WTF?! - Savage Streets (1984)

WTF?! - Savage Streets (1984)

“They raped her sister... killed her best friend. Now she must seek revenge!”

Next up in WTF Cinema magnificence is the 1984 Linda Blair vigilante extraordinaire film, “Savage Streets.” Released on October 5, 1984, New York Magazine described the film as “All about the seedy violence of the Hollywood Boulevard underworld.” When the evil gang “The Scars” push their weight around, just a little too much (and that’s putting it nicely) the leader of “The Satins” Brenda (Linda Blair) saddles up with her hottest zip-up jump suit and crossbow, going practically Ape-Shit on every gang member who does her wrong. You see, Brenda’s deaf-mute baby sister Heather (Linnea Quigley) gets gang-raped by “The Scars” while Brenda is settling a score with another dame in the girls' shower at The High School. 

Let’s start by saying that “Savage Streets” won’t be everyone’s cup of punk-turned-champion tea. However, forty years later, this film still holds its own. There are some incredibly eye-opening 80s fashions and some great cinematography of Hollywood and Los Angeles before any gentrification took place. “Savage Streets” is CO-written and directed by Danny Steinmann, a former porn director.

Although largely panned when first released, “Savage Streets” has grown a huge cult following. This film wasn’t produced to make any kind of statement, just to make money and entertain. Although it has some rough scenes in it to watch, it’s an honest film. The film makers and actors believe in it. You can tell by how hard they’re trying. 

“Savage Streets” features an incredible array of 80s rock music, mostly performed by Australia’s acclaimed artist John Farnham. It’s rumored that the incredible soundtrack for the film wasn’t released due to a marketing “pullback.” Copies of the LP you may find today would be Demo Copies. In 2005 the independent label Turbo Productions did release and abbreviated version of the film’s soundtrack, but that has come and gone. Fans of “Animal House” will recognize actor John Vernon (Dean Wormer) as Principal Underwood. Cinema-files with a real keen eye will recognize “Showgirls’” Gina Gershon as a glorified extra in the film. 

WTF moments in “Savage Streets” include; gang leader Jake’s razor blade earring; The way the male members bond by kissing each other on the lips; Linda Blair roughing up not one, but two chicks: one in class, ripping off her top: and the other in an all-nude shower fight that makes “Orange Is The New Black” look like the pillow fight from the film “Annie.”; the preparation and execution of a skin tight jump suit, accompanied by a loaded crossbow, which Blair has no problem accessing to revenge the gang; and the untimely demise of pregnant character Francine in the hands of “The Scars” (complete with wedding gown and all).

What defies detailed description is a very violent, uncomfortable and prolonged rape scene with Heather and the gang. It’s the toughest part of the film to watch and I can only assume that Steinmann took it to that extent because: (a) he was going for shock value and (b) his experience in adult films allowed him a much more realistic simulation ... too real. Many years later actress Linnea Quigley (Heather) told author Louis Paul (“Tales from the Cult Film Trenches,”) “That was a film that I did with Linda Blair, who was great to work with. However, my scenes involved being raped. My character was not allowed to have any lines. It was a very hard film to make.”  In her book “Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film,” Carol J. Clover writes, “...if Farrah Fawcett of Extremities stands at the more credible end of the continuum, Linda Blair in Savage Streets stands at the other.”  

“Savage Streets” which first picked up an X rating, then was “downgraded” to an R, was one of a slew of “lone tough girl” films to be released about that time in the 80s. Scarred (1983) and the start of the “Angel” series (1984) to name a few. Although “Savage Streets” has been classified as a girl gang film, the Satins’ Debra (Blair) does a majority of the fighting. After all, a girl can only take so much crap. 

Independent CODE RED announced a limited Blu-ray release (only 1000 copies issued) for April of this year, for its fortieth anniversary. Sadly, that has not surfaced. I contacted CODE RED, and I am awaiting their reply. I recommend renting or buying the 2disc DVD box set, if anything else. You should see this film strictly as a study in that this film got made. A film like this couldn’t be and wouldn’t be produced by the studios, today. It just wouldn’t exist. It has some great one-liners and a plot-line that will have you rooting for Blair by the end. 

“Savage Streets” starring; Linda Blair, Linnea Quigley, Johnny Venocur, Sal Landi, Scott Mayer and Debra Blee. Directed by Danny Steinmann. (1984) 93 minutes. 

WTF?! - It's A Gift (1934)

WTF?! - It's A Gift (1934)

"LOOK THIS GIFT IN THE FACE 

IF YOU WANT A BIG HORSE-LAUGH!"

