Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

Director:

Russ Meyer

Writers:

Jack Moran (screenplay)
Russ Meyer (from an original story by)

Release Date:

6 August 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Russ Meyer's ode to the violence in women

Plot:

Three strippers seeking thrills encounter a young couple in the desert. After dispatching the boyfriend...

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Murder | Car Race | Stabbed In The Stomach | Strong Man

Cast

Tura Satana	...	Varla
Haji	...	Rosie
Lori Williams	...	Billie
Ray Barlow	...	Tommy
Sue Bernard	...	Linda (as Susan Bernard)
Michael Finn	...	Gas Station Attendant (as Mickey Foxx)
Dennis Busch	...	The Vegetable
Stuart Lancaster	...	The Old Man
Paul Trinka	...	Kirk

Also Known As:

Faster Pussycat! Wham! Bang! (USA) (bowdlerized title)
Faster, Pussycat! Go! Go! (USA) (bowdlerized title)
Pussycat
The Leather Girls
The Mankillers

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | France:-12 (DVD rating) | France:-18 (1985 release) | Finland:K-15 (2006) | West Germany:18 | USA:TV-14 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | France:-16 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated (unrated version)

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Eve Productions

Trivia:

Although the film was profitable, it was not a big hit when originally released. It has gone on to become a cult film and has been shown at film festivals and art house cinemas.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the beginning of the movie, when Billie detours to go to the lake, the front driver's side wheel cover is missing, and looks like some minor front end damage in the same area, which can be seen when she pulls up and stops next to the bush at the lake. Later on in the film, the wheel cover is present and there is no damage to the car.

Quotes:

Billie: [challenging Tommy to race] How about it, handsome? I bet you're a real tiger in disguise.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Faster Pussycat

Russ Meyer's immortal trash classic. Has to be seen to be believed!

I have watched and enjoyed most of Russ Meyer's output, and will quite happily defend his lesser works, but two of his movies have a life of their own and have managed to reach a larger audience than "just" card carrying Meyer nuts. They are 'Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls' and this one, 'Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'. Both movies are trash classics and never fail to entertain no matter how many times you have seen them. 'Faster Pussycat!' really succeeds mainly because of the three strong leads, Tura Satana, Lori Williams and Haji. Any one of them would be enough for Meyer to plan a killer movie around, but all three together is dynamite! Satana, strangely enough, did very little movie work after this, mainly a couple of Ted Mikels turkeys. But it doesn't really matter because her screen immortality is assured. Her performance in this movie is more than enough! Williams also went on to very little, but she is very good here, and stylistically reminds me quite a bit of Erica Gavin in 'Vixen!'. In fact one could almost bet that if Meyer had been aware of Gavin when he made this movie she would have played the part of Billie. Haji appeared in a few more Meyer movies, including his masterpiece 'Supervixens', but this is probably her strongest role. All three women, who play go-go dancers by night, thrill seeking criminals by day, are simply wonderful and their chemistry and repartee are priceless. Meyer regular Stuart Lancaster is also in fine form as a dirty old man with more issues than a daily newspaper. There are so many unforgettable scenes in this movie it's difficult to single any out. The whole movie just rocks period. Many late 60s movies attempted to emulate a camp, comic book appeal ('Barbarella', 'Diabolik',etc.etc.) but in many ways Meyer beat them all, and did so without technicolor, large sets, multiple costumes, special effects and other gimmicks. Just crisp black and white photography and three chicks in the desert. Plus a brilliant theme song later immortalized by The Cramps. Russ Meyer divides most viewers. You either "get it" or you don't. If you aren't familiar with his work this is probably THE place to start. Watching this movie for many is a life changing experience! 'Faster Pussycat!' is one of the most original and entertaining movies made in the 1960s, and continues to amuse and inspire right into the 21st Century. Every time I watch this movie I am knocked out. This is a bona fide cult classic that gets better and better as the years go by. Absolutely essential viewing for anyone who loves exploitation movies, The Sixties, rock'n'roll and/or buxom babes!