EDITOR’S NOTE: As the journey through Cannon continues, this week we’re exploring the films of 21st Century Film Corporation, which would be the company that Menahem Golan would take over after Cannon. Formed by Tom Ward and Art Schweitzer in 1971 (or 1976, there are some disputed expert opinions), 21st Century had a great logo and released some wild stuff.
James Bryan and Renee Harmon should have made a hundred movies together and it still wouldn’t be enough for me.
High class call girl or showgirl or lady from Las Vegas Claire Delaney (Tina Louise ) is trying to get her car to the big city when it breaks down, leading to her being attacked by the Hell Riders, who are led by Snake (Ross Alexander). Harmon is one of them, Knife, and they have spiritual guidance from former priest — maybe? — Father (Frank Newhouse). The rest of them have names like an off-brand G.I. Joe knockoff like America’s Defense or The Corps: Convict (Dan Bradley), Angel (Melanie Scott) and Rocky (Shawn Klugman). None of this gang matches, either in colors, logos, costumes or even seeming like they have the same goals.
Before they break into her car, another biker, Big Ed (David H. “Dutch” Van Dalsem) arrives and breaks it up. He has them leave and makes a member of his bikers, Ben (Kelly Green), drive her back to the highway. Then her car won’t start and the Hell Riders come back and piss all over her car, beat Ben straight to oblivion and drag her behind their motorcycles.
Claire makes it to the closest town, one with a sheriff (Jerry Ratay) who doesn’t want to deal with this situation, a mechanic named Joe (Frank Millen) who probably won’t fix her car well enough and Dr. Dave (Adam West), who is willing to stand up to the bikers and be as close as she gets to a love interest. So if you ever wanted to see Ginger get hot for Bruce Wayne, well, your TV dirty dreams get close to coming true. The only nudity is for Angel, who just walks around the town unclothed while the Hell Riders smash everything up.
Somewhere in the middle of all this mayhem, the sheriff’s daughter Suzy (Chris Haramis) decides that she no longer wants to marry Joe and needs to get out of this town.
Shot at a Western themed strip mall with Harmon’s acting students and only having Tina Louise and Adam West for one day of shooting, this is about as good as you’ll get. Other than the close-ups, most of the star’s scenes are played by doubles.
I knew I was going to love this and then when the credits at the beginning listed Lee Frost as one of the producers, I was completely won over. When you have the man who directed A Climax of Blue Power, Love Camp 7, The Scavengers and Witchcraft ’70 on your team, things just have to be good.
You can watch this on Tubi or get it from Vinegar Syndrome.