We all have our aspirations and goals. Everyday I'm sure many of us get ready for work for a job we're just not thrilled with, but know that it's not what makes our world go round; it's just helping us "spin it" until the happy grateful moments can arrive. W.C Fields made his career based on this. If he wasn't a curmudgeonly dentist or delightful drunk he was usually playing the man who gets the "fuzzy end of the lollipop." 

Never is this more entertaining that in the 1934 classic It's A Gift. In It's A Gift Fields plays henpecked husband, flustering father and small grocery store owner Harold Bisonette; a man who begrudgingly goes about his daily tasks hoping for something better. When Harold is informed by his son Norman (Tommy Bupp) that his Uncle Bean is at death's door he plans to spend his inheritance on a California orange grove. A move West is in store for his over-bearing petulant wife Amelia (Kathleen Howard), self-centered daughter Mildred (Jean Rouverol), and meddling Norman. Harold purchases the grove from Mildred's beau, John Durston (Julian Madison), and informs his family they're migrating to sunny CA. There's just one problem; the grove is a barren wasteland with a dilapidated shack for a house. Will Harold ever be able to squeeze out his dreams from life's oranges he's been handed? 

Fields and his pooch

It's A Gift showcases an extremely talented group of collaborators. It's no surprise that this film delighted the masses when it was released in 1934. New York Times film reviewer Andre Sennwald called it "... the best screen comedy on Broadway." Directed by Norman McCloud (Horse Feathers, Topper, Secret Life of Walter Mitty) its staging is simple and eloquent. McCloud seems to allow Fields to take his pace and do what he does best on the screen. Jack Cunningham's script takes the viewer on a delightful journey into the heart of our main character. 

Filmed at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, CA, It's A Gift is a great example of what was the juggernaut of Paramount Studios in the 30s. Presented by Paramount founder Adolph Zuckor It's A Gift shot its feature footage and scenes during a 6 week stint from September to October, 1934 and was released just one short month after in November of 1934. No less than 8 other writers (including Fields) contributed to the concepts and "gags" of It's A Gift. At this time of the industry comics like Fields, the Marx Brothers, and Abbott & Costello all tried out their material on stage, in vaudeville or the theatrical circuit. The best biggest laugh-getters usually ended up in their films. Gift was Fields' 5th movie released that year alone and the sixteenth sound film of his career. It was one of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949. The films were later bought by MCA/Universal and released on TV, VHS, and then DVD. Universal still owns the rights today. In 2010 It's A Gift was added to the National Film Preservation Board’s National Film Registry. 

Maurice Chevalier and a newly discovered Baby LeRoy.

A delightful added offering of the film is child star Baby LeRoy. Baby LeRoy took the nation by storm and Paramount had a way of creating that whirlwind. Born at a Salvation Army hospital in 1932 Baby LeRoy was left fatherless. At 6 months old he was then discovered by Paramount as part of a search for the Maurice Chevalier film A Bedtime Story. Chevalier plays a well-to-do playboy abandoning his own grown-up "babies" to take care of an abandoned infant. When baby LeRoy's Grandfather signed the contract with Paramount not only was LeRoy "underage" but so was his 16 year old birth mother. A Bedtime Story was a big success and the public wanted more of adorable Baby LeRoy. At that time he was the youngest actor ever to achieve a star billing. In 1934 baby LeRoy even received the official "key to the city" from then Los Angeles Mayor Shaw.

It's A Gift was LeRoy's 10th film and he performed in 15 films in the span of just 4 years. LeRoy appeared in several films with Fields. Off-set rumors reported Fields had grown not only tired of working with LeRoy but fearful that he was stealing scenes out from under our blossom-nosed comedian. Fields was not happy that LeRoy was getting a second billing for It's A Gift with some insiders even claiming he threatened LeRoy with an ice pick!

Wonderful WTF moments from It's A Gift include; Harold trying to shave and dodge his puerile daughter; an unzipped store customer who just wants his cumquats; baby LeRoy creating a molasses nightmare; Carl LaFong (you'll know what I mean when you watch it!); the fore-mentioned harrowing ice pick; a private grounds’ picnic; and the REAL pronunciation of "Bisonette."

It's A Gift is available on DVD by renting or purchasing THE W.C. FIELDS COMEDY COLLECTION. (2004. Universal) It comes in a 2 disk version or a 4 disc version. Visitors/residents of California can see the actual areas where Paramount shot It's A Gift. It's now known as the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. So pop some popcorn, sit down with a loved one, and watch It's A Gift. You'll tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. That, my friends, is the best gift of all.