Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Swamp Movie Double Feature from Something Weird Video

Swamp Country – 1966

     Hey, this movie contains Rex Allen! Even if you don’t recognize his face, you will for sure recognize his voice. He’s done a fair amount of narration for Disney.

The characters here are all pretty standard “hillbilly” exploitation fare. Although the female lead confuses me occasionally. Why does she get so mad at the sherrif when he stops making out? I’ve never seen anyone react quite like that.

And what would a hillbilly movie be without crappy country songs. And its those old, Porter Wagner kinda country. There’s a guy singing here who has a nice voice. Too bad the songs will make you wish your speakers blew out yesterday.

And finally, check out Lyle Waggner as a VERY young man. So funny to see famous people before they were famous.

Since this is a SWV double feature, there’s no subtitles or commentaries. I’ll talk about the extras later.

Two beers out of five (could have been a three, but I was pissed that there’s not even a touch of nudity here)

Swamp Girl – 1971

     This one’s singer is Ferlin Husky. You may be saying (and rightly so) “Who?” To which I reply, “Why, he’s one of the singers in at seminal work Hillbillys In A Haunted House.

A black man saves a little white girl from the white slave trade, and raises her as his own daughter. They escape into the swamp, living there to hide from prejudice and questions. Only in exploitation!

Along with the standard country movie elements, there are many scenes that feature some sudden and shocking violence. There are a couple of hatchet deaths and a guy is dropped into a snakepit. The tone and feeling for some reason reminded me of Don’t Look In The Basement. Can’t say exactly why.

We have the standard SWV extras. A collection of swamp-related trailers, all of which I think I own. Also, there are a couple of shorts, including a mud-car race. Very bizarre. And the requisite slide show.

Two beers out of five. (again, with the no nudity. What is wrong with these guys?)