Big Bad Mama (1974)

R | 85 or 87 mins | Comedy-drama | 16 October 1974

Director:

Steve Carver

Producer:

Roger Corman

Cinematographer:

Bruce Logan

Editor:

Tina Hirsch

Production Designer:

Peter Jamison

Production Company:

Santa Cruz Productions, Inc.
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HISTORY

According to a 19 Aug 1974 Box review, the film was shot on location in the American Southwest. HR production charts on 17 May 1974 stated that shooting began 1 May 1974 in Los Angeles. On 3 Jun 1974, LAT reported the film was completed for $750,000.
       Big Bad Mama was set for a Jul 1974 release, according to the 13 May 1974 issue of Box. An article in Box on 30 Sep 1974 noted that the film had a limited Jul 1974 release in Texas and that its opening week grossed over $400,000. It did not open nationwide until Oct 1974. As reported in Box, the film was slated to be the first of eleven pictures released by New World Pictures that year.
...

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According to a 19 Aug 1974 Box review, the film was shot on location in the American Southwest. HR production charts on 17 May 1974 stated that shooting began 1 May 1974 in Los Angeles. On 3 Jun 1974, LAT reported the film was completed for $750,000.
       Big Bad Mama was set for a Jul 1974 release, according to the 13 May 1974 issue of Box. An article in Box on 30 Sep 1974 noted that the film had a limited Jul 1974 release in Texas and that its opening week grossed over $400,000. It did not open nationwide until Oct 1974. As reported in Box, the film was slated to be the first of eleven pictures released by New World Pictures that year.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Box Office
11 Mar 1974
---
Box Office
13 May 1974
---
Box Office
27 May 1974
---
Box Office
19 Aug 1974
p. 4713
Box Office
30 Sep 1974
---
Box Office
28 Jul 1975
---
Daily Variety
7 May 1974
---
Daily Variety
8 May 1974
---
Daily Variety
21 May 1974
---
Hollywood Reporter
20 Mar 1974
---
Hollywood Reporter
17 May 1974
p. 22
Hollywood Reporter
7 Jun 1974
p. 9
Hollywood Reporter
2 Jul 1974
p. 3, 11
Los Angeles Times
3 Jun 1974
---
Los Angeles Times
28 Jul 1974
---
Los Angeles Times
16 Oct 1974
Section IV, p. 10
Variety
4 Sep 1974
p. 20
CAST
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT

PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
2d unit dir
Prod mgr
Asst dir
Asst dir
PRODUCERS
Assoc prod
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photog
2d unit cam
Asst cam
Gaffer
Best boy
ART DIRECTORS
Art dir
Asst art dir
FILM EDITORS
Film ed
Asst ed
SET DECORATORS
Set dec
Props
Set dresser
Set dresser
COSTUMES
Cost des
Ward asst
Ward asst
MUSIC
The Great American Music Band, Mus performed by
The Great American Music Band, Mus performed by
The Great American Music Band, Mus performed by
The Great American Music Band, Mus performed by
Mus rec and mixed by
Recs courtesy of
SOUND
Sd mixer
Boom
Sd eff
VISUAL EFFECTS
Spec eff
MAKEUP
Makeup
Makeup
Hairstylist
Hairstylist
Miss Dickinson's hair styles by
PRODUCTION MISC
Loc coord
Scr supv
Transportation
Transportation
Action coord
Prod asst
Prod asst
DETAILS
Release Date:
16 October 1974
Premiere Information:
Los Angeles opening: 16 Oct 1974
Production Date:
1 May--early Jun 1974
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Santa Cruz Productions, Inc.
30 September 1974
PA138003
Physical Properties:
Sound
Color
Metrocolor
Duration(in mins):
85 or 87
MPAA Rating:
R
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

In 1932 Texas, widow Wilma McClatchie voices her objection at the wedding of her young daughter, Polly, for fear that the girl will endure a life of poverty. When a fight starts in the chapel, bootlegger Uncle Barney drives Wilma away with Polly and her sister, Billy Jean. He tells the ladies they are going to Waco, where riches await them. Along the road, however, they are chased by federal agents Bonney and Dodds. Wilma forces the agents’ car into a ditch, but the agents shoot Uncle Barney dead. Stopping at a distillery to bury Uncle Barney, Wilma agrees to take over his delivery route. When Polly is caught by the police getting drunk with a client’s son, Wilma is forced to bribe the sheriff with her earnings. Some time later, Wilma works at a diner while the girls are hired as strippers at a veterans club. Wilma stops the show and steals cash from the veterans’ poker table, defending herself from the sheriff with a handgun. The ladies escape, but the sheriff reports them, instigating a statewide manhunt. Wilma’s car breaks down as Bonney and Dodds catch up with them, but the ladies join a crowd of evangelists to throw off their pursuers. After traveling with the congregation, Wilma and her daughters hold up Reverend Johnson as he tries to steal the donation box. When the ladies check into a fancy hotel, Wilma tells her daughters the cash will provide a down payment on a beach house in California. Later, Wilma and her daughters find themselves in the crossfire of a bank robbery and steal the ...

