September 3 2008
Switchblade Sisters
This 1975 film is not a Russ Meyer creation, but it could easily be mistaken for one at first glance. Enter the “Dagger Debs” — the ladies’ auxiliary of teenage gang the Silver Daggers. Led by baby faced, squeaky voiced Lace, these girls are bad news who know the ins and outs of the juvenile system. In the opening scene, the girls pay a visit to the repo man who’s just been at Lace’s house. After being roughed up, he’s afraid to press charges, knowing the girls will be back for more when they’re released in a few days. The Debs continue their rampage throughout the film, showing T&A as often as the ratings board will allow.
While the age of the girls is a clever plot device that keeps them on the streets wreaking havoc, I couldn’t help being disturbed by the way some adult situations were handled. For example, when newcomer Maggie delivers a message from imprisoned Lace to her boyfriend Dominic, he follows Maggie home afterward and forces his way into her house. Frightening off her single mom, who steps out from “paying the rent” with the landlord in her boudoir to intervene, Dom then forces his way into Maggie’s room and takes advantage of her. Instead of being traumatized by the encounter, Maggie takes up with Dom behind Lace’s back, as if it had been a mutual romp.
Also, once it’s revealed that head Deb Lace is carrying Dom’s baby, he makes it clear he’s not going to take responsibility. The issue is conveniently resolved in a miscarriage and Dom’s demise, and life goes on for everyone else.
The careless treatment of serious issues like these takes Switchblade Sisters just far enough out of the camp realm to put it in the waters of exploitation. And given the characters are supposedly just kids — teeters it on the edge of total perversion. (Don’t even get me started on the Deb gang’s African American counterparts who show up toward the end of the film…)
I wanted to enjoy it for the campiness but couldn’t forgive this film for crossing the line. Chalking it up to “Only in the 70’s” doesn’t really justify anything.
Teenage rape and pregnancy: check. Unborn baby and cheating boyfriend conveniently killed: check. Bare butts and boobs: check. Sounds like the same film as when I saw it. What about the storyline seems incorrect?
Admittedly, I left out most of the plot here. To give credit to Mr. Hill – it is a complex and well thought out story with plenty of conflict and intrigue, and some larger than life characters too.
But my point was not to give a synopsis. As I said – I really wanted to like it. (I loved Spider Baby, btw.) And I could’ve even seen past the teen-sploitation here if the t&a, rape, and miscarriage hadn’t been included – or if they were at least dealt with on a less than superficial level.
Also – If the girls were of age, I’d have had a very different view. But then if the girls were of age, the main plot device wouldn’t have worked. So it’s a catch 22. Wanted to like it. Couldn’t excuse it.
RE Switchblade Sisters: There is virtually NO T & A in the picture and you have the story line all wrong. I don’t think you actually watched the film. Get real.
by Jack Hill on December 8, 2008 @ 5:19 pm