The Candy Snatchers (1973)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Guerdon Trueblood

Writer:

Bryan Gindoff (writer)

Release Date:

June 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

It started as such a simple crime. For 16 year old Candy, dying would have been easier! Was a piece of Candy worth a fortune in diamonds?

Plot:

An abused autistic boy is the sole witness to the kidnapping of a teenage heiress. |

Plot Keywords:

Kidnapping | Blonde Child | Mute Child | Buried Alive | Shooting

Cast

Tiffany Bolling	...	Jessie
Ben Piazza	...	Avery
Susan Sennett	...	Candy
Brad David	...	Alan
Vince Martorano	...	Eddy
Bonnie Boland	...	Audrey
Jerry Butts	...	Dudley
Leon Charles	...	Boss
Dolores Dorn	...	Katherine
Phyllis Major	...	Lisa
Bill Woodard	...	Charlie
Christopher Trueblood	...	Sean Newton (as Christophe)
Earl Hansen	...	Gun Store Owner
Harry Kronman	...	Deli Owner
John Bill	...	Policeman

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | USA:R

Company:

Marmot Productions

Trivia:

Director Guerdon Trueblood and co-star Vince Martorano had been best friends at George Washington University in Virginia and, both being interested in the film industry, had a bet as to who would find success first. Trueblood became an in-demand writer for TV shows and movies-of-the-week, and when he got the job of directing "The Candy Snatchers," asked writer Bryan Gindoff to create the character of Eddy specifically for Martorano, who was working as a commercial fisherman when he was summoned by Trueblood to appear in the film.

Quotes:

Avery: [to Jessie] What are my chances of getting out of this?
Jessie: [to Alan] Lie to Him
Alan: [to Avery] Pretty good!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

Money Is the Root of All Happiness

a classic of 70's obscurity

This is one film that unfortunately seems to be doomed to obscurity. However, it is a goodie, albeit a nasty one. Poor Candy is kidnapped by three losers, who are involved with incest, drugs, murder, rape, and now kidnapping! This film is very lurid and sleazy (as many 'gone' '70's films were), yet has a great plot involving a number of fun twists, and is well acted. Parts of the film are clear precursors to Tarantino (ie Reservoir Dogs), and David Lynch (the idea of the family being the source of anxiety and horror). Little Sean's mother could have easily fitted into 'Twin Peaks'. Worth hunting this one out.