Flighty'n'spunky Melba Stokes (a wonderfully zesty performance by Cloris Leachman),several members of her kooky family, and a couple of wacky misfits join forces to embark on a colorful crime spree in the 50's. Director Jonathan Demme, working from a sharp and witty script by Robert Thom, ably crafts a spirited and affectionate tribute to the gloriously kitschy 50's: Sparked by a nonstop zippy pace, a first-rate soundtrack of choice golden oldies, engagingly quirky characters, a very funny sense of off-the-wall humor, and a few exciting and well-staged action set pieces, this movie crackles with a certain infectiously bubbly energy that's a total treat to behold. Moreover, the cast play the campy material with tremendous joy and gusto: Ann Southern as Melba's feisty mother Sheba, Stuart Whitman as amiable cowboy Jim Bob, Linda Purl as Melba's sweet, pregnant daughter Cheryl, Don Most as Cheryl's dippy surfer boyfriend Shawn, Bryan England as tough greaser biker Snake, Merie Earle as spry nursing home escapee Bertha, Sally Kirkland as Jim Bob's ditsy wife Ella Mae, Jim Backus as ruthless businessman Mr. Albertson, and Dick Miller as bumbling cop Wilbur Janeway. Popping up in quick bits are Dennis Quaid, Bill Paxton, and Will Sampson. Bruce Logan's sunny cinematography gives the picture a nice bright look and makes cool use of wipes. Snotty Scotty and the Hankies supply a twangy and flavorsome score. An immensely fun flick.

CRAZY MAMA is another exploitation flick from producer Roger Corman, this time updating the 'gangster family' story from the 1930s Depression era to the rock and roll 1950s. The director is none other than Jonathan Demme, whose masterpiece was, of course, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. The 1950s setting means we get a great soundtrack and lots of kitsch, plus appealing surroundings and dress. Oddly, the film goes for a lighthearted comedy approach despite the potential darkness of the material; there's less sex and violence this time around and more in the way of laughs. It's not a great film, that's for sure; the female lead is weak and the interesting actors don't get much screen time. But it is snappy and occasionally funny for a B-flick, so you'll see worse.

Jonathan Demme directs this joyous unrelentlessly kitschy celebration of 50's America: opportunity, rock'n'roll, and the road. He follows three generations of women and the men they pick up, for a crime spree from California to the old family homestead in Arkansas.

hat do we have here? The film debut of both Bill Paxton and Dennis Quaid. And Dick Miller appears! Oh, and it is directed by Jonathan Demme (his second feature) and produced by Julie Corman? Excellent!

The actual film is pretty silly, with bank robbery and general hijinks that seemed par for the course in the mid-1970s, at least in the world of Roger and Julie Corman. What I enjoyed most about this film was actually the soundtrack -- a great use of classic songs in this movie, which probably took much of the budget.