was a prolific filmmaker. A couple of his movies stand out in the annals of cult psychotronic cinema; one is the Roger Ebert-scripted satire Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970). The other is Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965); a one-of-a-kind piece of the highest art lying sprawled amongst the trash in an alley behind a strip-joint. Cult exploitation director John Waters describes it as the best movie ever made, and possibly the best movie that will ever be made. It certainly arouses your attention, tickles your funny-bone, and slaps your face.

Haji as Rosie

The bare-boner screenplay by Jack Moran is centred on three thrill-seeking go-go dancers; Euroasian Varla (Tura Satana) the self-appointed leader, sultry, exotic Rosie (Haji), and blonde bombshell Billie (Lori Williams), on a hell-ride in the desert, burning rubber and spraying dust, each in their own nifty sports car. They encounter a young couple, Linda (Sue Bernard) and Tommy (Ray Barlow), and after toying with them, with much racy innuendo, the boyfriend is dispatched with a nasty broken back.

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Sue Bernard and Lori Williams

Sue Bernard as Linda and Lori Williams as Billie

The chicks take the girl hostage, and end up at a ranch where they begin scheming on an invalid old man (Stuart Lancaster) and his two grown sons, Kirk (Paul Trinka) and the Vegetable (Dennis Busch). The old man’s got a tidy sum of cash hidden and Varla is hell-bent on getting’ those greenbacks, even if it means puttin’ out a little (or a lot, if you get my drift). After the seduction techniques go pear-shaped, the dangerous women realise the old man has an agenda of his own. It’s every man and woman for themselves.

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams

MEEEOOOWWW!!!

Russ Meyer is renowned for his love of big-breasted women and flaunting them as flamboyantly as possible. The movies he made after Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! featured gratuitous topless female nudity (and beaver when he could), a plethora of simulated sex scenes, and even the occasional over-sized prosthetic schlong reared its head. Faster, Pussycat! is before Meyer had the opportunity to go that sleazier route, but in the scope and context of the period it works better for it.

In fact not only is the cleavage in Faster, Pussycat! more alluring than any exposed nipple action, but the presence of the pneumatic, all-rounded bosoms n the movie are performances all of their own! Tura Satana’s bust is the word personified, Lori Williams is Perksville, Arizona, and Haji’s torpedoes are down-right deadly. Seventeen-year-old Linda Bernard’s chest (in any other circumstances she'd have nothing to feel ashamed about) simply looks inadequate when up against the three buxom pussycats. But enough about the tits … well, actually, it’s hard not to talk about the tits in a Russ Meyer movie, let’s face it!

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Haji, Tura Satana, Dennis Busch and Stuart Lancaster

The Old Man (Stuart Lancaster) and his Vegetable son (Dennis Busch) are confronted by the femme denim

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Lori Williams and Dennis Busch

Billie harasses the Vegetable

While the movie has its trappings: the continuity is all-over the show (all the close-up driving shots are hilarious as the clouds in the background never move), the acting is, well, nothing to write home about, but it’s less about the delivery and more about the presence. The black and white cinematography, the wild camera-angles, and snazzy editing make the movie more dynamic than most other grindhouse pictures of the period. Then there’s the jazzy score, and, of course, those one-liners - “I never try anything. I just do it. And I don't beat clocks, just people! Wanna try me?” - my favourite being when the gas station attendant is trying to chat Varla up as she sits in the driver’s seat and he oogles her huge cleavage, “Just passing through, huh? Boy, that motor's sure hot! You gals really must have been moving on these little machines. Yessir, the thrill of the open road. New places, new people, new sights of interest. Now that's what I believe in, seeing America first!” … Varla snarls back at him, “You won't find it down there, Columbus!” Gold.

Russ Meyer was frequently criticized for being a misogynist, and definitely in some of his later movies the violence toward women borders on dodgy, but in the bigger picture there is just as much violence toward the male characters. In Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! the men get their fair share of beating, although by movie’s end a strangely moral stance has been taken.

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Paul Trinki and Tura Satana

Kirk (Paul Trinka) admits he's weak and he wants Varla, who's all for a little slap and tickle

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is perfect fodder for late-night beer and popcorn, blunts and girlfriends/boyfriends making out on the sofa; pure deep trash escapist fare that revels in sexual shenanigans and vengeful repercussions. Exploitation has never looked so good.

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Haji, Tura Satana and Lori Williams

Speed, sex and violence ... Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Quentin Tarantino expressed a keen desire to remake the movie, and it is being remade, although whether he’s involved I’m not sure. I’m not a fan of remaking cult movies, but I can see a remake of this working, however, as great as the suggestive original is, the bar would need to be raised. It couldn’t be as “soft-core” as Meyer’s original. It would need to be a modern grindhouse experience; explicit nudity and graphic violence. It would be imperative that the women be naturally endowed.