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In 1932 Texas, widow Wilma McClatchie voices her objection at the wedding of her young daughter, Polly, for fear that the girl will endure a life of poverty. When a fight starts in the chapel, bootlegger Uncle Barney drives Wilma away with Polly and her sister, Billy Jean. He tells the ladies they are going to Waco, where riches await them. Along the road, however, they are chased by federal agents Bonney and Dodds. Wilma forces the agents’ car into a ditch, but the agents shoot Uncle Barney dead. Stopping at a distillery to bury Uncle Barney, Wilma agrees to take over his delivery route. When Polly is caught by the police getting drunk with a client’s son, Wilma is forced to bribe the sheriff with her earnings. Some time later, Wilma works at a diner while the girls are hired as strippers at a veterans club. Wilma stops the show and steals cash from the veterans’ poker table, defending herself from the sheriff with a handgun. The ladies escape, but the sheriff reports them, instigating a statewide manhunt. Wilma’s car breaks down as Bonney and Dodds catch up with them, but the ladies join a crowd of evangelists to throw off their pursuers. After traveling with the congregation, Wilma and her daughters hold up Reverend Johnson as he tries to steal the donation box. When the ladies check into a fancy hotel, Wilma tells her daughters the cash will provide a down payment on a beach house in California. Later, Wilma and her daughters find themselves in the crossfire of a bank robbery and steal the money, themselves. Thief Fred Diller jumps on their car and shoots at the police as they escape. Back at the bank, the teller identifies Wilma to Bonney and Dodds. At the ladies’ hideout, Diller propositions Wilma to join her gang and, after dinner, they make love. Later, Wilma meets William J. Baxter at a horse racing track and profits from his recommendations. When Baxter admits to being poor, Wilma gives him some of her earnings and Diller becomes jealous. The gang robs the track on their way out with Baxter in tow. That evening, Baxter and Wilma make love while Diller stands outside their door with a gun, but is distracted when Billy Jean seduces him. Polly grows envious and Billy Jean brings her sister into bed with them. The gang returns to the road and reaches California. Wilma plans an oil refinery heist, but Diller warns her against it and disappears. Polly cries and confesses to her sister that she is pregnant with Diller’s child. The next day, the ladies gain access to the refinery cash room disguised as waitresses and Diller arrives on time to help them with the robbery. As they escape, Polly is shot in the arm and Billy Jean announces that her sister is pregnant. Wilma calls Diller a bastard and he admits that he only wanted to be with her, not her daughters. Some time later, the gang hijacks a group of wealthy partygoers, steals their clothes and takes their place at a high-society event at the Kingston family mansion. As Wilma holds up the guests with a machine gun, Baxter steals the winnings at a poker table. Later, Wilma plots to steal $1 million so they will not have to continue with their criminal activity, and the gang kidnaps the Kingston’s daughter, Jane. Baxter hears a news report and warns Wilma that it will be impossible for them to succeed. Although he suggests that the gang break up, he professes his love for Wilma and asks her to join him in other endeavors. Wilma refuses and makes a ransom call to the Kingstons. Later, Diller is seduced by Jane, but she knees him in the groin and runs away. On her way out, Jane is confronted by Baxter, who lets her go, but she is recaptured by Wilma and her daughters. That night, Baxter is detained by Bonney and Dodds. When the Kingston’s ransom money is delivered to the gang’s hideout the next morning, the police arrive with Bonney and Dodds, holding Baxter at gunpoint. A violent gun battle ensues until Wilma brings Jane forward. When Diller sees Baxter with the agents, however, he shoots him dead and Jane breaks free. Diller sacrifices his life by holding off the police while Wilma, Polly and Billy Jean escape with the cash. As they drive away, Wilma promises her daughters that they will never be poor again and dies.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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