Does a good job of showing why the Marjoe phenomenon was so brief and the Lynda Carter craze more ample.
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw
1976
Action / Crime / Drama / Romance / Thriller
Plot summary
A young country-star wannabe takes off from her carhop career to join with a young, modern Billy the Kid wannabe for an adventure in theft, murder and mayhem.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
bobbie jo and the outlaw
A hugely enjoyable 70's redneck crime/action exploitation treat
Bored and brassy small town carhop waitress and aspiring country singer Bobbie Jo Baker (a splendidly sassy'n'sexy portrayal by the luscious Lynda Carter of TV's "Wonder Woman" fame) hooks up with brash wannabe Billy the Kid-style modern-day fugitive Lyle Wheeler (a wonderfully robust and engaging performance by Marjoe Gortner) and his rowdy gang of outlaws. The wild'n'crazy bunch embark on a merry crime spree in dusty New Mexico. Directed with tremendous rip-roaring flair by Mark Lester, with a compact, colorful script by "Unholy Rollers" director Vernon Zimmerman, a constant fast pace, bright, sunny cinematography by Stanley Wright, occasional outbursts of bloody violence, plenty of rousing action (the car chases and shoot-outs are staged with considerable exciting aplomb),Carter's legendary eye-popping topless scenes, the catchy, reflective theme song "City Lights" sung by Bobby Bare, and an uncompromisingly downbeat ending, this sturdy little item really delivers the satisfying lowdown trashy exploitation picture goods. The bang-up cast qualifies as another substantial asset: Merrie Lynn Ross as Bobbie Jo's bubbly sister Pearl, Jesse Vint as Pearl's volatile boyfriend Slick, the adorable Belinda Balaski as Bobbie Jo's sweet best gal pal Essie, Gerrit Graham as groovy hippie commune leader Magic Ray, Gene Drew as mean hillbilly Sheriff Hicks, and "Devil Times Five" screenwriter John Durren as equally nasty Deputy Abel Gance. A fun romp.
Glints Of Good Work
Marjoe Gortner and Lynda Carter hook up together and turn to crime with best friends Jesse Vint and Merrie Lynn Ross in this modern-day, dress-down BONNIE AND CLYDE.
It's a thoughtless rehash, but there are some good points, particularly the cinematography, which seems to owe more to Look Magazine than the movies. Gortner comes alive for a moment during a funeral scene, Miss Carter is young a pretty in her reaction shots. Contrariwise, there's a lot of sloppiness in the direction, like kids unconcernedly bicycling in and out of the scene of a gun battle. Overall, it's an odd mix of competence, interesting ideas that don't quite work, and professionalism for the grind house circuit.