Apparently Tarantino was interested in casting voluptuous porn star Tera Patrick in the role of Varla (yup, that works for me), Eva Mendez in the Latin role of Rosie (sounds good), and Britney Spears as Billie (hmmm). Britney could probably pull the Billie role off, she’s curvy enough for sure, and her inherent trailer-trash aura fits like hand-in-glove. There was also mention of uber-booty-busty babe Kim Kardashian as well, probably also for the Varla role. Again, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Haji, Lori Williams and Tura Satana

A publicity shot ... the girls never smile as genuinely or as pleasantly in the movie

A remake is listed in imdb.com with 2010 as scheduled release date, but no details on any of the cast or crew. Fingers crossed then, whoever is helming it doesn’t screw it up. In the meantime, we have the very Faster Pussycat-inspired Bitch Slap due for release next year, and that looks like damn sexy, trashy fun!

Here's the original trailer:

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! DVD is courtesy of Madman Entertainment, many thanks!

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

10 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Damo

November 18th 2008 00:42

For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics

Bryn

Welcome back to the madhouse

"Keep quiet or we'll nail your tongue to the floor."
Classic.

This looks like great Saturday afternoon viewing.

Comment by Bryn

November 18th 2008 00:51

Horrorphile

Damo (shaking hands), cheers mate ... Thought I'd kick off with a exploitation sex'n'violence doozy that oozes pure style. Yes, probably more Saturday afternoon viewing than late-night viewing ... I've got a few other nasty, grindy sexploitation flicks that fit the late night slot a little more appropriately ... I think Emanuelle in America is overdue for a spit and polish.

Comment by Cibbuano

November 18th 2008 01:25

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you lucky jerk. I've been trying to get this for while, but it's too expensive on Amazon!

Whew - I've gotta see it.

And Emanuelle in America, while I'm at it!

Comment by David O'Connell

November 18th 2008 04:32

Screen Fanatic

Hey Bryn, good to see you back, hope the writing sessions were fruitful mate!!

I tried to watch this one a couple of years back but struggled to get through it from what I remember. I guess you just have to be in a certain mood to handle Russ Meyer's world!

Comment by Cibbuano

November 18th 2008 22:16

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David, I think I'm always in that mood.

Bryn, some thoughts on the remake... I appreciate Tarantino's gusto, and his casting wish list does look like the original...

but Russ Meyer said, of breast implants, "what's the point?", preferring to find actresses with natural breasts, even though he did use quite a few with implants.

Despite Patrick's obvious resemblance to the role, I think an actress with real breasts would be paramount to be a fitting tribute to Meyer!

Comment by Bryn

November 18th 2008 22:18

Horrorphile

Cibby, It has commentary from Meyer (obviously they got him just before he passed on to the big breast in the sky), as well as separate commentary from the three pussycats themselves (all of whom would have to be in their twilight years).

David, indeed, Meyer is an acquired taste. I don't really like any of the other movies, except Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which is hilarious. His fusion of sex, slapstick and violence doesn't gel with me. But I do like Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! ... It must be that winning combination of Haji's face, Tura's tits and Lori's derriere ... and those superb sports cars!

Comment by Bryn

November 18th 2008 22:35

Horrorphile

Cibby, I thought Tera Patrick was naturally endowed? I thought that was part of her claim to fame, so to speak ... they certainly have that natural roundedness, but I might be wrong ...

Comment by Movie Mall

November 20th 2008 02:05

Strange Corridor
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky

I gotta see this film ...
As for the remake, what about Scarlett Johhanson in there as the blonde (like she was in The Island). Appears to have all the natural assets.
Or Tara Reid - acting's not a requirement is it?
No Britney.
Sorry to but in on the conversation, but couldn't resist.
MM

Comment by Cibbuano

November 20th 2008 02:35

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Bryn,

Sadly, no. I would be a rabid fan, otherwise. Here's what Google seems to bring up on the subject...

Sigh... otherwise, who? I don't know - maybe September Corrino? No, not 'foxy' enough...

I might be the only one that enjoys Meyer's work... or is that because I've seen too few: "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" and "Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixen", both penned by Roger Ebert, apparently...

Comment by Bryn

November 20th 2008 06:02

Horrorphile

Movie Mall,
Scarlett is probably too highbrow to even consider it.
Denise Richards around the time of Wild Things would've been a intuitive casting.
Tara Reid .... hmmmm, I find her too plain looking. But then I suppose the same could be said of Britney, except I think Britney brushes up into more of a glamourpuss than Tara.
btw, no need to apologise for butting in ... The comments option is there for everyone.

Cibby, I stand corrected ... Those early pics of her before the weight loss and boob job and blonde dye job, she looked great. Oh well. September isn't foxy enuff, you're right.

Still looking forward to the deep trash of Bitch Slap. Those women look sm-m-m-m-m-okin'!!!

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